Cannabis (i.e., marijuana) is commonly used as a sleep aid by both recreational and medical users. In fact, some surveys found that 70% of young adults who use cannabis casually report that it helps them with sleep. Among individuals who use cannabis for medical purposes (e.g., pain relief), up to 85% claim it enhances their sleep.
Although the research on cannabis is still ongoing, the preliminary findings are quite promising.
In this article, we will delve into the research that studies the effects of cannabis on sleep quality and duration.
Cannabis and Sleep – What Does the Research Say
Marijuana provides different effects based on the balance of cannabinoids. For instance, some strains are energizing, whereas others promote relaxation and sedation.
The key cannabinoids that allow marijuana to exert its effects are:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) – CBD provides a variety of health benefits without any psychoactive effects. In other words, it doesn’t induce the classic “high.”
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that triggers the “high” sensation. Researchers found that this compound plays an important role in sleep, which makes cannabis with higher THC content preferable for individuals who suffer from insomnia.
In one study, scientists found that cannabis strains with a high level of THC reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This lowers the number of dreams you have. Who might benefit from this? Well, individuals who experience frequent nightmares (i.e., post-traumatic stress disorder).
Another consequence of this phenomenon is more time spent in the deep sleep phases. Think about it this way – the shorter the dreaming phase, the longer time your brain will spend in the deep sleep state.
A more recent study analyzed the effects of cannabis on patients with sleep disorders. A total of 38 patients participated in the study. They were selected based on adequate follow-up documentation. These patients had either already been using or expressed interest in using medical cannabis to manage their sleep issues.
The results showed that 71% of the participants reported an improvement in their sleep quality after the use of medical cannabis. What’s more, 39% of the patients were able to reduce or completely discontinue their use of prescription medications, which were previously used for sleep disorders (e.g., benzodiazepines, antidepressants). It’s worth mentioning that 21% of the patients experienced mild adverse effects from cannabis use, such as anxiety. However, these side effects were generally manageable and did not mandate the discontinuation of the therapy.
The authors of the study suggest that medical cannabis may be an effective alternative or complementary treatment to improve sleep quality in patients with insomnia.
What People Think About Cannabis Use for Sleep Aid
A survey analyzed data from 1,216 participants who use cannabis to manage sleep-related issues. The study aimed to understand:
- The types of cannabis products that are preferred by users
- Their methods of administration
- How do these compare to conventional sleep aids like over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription sleep aids (PSAs)?
The majority of participants reported that they use cannabis through smoking joints (46.1%) or vaping flowers (42.6%). There was a clear preference for products with a high concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). More specifically, around 60% of respondents preferred high-THC products. Also, 78.8% of participants specifically sought THC in their cannabis for sleep.
The study found that users reported feeling more refreshed, focused, and better able to function the morning after they used cannabis compared to conventional sleep aids. However, they also experienced more sleepiness, anxiety, and irritability after cannabis use.
How Does Cannabis Aid With Sleep?
Scientists believe that cannabis induces sleep as a result of its interaction with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. When these cannabinoids bind to the receptors, they signal an increase in sleep-promoting adenosine and dampen the brain’s arousal system. This combination of effects may help cannabis users feel more relaxed and ready for sleep.
Cannabis contains various active compounds, such as THC and CBD. Although THC generally acts as a sedative, it can sometimes be stimulating, especially for new users or those who take higher doses. On the other hand, CBD tends to promote wakefulness at lower doses but can induce sleepiness at higher doses.
Both CBD and THC may provide benefits for chronic conditions that disrupt sleep. For instance, synthetic THC may help with obstructive sleep apnea, which reduces the nightmares that are generally associated with PTSD. It also improves sleep for individuals with chronic pain. What’s more, CBD may alleviate symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness.
When you use cannabis for sleep, the type of cannabis you choose matters. Cannabis plants are richer in THC whereas hemp plants contain higher levels of CBD.
When Should You Ingest Cannabis to Improve Your Sleep?
Before you ingest cannabis to improve your sleep, you need to consider the timing. Ideally, you should avoid edible cannabis products due to their unpredictable onset. In general, you would start to see the effects of edible cannabis after 45 minutes to 3 hours. Its effect may also last for up to 12 hours, which may make you feel drowsy the next morning.
Now, the best time to consume cannabis is 45-60 minutes before your bedtime.
Keep in mind that cannabis may not work for everyone with sleep disorders. Therefore, it’s best to take a trial-and-error approach. Try cannabis for a few nights and see how it affects your sleep. This is also important to monitor for any side effects.
Cannabis provides a variety of health benefits, including its significant impact on sleep duration and quality. The widespread use of cannabis to address sleep disorders may become more mainstream in the upcoming years due to the effectiveness of this practice and its relatively low side effect profile.
We hope that this article managed to highlight the potential benefits of cannabis on sleep quality.
