Medical Cannabis As a Sleep Aid for Insomnia: Here’s What You Need to Know
Are you suffering from insomnia? Apply for a medical marijuana card in Louisiana to get access to one of the most popular alternative medications for insomnia. Medical marijuana may help relieve the symptoms of insomnia and give you better sleep.
Many insomnia patients using medical marijuana attest to how this alternative medication is effective in treating insomnia with little or no side effects. A medical marijuana physician said that it can help restore a person’s natural sleep cycle, among other benefits.
What is Insomnia?
Mayo Clinic defines insomnia as “a common disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.
People suffering from the condition sometimes feel sluggish or tired when they wake up. They get a feeling of not being fully rested during their sleep.
How Medical Marijuana Can Help Insomnia
Medical marijuana comes from the cannabis plant. It is inherently composed of many types of cannabinoids. The two main components of medical cannabis that are said to alleviate symptoms of many medical conditions, including insomnia, are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
Psychology Today reported that “medical marijuana is as safe as the standard OTC and prescription medications currently available” for insomnia.
The cannabinoids in medical marijuana can modify a person’s nightly rest. However, the effect of these cannabinoids differ.
Medical Marijuana’s Effect on Insomnia
Several studies have shown the potential of medical marijuana in alleviating the symptoms of insomnia in different ways.
The effect of medical marijuana, though, will differ depending on the severity of the condition and the response of the patient.
Experts also suggest that the effect of medical marijuana on insomnia is more significant when a person suffers from this condition because of other neurological conditions like anxiety and depression.
These effects will still depend on the user, the strain of cannabis used, the form of medical marijuana product, the dose, and environmental factors. However, the mechanism of how medical marijuana influences bodily functions remains the same.
The cannabinoids in medical marijuana bind to receptors of the body’s endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is composed of a network of receptors that react to the cannabinoids found in medical marijuana.
According to the community for sleep-care professionals, “the endocannabinoid system plays a role in many of our biological functions, from hormonal and immune function to the regulation of appetite and pain. It also mitigates our stress and anxiety responses. You may have noticed that it’s hard to sleep if you’re not relaxed. New research suggests that cannabinoid signaling can directly promote sleep.”
To understand this statement better, it is best to know that the two main components of medical marijuana, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the main reasons that medical marijuana can impact sleep.
THC was studied to promote sleep by:
- Activating the CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system
- Shortening the period of sleep latency
- Causing longer sleep for users
- Increasing slow-wave sleep, an essential part of cerebral restoration and recovery
Generally, it is the THC content of medical marijuana that has sedative effects.
But, research is ongoing in learning more about the effect of medical marijuana on a sleeping brain considering all factors like the type of medical cannabis used, the level of concentration of both THC and CBD in the medical marijuana product used, and the medical marijuana strain.
Medical Marijuana As Another Method for Treating Insomnia
Medical marijuana is being used by many patients suffering from insomnia, whether as a sole medical condition or as a coexisting condition with another neurological or medical condition. It can be a choice to help insomnia patients because of its analgesic properties. Hence, it brings relief to those suffering from chronic pain who cannot sleep.
Benefits of Medical Cannabis for Insomnia
The benefits that insomnia patients can get from using medical marijuana include:
- It will help avoid the use of more potent drugs that have more severe side effects.
- It gives a calming feeling and may help a person relax and feel sleepy.
- Improves the quality of sleep (may help a person experience longer sleep)
Bottom Line: Can Medical Marijuana Help Treat or Alleviate Insomnia?
Yes. Medical marijuana can help a person suffering from insomnia sleep better, easier and longer. You can ask a medical marijuana doctor about the best medical cannabis strain and formulation or concentration that is best for your condition.
Get access to medical marijuana in your locality and give yourself a chance to improve your insomnia.
Passionate Writer, Blogger and Amazon Affiliate Expert since 2014.
