Chronic insomnia can have dire health consequences. We consider an inconvenient loss of sleep (requiring extra coffee in the morning) can be the precursor to some serious health problems. Your body relies on a full night of restorative sleep for physical and mental health, digestive processes, muscle repair, and more.
For some people, obstructive sleep apnea may be undiagnosed. And the quality of sleep can be restored with the use of a CPAP machine. For others, insomnia may be stress-related or part of another underlying diagnosis or condition, like COPD or diabetes.
There are many ways to treat insomnia, depending on the source of your symptoms. Your local pharmacy has a whole section of over the counter (OTC) sleep aids. A physician can also provide a clinical strength prescription to help address insomnia. But many of the sleep aids (prescription and OTC) are ineffective for severe chronic insomnia. And can cause uncomfortable side effects and potential addiction risks.
Now that thirty-six (36) states have legalized medical marijuana in the United States, there is a new option. People suffering from chronic sleep disorders can explore cannabis. And the most convenient THC product to consume before bed is an edible.
How Can Marijuana Help Restore Healthy Sleep Patterns?
Did you know that the risk of developing a chronic disease increases when you have a long-term sleep disorder? Many people do not understand that sleep deprivation affects every aspect of mental and physical health. According to the National Sleep Foundation, as many as 70 million U.S. adults may experience symptoms of a sleep disorder.
Cannabis can help with chronic insomnia that is related to inflammation or pain, like diabetic neuropathy. Cannabis has natural analgesic properties. And some strains that are high in CBD can also help reduce inflammation.
Stress and anxiety are one of the leading causes of anxiety. It is hard to fall asleep and get undisrupted sleep if you suffer from a mental health condition. Clinical anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can impede healthy sleep patterns.
An Indica strain is recommended for sedation, pain relief, and relaxation. Sativa strains before bedtime are not recommended. They typically provide energy and euphoric and excitable moods that can make falling asleep difficult. An Indica strain with a lower than 20% THC potency is often suggested for chronic insomnia patients.
Why do certain strains of cannabis induce sleep? The Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) interacts with the body’s CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Those receptors directly trigger sleep, according to one study published in Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry.
Why Edibles Make Sense for Dosing Before Bedtime
Choosing an edible THC infused product to help with insomnia may be a convenient option. Think about your lifestyle and habits in the evening. Do you feel like smoking late at night? Cleaning an accessory, grinding, and then packing a pipe with cannabis? You may not mind the extra work earlier in the day, but you want it to be fast and easy at night. And nothing is easier than popping candy or eating a treat before bedtime.
Not all states have legalized edible cannabis products. You will need to check with your state medical marijuana program online to see what products are legally permitted. Or just visit your local dispensary. If it is legal, they will have it ready to buy.
Time Your Edible Dose Carefully to Avoid’ Morning After’ Hangovers
Some people report excellent results when treating chronic insomnia with cannabis. But timing is also an essential part of responsible use. Until you are familiar with the effects that THC infused edibles will have, it is a good idea to give yourself extra time. For example, THC consumed as an edible can take up to eight hours to leave your system.
So, if you get up at 6:00 a.m. and leave the house for work an hour later, you will want to make sure that 10:00 is your deadline for dosing your edible. That way, you should not wake up groggy or impaired in the morning when you need to be energetic and alert.
Until you understand the effect that edibles will have on your body, it is a good idea to start with a lower dose. Your age, body weight, and any supplements or prescription medications that you take can all reduce or amplify the effect of cannabis. Keep track of when you take an edible before bed and how many hours it takes for the effects to subside.
Start Slow and Keep Potency Low to Prevent Overdosing on Cannabis Edibles
If there was one cannabis product that had a higher potential for overdose, it would be edibles. There are a number of reasons for that. First, they come in a variety of different product categories. You can buy edible hard candies, the popular gummies, or baked specialty goods like packaged cookies, breakfast bars, or other treats.
Edibles taste good. Assume that you have a few edibles in the house, and the post-smoke “munchies” happen. Make sure that you are not reaching for an edible to snack on when you are already high. There definitely can be too much of a good thing. And being “too high” can be uncomfortable. It can include disorientation, drowsiness, feelings of anxiety, agitation or paranoia, and nausea.
The second reason that edibles are a higher risk for overdosing is that the psychoactive effects can take longer to kick in. For the first time, people using edibles tend to buy a higher potency edible to get “more bang for their buck.” You may feel like it is not working, then choose to eat another one.
Edibles can take up to one hour to realize the full intoxicating effect of the THC. When an individual is new to using edibles, that waiting period often leads to a second (and unneeded) THC dose. Once you have consumed too much THC, there is no fast way to sober up. You have to ride out the physiological and psychoactive effects, which can last up to eight hours.
For suggestions on strains that can help with chronic insomnia, visit your local medical dispensary. Avoid Sativa strains and consider choosing a lower THC Indica or hybrid strain to help you get a good night of sleep.
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