The impact of cannabis on sleep is an ongoing topic of debate. Whether it’s an issue of THC levels, long-term effects, or terpenes, the answers aren’t always clear-cut. Here are a few things to consider.
THC levels
The effects of cannabis on sleep are complex and varied. Although some individuals report a significant improvement in their ability to fall asleep, others report lessened anxiety at night.
There is limited research on the safety of marijuana as a sleeping aid. However, some patients have reported adverse side effects such as cognitive impairment, dizziness, and metabolic syndromes. It is therefore important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing insomnia.
Sleep disorders are a common reason for seeking medical marijuana. Moreover, patients have been known to experience improved symptoms with additional counseling. In addition to improving sleep, a number of medical conditions have been reported to improve with medical cannabis.
To evaluate the effects of medical cannabis on sleep, researchers at Hybrid Pharm conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who were interested in medical cannabis. They identified 159 patients who indicated on their patient intake forms that they were seeking medical cannabis for insomnia.
For their study, researchers used a number of objective and subjective measures of the effects of cannabis on sleep. Objective measures included the length of time spent in REM, sleep latency, and the TST. Some participants also filled out an everyday memory questionnaire and slept with a PSG headband.
The effects of medical cannabis on sleep may be enhanced if patients discontinue their use of nightly prescription medications. This is important because prescription medications can have unwanted and sometimes dangerous effects on the brain.
Patients who stopped using their nightly prescription medications showed improvements in their psychological well-being and overall health. On the flip side, patients who continued to take their nightly prescription medications saw some negative side effects.
A more comprehensive analysis of the effects of medical cannabis on sleep would include the use of a range of cannabis subspecies, cannabinoid concentrations, and subjective and objective measures of sleep.
Indica vs sativa strains
Sativa and Indica cannabis strains have different effects on the body. They can affect sleep and mood. Both are good for treating anxiety, depression and fatigue.
Sativa is associated with a feeling of euphoria and focus, while indica is sedating and relaxing. However, some studies have suggested that both may have adverse effects.
THC is a cannabinoid in both types of cannabis, but it plays a much more active role in altering the architecture of sleep. It is also associated with a reduction in REM sleep and increases in slow-wave sleep.
When looking for a strain for sleep, it’s best to choose a high CBD, low THC strain. The high CBD content helps alleviate insomnia and anxiety. If you’re not used to using cannabis, try a sativa-dominant hybrid. These types of strains are popular for their ability to make you uplifted and energized.
Some of the most common benefits of Sativa-dominant strains include increased productivity, heightened creativity, and reduced stress. Often, patients who must medicate in the morning or evening prefer these kinds of hybrids.
Indica is more commonly known for its sleep-inducing properties. Aside from its sedative effect, it is also a natural pain reliever. Although there are negative side effects, indica can help people with chronic pain.
Sleep is one of the major medical problems that plague many adults. In fact, up to forty percent of American adults suffer from insomnia at some point in their lives. Luckily, there are many natural ways to combat this condition, but it’s important to remember that there are also a variety of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals that can cause severe abuse and dependence.
The best way to find the right strain for your particular problem is to research. Fortunately, today’s cultivators of medical cannabis grow a large variety of strains.
CBD oil
While there aren’t a lot of studies on the impact of cannabis on sleep, it appears that CBD oil may help you get a better night’s rest. However, more research is needed to understand the benefits of CBD.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biochemical communication system in the human body. It includes cannabinoid receptors located in the brain and central nervous system. Various medications and health conditions can affect the ECS.
CBD has been shown to have some effects on the ECS. It can be helpful in calming the central nervous system, and in some cases, improve sleep by reducing the number of night awakenings. In addition, it may have a sedative effect.
A study found that CBD had the ability to lower anxiety levels in patients. This was the first known study to show that a cannabinoid can reduce anxiety.
The study also found that, in some cases, the presence of cannabidiol increased the total amount of time spent asleep. That’s pretty important for sleep.
Researchers believe that CBD’s effect on sleep is dose-related. Higher doses can have a sedative effect, while low-doses are more likely to increase wakefulness.
Several clinical trials have demonstrated that CBD has some benefits in terms of improving quality of sleep. Studies have found that the presence of cannabidiol can improve sleep by reducing the incidence of night awakenings and increasing the duration of deep, restful sleep.
There are several forms of CBD. Some are found in edibles, tinctures, and topicals. Another form is a controlled-release melatonin.
It’s best to talk to your doctor if you’re looking into using CBD to help you sleep. He or she can suggest medications and behavioral changes that may help.
Terpenes
A growing number of people are asking about the role of terpenes in cannabis and sleep. There is new research that suggests that certain terpenes may have a natural sedative effect.
Terpenes are essential oils that provide a unique smell and taste to plants. They also attract pollinators. Some terpenes have been found to have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.
The aroma of terpenes can also help you fall asleep. One of the most commonly-occurring terpenes, linalool, has a calming and relaxing effect on the body. Linalool is found in many different herbs and is especially abundant in lavender. It has a citrus and floral scent that is believed to reduce anxiety.
Sleep problems can be caused by a variety of factors. Stress, depression, physical pain, and anxiety can all lead to insomnia. For a good night’s rest, you need eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. If you’re not getting enough, you should talk to your doctor about your sleeping habits.
In addition to helping you fall asleep, terpenes can reduce stress and anxiety. Terpinolene, which can be found in many strains of marijuana, has a fresh, pleasant fragrance. Another terpene, caryophyllene, is found in cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper.
There are hundreds of terpenes. However, some of them are more effective than others. You should keep in mind that some terpenes have psychoactive effects.
To find out which terpenes are best for you, you should research each type individually. There are a number of terpene-rich strains that are said to offer a variety of benefits. Using a strain with a high concentration of terpenes can help you relax and enjoy the effects of cannabis.
Taking a terpene-rich strain can help you sleep better. Terpenes can also enhance the effects of CBD and other cannabinoids.
Long-term effects
The long-term effects of cannabis on sleep have been studied. Researchers have found that the sedative properties of marijuana, particularly the cannabinoid THC, have a dramatic effect on the duration and quality of sleep.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, a healthy adult should get at least seven hours of sleep each night. However, about 40 million Americans report insomnia every year, and 10 to 15 percent of adults will experience chronic insomnia.
Using cannabis as a sleep aid may be one way to treat these conditions. In a recent study, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania examined the effects of cannabis on sleep. Their results were published in the BMJ journal.
They analyzed the use of cannabis among 21,729 US adults. This included a national sample of adults aged 20-59 years. For the analysis, they used the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
In addition to the NHANES, the researchers gathered data from other studies. They asked the subjects about their race, age, weight, weekly working hours, and prescription medications. Among the results, they found that more than one in five people who use marijuana regularly struggle to fall asleep.
Another important factor is the endocannabinoid system, which is believed to affect the brain’s sleep-wake cycle. As a result, THC can reduce the time spent in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. It also helps to increase slow-wave and light-wave sleep.
The most obvious benefit of using cannabis to help you fall asleep is that it can shorten the amount of time it takes to go to sleep. But it also has the potential to cause mania, paranoia, and anxiety.
Some of the side effects of long-term marijuana use include: a greater risk of developing chronic bronchitis, an increased chance of heart attack and stroke, and a reduction in gray matter in the brain.
