All sleep cycles are important for healthy rest and functioning. That’s part of what’s known as REM rebound-an increase in REM that happens after REM has been suppressed.Ĭhanges to sleep cycles are one factor to consider when evaluating whether, and how long, to use cannabis. After stopping, its common to experience a burst of dreaming. People may experience fewer dreams when using cannabis regularly. That can be helpful to people who have conditions such as PTSD that involve frequent, disturbing dreams and nightmares. Specifically, THC has been found to reduce time spent in REM sleep and increase time spent in slow-wave sleep.īecause of this diminished time in REM, THC reduces dreaming. THC appears to alter time spent in stages of sleep. There’s also emerging evidence suggesting that THC may improve breathing during sleep, which makes THC a potential therapy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Research shows THC has sedative effects, and can make it easier to fall asleep. THC can provide pain relief, and is also useful in reducing nausea. THC is what gives the high that’s associated with cannabis use. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. (CBD, on the other hand, appears to suppress appetite.) CBN is found in aged cannabis, when, over time, THC converts naturally to CBN. CBN also has pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory properties. It appears to have powerful sedative effects, which may be enhanced when its combined with THC. Studies of CBD show that it reduces anxiety without affecting sleep-wake cycles.Ĭannabinol, or CBN, is a less well-known cannabinoid than CBD. CBD also has the ability to reduce daytime sleepiness and promote alertness. Scientists think instead that CBD works to balance or counteract the high that’s delivered from another cannabinoid, THC.ĬBD has gained a lot of attention for its ability to reduce anxiety, relieve pain, promote mental focus and clarity. There is scientific evidence illustrating many of the benefits of CBD, including for sleep. CBD has no psychoactive effects-that means there’s no “high” associated with this compound. Three of the best-known cannabinoids all have effects on sleep.Ĭannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-mind-altering cannabinoid that promotes relaxation. Many are being studied for their benefits for sleep and other health conditions, including psychological conditions like depression and anxiety, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, seizure disorders, different forms of cancer, and chronic pain. Scientists have identified more than 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. There are two main components to cannabis I’ll focus on today that are important to sleep: cannabinoids and terpenes. Cannabis also appears to shorten time spent in REM sleep, likely as a result of one of its primary active ingredients, THC (more on this important component of cannabis in a minute.)Ĭannabis contains many different natural chemicals that affect sleepĬannabis has dozens of different natural chemical compounds that have effects on sleep, and sleep cycles. This research falls aligns with other studies that show cannabis use reduces the time it takes to fall asleep, and lengthens time spent in deep, slow wave sleep. Among this group of strong sleepers, cannabis helped them fall asleep even faster, by 15 minutes. The study also included a group of people who were able to fall asleep without difficulty. Among people with active difficulty falling asleep, cannabis use resulted in an average of 30 minutes less time in falling asleep. One recent study found that cannabis shortens the time it takes to fall asleep, both for people with sleep problems and people who fall asleep without trouble. In particular, cannabis makes falling asleep easier. Contemporary scientific research has measured what people have known and experienced since ancient times: cannabis has relaxing and sedative effects. The cannabis plant has been used for centuries as a sleep aid. I thought I’d take some time to go over some information that may be helpful in understanding how cannabis can affect sleep and sleep-related issues, and whether cannabis is something to consider for your sleep problems, in consultation with your physician.Ĭannabis helps insomnia and other sleep problems I’ve had a lot of patients and others of you ask me about using cannabis for sleep.
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