Cannabis For Sleep: Does Weed Help Make You Tired?

Millions of people worldwide are experiencing sleep problem issues. The most common sleep disorders reported include insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome.

Insomnia is when you have trouble falling asleep or sleeping only for a few hours. A person diagnosed with narcolepsy shows symptoms of irregular sleep patterns, like falling asleep during the day and at other strange times. Sleep apnea’s main symptom is breathing interruptions while asleep, and if you have restless leg syndrome, your legs will have a prickly sensation while sleeping.

Other sleep disorders like sleep talking and teeth grinding or having nightmares may result in sleep disturbances.

Medically doctors prescribe drugs like melatonin supplements to improve sleep quality. The discussion of cannabis comes into the picture because of its known scientific effects and benefits. Does cannabis for sleep work? Can I take weed for insomnia?  

Below is more information about cannabis and how to use weed for sleep.

 

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis use has a long history; the recreational drug is popular and has deep roots in its use spiritually, socially, and medically in many cultures. Cannabis use publicity is unequal through music and theatre. 

The most popular way of consuming marijuana for sleep is inhaling and ingestion. The two main weed species popularly consumed are Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica, each having identifiable unique effects.

 

How Does Cannabis Work?

The cannabis plant contains multiple compounds known as cannabinoids, which react with and affect our bodies differently. 

The two most popular are:

• Cannabidiol (CBD). This non-psychoactive cannabinoid has many health benefits and doesn’t make you feel high upon consumption.  
• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It’s the primary psychoactive ingredient in weed, responsible for the high effect when you consume cannabis. Something else THC helps to induce sleep, and the best weed for sleep is a strain with a higher level of THC than CBD.
• Cannabinol (CBN). Unlike the above two, CBN studies are fewer. It stems from THC, has some psychoactive abilities, and is generally accepted as the more sedating cannabinoid. 

When consuming cannabis, you will ingest all three compounds in your body unless you use a pure distillate or cannabis-infused product made from a specific cannabinoid extract.  

How Does THC Help With Sleep?

Our bodies produce melatonin hormone regularly, which enables us to have a sleep cycle. Sometimes melatonin supplements may be required to promote sleep and improve its quality.

THC increases melatonin production as it binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the central nervous system. So, melatonin and weed work together to make you feel sleepy and enjoy quality sleep. 

Although THC is intoxicating, it shows the effects of relief of chronic pain illnesses like cancer and inflammation. The easing of pain during sickness helps a patient to enjoy quality sleep.

Studies show that consuming weed with higher levels of THC reduces the length of the REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) phase while sleeping. The REM sleep phase is the period while sleeping when you dream or experience nightmares. 

The theory is that the less time you spend dreaming, the more time you will spend in a deep sleep state. While in a deep sleep state, your body and mind become more restorative and restful in the sleep cycle.

In most cases, a moderately higher level of THC intake induces sedative effects, which makes a cannabis user find it easy to catch some sleep. When choosing the best cannabis for sleep, consult your doctor and go slow.

 

How to Use THC for Sleep?

So, how does weed help you sleep? 

The following are tips on how to use THC for sleep:

1. THC products are more effective at inducing sleep if ingested a few hours before bedtime rather than right before hitting the bed.
2. Indicas with high THC from 20% and above produce the highest effect among strains, according to many cannabis consumers, making them popular among those experiencing sleep issues.
3. Persons with higher tolerance levels of cannabis tend to opt for dabbing or consuming edibles for sleeping with over 20 mg of THC.
4. The best cannabis products for inducing sleep are edibles.
5. Tinctures, capsules, and decarboxylated oils are the most affordable, healthiest, and most reliable in achieving a consistent dosage when using cannabis for sleep.
6. Consuming cannabinoids with fats increases their effects, especially the soothing effects. Buy oil-based tinctures or oil capsules. If swallowing dry powder capsules, include a small fatty snack to get more from the exact dosage.

Use THC for sleep moderately at low dosages and less frequently for higher efficacy. Another thing is that prolonged cannabis use increases tolerance, and significant doses impact your psychological and social well-being.

 

Marijuana Flowers or Edibles for Sleep?

The most commonly available and direct form of cannabis is marijuana flowers which most consumers ingest mainly through smoking. Marijuana flowers contain all the cannabinoids and terpenes present in the cannabis plant, and you can use them when making cannabis tea for sleep.

Smoking is not recommended if you have asthma or other respiratory complications. Scientific evidence shows that smoking contributes to respiratory system ailments, a reason why many cannabis consumers are opting for edibles.

Consuming edibles for sleep is convenient and can be done without attracting attention. Most weed edibles are made using cannabis concentrates which are lab tested, and it is possible to know the amount of cannabis you are consuming. 

However, weed edibles take up to an hour or more before kicking in, and their effects last longer because THC metabolism occurs in the liver. We advise you to consume edibles for sleep if you are planning to enjoy sleep of not less than six hours. A large dose of edibles will leave you feeling groggy in the morning.

There are a variety of ways in which you can consume edibles, infused in other foods, tinctures, or directly. Online weed dispensaries in Canada offer cannabis oil for sleep, a product you can ingest directly.

However, if you have a liver medical condition, keep away from edibles and only use edibles after consulting your physician.

Is It Good to Take Weed For Insomnia?

If you are considering turning to weed for insomnia, our advice is you consult your doctor first. If you are under another type of medication, consult thoroughly to see if a known interaction exists between your current medicines and cannabis.

That said, higher-level THC weed strains as a dose on their own prove to affect sleep. The action of THC on the receptors in the nervous system, when consumed at lower doses, has a biphasic effect in the following ways.

• Reduces sleep onset latency
• It is associated with making a patient feel easy to sleep
• Increases slow-wave sleep
• Lengthening total sleep time

When the above effects combine, cannabis for insomnia works as a sleep aid. However, it would be best to consider the side effects of using weed for insomnia.

 

What Are The Best Weed Strains For Sleep?

As mentioned earlier, the best weed strain for sleep is the one with a higher level of THC than CBD, mostly Indica marijuana flowers and their hybrids. 

Good examples are:

• Gorilla Glue#4
• Granddaddy Purple
• Bubba Kush
• Mendo Breath
• Tahoe OG  

 

Are There Negative Effects Of Using Cannabis For Sleep?

When consumed, any chemical compound, whether natural or artificial, affects our body in a specific way. Large quantities and prolonged use of any substance have some adverse effects. Weed for insomnia is not exceptional and should be cautiously approached under a doctor’s supervision.

You may experience the following adverse effects when using cannabis for sleep.

• A larger dose of cannabis with a higher THC level reduces REM sleep; although it increases the deep sleep state, REM is still essential for the brain structure and immune system, and long-term weed can negatively affect your sleep.
• Regular weed consumption increases tolerance, making users increase their dosage and dependence. 
• Lack of sleep is one withdrawal symptom you have to fight with upon quitting.

 

Where to Buy Cannabis For Sleep Online in Canada?

Are you looking for cannabis sleep aids in Canada? Our weed dispensary has a variety of products from different strains that you can choose from. We offer a range of dried flowers, concentrates, distillates, and specific cannabis oil for sleeping. 

You can also buy Indica cannabis seeds if you want to try growing some for yourself.

 

References

Periodic edibles (2020, September 16). Cannabis and Sleep: An Individual Journey. Available at: https://www.periodicedibles.com/blog/cannabis-and-sleep

The Seed Pharm. (2023, April 1). Buy Cannabis Seeds Online. Available at: https://www.theseedpharm.com/product-category/indica-marijuana-seeds/

Adolfo G. (2017, February 16). Cannabis and Sleep. Cannareps. Available at: https://cannabissommelier.com/cannabis-sleep/

Get Kush. (2023, April 1). Best Online Dispensary Canada | Buy Weed Online. Available at: https://getkush.cc/product-category/cannabis/indica/

Can Pharm J (Ott). (2022, April 15). Cannabis use in patients with insomnia and sleep disorders: Retrospective chart review. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9067069/#

Oasis Cannabis (2022, March 02). How Cannabis Affects Melatonin Production. Available at: https://www.oasiscannabis.com/blog/how-cannabis-affects-melatonin-production/#