People all across the globe are using cannabis to treat insomnia. In fact, a lot of them keep the herb by their bedside. Experts say that even the people with extreme insomnia can enter the world of dreams and memories with the help of a nice and relaxing Indica strain. No wonder why so many people are getting a medical marijuana card in San Diego nowadays.
Though a lot of cannabis consumers know that the herb can help them sleep better, there are a lot of things you probably have no idea about. For instance, did you know an older bud is far more efficient in inducing sleep than a fresh bud? Interesting, right?
There are many other such interesting facts about using cannabis for sleep. So, let’s learn a few here.
Different Strains have Different Effects
Usually, we associate Indica strains with sleep. And Sativas are considered effective in uplifting and energizing you. Though this may be true for a lot of people, this shouldn’t be the only thing you think of while choosing your strain.
Cannabis affects different people differently, depending upon the THC and CBD level, your body structure, and many other things. And thus, a strain that works for others may not work for you.
So, while choosing a strain for helping you with insomnia, you should do some experimentation. Try several different strains and make note of which ones work for you. Are they rich in THC or CBD? Do they have any specific terpene profile? Do they have any other similarities? By keeping track of the chemical composition of the strains that work for you, you will be able to choose the best strain for your insomnia, very easily.
THC and CBD act differently on Sleep
If you are a cannabis user, you probably already know there are many different types of cannabis strains. Some make you high (high THC & low CBD), some not (high CBD & low THC), and there are several that keep it balanced (almost equal THC and CBD). But the question here is which type is better for your sleep?
The studies on sleep until now have mostly studied THC rich strains only. And so, it’s quite hard to say how CBD affects your sleep. However, there are a few small scale studies available that give us an idea of how CBD may interfere with sleep. And mostly, we’ve got a mixed response. Some studies on animals suggest that CBD may have alerting effects on the brain. However, a survey conducted on 72 adults that were suffering from anxiety and insomnia found that more than 65 percent of participants saw an improvement in their sleep after one month of CBD use. But you should also note that almost 25 percent of participants from the same survey reported that their symptoms worsened. So, now the question is CBD benefits who and why.
Trying out different products to see what works for you won’t hurt. However, if you find that CBD doesn’t work for you, you may try a low dose of THC.
Cannabis During Nighttime may induce “Hangover”
A lot of people think cannabis does not induce hangovers. However, this is far from the truth. In fact, a cannabis hangover is a phenomenon that occurs much more frequently than you think. And if you are a cannabis consumer, you probably have experienced them.
Don’t you remember it? Well, let me remind you.
Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling a little foggy after a nice cannabis session the last night? Yes? That’s what a hangover is. What were you thinking? Hunching over a pot in the bathroom? No, cannabis hangover doesn’t do that. However, you may feel a little foggy, congested, and dehydrated. And this mostly happens when you consume bad quality cannabis.
If you want to avoid cannabis hangovers you should buy only the tested products, keep yourself hydrated, eat healthy foods and avoid overconsuming.
Cannabis hinders REM Sleep
While cannabis may help you sleep easily, the one thing you’ll probably miss is your dreams. Dreams usually occur in the fourth and final stage of the sleep cycle, which we call REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep). But cannabis use just before your bedtime can reduce the time you usually spend in the REM stage. And this results in lesser dreams.
However, if you stop using cannabis after a long time, you may experience a very opposite effect called the “REM rebound.” In this, you get even more dreams. Plus, the dreams are more lucid in nature.
Cannabis Helps you Sleep Faster
Cannabis is very famous for its ability to quell stress and anxiety. Plus, it also helps you relax physically. Given these facts, the ability of cannabis to induce sleep quickly isn’t surprising. Furthermore, cannabis also helps people with conditions, like PTSD, multiple sclerosis and pain, etc., which interfere with the ability to sleep.
However, if you are thinking of using edibles, you should note that they take a little longer to show its effects as compared to inhalation methods. But the effects usually last for several hours, which may help you sleep longer. So, even if you are not comfortable with smoking, you can apply for a medical marijuana card in San Diego and enjoy the benefits of cannabis for sleep.
Cannabis may Help You Breathe Better
Have you ever heard about sleep apnea? It’s a condition in which the breath of the person gets obstruct frequently. And this obstruction may last sometimes for even several minutes. You can easily imagine how difficult this condition makes for the sufferer to sleep. They have to wake up several times in the middle of the night, which often leads to sleepiness, nausea, headaches, etc. the next day.
Several studies on the subject suggest that cannabis may help patients improve this condition. A study conducted in 2013 measured the efficiency of dronabinol, a cannabinoid of cannabis, in treating this condition. And the researchers noted that 15 out of 17 participants saw an improvement in their condition just after 21 days of their treatment.
There was another study in the year 2002 that found that THC has the ability to improve the respiratory stability by controlling the serotonin signaling. However, the studies until now are at a very initial level. And we need a much deeper research to be confident about it.
Cannabis use may Cause Sleep Problems in Young People
A 2014 study, which takes information from a survey of 1811 participants who had a cannabis history, says that cannabis use, particularly among kids below 15, may cause sleeping issues in them that may persist throughout their adulthood.
However, you should note that the catch here is the word “may.” The study could not clarify if it was cannabis that worsened the sleep or if people with insomnia are more likely to use the herb because of its sedation inducing properties. And so, more research is needed to understand this relationship properly.