What to consider when using cannabis to sleep

Cannabis and sleep make great partners. As with most sleep aids, it takes a while to crack the code. Once you do, you’ll have the restful nights of your life. Just ask a friend who smokes weed regularly, or that person who fell asleep in the middle of a party because the weed they smoked was a little too relaxing. But here’s what to consider when using cannabis to sleep.

Anecdotal accounts from people with insomnia show how effective cannabis can be in helping users feel relaxed and giving them hours of uninterrupted rest. Despite marijuana’s powerful sleep-inducing effects, it’s important to understand that the connection between cannabis and sleep isn’t as clear-cut as many believe. There are studies that have shown that prolonged use or abuse of marijuana 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 very 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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Using the herb before bed depends on the dosage and your experience with marijuana. If you smoke too little, you may not feel any effects. If you smoke too much, you may find yourself tossing and turning in weed-induced paranoia. When using marijuana for sleep for the first time, try your best to create a relaxing environment and avoid overstimulation from 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 prepared to jump into bed when 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.

Type of cannabis is important

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Regardless of 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 strains that act on the body in a relaxing and heavy way, inducing sleepy effects. Still, that doesn’t mean that a sativa strain or hybrid won’t make you sleepy. Marijuana is a trial and error type substance; Try different options and keep track of what works for you and what doesn’t.

Marijuana hangover

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Unless you’re a heavy nocturnal marijuana user, the light-headedness you feel when you wake up can be puzzling. Although not as severe or as common as a normal hangover, there is a grass hangover. Although not fully understood, these are more likely if you’ve used low-quality marijuana. To cope with this, make 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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One of the most noticeable effects of cannabis on sleep is the lack of dreams. This is because cannabis restricts REM sleep, 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 connection 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 restful or good for you.

It all depends on you

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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 unlock its potential.