{"id":169,"date":"2024-08-24T16:45:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-24T16:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sunnyislesweed.com\/?p=169"},"modified":"2025-03-04T17:59:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T17:59:21","slug":"medicinal-cannabis-and-the-benefits-of-treating-insomnia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunnyislesweed.com\/medicinal-cannabis-and-the-benefits-of-treating-insomnia\/","title":{"rendered":"Medicinal Cannabis and the Benefits of Treating Insomnia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Insomnia<\/strong> is a common condition affecting millions of people worldwide, causing difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. Traditional treatments range from lifestyle changes to pharmaceutical medications, but these options often come with side effects or limited effectiveness. Increasingly, people are turning to medicinal cannabis<\/strong> as an alternative, with CBD (cannabidiol)<\/strong> and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)<\/strong> being the two main cannabinoids used to help manage sleep disorders like insomnia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Cannabis Helps with Insomnia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both THC<\/strong> and CBD<\/strong> have been shown to impact the endocannabinoid system<\/strong>, which regulates sleep, mood, and other physiological processes. However, the way these cannabinoids influence sleep differs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THC for Sleep<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

THC<\/strong>, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, is known to have sedative properties<\/strong>, especially in indica-dominant strains<\/strong>. Studies show that THC can help reduce sleep latency<\/strong> (the time it takes to fall asleep) and increase slow-wave sleep<\/strong> (deep sleep), which is crucial for physical and mental recovery. However, high doses of THC can reduce REM sleep<\/strong>, the stage of sleep associated with dreams. While reducing REM sleep might be beneficial for people with PTSD<\/strong> (as it reduces nightmares), it may not be ideal for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source<\/strong>: National Institutes of Health – THC and Sleep<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CBD for Sleep<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Unlike THC, CBD<\/strong> is non-psychoactive and is often used for its calming<\/strong> and anti-anxiety properties<\/strong>. While CBD may not have direct sedative effects, it helps to alleviate anxiety<\/strong> and restlessness<\/strong>, which are common culprits behind insomnia. A 2019 study<\/strong> published in The Permanente Journal<\/em> found that 66.7%<\/strong> of patients experienced improved sleep<\/strong> within the first month of using CBD. CBD may also promote wakefulness during the day, leading to a more regulated sleep-wake cycle and better sleep at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source<\/strong>: The Permanente Journal – CBD for Anxiety and Sleep<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indica vs. Sativa: Which is Best for Sleep?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The cannabis plant has two primary strains: indica<\/strong> and sativa<\/strong>. Indica strains tend to have higher THC levels<\/strong> and are known for their relaxing, sedative effects<\/strong>, which are often preferred for treating insomnia. In contrast, sativa strains have more uplifting, energizing effects<\/strong> and are typically recommended for daytime use<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n