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In this article, we will provide a general background on how the two most popular cannabinoids, CBD, and THC affect sleep. This article will NOT address CBN (Cannabinol) but you can read all about that here: CBN – The Sleepy Cannabinoid.
We’ve all struggled to get a good night’s sleep at times. More than a third of adults in the United States do not get the recommended 8 hours of sleep every night for various reasons. If you are one of them, you might be intrigued to know that there is a natural solution to your sleep troubles – Cannabis.
What is in Cannabis?
Cannabis contains various chemicals naturally, but the two that help with most of our issues are CBD, cannabidiol, THC, or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD is derived from industrial hemp and is legal throughout the United States and most of the world because it is not psychoactive. It acts as a mild sedative that works to bring your body’s internal systems to a state of rest.
An example of a CBD product that was developed specifically to help with sleep issues is Relief and Relax from CBDistillery.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
THC is derived from marijuana and is what gives you the high you would expect from that plant. Because of this, it is illegal in many places. When it is in the human body, it can help CBD to bind to your endocannabinoid receptors more successfully and also help you to feel more awake.
How can Cannabis Help You Sleep?
While the science behind this is still in the early stages, cannabinoids in cannabis help with sleeplessness.
Triggers Melatonin Production
CBD can help your body to relax, which triggers it to start producing melatonin on its own. This is the chemical that makes your brain feel tired and allows you to fall asleep quickly. Because the CBD stays in your system for several hours, this makes it easier for you to stay asleep once you get to sleep in the first place.
Reduces Symptoms of Anxiety
By helping your body relax, CBD and THC will out to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, which can reduce anxiety. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people report having trouble falling asleep, so this is a huge deal.
Lowers Pain Levels
Pain is also a big reason that people struggle to sleep. Cannabinoids in cannabis have been found to help to lower pain levels over time, and sleeping better will also help you to be in less pain overall. What could be better than that?
How Can You Take Cannabis For Sleep?
Cannabis and the cannabinoids it contains can be taken in a lot of different ways. There’s the traditional method of smoking a joint or putting drops of a distilled oil under your tongue. You can also go high tech with a vape pen that will tell you exactly how much CBD and THC you are taking in with each hit, or go low tech with edibles that are infused with these cannabinoids. It all depends on what will work best for you and your lifestyle.
If you live in a state where recreational marijuana is legal, you are safe to use products with THC in it. If you do not, you should stick to products that are CBD only to avoid having issues due to using illegal drugs.