Can Medical Cannabis help you sleep better?
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects a significant number of people worldwide. It is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Medical cannabis has gained popularity as a potential treatment for insomnia, and research has shown promising results. Here are some of the benefits of medical cannabis in treating insomnia:
• Reduces anxiety and stress: Anxiety and stress are common causes of insomnia. Medical cannabis contains cannabidiol (CBD), which has been shown to have anxiolytic and stress-reducing effects. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the body to regulate anxiety and stress levels, promoting relaxation and better sleep.
• Induces sleep: Medical cannabis contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has sedative properties that can help induce sleep. THC interacts with the brain's cannabinoid receptors to produce a calming effect, making it easier to fall and stay asleep.
• Improves sleep quality: Medical cannabis has been shown to improve sleep quality by reducing the amount of time spent in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. REM sleep is associated with vivid dreams and can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to poorer sleep quality.
• Reduces pain: Chronic pain is a common cause of insomnia. Medical cannabis has been shown to have analgesic properties that can help reduce pain levels and improve sleep quality. THC and CBD both interact with the body's endocannabinoid system to reduce pain and inflammation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
• Does not have serious side effects: Unlike traditional sleep medications, medical cannabis does not have serious side effects, such as addiction or respiratory depression. It is also less likely to cause next-day drowsiness, making it a safer option for people who need to be alert during the day.
• Non-addictive: Medical cannabis is non-addictive and has a low potential for abuse. It does not cause physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms, making it a safer option for long-term use.
In conclusion, medical cannabis has numerous benefits in treating insomnia. It can reduce anxiety and stress levels, induce sleep, improve sleep quality, reduce pain, and has a low potential for abuse and side effects. However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before using medical cannabis for insomnia to ensure its safety and effectiveness.
References:
Babson, K. A., Sottile, J., & Morabito, D. (2017). Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature. Current psychiatry reports, 19(4), 23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0775-9
Cannabis for Medical Purposes. (2019, October 22). Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/topics/cannabis-for-medical-purposes.html
Hill, K. P. (2015). Medical Marijuana for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Other Medical and Psychiatric Problems: A Clinical Review. JAMA, 313(24), 2474–2483. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.6199
Russo, E. B. (2019). The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No "Strain," No Gain. Frontiers in plant science, 9, 1969. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01969