There’s nothing quite as sweet as a good night’s sleep. It helps us feel our best and is crucial for long-term health and wellness. Unfortunately, millions of Americans suffer from the frustration of chronic insomnia and are searching for a solution.
When our natural sleep cycles are thrown-off by modern life, things like stress, erratic schedules, and too much caffeine can keep us staring at the ceiling at 2 AM. It’s easy to want to turn to prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids that can make you feel groggy the next morning, but cannabis can be a much better solution. Let’s take a look at the facts about cannabis for insomnia. Here’s how it works.
Cannabis for Insomnia
When physical symptoms like chronic pain and stiffness make it hard to fall asleep, cannabis can come to the rescue by acting as an analgesic. It can also soothe anxiety to help ease a racing mind, which makes getting to sleep and staying there a lot easier.
While THC and CBD are both cannabinoids that provide some amazing therapeutic benefits for sleep, THC acts as the more powerful sedative. Besides making you feel sleepy, cannabis with higher amounts of THC works to reduce REM, which helps you stay in the deeper, more restful phases of sleep for longer. This action can be helpful for those who have trouble staying asleep through the night, as well as those who suffer from bad dreams.
CBD has many relaxing properties without the “high” associated with THC. So if you’d rather avoid noticable photoactive effects, you might prefer winding down in the evenings with some CBD. When we take time to relax before bedtime, it makes falling asleep a lot easier. Combine CBD with a warm bath or a good book, and avoid screens with blue light to put yourself in the right mental and physical state for sleep.
Taking Cannabis Before Bed
There are many ways to take cannabis, so you might be wondering which consumption method is the best for sleep. Smoking or vaporizing flower and concentrates allows you to experience the effects instantly, so you can take it whenever you are ready to relax. Edibles and tinctures take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours before the full effects set in, so you’ll want to time your dosage accordingly.
It’s also important to remember that cannabis is biphasic. That means it can have opposite effects at high and low doses. Lower doses have the potential to produce feelings of alertness and heightened awareness, while higher doses can make you feel more sedated. It might take a little experimenting to find the amount that works best for you at bedtime. But remember you can always re-dose if you don’t feel the desired effects.
Final Thoughts About Cannabis for Sleep
Like any substance, cannabis won’t work the same way for everyone. Some people find high-THC products too stimulating or anxiety provoking, while others find them very soothing and relaxing. It’s a good idea to experiment with different strains until you discover what works for you.
If you aren’t sure where to start, our dispensary staff will be happy to make some recommendations for you based on your goals and your experience with cannabis.
Are you ready to see for yourself what cannabis can do for your insomnia? If you have been unable to find relief with prescription medication, schedule an appointment or just drop in to learn more about becoming a patient.
