Using Cannabis To Sleep: What To Keep In Mind

This article was originally published on The Fresh Toast and appears here with permission.

Cannabis and sleep are great partners. Like most sleep aids, it takes a while to crack the code, once you do it, you’ll be having the most sound nights of your life. Just ask any friend who regularly smokes weed or that person who fell asleep in the middle of a party because the weed they smoked was a bit too relaxing. But here is what to keep in mind when using cannabis to sleep.

Anecdotal evidence from people who have trouble sleeping shows how effective cannabis can be, 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 clear-cut as so many believe it is. There are studies that have shown that prolonged marijuana use, or marijuana abuse, can interrupt people’s sleep habits and deteriorate them.

Here are 7 things you should keep in mind when using marijuana for sleep:

THC Vs. CBD

The answer to this question depends on your approach to sleep. If you want immediate relief, THC is the way to go. It’s the compound that has long been linked with better sleep, knocking people out pretty quickly, especially if they don’t have too much of a tolerance for it. If you’re looking for a long-term solution, you should choose CBD. This element could help you battle anxiety and help you feel more relaxed, thus making it more likely for you to get sleep in the future.

Dosage

Dosage, along with your level of experience with marijuana, matters when it comes to using the herb before bed. If you smoke too little, you might feel no effects. If you smoke too much, you might find yourself tossing and turning with weed-induced paranoia. If it’s your first time using marijuana for sleep, try your best to create a relaxing environment and avoid overstimulating yourself with too much screen time or alcohol. Pace yourself with your marijuana intake and be aware of your body and its cues; that way you’re better equipped to jump into bed once it feels right.

Method Of Consumption

The way in which you consume marijuana will affect how fast or intense your reaction will be. If you consume an edible, be sure to give your body a few hours to experience the effects. If you’re vaping or smoking, there’s more control and less planning necessary.

Type Of Cannabis Matters

Whether you’re consuming a product that’s THC or CBD-based, or you’re consuming sativas or indicas, it’s important to know that all types of cannabis provide different effects. Indicas are the strains that tend to affect the body in relaxing and heavy ways, producing sleepy effects. Still, it doesn’t mean that a sativa strain or a hybrid won’t make you feel sleepy. Marijuana is a trial-and-error type of substance; try different options and keep track of what works for you and what doesn’t.

Marijuana Hangovers

If you’re not much of a nighttime marijuana consumer, the groggy feeling you might experience when you wake up can be puzzling. Although not as strong or common as regular hangovers, weed hangovers exist. Although not completely understood, these are more likely if you’ve been consuming low-quality marijuana. To cope with them, be sure to drink lots of water, eat healthy goods and monitor your cannabis intake throughout the day.

Changes In Sleep And Dreams

One of the most noticeable effects that cannabis has on sleep is the lack of dreams. This is due to cannabis limiting REM sleep, which is the stage of sleep where dreams are likely to occur. Scientific studies have found that REM sleep is important for learning and resting. There’s much we don’t understand when it comes to the relationship between cannabis and sleep. It’s important to monitor your marijuana usage and your sleep habits, especially if you feel like the sleep you’re having is not restful or good for you.

It’s All Up To You

Lastly, it’s super important to highlight that cannabis is a very personalized experience. What might work for me might not work for you. This is why we need more cannabis research and something that can help us understand the plant better, thus, helping us achieve its potential.

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