Marijuana has recently become the go-to medication for people who have trouble falling, or staying, asleep. Roughly 47% of marijuana users cite insomnia as the primary reason they use marijuana. But how effective is it to use marijuana for sleep?
In the medical marijuana world, we see that sleep disorders are amongst the top three reasons that patients seek medical marijuana as a treatment. While research on THC to treat sleep disorders has yielded mixed results, some reputable studies suggest that THC actually improves the quality of sleep.
This research showed that patients who were orally administered THC reported a reduction in the time it took them to fall asleep and the number of times they woke up after falling asleep.
Besides the psychoactive compound (THC) found in marijuana, the non-psychoactive compound, CBD, has also shown positive effects on the sleep cycle. CBD may also increase sleep time and decrease the occurrence of waking up throughout the night.
Still, as some studies have shown, the exact ratios of THC and CBD can alter the effects of sleep in different ways. So, it’s no wonder that people turn to marijuana for sleep.
How to Take Medical Marijuana for Sleep
While the uses of medical marijuana and their CBD to THC ratios still needs further support, evidence on medical marijuana for sleep from our office suggests patients do the following:
For patients that have trouble falling asleep:
- 5-10mg of Indica (THC) via vaporizer at bedtime
- 50-150mg of CBD administered orally throughout the day
For patients that have trouble staying asleep:
- 10 mg of Indica oil (THC) administered sublingually 2 hours before bedtime
- 50-150mg of CBD administered orally throughout the day
For patients having trouble falling asleep, we recommend patients use a fast-acting method such as a vaporizer. This method takes effects in less than two minutes, peaks 15-30 minutes after use, and lasts for 2-3 hours.
For those having trouble staying asleep, we recommend THC oil as it has a delayed time of onset of 90-120 minutes and peaks within 3-6 hours. The sedative effect lasts longer, and ranges between 4-12 hours.
What About Recreational Marijuana for Sleep?
If you prefer recreational marijuana to help you for sleep issues, we recommend a product with a high level of CBD. It should also have limited THC content or what is called a low THC:CBD ratio. These types of strains help you feel more relaxed, allow you to fall asleep easier, and help you to wake up feeling restored.
Also, look for an indica strain (as noted for medical marijuana above) as it helps produce desirable body highs that can help you relax.
How Does Prescription Medications Compare to Marijuana for Sleep?
Many people are starting to use marijuana to treat their medical conditions because they’re becoming more aware that traditional prescriptions may cause serious negative side effects. Thus, more people are turning to the more organic approach and trying marijuana for sleep.
Lack of sleep can result in short- and long-term health issues including a weakened immune system, depression, decreased productivity, and antisocial behaviour.
