According to the American Sleep Association, about 50 to 70 million American adults experience symptoms of a sleep disorder. It’s estimated that about 30% of the population will experience insomnia at some point in their lives.
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder in the United States. Anxiety, stress, and depression are some of the common reasons for this condition.
Living with insomnia is frustrating, and in some cases, there’s not one root cause of this condition. Some patients couldn’t find the solution even after trying sleep pills and other medications. For those, medical marijuana can be a new hope to help them get a good night’s sleep.
Read on to learn how cannabis can be beneficial for promoting sleep, top strains for insomnia & how to apply for a medical marijuana card online?
How can medical cannabis help patients with insomnia?
Cannabis contains a wide range of cannabinoids. The two most studied are-
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)- A psychoactive component in the plant, which causes the feelings of being HIGH.
CBD (cannabidiol)- It’s a non-psychoactive component, which provides medicinal benefits without inducing the HIGH.
Medical marijuana acts as a sedative, thus generating feelings of deep sleep. However, some cannabis strains are good at producing this effect, thus promoting sleep.
Researchers have found that the low doses of THC can provide sedative effects, thus improving sleep, while the larger doses may result in anxiety or other psychological conditions.
Also, individuals using medical cannabis for a long time can experience REM rebound. It’s a time when the dreams get more intense and disruptions in sleep.
Another point is—cannabinoids found in cannabis are helpful in increasing serotonin levels in various conditions. Serotonin is a chemical messenger made in the brain. It’s responsible for regulating various bodily functions such as appetite, nausea, mood, sleep, bone health, etc.
Serotonin is produced from the conversion process of tryptophan hydroxylase and essential amino acid tryptophan. The lack of amino acids in the diet can lead to a reduction of serotonin levels, and medical cannabis is beneficial in increasing that levels.
Although there’s a wide range of medications for insomnia available, medical marijuana is a natural treatment. It helps in promoting longer, deeper sleep without producing any side effects like sleeping pills.
What do Studies Say?
In 2011, a study conducted on 147 people with and without sleep difficulties, found that cannabis is beneficial in improving the quality of sleep. The study also concluded that medical marijuana use helped reduce the total time taken for sleep in both groups.
Another study looked for the therapeutic effects of CBD in patients whose sleep was disrupted by mental illnesses such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers concluded that medical cannabis helped many participants improve sleep.
As PTSD is included in the list of MMJ qualifying conditions in many medical marijuana legalized states, PTSD patients can kill two birds with one stone—relieving symptoms of PTSD and insomnia.
A study has shown that CBD could be helpful in inducing a deeper sleep in rats. But the earlier study in humans concluded that CBD is helpful for producing a more alert state while THC acts as a sedative.
Contrary to that, a 2016 study found that daily marijuana use put negative effects on sleep quality in adults without any sleep problems.
Top Cannabis Strains for Insomnia
There’s a wide range of cannabis strains for insomnia. You can try different strains, analyze how your body responds to them, and choose the right one. Here’re some top strains-
- Blue Cheese
- Northern Light
- Critical
- Og Kush
- Royal Domina
- Black Afghan
Currently, medical marijuana is legal in 33 US states. By consulting a 420 doctor, you can get your California medical marijuana card online without leaving your sweet home.
The process is very simple. You just need to complete an online form, and a doctor will connect to you over a secure platform. After you’re approved, you will receive your MMJ recommendation letter through email.
The conclusion is—medical marijuana is a natural alternative to sleeping pills and doesn’t cause any side effects. It might deliver excellent results when combined with herbal remedies, exercise, meditation, etc.
If you have not used cannabis before, seek professional help to choose the right strains. Consult a 420 doctor, and get a medical marijuana card online today!
