Research indicates that both THC- and CBD-dominant cannabis based medicines offer effective therapy for a range of sleep disorders, including insomnia. Cannabis is thought to reduce sleep latency, induce drowsiness and improve quality of sleep.
How Cannabis Oil Affects Your Quality of Sleep
Struggling to get your beauty sleep? You’re far from alone. About 4 in 10 Canadians have some form of sleep disorder, according to research published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.
Current treatment methods for sleep disorders typically include behavioral therapy and/or prescription drugs. Conventional pharmacological medication such as benzodiazepine and temazepam are somewhat effective, though their use is associated with a range of unpleasant side effects that many users would rather avoid.
Could cannabis oil be a viable alternative? In this article, we’ve highlighted four of the most important ways cannabis oil can affect your quality of sleep.
1. Fall Asleep Faster
We’ve known for a long time that cannabis can help you get to sleep. A study back in 1973 found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) significantly decreased the amount of time it took physically healthy insomniacs to fall asleep, while also reducing awakenings during the night.
These findings were echoed in a 2013 study published in the American Journal on Addictions. Investigators determined that around-the-clock oral THC doses could play a role in reducing sleep latency and improve a person’s ability to fall asleep.
2. Treat Sleep Apnea
Research indicates that cannabis oil may also be effective in the treatment of sleep apnea, a common sleeping disorder that affects about 3 percent of Canadian adults.
How?
In a preclinical study from the University of Illinois, researchers used THC to block some of the effects of serotonin, a compound that is known to – among other things – aggravate sleep apnea. The results were overwhelmingly positive, with investigators noting that THC helped stabilize respiration during all sleep stages, resulting in a 42 percent reduction on the apnea index.
While these results are promising, more research is needed before we can definitively say that cannabis oil is an effective treatment for sleep apnea.
3. Reduce REM sleep
While you’re busy catching ZZZs, your brain transitions through five different sleep phases, including rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During REM sleep, your eyes move rapidly in different directions as you experience vivid dreams.
Various studies, such as this one published in Sleep Medicine Reviews, have found a strong association between cannabis use and a reduction of REM sleep but whether or not this is a bad thing remains a matter of some contention. Many frequent cannabis users report losing the ability to dream, but the good news is that in most cases your dreams come back brighter and bolder than ever when you take a break.
4. Reduce Pain
Many people’s quality of sleep suffers as a result of chronic pain. Cannabis oil excels in this department, as both THC- and CBD- based medicines offer effective pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties. Regardless of your ailment, cannabis oils can alleviate chronic pain, boost your chances of getting a good night’s rest and improve your overall quality of sleep.
It’s important to be mindful of the concentrations of cannabinoids when choosing a cannabis oil. THC can help you fall asleep, but it’s also responsible for the majority of cannabis’ psychoactive effects, and oils that are overly THC dominant may be overwhelming for some users. CBD, on the other hand, offers significant pain relief and a variety of other medical benefits, but is known to be quite stimulating. With this in mind, it might take some time to find the oil that is best suited to your specific needs.
Cannabis oil demonstrates a lot of promise for treating a range of sleep disorders and may be an effective tool for anyone who finds it tough to get some shut-eye. Treat Sleep Issues with Cannabis.
