Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: Best Cannabinoids for Sleep

Did you know cannabis and cannabinoids help with sleep? This article discusses; what a cannabinoid is, the benefits of taking a cannabinoid, does marijuana help you sleep, does cannabis affect your sleep quality, when to take cannabis for sleep, and tips when using cannabis for sleep.

In recent years, cannabidiol, CBD, has completely taken over the beauty, food and drink, and wellness industries. It is now available in every imaginable product, from bath salts to fruit gummies to seltzer water to chocolate and oil drops. However, there is a new chemical that is derived from cannabis that has the potential to become just as well-known as CBD soon. This chemical's ability to facilitate restful sleep is mainly responsible for its rise in popularity. Baron (2018) noted that CBN is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant and has properties that make it relaxing and sleepy. Because of these properties, consuming CBN in gummies or oil drops may help you have a more restful night's sleep. Below are ways in which cannabis and cannabinoids help with sleep;

What is a Cannabinoid?

Cannabinol, also known as CBN, is extracted from the plants of the hemp plant. CBN and CBD are both cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant; however, their chemical structures are distinct from one another. When THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, is heated and then exposed to CO2 (oxygen), it undergoes a chemical transformation that results in CBN production. What is this product that makes it the most advanced option among those derived from cannabis? Products containing CBN are currently trending in popularity because of their ability to facilitate a more restful night's sleep. The effect that they have is one of relaxation.

Benefits of taking Cannabinoids

Oultram et al. (2021) argued that consuming CBN confers many of the same positive effects as CBD, including enhanced quality of sleep, decreased pain, and reduced inflammation. On the other hand, CBN is significantly more effective when it comes to sleep. When it comes to the beneficial effects of relaxing the body and mind, CBD is not nearly as effective as CBN. The typical user of a CBN supplement can anticipate feeling the effects anywhere from thirty to eighty minutes after taking the supplement. To protect your health and safety, you must have a solid understanding of how these products function. Wait at least an hour before taking another dose of CBN if you find that you are not experiencing any of its effects.

Does Marijuana Help You Sleep?

There is some evidence that smoking marijuana can help people get better sleep. People who suffer from certain conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and lingering pain may find that marijuana helps them fall asleep more quickly, reduces the number of times they wake up during the night, and improves the overall quality of their sleep. Marijuana was found to be effective in the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS), according to the findings of a study that was published not too long ago. According to Al-Husseini et al. (2018), many medicate themselves with marijuana to self-treat conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, and pain. The effectiveness of marijuana for sleep is more debatable among these users. However, a study on people with insomnia discovered that many participants reported relief from their symptoms when using cannabis.

Studies have shown that the effects of marijuana on sleep are different for people who use the drug daily versus those who use it less frequently or not at all. People who use marijuana regularly are more likely to report having more trouble sleeping than people who use marijuana on an occasional basis or who do not use marijuana at all. The number of sleep problems reported by non-daily users is significantly lower than that reported by daily users and non-users.

Does Cannabis Affect Your Sleep Quality?

In addition to facilitating an earlier entry into slumber, marijuana has the potential to modify your sleep architecture. Sleep architecture is a term that refers to the lengths of time spent in each of the various stages of sleep. Cannabis use on a short-term basis appears to increase the time spent in deep sleep, the sleep stage associated with feeling refreshed upon waking. Garcia & Salloum (2015) argued that tetrahydrocannabinol, on the other hand, reduces the amount of time you spend in rapid eye movement sleep, which is the stage of sleep during which you spend more time dreaming, processing emotions, and securing new memories.

People who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience terrifying nightmares, which makes the possibility of reducing the amount of time spent in REM sleep appealing. According to a study conducted on women with post-traumatic stress disorder, those with more severe PTSD symptoms and trouble sleeping were more likely to use cannabis as a coping mechanism. According to Cameron et al. (2014), people with PTSD who took synthetic forms of cannabis experienced a significant reduction in the frequency of their nightmares or had none. Several participants in this study stated that they had improved their overall sleep quality and experienced fewer daily flashbacks. Learn more about cannabidiol and sleep

When to Take Cannabis for Sleep

When selecting a strain of marijuana, remember that the onset of its effects can vary depending on the type of marijuana consumed. In most cases, the effects of marijuana are felt almost immediately after smoking. In contrast, you may not feel the effects of the edibles for longer because they must first pass through your digestive system.

It is impossible to generalize about the effects of smoking marijuana because they are so dependent on the individual, the duration of the inhalation, the number of times it is repeated, and other variables. It's possible that knowing that the peak THC levels typically occur after about 10 minutes will be helpful. Learn more about what is sleep insomnia

Tips When Using Cannabis for Sleep

Your primary care physician is in the best position to advise you regarding using cannabis as a sleep aid, considering specific requirements and medical history. Having an awareness of the various possibilities at your disposal, on the other hand, is beneficial.

Conclusion

Cannabis is used effectively by many people who suffer from chronic pain and insomnia. On the other hand, some people say that it makes them feel more anxious or paranoid. If you do not enjoy the feeling of being high, selecting a strain that has a higher concentration of CBD may be a more suitable option for you. Consider also whether or not marijuana use is sanctioned in the jurisdiction in which you reside. If this is not the case, you should speak with your primary care physician about other ways to improve your sleep quality, such as practicing better sleep hygiene or trying alternative sleep aids.

References

Al-Husseini, A., Wazaify, M., & Van Hout, M. C. (2018). Pregabalin Misuse And Abuse In Jordan: A Qualitative Study Of User Experiences. International Journal Of Mental Health And Addiction, 16(3), 642-654.

Baron, E. P. (2018). Medicinal Properties Of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, And Flavonoids In Cannabis, And Benefits In Migraine, Headache, And Pain: An Update On Current Evidence And Cannabis Science. Headache: The Journal Of Head And Face Pain, 58(7), 1139-1186.

Cameron, C., Watson, D., & Robinson, J. (2014). Use Of A Synthetic Cannabinoid In A Correctional Population For Posttraumatic Stress Disorder–Related Insomnia And Nightmares, Chronic Pain, Harm Reduction, And Other Indications: A Retrospective Evaluation. Journal Of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 34(5), 559.

Garcia, A. N., & Salloum, I. M. (2015). Polysomnographic Sleep Disturbances In Nicotine, Caffeine, Alcohol, Cocaine, Opioid, And Cannabis Use: A Focused Review. The American Journal On Addictions, 24(7), 590-598.

Oultram, J. M., Pegler, J. L., Bowser, T. A., Ney, L. J., Eamens, A. L., & Grof, C. P. (2021). Cannabis Sativa: Interdisciplinary Strategies And Avenues For Medical And Commercial Progression Outside Of CBD And THC. Biomedicines, 9(3), 234.