Marijuana can help you sleep late this weekend

The holidays and then back to work for a busy 2025 – relax and sleep in this three-day weekend with a little help from cannabis

First came the holidays and then the return to work boomed. After 5 weeks of happy celebrations, all the meetings, work things and more have accumulated and it's back to work in the winter weather. Add in the news and short days – it can be a little daunting. Taking time to relax and enjoy a lie-in sounds great – but sometimes your body gets too worked up. Well, marijuana can help you sleep late this weekend — and maybe help your body relax.

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The connection between cannabis and sleep is complex and multifaceted. Cannabis affects sleep primarily through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system in the brain. The active ingredients, particularly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), bind to cannabinoid receptors and promote sleep by increasing levels of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleepiness, and suppressing arousal signals in the brain. THC is known to reduce REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep while increasing deep, slow-wave sleep, which is considered restorative.

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For many users, marijuana can provide short-term benefits such as falling asleep more quickly and improving sleep quality in the first half of the night. A significant portion of users report that cannabis helps them relax both mentally and physically, resulting in deeper, more undisturbed sleep. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from conditions such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, or restless leg syndrome, where cannabis can relieve symptoms that interfere with sleep.

Despite the short-term benefits, experts warn against relying on marijuana for sleep long-term. Research shows that habitual consumption can lead to sleep deprivation, more frequent nighttime awakenings, and fragmented sleep patterns. Over time, users may find that the initial benefits wear off, leading to a cycle in which insomnia returns more strongly after use is discontinued. Like most sleep aids, this is intended for occasional use and not for your nightly routine.

Interestingly, surveys show that nearly 25% of Americans occasionally use marijuana to help them sleep. This trend is particularly pronounced among the younger generations. Over 50% of Generation Z express high levels of stress and a need for relaxation.