There’s no question that we need sleep and a good amount of it. Sleep is an extremely important part of our lives, and any minor change in its pattern can disrupt our day-to-day activities. Something else you may not know is that cannabis or marijuana is one of many substances that can aid in sleep and rest.
If you’re looking for a natural remedy for sleep instead of medications and other external support, cannabis edibles can be a good idea. They are gentle, effective, and don’t have a ton of side effects. Today, we’re delving into the science behind cannabis edibles’ impact on sleep patterns. So join us on this installation of cannabis edibles for sleep.
Cannabis and Sleep: How On Earth Do They Relate?
Cannabis and sleep are closely related, as you probably know, but the relationship between the two is much more complex than you would expect. This relationship also depends on a number of factors, such as the specific type of cannabinoid used, the dosage, when you’re taking it, and other factors.
Let’s take a look at how cannabis and sleep can relate to each other:
1. Inducing Sleep
Several scientific studies have concluded that cannabis edibles induce sleep. The results showed that it helped participants to fall asleep, and it also helped induce uninterrupted and deep sleep.
This happens due to certain THC levels in the cannabis strain present in the edible you’re taking. High THC levels have sedative-like effects on the body, causing people to fall asleep faster and into a deeper rest. Effects often depend on user tolerance. Taking higher THC edibles often leads to a hangover effect the next morning for beginners or occasional users, but for those with tolerance, a daily dose of delta 9 thc gummies 50mg can contribute to an improved quality of sleep. Also, it helps to reduce anxiety and stress throughout the next day.
Higher than usual THC consumption for both novice and expert users can result in increased hunger, dry mouth, and the signature post-high glee the next day.
Some strains, such as Indica in particular, are often associated with relaxation and can help you sleep without the added drowsiness and grogginess the next day.
2. Sleep Onset and Duration
As briefly mentioned above, taking cannabis edibles to sleep might reduce the time it usually takes to fall asleep, known as sleep onset latency. Falling asleep quickly is beneficial if it keeps every other stage in your sleep constant, but taking cannabis edibles to sleep has been shown to reduce REM time (rapid eye movement) and impact the balance of these stages.
REM is important in your sleep because this phase initiates dreams and the depth of sleep. In general, the longer the REM cycle is, the better you’ll sleep, but if you take cannabis edibles, that won’t happen.
3. Relief from Pain and Discomfort
Experiencing any form of pain, be it major or minor, can disturb your sleep. If you’re able to reduce the pain or aches, you’ll obviously sleep better, and that’s where cannabis edibles come into play and can help you out.
Cannabis, especially strains with higher CBD content, are effective in relieving pain, inflammation, and discomfort that might otherwise impact your quality of sleep. When pain is well-managed, it will be easier to fall asleep, and the quality of sleep obtained will be improved.
4. Anxiety and Stress Reduction
One of the greatest benefits of cannabis is that it helps reduce anxiety and stress. If you know how stress and anxiety can affect sleep, then you probably would do anything to alleviate the problem. Cannabis edibles can help you manage that for sure.
5. User Tolerance
People react differently to cannabis, and with edibles, the variability in sleep quality will also differ. What helps one person sleep better might have the opposite effect on another, keeping them awake all night. Dosage, tolerance, and individual biology play significant roles in how cannabis edibles affect sleep.
How To Use Cannabis Edibles for Sleeping
Using cannabis edibles for sleep can be an effective way to deal with your sleep problems. But it’s important you approach it responsibly and carefully to prevent any potential negative effects or accidental overconsumption.
Here’s a how-to guide on how to use cannabis edibles for sleeping:
1. Check Those Laws
First things first, you need to make sure you can use cannabis edibles before you use them. Make sure that the use of cannabis is legal where you live, and get them from a legal and reputable source.
2. Talk To A Doctor
Before you start popping those cannabis edibles, talk to your doctor about any underlying medical conditions you might have or if you’re taking any medications so that you’re not risking your health unknowingly.
3. Choose The Right Edible
Select edibles with balanced CBD and THC levels. CBD will help with relaxation, and THC will help induce that sleep you’ve been wanting forever. Make sure you research the impact of the CBD and THC levels on your edible, especially if you’re a beginner.
4. Start With Low Doses
If you’re new to cannabis edibles or have not used them for sleep-related reasons before, start with a low dose at first. Observe for 2 hours to assess the effects before going in with another dose. Also, consult professionals before you start multiple-dosing for sure.
5. Timing Is Everything
Take the edible 1-2 hours before bedtime since this allows enough time for the carbinoids to work their magic and settle you into a good sleep. It is also recommended not to eat or drink anything after the edibles, especially caffeine or alcohol. Those might impact the effectiveness of the edible in helping you sleep..
6. A Sleep-Friendly Environment
Create a nice, relaxing, and calm environment for sleeping. Turn off screen time at least an hour before you hit the bed, dim the lights, and make your bed super comfy and cozy. Then, lie back and let the edibles take their course and work their magic.
7. Patience Is Paramount
Be patient because relief is not going to be an instant experience. The cannabis edible will take some time before it starts inducing sleep. It may also take some time to find the right product and dosage before you experience the full benefits.
The Not-So-Great Things About Using Cannabis Edibles for Sleeping
While many people find cannabis edibles beneficial for sleeping, there might be bumps on the road for some.
Check out these 5 potential drawbacks to using cannabis edibles for your sleep.
- Reduced REM Sleep: Cannabis, especially high THC levels, can suppress REM sleep, which is important for renewing energy and dreaming. Long-time use might lead to a disruption of sleep quality overall. It’s important to monitor the changes and note any negative impacts when you start taking edibles for sleeping.
- Next-Day Grogginess: Depending on when it was taken and how much edible you used, you can feel groggy and super tired the next day. You might be less alert or be unable to concentrate on work or school as well. It can feel like a hangover, which will impact your lifestyle.
- Dependence: Regular use of cannabis edibles to sleep can cause you to become dependent on the drug. This can create a cycle where you won’t be able to sleep without it, creating a harmful dependence or addiction in extreme cases.
FAQs
1. What Form of Cannabis Is The Best For Sleep?
Ans: It really depends on the user. If you’re somebody who’s already consuming or smoking cannabis, you might be fine with any form. But for those who are beginners, you might like flavored gummies, tinctures that are concentrated liquid cannabis, or cannabis-infused tea to brew before bedtime.
2. Do Edibles Affect Your Skin?
Ans: There has not been any concrete evidence that consuming cannabis edibles has any negative impact on the skin.
Conclusion
It’s very important to exercise caution before you consider taking cannabis edibles for sleep. Talk to others who have done it, look at reviews of the products you want to buy, and read the user experiences thoroughly.
Reach out to professionals online or at the dispensary to find out more and do your own research. Be sure to observe and monitor your own experiences when taking the edible, and share your journey with friends and family who might be interested in trying them as well.
Remember that taking edibles alone won’t get you the best sleep ever, You have to tweak and change your lifestyle to further contribute to a healthy sleep quality.
