THC For Sleep

Sleep difficulties might be extremely inconvenient, particularly if you don’t get enough sleep and your body and especially your mind are unable to function effectively. This has the potential to have a significant negative influence on your general health.

Let’s start by examining the many forms of sleeplessness and how cannabis might aid each one. We’ll go through some of the most common reasons for sleeplessness before we get into how cannabis can help with sleeplessness.

Cannabis helps insomnia and other sleep problems

The cannabis plant has been used as a sleep aid for millennia. People have known and experienced the soothing and sedative effects of cannabis since ancient times, according to contemporary scientific study. Cannabis makes it easier to fall asleep by making the process go more smoothly. According on recent research, cannabis shortened the time it took people with sleep difficulties as well as those who had no trouble sleeping. According to a study, cannabis use among persons with active sleeping disorders reduced the average time it took people to fall asleep by 30 minutes. In addition, a separate group of strong sleepers was studied. According to the research, cannabis helped these strong sleepers fall asleep 15 minutes faster.

According to a research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, cannabis usage improves deep, slow wave sleep and shortens the time it takes to fall asleep. It’s feasible that THC (one of cannabis’ most active components) has an effect on how long people spend in REM sleep as a result of its strength.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia, also known as sleeplessness, is a disruption in the ability to fall asleep or remain asleep that affects many people at some time in their lives. Daytime drowsiness, sadness, irritability, low energy levels, and a generally dejected and unpleasant mood are all typical indicators.

Insomnia has a number of negative effects, including learning and attention problems, poor motor skills that can lead to accidents, and other problems. Insomnia is defined as difficulty sleeping and is linked to anxiety, chronic pain, heart disease, menopause, and caffeine or nicotine overuse.

The greatest method to get rid of insomnia without taking prescription medication (which is addictive and has harmful side effects), is to practice good sleep hygiene, which include a consistent daily exercise program, regular sunshine exposure, and a set bedtime and wakeup time.

The mood of your bedroom is also important; it should be clean and bright, quiet and dark. Insomnia is more common among the elderly than it is among teenagers, but it is becoming increasingly prevalent among younger people. Women are more prone to insomnia as a result of their sleep cycle running earlier than males, according to studies.

There are several different types of insomnia

Sleep-onset insomnia is a type of sleeplessness that occurs when you can’t fall asleep at the start of a night’s sleep, which is referred to as sleep-onset anxiety. Maintenance insomnia exists when individuals are unable to fall asleep due to an inability to do so. Individuals with this condition have no trouble falling asleep, but once they do, they wake up rapidly and have difficulty returning to sleep.

Acute insomnia is an overnight sleeplessness problem that lasts for only a few days and is usually brought on by a major event, either good or bad. Acute insomnia is typically self-limiting since it normally goes away on its own.

However, chronic insomnia is a long-term condition that is sometimes referred to as having difficulties sleeping at least three nights each week for three months or more.

Finally, co-occurring sleeplessness occurs when your sleeplessness is linked to another ailment, such as anxiety or sadness, both of which are known to influence sleep. Because of their chronic pain, many sufferers are unable to totally relax and fall asleep owing to the discomfort they’re experiencing.

Does cannabis help with sleep?

Cannabis is known to induce a state of calm and drowsiness, which has been shown to help with the induction of sleep. Cannabis’ sleep impact has been researched since the 1970s, but due on the drug’s legal status, high-quality research is limited.

The continuing changes in cannabis legality are being driven by a shift in public opinion and a greater knowledge of the plant’s medical capabilities. Cannabis has a variety of chemical components. The two most extensively researched chemicals are:

Cannabis contains many different natural chemicals that affect sleep

Cannabis contains hundreds of natural chemical components that influence sleep and sleep cycles. Today, we’ll look at cannabinoids and terpenes, which are two key aspects of cannabis.

Cannabinoids

According to scientists, the cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids. Many are being studied for their health benefits, including sleep and other illness conditions such as anxiety and depression, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, seizure disorders, numerous cancer types, and chronic pain.

Cannabinoids, three of the most well-known cannabinoids, have an impact on sleep.

THC During Sleep

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a cannabinoid present in cannabis plant resins. THC is a powerful cannabinoid with psychotropic properties that can cause users to lose more sleep. Users who take THC might experience less REM sleep because of its psychoactive effects, which may contribute to their lack of dreams (and night terrors).

According to Freud, the unconscious mind is our representation of our dreams and terrors for the typical person. They assist us without our awareness by providing hope or warning based on our current feelings. Dreams and nightmares are usually good for us since they help us maintain a healthy balance.

Cannabis has been known to help with a wide range of mental health conditions, including severe anxiety, panic disorder, clinical depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It’s quite effective in decreasing or eliminating flashbacks/memories and subsequent night terrors among individuals who have experienced trauma. THC may be utilized to treat the subconscious minds of people who have endured trauma.

The most psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC. The chemical that makes people feel high after smoking marijuana is called THC. It appears that THC has sleeping-promoting effects, making it easier to fall asleep. There’s evidence suggesting that THC may help with respiration during sleep, making it a potential therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.

THC has been linked to a reduction in the amount of time spent sleeping through phases. THC has been discovered to reduce the length of REM sleep and boost slow-wave sleep.

THC reduces dreaming since it lowers the amount of time spent in REM. This may be beneficial to individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and recurring, distressing dreams and nightmares. When people smoke marijuana on a regular basis, they have fewer dreams. People usually experience an increase in dream activity after quitting cannabis use. This is referred to as REM rebound—a resurgence of REM when it has been reduced.

Consider how your sleep cycles may influence the results of using cannabis. Every sleep cycle is critical for optimum rest and performance. Changes in our nightly sleep architecture, especially over time, might result in us losing out on the complete restorative benefits of a night’s sleep.

CBD During Sleep

Cannabidiol, often known as CBD, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that aids in the reduction of tension and anxiety.

We discussed the most up-to-date scientific evidence demonstrating many of CBD’s advantages, such as for sleep. (I’ve written about CBD previously: you may read about it here and here.) CBD has no psychotropic effects; this means there is no “high” associated with it. According to scientists, CBD works to limit or counteract the high induced by another cannabinoid, THC.

CBD, a chemical component found in cannabis, has generated a lot of interest for its potential to relieve anxiety, pain, enhance mental clarity, and promote sleep. CBD also shows promise in reducing daytime drowsiness while increasing alertness. CBD appears to reduce anxiety without affecting sleep-wake cycles.

CBN During Sleep

CBDV, or cannabidiolic acid, is a lesser-known cannabinoid than CBD. When combined with THC, it has sedative effects that may be amplified. CBN also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. According to studies, CBN seems to increase hunger. When THC converts naturally into CBN over time, it appears in older cannabis (compared to fresh cannabis).

The health benefits of CBN on sleep and pain have been extensively studied in recent years.

Terpenes

Cannabinoids have been the subject of a lot of interest for their supposed sleep-improving, mood-elevating, and pain-reducing effects, as well as other health benefits. Terpenes, on the other hand, appear to be important in cannabis’ effects, including its capacity to alter sleep. We’re still learning about how terpenes influence the body and mind. Scientists believe they may enhance the actions of various cannabinoids as well as produce bodily changes in a number of ways.

Terpenes are a type of chemical present in cannabis that contribute to its fragrance and taste. Terpenes can be found in a variety of plants, fruits, and flowers. There are over 150 distinct terpenes presently identified. Different mixtures of terpenes produce diverse flavors and fragrances depending on the cannabis strain used. When we consume marijuana containing these combinations, their components have an impact on the effects produced by each strain.

Terpenes have been found in clinical studies to impact energy, mood, drowsiness, and attention. The following are some of the most prevalent terpenes that have been identified as being good for sleep:

Before you sleep, keep this in mind

However, not all sleep medications are made equal. Marijuana is no exception. “Cannabis should not be used by persons who have had a recent heart attack or poor cardiovascular health because it has been linked to an increased risk of myocardial infarction,” Roman adds.

Some people claim that high-THC strains make them more worried or paranoid, even though cannabis is frequently used to treat anxiety.

If you’re one of these people, test different strains or let your dispensary know when you’re picking your strains. You may find that a different strain can help you sleep while keeping your anxiety in control.

There is more study on marijuana now available, and although it is legal in certain jurisdictions and still illegal in others, this plant has numerous medical advantages that may compare to other medications while having less severe consequences.

There is research connecting alcohol and sleep problems, but there is a need for greater understanding of the effects of cannabis use on sleep and health.

It’s true that smoking cannabis to help you sleep is a stopgap measure. Maintaining healthy sleeping habits and including other activities that promote a restful night’s sleep are all critical for getting a good night’s sleep.

Final Thoughts

Sleep deprivation may have a much greater influence on your life than being irritable and peevish. Did you know that sleep deprivation was linked to over 100,000 automobile accidents and over 1,500 fatalities in the United States each year?

Sleep deprivation and bad sleep quality have a detrimental impact on all aspects of performance, including job accidents.

Sleep deprivation can result in a slew of health issues, including stroke, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cardiac arrest. According to studies cited by sleep researchers, 90 percent of people who suffer from insomnia also have another physical problem! Sleep deprivation decreases your sex drive and cognitive performance; it ages your skin and raises the risk of depression.

Because of this, if you have issues sleeping, you must do everything possible to fix the problem. If you’ve tried to alter your sleep routine, limit your use of electronics before bedtime, and set up a healthy bedtime ritual but still can’t fall asleep, marijuana could be the answer.

The root is a popular alternative sleep aid among users, according to some studies. Valerian may help people sleep better and longer, according to certain research. However, the herb’s ability to help people fall asleep faster is hotly disputed. If you decide to try it, do so carefully and start with a small amount to see how you feel afterward.