Sleep plays an important role in mental and physical well-being. If you’re well-rested, you will feel good and can concentrate on your work. Sleep problems can affect your quality of life, interfere with your relationships and focus at work.According to the American Sleep Association, about 50-70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder. 30% of adults in the United States experience insomnia at some point in their lives. However, medical researchers have found that medical marijuana can help in treating sleep problems, thus improving quality of life. Currently, medical cannabis is legal in 33 US states.
To access the herb legally from medical dispensaries, you require an MMJ card from a licensed doctor. In most of the marijuana legalized states, the card is valid for one year, and after that, you need to apply for medical cannabis card renewal.
How can medical cannabis help in treating insomnia? Read on to learn more.
Medical Marijuana For Insomnia
A good night sleep indicates good health. Experts say that healthy adults need about 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Trouble sleeping at night can affect a patient’s life in different ways. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder with symptoms—daytime sleep, poor memory, anxiety, trouble concentrating and mood swings.
For treating sleep disorders, there’s a wide range of medications available. But, the medications can have certain unpleasant side-effects. Studies have found that cannabis can be used as a natural, effective treatment for insomnia.
Marijuana contains over 100 cannabinoids, which possess ultimate therapeutic properties. However, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the two most important cannabinoids.
However, when you consume cannabinoids in any way, they bind to the receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This helps in regulating sleep, mood and various other bodily functions, thus improving the quality of life.
There’s a wide range of marijuana strains with varying levels of CBD and THC available. To get the desired benefits, you should choose the right strain. For this, you can consult a professional doctor and seek advice for what’s right for your condition.
According to a 2008 study, cannabis strains with higher THC levels can help in reducing REM sleep. This helps in reducing the total time spent in dreams and increasing the deep sleep time. Deep sleep is considered as the most restful phase of a sleep cycle.
Medical studies have found that CBD is beneficial in improving sleep and alleviating symptoms of anxiety. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, which provides health benefits without causing any high effects. Additionally, the cannabinoid can help in reducing pain, which is often associated with sleep disorders.
Methods of Consumption of Cannabis
Cannabis provides different effects to different people. The effects of marijuana also depend on how you deliver cannabinoids to the body. Here’re the most common cannabis consumption methods-
Smoking
Smoking dried marijuana flowers through a pipe, joint or bong and delivering cannabinoids to your system to receive immediate effects.
Vaping
Heating cannabis to a point below combustion, and receiving effects.
Edibles
Eating marijuana-infused chocolate, snacks, candies, and pizza.
Topicals
Applying cannabis-enriched balms, creams, and lotions to the affected regions directly.
Tinctures
Tinctures are absorbed sublingually. They are available in a variety of dosages and formulations.
Conclusion
Covering it up—medical marijuana can help in promoting sleep. The herb contains amazing chemical compounds called cannabinoids, which interact with the endocannabinoid system, thus alleviating symptoms of insomnia. Researchers have found that marijuana can help in reducing REM sleep and increasing deep sleep, thus promoting relaxation. Different cannabis strains provide different effects. To receive the desired effects, make sure you select the right strain and cannabis consumption method.
Talk to a licensed doctor to get for your MMJ card. To continue medical marijuana treatment, apply for cannabis card renewal before your card expires.
