If you're anything like me, you've likely experienced your fair share of insomnia. Most days, my chronic insomnia leaves me tossing in bed during the night and dragging during the day. My sleepless nights throw off my schedule as I'm often too tired to complete routine tasks like buying groceries or making a simple meal.
Having insomnia can not only be frustrating, but it can also make you more susceptible to viruses and colds. It turns out roughly one in four Canadians has or will experience insomnia-meaning, they're unable to fall or stay asleep. Whether you're suffering from a chronic sleep condition or unable to sleep due to external factors such as pain from a recent injury, insomnia can seriously disrupt daily functioning and impair your ability to work and live your life to its full potential.
Sleeping Pills Aren't a Great Solution for Insomnia
Sleeping pills are often the only advertised option for the many people who struggle with insomnia. Many sleeping pills are benzodiazepines, which can be addictive-and even deadly-with sustained use. Other sleeping pills, like Ambien, aren't as habit-forming, but can have some other problematic side effects such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea.
The potential for negative side effects when popping sleeping pills negates the positive effects of a good night's sleep. Plus, if you're anything like me, the idea of depending on a pill to fall asleep every night doesn't do much towards giving you peace of mind.
That's why I've tried to find natural alternatives to taking pharmaceuticals. Cannabis affords me a natural alternative getting a good night's sleep. And it allows me to avoid all of the side effects that can come with sleeping pills. Both the cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) help get me to sleep. And they help me stay asleep through the course of the night.
DIY Cannabis-Infused Honey
Making my own cannabis-infused honey has been a way for me to incorporate my cannabis consumption into my nightly bedtime routine. Cannabis honey is easy to make and can be taken on its own or mixed into tea. Here's how to make cannabis honey.
What You Need
- 1 oz ground cannabis
- 5 lbs honey
- Cheese cloth
- Cooking twine
- Slow cooker
How to Make Cannabis-Infused Honey
First wrap the cannabis in cheese cloth, and tie it off with some twine. Add the cannabis to the slow cooker, then pour the honey all over it. Run the slow cooker on low for five hours, and be sure to stir it occasionally. Turn the slow cooker off, and let the honey cool for up to 24 hours. I like to sterilize a bell jar for the honey so that I can store it in a cool, dry place for up to eight months.
Selecting Your Cannabis & Your Honey
The strain of cannabis you choose is up to you, because each person responds differently to varying levels of THC and CBD. Often, indica strains are a good choice for insomnia, and different balances of CBD and THC can be helpful based on the cause of your sleeplessness. Cannabis strains that have been reported as effective in relieving insomnia include a high CBD strain such as Harlequin along with high TCH strains such as Girl Scout Cookies and Grape Ape.
If you can, look for an organic honey that's locally produced, because the quality of your ingredients factors into the quality of your finished product.
This cannabis-infused honey recipe can also be made in smaller batches depending on what works best for you. I love to mix cannabis-infused honey into my nightly tea. The slow release of cannabinoids due to the edible format of the marijuana helps me relax and keeps me asleep all night long. Of course, if you have trouble falling asleep, then you may want to have this honey a couple of hours before bedtime as it can take up to 2 hours for a cannabis edible to take effect. I wake up happy and refreshed.
Do you have questions about about cannabis? Go to HelloMD's Answers page where you can connect with a health practitioner or well-informed member of our community who will respond to your queries.
