You must be familiar with the popularity of cannabis in recent years. More and more people are now using cannabis. It is also put under the list of essentials during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main reason behind it is the medical benefits of this magical herb. People can use it for various medical conditions after getting a medical cannabis card. You can use medical cannabis for conditions that qualify for a recommendation card. These include cancer, arthritis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s disease, PTSD, epilepsy, seizures, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, migraines, and many more. Cannabis can help in treating these conditions by managing the symptoms associated with these conditions.
Cannabis is also known for helping people suffering from sleep disorders. In this article, we will learn everything about the relationship between cannabis and sleep. We will discuss how these two things are related to each other.
People have been using cannabis for centuries for various reasons. Inflammation, pain management, skincare, sleep deprivation, and a lot more. Yes, cannabis can also help in improving the quality of sleep of a person. It can help you in falling asleep and staying asleep. It is a great sleeping aid. While people are having trouble sleeping at night in these stressful times, cannabis can help them. In fact, people with insomnia use cannabis to get help in sleeping. I know there are a lot of things that you want to learn about this magical herb. That’s why I have prepared a list of things we must understand about cannabis and sleep. So, let’s get into it.
#1. CBD and THC affects sleep in different ways
There are different types of strains and every strain has different effects on a particular person. This is because of the levels of CBD and THC these strains have. Strains that get you high have high levels of THC and low levels of CBD. Some strains will not get you high, and such strains have low levels of THC and high levels of CBD. Then there are some strains that will leave you with a buzz, these have equal (or near-equal) levels of THC and CBD. But, which one do you think is better for sleep?
Most of the studies on sleep are done with high-THC cannabis. There are only a few studies that examine the effects of CBD on sleep. But this limited available research shows that there are mixed reactions of CBD on sleep cycles. While some studies show that CBD can offer ‘alerting’ effects, a survey found out that it can also help in reducing anxiety and poor sleep. The survey was done on 72 adults and found that two-thirds of them were experiencing an improved sleep cycle. However, one-fourth of them reported worsened symptoms. This shows that the effects of CBD on sleep depends on every individual.
You can try different products to find out what works best for you. And if you think that CBD is not working for you, you can shift to a low dose of THC. You can take guidance from 420 doctors to learn which product can work the best for you.
#2. Every cannabis strain is different
As I mentioned above, every strain is different and has different effects. The popular opinion would be to use Indica strains if you are looking for heavy, sleepy effects. While Sativa strains are known to offer uplifting and energizing effects. This may be true in most cases, but you should not choose your strain solely on this basis.
You must take note of which strains are best working for you when it comes to sleep. Notice whether they are high in THC or CBD levels. Also, check which particular terpene profile the strains exhibit. Take note of the chemical composition of your favorite strains that help you fall asleep. This will help you decide to choose another strain that can be beneficial to you.
#3. Natural remedies can improve the sleepy effects of cannabis even more
Cannabis, itself is a great way to get a good sleep. But adding a few natural sleep remedies with cannabis can further help you even more in getting sleep. There are a few terpenoids that are extremely synergistic with CBN that you can add from other herbals. Hops, chamomile, and lavender are known to have important terpenes that are also found in cannabis. These can help you get a good night of quality sleep when added with your cannabis strain. This will help in enhancing sedation efficacy to a great level.
So the next time you are about to consume your favorite sleeping strain, pair it with a cup of chamomile tea. Or choose a lavender bubble bath for far better results. 5-HTP, valerian root, and melatonin supplements may also improve the quality of your sleep.
#4. How can cannabis help you fall asleep faster?
We talked about cannabis being able to help you fall asleep faster. So, let’s understand how it actually works. Cannabis is known to have the ability to reduce stress and offer physical relaxation. This makes it easy to understand that it can help you fall asleep faster. People who are suffering from pain, PTSD, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, or any other condition that makes it difficult for the person to fall asleep can use cannabis for relief.
Consuming cannabis edibles can be a better method to get sleeping aid, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctors suggest that smoking can be dangerous during the COVID-19 pandemic, so choosing edibles becomes a better option. One more benefit of cannabis edibles is that the effects of edibles last longer than smoking or any other method. So, while edibles may take some time to kick in, you will enjoy the effects for a longer period of time.
#5. Cannabis affects REM sleep and dreaming
You tend to miss dreams when you consume cannabis regularly. Dreams occur only when you are in the final stage of your sleep cycle, which is REM (rapid eye movement). When you consume cannabis before bedtime, it can reduce the time of REM sleep. This means there will not be as many dreams or as vivid dreams. However, when you stop consuming cannabis after a long time, there will likely be “REM rebound.” In this, you can have more dreams, which can be more lucid in nature.