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If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, you might be wondering if cannabis can help. The science says yes! Cannabis has been shown to be effective in treating sleep disorders like insomnia.
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The Science of Sleep
According to a new study, cannabis may help you sleep better. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, found that CBD, or cannabidiol, can help reduce insomnia and improve sleep quality.
The sleep cycle
There are five main stages of sleep: stages 1, 2, 3, 4, and REM (rapid eye movement). Sleep progresses cyclically through these stages—meaning that you move from stage 1 to REM several times during the night. The first four stages make up non-REM sleep, while REM sleep is the fifth stage of sleep.
The benefits of sleep
Most people know that sleep is important, but few know just how important it is. Getting a good night’s sleep helps your body to recover from the day’s activities, and it also gives your brain a chance to rest and repair itself.
There are numerous studies that have shown the importance of sleep, and how lack of sleep can lead to a number of health problems. These include increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, anxiety, depression, and even weight gain.
So, how does cannabis help you sleep?
Cannabis has been shown to be an effective treatment for insomnia. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in 2007 found that cannabis was able to significantly reduce the time it took for insomniacs to fall asleep, and also increased the quality of their sleep.
Another study, this one published in 2012 in The Journal of Neuroscience, found that cannabis increased slow-wave sleep (SWS), which is the deepest and most restorative stage of sleep. SWS is when your body repairs itself and regenerates tissue. It’s also when your brain Consolidates memories from the day.
Cannabis is thought to help you sleep by affecting the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network of receptors and chemicals that helps to regulate various functions in the body, including mood, appetite, pain perception, and memory. Cannabis contains compounds known as cannabinoids that interact with the ECS to produce various effects.
One theory is that cannabinoids help to increase levels of adenosine in the brain. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of tiredness and sleepyhead by binding to receptors known as A1 receptors. As levels of adenosine rise during the day (due to lack of sleep), we feel more sleepy. Cannabis increases levels of adenosine by binding to A1 receptors, leading us to feel more drowsy and fall asleep more easily.
The Science of Cannabis
cannabis has been shown to be effective in improving sleep quality. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that subjects who used cannabis reported better sleep quality than those who didn’t. The study’s authors concluded that “cannabis is effective in reducing sleep disturbances in patients with chronic pain.”
THC and CBD
Cannabis contains over 100 different chemical compounds known as cannabinoids, with THC and CBD being the most well-known. THC is the cannabinoid that causes the psychoactive effects or “high” associated with cannabis use, while CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects. Both THC and CBD interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates various functions such as sleep, appetite, pain, and immunity.
CBD has been shown to have numerous potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation and pain, while THC has been shown to be effective in treating certain conditions such as insomnia and chronic pain. While more research is needed to understand the full range of potential effects of both THC and CBD, there is evidence to suggest that they may be effective in treating a variety of conditions.
The endocannabinoid system
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a collection of cell receptors and corresponding molecules that work together to maintain homeostasis in the body. The ECS is involved in regulating a wide variety of functions, including sleep, appetite, pain, inflammation, and mood. It does this by receiving and responding to signals from endocannabinoids, which are molecules that bind to cannabinoid receptors.
The two most well-known cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found predominantly in the brain and central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are found mostly in the immune system. THC binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors, while CBD predominantly binds to CB2 receptors.
Research suggests that the ECS plays a role in sleep regulation. Endocannabinoids help to control the sleep-wake cycle by signaling to the body when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to wake up. One study found that endocannabinoids increased during periods of wakefulness and decreased during periods of sleep. This suggests that they play a role in promoting wakefulness and suppressing sleepiness.
Cannabis compounds may also help to improve sleep quality by reducing insomnia and decreasing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. One study found that CBD reduced the number of awakenings during the night and improved sleep quality in people with chronic pain. Another study found that THC increased the amount of time spent in deep, slow-wave sleep — the most restorative stage of sleep.
While more research is needed to understand exactly how cannabis affects sleep, the available evidence suggests that it can be helpful for people who struggle with insomnia or other sleeping disorders.
Cannabis and Sleep
For years, people have been using cannabis to help them sleep. The plant has been used for its sedative effects to help relieve insomnia, anxiety, and pain. But does it actually work? Let’s take a look at the science to see if cannabis can help you sleep.
Cannabis as a sleep aid
Cannabis has long been used as a remedy for Insomnia and is one of the most common reasons people use Marijuana. A recent survey found that nearly 70% of medical Cannabis users reported that they used it to improve sleep.
While THC is the primary compound in Marijuana that makes users feel “high,” it also has a number of medicinal benefits. One of these is its ability to act as a sedative, making it an effective sleep aid.
A review of studies on THC and sleep found that it can indeed help insomniacs fall asleep more easily and stay asleep for longer periods of time. However, the authors also noted that more research is needed to determine the optimal dose and delivery method (inhaled, edible, etc.) for treating sleep disorders with Cannabis.
If you’re considering using Cannabis to improve your sleep, be sure to talk to your doctor first. They can help you figure out if it’s right for you and guide you to the safest and most effective product and dosage.
The best strains of cannabis for sleep
Sleep is essential for our health and well-being, but it can be elusive. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder.
Many people turn to cannabis for help with sleep. A 2019 survey of 2,000 people found that nearly 67% of cannabis users said they used it for better sleep.
The best strains of cannabis for sleep are those that contain high levels of CBD and low levels of THC. CBD is a non-intoxicating compound that has been shown to improve sleep by reducing anxiety and pain. THC is the intoxicating compound in cannabis that can increase anxiety and keep you awake.
If you’re looking for a strain of cannabis that will help you sleep, here are some high-CBD, low-THC strains to try:
-Harlequin: This sativa-dominant hybrid has a 5:2 CBD:THC ratio and is known for its uplifting and clear-headed effects.
-AC/DC: This sativa-dominant hybrid has a 20:1 CBD:THC ratio and is one of the highest-CBD strains available. It’s known for its non-intoxicating effects.
-Cannatonic: This hybrid has a 6:1 CBD:THC ratio and is known for its high CBD content and mellow effects.
-Charlotte’s Web: This hemp strain has a 20:1 CBD:THC ratio and is one of the most popular high-CBD strains available. It’s known for its non-intoxicating effects.
The Bottom Line
If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, you might be wondering if cannabis can help. The short answer is yes: cannabis can help you sleep better. In fact, cannabis is one of the most effective sleep aids available.
The pros and cons of using cannabis for sleep
There are pros and cons to using cannabis for sleep. Some people find that it helps them fall asleep and stay asleep longer, while others find that it interferes with their sleep.
The pros of using cannabis for sleep include:
-Cannabis may help you fall asleep more quickly.
-Cannabis may help you stay asleep for a longer period of time.
-Cannabis can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can interfere with sleep.
The cons of using cannabis for sleep include:
-Cannabis may make it difficult to wake up feeling rested.
-Cannabis may increase the number of times you wake up during the night.
-Cannabis can interact with other medications you are taking, causing unwanted side effects.
The risks of using cannabis for sleep
Cannabis is generally considered safe, but there are some risks associated with using it, especially if you’re using it for the first time. Cannabis can cause sleepiness and drowsiness, so it’s important not to use it before driving or operating heavy machinery. It can also interact with other medications you’re taking, so be sure to talk to your doctor before using cannabis for sleep.
