by Canna America | April 28, 2023 | Cannabis
Alongside its healing properties for chronic pain, appetite activation abilities, and modes of mental remedies, sleep disorders actually rank as one of the most common reasons individuals report using cannabis for medicinal purposes.
According to the National Library of Medicine, sleep is essential for health and involves factors such as quality and duration, and recent research has shown that later sleep timing and greater variability in sleep are associated with adverse health outcomes such as increased risk of depression and cardiovascular diseases.Despite advances in modern medicine, insomnia and sleep disorders remain a significant burden to society. Cannabinoids are gaining acceptance for use as medicines in the treatment of insomnia. Currently, there exists a variety of available pharmaceutical treatments for insomnia and sleep disorders including zopiclone, zolpidem, mirtazapine, etc. (Cameron, 2022; Dhalla, 2022; Gallagher, 2022; Vaillancourt, 2022). However, many of these medications deliver unwanted adverse effects. Many patients who seek medical cannabis for sleep and related disorders have often tried many of these medications and have experienced undesirable side effects.
How Does Cannabis Work as a Sleeping Aid?
Pharmacists and medication experts explain that THC acts on the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system and can yield a biphasic effect on sleep such that THC, at lower doses, can reduce sleep onset latency and has been associated with greater ease of falling asleep, increased slow-wave sleep and increased total sleep time (Cameron, 2022; Dhalla, 2022; Gallagher, 2022; Vaillancourt, 2022). In lament terms, the sleep-promoting effects of cannabinoids are due to their interactions with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. When cannabinoids bind to these receptors, they send messages to increase levels of sleep-promoting adenosine and suppress the brain’s arousal system. Together, these effects may help cannabis users feel sedated or sleepy (Pacheco, 2023; Rehman 2023).
Best Strains for Producing Zzz’s
In general, people prefer indica strains to help with sleep. Indica is thought to produce more of a calming body high and may help produce feelings of relaxation and sleepiness. For these reasons, people seem to prefer the use of indica strains when it comes to treating insomnia and other daily sleep disorders. Some of these indica strains that help aid in sleep include:
• Northern Lights
• Granddaddy Purple
• Hindu Kush
• Gelato
• Girl Scout Cookies
• Wedding Cake
Takeaway
Based on the available evidence, THC and THC derivatives, used either alone or in combination with CBD, have been shown to improve both the quantity and quality of sleep.
Sources:
Vaillancourt, R., Gallagher, S., Cameron, J. D., & Dhalla, R. (2022, April 15). Cannabis use in patients with insomnia and sleep disorders: Retrospective chart review. Canadian pharmacists journal : CPJ = Revue des pharmaciens du Canada : RPC. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9067069/#:~:text=THC%20acts%20on%20the%20CB1,and%20increased%20total%20sleep%20time.
Cannabis for sleep: Benefits and risks. Sleep Foundation. (2023, March 17). Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-aids/cannabis-and-sleep
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