Sleep Deprivation and Cannabis: Important Things You Should Know

Remember when you were young, and your parents always said that you should get more sleep or that you should sleep early? And now that you’re older, rest seems too hard to find. Either due to your life worries, various health factors that make falling asleep difficult, or one of those sleep disorders.

Regardless, we all know that sleep is a vital part of everyone’s life, and the quality and quantity matter. Unfortunately, many people are guilty of not having enough restful sleep. We may not be well aware, but this often results in many more problems. It includes memory issues, mood swings, and worse serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, weakened immunity and can even increase the risk of early death.

Sleep deprivation may seem superficial, but when this occurs regularly, your body’s ability to heal itself and restore its chemical balance gets compromised, impairing your body function and significantly lowering your quality of life. While occasional difficulty falling asleep and achieving the right amount of seven to nine hours of restful shut-eye for adults is normal, prolonged persistence may mean a full-blown sleep disorder that needs medical attention. And it can be one of the most common sleep disorders, such as Insomnia, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), Narcolepsy and Sleep Apnea.

Sleep and Cannabis: How It Works

There are many plants related to helping sleep problems, and one of them is cannabis. Although declared the most abused illicit drug worldwide, its medicinal properties have been making noise, leading lawmakers to allow its legal use. Fortunately, due to much anecdotal and scientific evidence pertaining to its health benefits, cannabis has been garnering increased acceptance across the globe, such as in the United States and the UK, where medical cannabis clinics can provide prescriptions and cater to individuals struggling with chronic health conditions. For example, you can get medical marijuana UK, especially if your sleep problem is linked to chronic pain. 

Because there is a stigma surrounding the potential harm cannabis use may imply, many people are still sceptical about it. But there is science behind the possible positive implications of marijuana as it contains terpenes and cannabinoids, specifically the two prominent compounds CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). These two are suggested to positively affect our endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for many body responses such as sleep, pain, learning and memory, appetite, emotional processing, and immune and inflammatory response. 

We have two identified cannabinoid receptors in our body, namely CB1 and CB2 receptors which are abundant in the nerves of our brain and spinal cord. They are also present in some peripheral parts of our body like our gastrointestinal tracts, spleen, endocrine gland, and in our white blood cells. It is believed that when terpenes, along with CBD, THC and other cannabinoids, interact with the cannabinoid receptors located in our brain, they deliver sleep-promoting effects by increasing the levels of adenosine which makes us feel sleepy. One significant example is a scientific study about treating insomnia symptoms using medicinal cannabis suggests that cannabinoids may help reduce insomnia symptoms and improve the sleep quality of those who suffer from sleep disorders.

If you are considering cannabis to help you manage your sleep problem and you are not familiar with marijuana, there are three strains that you should know about – Indica, Sativa, and Hybrids. These stand for different breeds of cannabis, and each has specific effects on the user.

Indica

Coming from the cannabis indica plant, this strain that originated from the Kush mountains of India is thought to deliver a more relaxing or sedating effect; hence it is often reserved for nighttime use. It may also provide pain relief, induce appetite, and soothe nausea. They are often associated with high levels of CBD, but that doesn’t mean it has lesser THC content. Some common Indica groups include Bubba Kush and Northern Lights.

Sativa

Sativas are characterised by tall-growing plants with narrow leaves that originated in Asia and Northern Africa. Type 1 Sativa typically contains more than 0.3% of THC and less than 0.5% CBD. Some associated effects with Sativa strains are energising and uplifting and can increase focus and creativity, making it ideal for those who struggle with anxiety and depression. Common kinds of Sativa strains include Sour Diesel and Blue Dream.

Hybrids

Hybrids are a cross of the first two strains. So, these plants are not fully Indica or Sativa. Although many hybrids are grown with the intention to increase the THC percentage, each differs in predominant effects. Some popular hybrid cannabis includes Blue Dream, Pineapple Express, and Trainwreck. 

Many factors can affect your cannabis experience, especially since each individual is unique. Aside from your physiology and endocannabinoid system, your tolerance to cannabinoids like THC, which is often associated with the feeling of high, can affect how cannabis will work for you. This is why it is vital that you speak to a specialist before trying out any of the strains to get a proper recommendation.

Take Away

Regardless of how busy we are in this fast-paced world, we must look into our health and keep it at the optimal level. To do this, getting enough sleep is a crucial factor. Although battling sleep problems can be challenging, you must remember that there are ways you can utilise to combat them, and the best person to ask for advice are medical professionals. This is especially true when deciding if cannabis is for you, as aside from its positive effects, it can potentially interact with other medications you may be taking.

Whichever treatment works for you, the key is consistency and discipline. Sticking with your chosen treatment plan and constantly communicating with your medical provider will eventually pay off. You will see that every aspect of your life, including your overall health, will be in a better state.