When I take a dose of cannabis, I'm usually asleep within 20 minutes. It's a very pleasant feeling of falling asleep. I can now sleep through the night about 90% of the time. When I do wake up, I can usually get back to sleep. So it's been a really significant change.
Cannabis has also helped me control nightmares. I tend to not recall very much active dreaming when I use it. The times I've woken up from nightmares has gone from several times a month to only two or three times in the last few years. Now, I've also seen improvement in other health issues like anxiety and intense premenstrual symptoms.
Sleep is at the heart of everything, itlets you heal from a lot of other issues. Best of luck!
Nicole
The body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS) is key to regulating sleep. When the ECS is stimulated by plant-based cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), it can activate your body’s natural mechanisms for modulating sleep patterns.
Studies show that many patients report falling asleep easier and more quickly after consuming cannabis. In addition, cannabis can decrease episodes of sleep apnea, helping patients sleep more consistently throughout the night.
If you suffer from insomnia and think cannabis might be right for you, the best first step is to talk to a doctor. You can consult with one of HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors; it's easy, private and 100% online.
There are many cannabis options on the market today. Indicas are traditionally recommended for sleep because they tend to make people sleepy. Others find CBD strains to be most helpful, because they relax the body without many side effects.
Pamela
One in four Americans develops insomnia each year.
Insomnia can encapsulate a range of symptoms like:
- Having trouble falling and staying asleep
- Frequent sleeplessness at least three times per week for a month
- Lack of sleep due to stress
- Bad sleep quality
Finding the best strain of marijuana to help ease your insomnia is based a lot on what the cause of your sleeping problems are. The causes of insomnia can be rooted in a variety of different psychiatric or medical conditions, unhealthy sleep habits or other biological factors. Insomnia can be caused by issues such as acid reflux, hypertension, chronic pain, depression, stress, anxiety or a recent trauma such as the death of a loved one.
Some strains of marijuana are better at easing insomnia caused by chronic pain, whereas others are better at targeting anxiety-induced insomnia. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is known for its sedative qualities, especially the indica varieties of cannabis.
Because everyone has a unique biochemistry and endocannabinoid system, cannabis will work differently from individual to individual. This means you'll need to experiment with a few strains to see what works best for you. It's also important to consider the right balance between the levels of THC and CBD, keeping in mind many strains have almost no CBD.
Dr. Kim