Do you have trouble sleeping? Sleep disorders are a common problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Medical marijuana may not be the answer for every sleep disorder, but cannabis use has shown promising results for some patients, especially when their sleep issues are connected with pain, anxiety, and stress.
Approximately 50-70 million Americans suffer from one of the over 100 different sleep disorders, according to research by the American Sleep Association (ASA). Each sleep disorder has varied symptoms, which could include restless legs, insomnia, paralysis, hallucinations, night terrors, sleepwalking, teeth grinding, as well as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up.
Understanding Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect the quality, duration, and timing of sleep. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including lifestyle habits, medical conditions, and mental health disorders.
Some common sleep disorders include insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. Sleep disorders can have a significant impact on daily life, causing fatigue, decreased productivity, and increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.
The Science of Medical Cannabis and Sleep
Medical cannabis contains over 100 different cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a crucial role in regulating sleep and wakefulness. THC is known to have sedating effects, while CBD has been shown to have alerting effects.
The combination of THC and CBD in medical cannabis may help to regulate sleep patterns and improve sleep quality.
Cannabinoids and Sleep
Research has shown that cannabinoids can have a positive impact on sleep. One published study found that THC reduced sleep latency and increased slow-wave sleep in patients with chronic pain.
Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that CBD improved sleep quality and reduced symptoms of insomnia in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of cannabinoids on sleep quality.
Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Sleep Disorders and Better Sleep Quality
Medical marijuana has been shown to have several benefits for sleep disorders. It can help to reduce symptoms of insomnia, improve sleep quality, and increase slow-wave sleep. Medical marijuana may also be beneficial for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, as it has been shown to reduce the severity of the condition. Additionally, medical marijuana may be beneficial for patients with restless legs syndrome, as it has been shown to reduce symptoms of the condition.
Try to Determine the Cause of Your Sleep Issues and Symptoms
Before choosing to try medical marijuana as a sleep aid, you need to document what type of sleep issues you are having, and you need to be diagnosed by a licensed healthcare practitioner.
If you suffer from PTSD, medical marijuana may help alleviate your stress-related nightmares. When a patient struggles with depression or anxiety, they will often complain about poor sleep quality or bad dreams, which could even be connected to their traditional medicine. Medical marijuana could help encourage sleep and reduce the chance of nightmares.
Understand That Medical Marijuana as a Sleep Aid is Not New
Although the medicinal use of marijuana still seems new in some states, marijuana was actually used medicinally in our country in the 19th century to treat insomnia and even further back in world history.
Marijuana is actually the oldest known remedy used for sleep disorders. A natural side effect of marijuana use is sleepiness, which can be helpful for an insomniac trying to get to sleep and potentially fall back asleep. Unfortunately, there are not any time-released options for medical marijuana at this time to last a full 8 hours of sleep.
Because medical marijuana’s effects do not necessarily last for 8 hours, patients suffering from restless legs, narcolepsy, and sleepwalking may not have all night relief. Some patients have reported the sedative qualities of marijuana to last longer than their night of sleep and cause them to feel groggy during the day.
Ultimately, every person has a different response to medical marijuana use, and there are limited clinical studies to help explain the varied experiences with it. As medical marijuana continues to gain acceptance, we expect that there will be even more research further confirming the value of medical marijuana as a way to manage insomnia and many other sleep issues.
Be Aware that New Information is Coming Each Day
There are some studies that have suggested that medical marijuana could have a negative impact on REM sleep, which obviously is important for our overall health and well-being. At this time, not enough research has been conducted to fully determine the impact on REM sleep.
Regardless of the risk of impacting REM sleep, some patients could still benefit if their existing sleep condition already limits their sleep. Basically, if someone is already struggling to get REM sleep without medication, using medical marijuana would be a worthwhile attempt to remedy the other sleep disorder symptoms.
Different strains of medical marijuana may be more effective at dealing with your sleep symptoms, so reach out to a medical professional before you assume that medical marijuana is a one-size-fits-all solution for your sleep problems. Some strains of medical marijuana can make you feel more alert, which would accomplish the exact opposite of what you need for sleep.
Sleep is essential for your overall well-being and health. If you are suffering from a sleep disorder that has been diagnosed by a licensed medical practitioner, reach out to DocMJ to see if your condition qualifies you for a medical marijuana card and to learn more about how medical marijuana may be able to help you get back to counting sheep.
Dr. Rothman is a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has received multiple special awards and recognitions, including Physician of the Year, from the Pinellas County Medical Association (2014 – 2015) and the President’s Service Award from the Pinellas County Medical Society.
He attended medical school at State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, where he also completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency. In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Rothman’s professional career includes being an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida and Clinical Instructor at the University of Tampa’s College of Nursing.
Dr. Rothman received his Florida Medical Marijuana Physicians Certification in 2016 and was one of the first recommending physicians through DocMJ in the state and is loved by many of those early patients today.