7 things to consider when using cannabis as a sleep aid

Marijuana and sleep make great partners. It may take some time to crack the code, but once you do, you’ll have the most restful nights of your life. Just ask a friend who smokes weed regularly, or the person who fell asleep in the middle of a party because the weed they were smoking was a little too relaxing.

Anecdotal evidence from people with insomnia demonstrates how effective cannabis can be in helping users feel relaxed and allowing them to achieve hours of uninterrupted rest. Despite marijuana’s powerful sleep-inducing effects, it’s important to understand that the relationship between cannabis and sleep isn’t as straightforward as many believe. There are studies that have shown that prolonged marijuana use or marijuana abuse can disrupt and worsen people’s sleep patterns.

Here are 7 things to keep in mind when using marijuana to sleep:

THC vs CBD

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The answer to this question depends on your approach to sleep. If you want instant relief, THC is the way to go. It’s the compound that’s long been associated with better sleep and renders people unconscious fairly quickly, especially if they don’t have a high tolerance for it. If you are looking for a long-term solution, you should go for CBD. This element could help you fight anxiety and make you feel more relaxed, making you more likely to sleep in the future.

dosage

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Dosage, along with your experience with marijuana, matters when it comes to using the herb before bed. If you smoke too little, you may not feel any effects. If you smoke too much, you may find yourself tossing and turning with weed-induced paranoia. If you are new to using marijuana to sleep, try your best to create a relaxing environment and avoid overstimulating yourself with too much screen time or alcohol. Adjust your marijuana use and pay attention to your body and its signals; That way, you’ll be better equipped to jump into bed as soon as it feels right.

type of consumption

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How you consume marijuana affects how quick or intense your reaction will be. Whenever you consume an edible, be sure to give your body a few hours to feel the effects. When you vape or smoke, more control and less planning is required.

The type of cannabis is important

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Whether you are consuming a THC or CBD based product, sativa or indica, it is important to know that all types of cannabis produce different effects. Indicas are the strains that tend to affect the body in a relaxing and heavy way, producing sleepy effects. However, that doesn’t mean that a sativa strain or hybrid won’t make you sleepy. Marijuana is a trial and error substance; Try different options and track what works for you and what doesn’t.

Marijuana hangover

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Unless you’re a late-night marijuana user, the groggy feeling you get when you wake up can be disorienting. Although not as strong or common as regular hangovers, there are grass hangovers. Although not fully understood, these are more likely if you’ve used low-quality marijuana. To deal with them, be sure to drink plenty of water, eat a healthy diet, and monitor your cannabis use throughout the day.

Changes in sleep and dreams

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RELATED: Does Using Cannabis to Sleep Cause Crazy Dreams?

One of the most noticeable effects cannabis has on sleep is the lack of dreams. This is because cannabis restricts REM sleep, which is the sleep stage where dreams are likely to occur. Scientific studies have found that REM sleep is important for learning and resting. There’s a lot we don’t understand when it comes to the relationship between cannabis and sleep. It’s important to monitor your marijuana use and sleep patterns, especially if you feel like the sleep you’re getting isn’t restorative or good for you.

It’s all up to you

Poll Results: Adults in Legal Marijuana States Have No Photo by monkeybusinessimages/Getty Images

Finally, it is extremely important to emphasize that cannabis is a very personal experience. What might work for me might not work for you. Because of this, we need more cannabis research and something that can help us better understand the plant and thus help us realize its potential.

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