{"id":23448,"date":"2024-05-03T10:53:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T14:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=23448"},"modified":"2025-02-24T13:18:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T18:18:34","slug":"cannabis-and-sleep-how-thc-and-cbd-help-me-catch-some-zs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/cannabis-and-sleep-how-thc-and-cbd-help-me-catch-some-zs\/","title":{"rendered":"Cannabis and Sleep: How THC and CBD Help Me Catch Some Z’s"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can cannabis help with sleep? It is common knowledge that cannabis may have relaxing effects for some that consume it. Anecdotally there are claims that cannabis use may act as a sleep aid for those who need it\u2014but what is actually known about cannabis and sleep?<\/span><\/p>\n

Indica has a reputation for making people feel calm and mellow and helping to induce sleep. In reality, whether<\/span> a cannabis strain (i.e., chemovar) is indica or sativa<\/span><\/a> is not very important. Recent research has found that terpene and cannabinoid profiles are far more significant when trying to produce specific effects. Let’s take a deeper look at how cannabis might help you catch some much-needed z’s, and hear one patient’s perspective on chasing a good night’s sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reported Effects of Consuming Cannabis<\/b><\/h2>\n

Cannabis can do different things for different people. For some people, it picks them up and gives them the motivation, creativity, and gusto they need to get through the day. For other people, it’s the exact opposite. Cannabis helps them unwind and calm down. It helps them to relax while alleviating the stress of the day. Some people turn to cannabis to help them manage the symptoms of mild pain and inflammation. Others use cannabis to help manage chronic pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people choose to use cannabis to help increase their appetite and control nausea. There are many different reasons why people choose cannabis. One of the most popular reasons people choose cannabis is for sleep. Even those who use cannabis throughout the day often medicate right before they go to bed in order to help them sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are the Different Types of Sleep?<\/b><\/h2>\n

When it comes to sleep, science and research have broken it down into four stages. The first three stages of sleep are classified as NREM (i.e., non-rapid eye movement) stages, followed by the fourth stage\u2014REM sleep. In stage 1, an individual will have transitional periods between being asleep and awake that last an average of 5 to 10 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

During stage 2, the body temperature begins to cool, and the heart rate starts to slow down. During this particular part of sleep, the brain starts producing sleep spindles. The second stage lasts about 20 minutes. During the third stage of sleep, muscles start to relax, and both the blood pressure rate and breathing rate drop. NREM 3 sleep is supposed to be when the deepest sleep occurs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last but not least, the 4th and final stage is REM sleep, where the brain becomes more alert and active. This is also the stage of sleep when<\/span> dreaming normally occurs<\/span><\/a>. When our bodies get tired, a message is sent throughout cells that trigger the production and release of melatonin. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by our bodies that helps regulate the sleep process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can Cannabis Help You Sleep? Current Research and a Patient’s Perspective<\/b><\/h2>\n

Recent research has found that certain cannabinoids may help with sleep problems without many adverse side effects. In<\/span> a systematic review published in 2017<\/span><\/a>, researchers found that “Preliminary research into cannabis and insomnia suggests that<\/span> cannabidiol (CBD)<\/span><\/a>, a non-psychoactive component in cannabis, may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia.<\/span> Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)<\/span><\/a> may decrease sleep latency (e.g., how fast you fall asleep) but could impair sleep quality long-term.” The review also found that synthetic cannabinoids such as nabilone may help reduce nightmares associated with PTSD and potentially improve sleep among cannabis users with chronic pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the CDC<\/span>, there are many different factors that influence the effects of cannabis, including:<\/span><\/p>\n