How Does Sleep Affect Our Health? Sleep is essential for health and well-being, making life difficult for those who suffer from insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects over 64 million Americans and is characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up rested. For many insomniacs, medical marijuana has emerged as a safe and natural sleep aid.
Sleep is vital to our well-being because it regulates many physiological processes, including our:
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Immune system
Ability to carry out daily tasks
Concentration and focus
Nervous system
Your body works to restore cells while you sleep, healing and revitalizing your muscles, organs, and other structures. In children and adolescents, sleep also coincides with the natural release of growth hormones, allowing for proper development. Also, sleep improves cognitive abilities by storing new information and eliminating any unnecessary toxins, resulting in optimal brain function.
Insomnia and Medical Marijuana
Cannabis is well-known for its ability to help people relax and de-stress, making it an excellent natural sleep aid. Individuals who have difficulty sleeping due to an anxious mind, restlessness, or insomnia may find marijuana to be especially effective at falling and staying asleep.
Insomnia can be classified into two types:
Chronic insomnia disorder occurs when a person has sleeping problems and other insomnia symptoms at least three days per week for more than three months.
Short-term insomnia disorder occurs when insomnia symptoms last less than three months or do not occur three times per week.
Cannabis for Sleep: Can Marijuana Help with Insomnia?
Cannabis has been used to alleviate many medical conditions, one of them being insomnia. This treatment works by reestablishing a person’s natural sleep cycle, which becomes out of sync in people who suffer from insomnia. But how does weed help insomniacs sleep better? Is there any scientific evidence to support marijuana as a sleep aid?
There is no concrete statement to support the weed for sleep debate because of limited resources for research. However, the available information suggests that compounds in cannabis interact with the endocannabinoid system in the human body. This system plays a crucial role in sleep regulation, which is why weed has been recommended for insomnia.
According to Healthline, marijuana can restore the natural sleep cycle, often disrupted by the modern lifestyle. Whether you have trouble falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking up early, or waking up feeling tired, cannabis for sleep should help you.
Also, research conducted on the effects of cannabis on insomnia and associated symptoms shows a solid relationship. Marijuana users have been able to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and have been able to sleep soundly at night.
Should I use Medical Marijuana to treat my insomnia?
Because 75% of insomnia cases resolve on their own without medication, it is recommended to first try more natural methods for acute insomnia. These practices may include going to bed and getting up on a regular schedule, getting enough exercise, and avoiding caffeine near bedtime.
If your acute insomnia becomes chronic, you may want to talk to your doctor about trying Medical Cannabis to help you sleep.
Working with a qualified medical practitioner is essential because getting the right dosage and ratio of
CBD and THC is important.
References:
One in four Americans develop insomnia each year: 75 percent of those with insomnia recover Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180605154114.htm
Reynolds AC, et al.. Chronic insomnia disorder in Australia: a report to the Sleep Health Foundation. https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/news/special-reports/chronic-insomnia-disorder-in-australia.htm
https://www.aastweb.org/blog/medical-marijuanas-effect-on-sleep
https://www.veriheal.com/conditions/insomnia/