Cannabis and Sleep
Sleep is a crucial part of feeling good in your everyday life, yet many people struggle with insomnia, and other sleep-related issues. While over the counter and even prescription sleep aids do exist, some people are turning to cannabis as a natural alternative to help them fall asleep and stay that way for the whole night.
For those unfamiliar with what’s in cannabis, there are two main compounds that we’ll find, THC and CBD. THC is the psychoactive compound that gives you the high that is typically associated with smoking weed.
The other is CBD, which is non-psychoactive and known for its calming properties. Which is why, among other things, it is often used to help people fall asleep.
If you find yourself tossing and turning at night and unable to fall asleep, then cannabis might be something you want to try.
Please note: Nothing contained here should be taken as medical advice. Before starting to use cannabis in any kind of medical capacity, please speak with your doctor. Now, without any further ado, let’s get into it!
Promoting Relaxation
If you just find it difficult to fall asleep, then you may want to consider consuming Indica or indica-dominant. These strains are known for their sedative effects and can help induce feelings of drowsiness.
While this won’t necessarily make you fall asleep, like over the counter or prescription sleep aids, it can make it easier to naturally transition into a restful sleep.
Alternatively, some people find it difficult to fall asleep due to anxiety or anxious thoughts. If that’s the case then strains or products that are high in CBD, may help alleviate that anxiety or stress. By promoting relaxation, it can create a more conducive environment for sleep.
Pain Relief
Another big reason that people have trouble falling asleep is discomfort. If someone is uncomfortable or in pain they are going to have a harder time falling and staying asleep.
Cannabis is very often used as a way to relieve pain, whether it be chronic or otherwise. Therefore, using it before going to bed will go a long way towards making you comfortable for the night and allowing you to have a more uninterrupted rest.
Reduced Nightmares
For some it’s not an issue of falling asleep but staying asleep. Persistent nightmares are a common cause of sleepless nights and consuming cannabis is reported to help with that.
Cannabis, particularly strains or products with higher levels of THC, may help reduce the occurrence of nightmares, making sleep more peaceful.
This can be especially helpful for those experiencing conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) where nightmares are a common symptom.
It is important to note that some studies have found that increased consumption of THC can reduce the amount of REM sleep you get and while that is helpful in reducing the amount of dreams (and nightmares) you have.
However REM sleep is essential for a healthy sleep cycle so it’s a good idea for you to speak with your doctor or a sleep specialist before you begin using cannabis for this purpose.
If you’re struggling to fall or stay asleep, then cannabis might be something you would want to look into. If you’re looking to try something then Nature Med has you covered!
If you’re looking for some gummies then you might want to try WYLD Elderberry or PURE Berry Sleepy. Tinctures are more your style then you might want to give the Chronic Health Sleep Well Tincture. Or you could get a little more creative with how you consume, you can add some Sprinkle Dissolvable Night Relax to whatever you’re eating for drinking before bed.
As always, if you’re unsure about what you want or what you need, don’t hesitate to ask your budtender any and all questions! They have a wealth of knowledge and are alway happy to help.
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