CANNABIS FOR A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP

We live in a world where we are constantly inundated with information, making it difficult to unwind at the end of the day. From the moment we wake up, we are on our phones. Many of us work long hours and experience burnout. Millennials are considered one of the most anxious generations, which can be attributed to an obsession with technology, overbearing parents and the stress that comes with trying to fit into a social media-driven world. What a time to be alive. Life doesn’t need to be a contact stressor, though. We can help our minds and bodies be more at peace.

The vast majority of us don’t prioritize getting a good night’s sleep. Without it, we can’t effectively heal mental or physical sickness. We can’t function to the best of our ability. We make mistakes, get run down, fall out of routine, and don’t feel rested.

There has been an increasing amount of anecdotal evidence that suggests cannabis can improve sleep. In a world where many of us are sleep deprived, this is game changing. What is it about cannabis that seems to help us sleep? Let’s take a look.

THC FOR SLEEP

THC has a sedative effect and can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. For those suffering with any chronic mental or physical illness, THC can offer relief from the more troubling symptoms, allowing your body to relax and fall asleep. This is especially true for those treating chronic pain, insomnia, PTSD, MS and other conditions that often interfere with one’s ability to fall asleep.

If you’re choosing between inhalation or edibles, it’s worth noting that because the effects of edibles last several hours, it can help you stay asleep longer.

CBD FOR SLEEP

CBD is renowned for its ability to reduce anxiety, inflammation and pain. By reducing our anxiety and/or pain, we have an easier time of falling asleep. But does CBD directly affect sleep? It depends.

Some people find that CBD, especially in lower doses, has stimulating properties. However, significantly higher doses have been known to have a sedating effect, similar to that of THC. While there is minimal scientific evidence to be able to definitively say if CBD alone impacts sleep, an animal study in 1977 showed “hypnotic-like” effects. Based on the few studies that have been conducted, it appears that CBD affects someone differently depending on whether or not they have a normal sleep rhythm to begin with.

BETTER TOGETHER

If both CBD and THC have the potential to help us sleep better, what happens when we combine the two? Some research shows that the entourage effect, or harmonized interaction between cannabis compounds like CBD and THC, seems to carry over to sleep. Meaning that products that contains both THC and CBD will have a greater impact on your sleep than if you were to take just CBD or THC by itself.

While particular indica strains are renowned for inducing sleep, it often depends on the person. Pay attention to what the strain is you’re taking. What is the terpene profile? Is it higher THC or CBD? Everybody and every body is different and will react differently to certain strains. What may put your friend in a coma could keep you awake. Trial and error will be your best friend when figuring out what works best for you.

A HEALTHY SLEEP ROUTINE

If you’re among the many who don’t get enough sleep, there are steps you can take to change that. It starts with having a healthy sleep routine. Below are five suggestions for a better night’s sleep.

1. Stick to a schedule.
   Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This will help to regulate your body’s natural clock and make it easier to stay asleep during the night.
2. Have a relaxing bedtime routine.
   Whether this includes yoga, reading mediation, a bubble bath, keep it free from distractions, including your phone. Give yourself at least an hour to unwind before you crawl into bed.
3. Consider incorporating cannabis into your routine.
   Take our earlier suggestions into consideration and try out a few products to find what works for you.
4. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and food right before bed.
   All three of these can disrupt sleep and make it harder to stay asleep. If you’re hungry before bed, have a light snack 45 minutes beforehand.
5. Keep bed for sleep and sex.
   It’s best to keep all work, TVs, and laptops out of the bedroom to strengthen your mind’s association between bed and sleep.

WHAT CANNABIS PRODUCTS DO WE RECOMMEND?

As we mentioned above, it largely depends on the individual person. But, based on our personal experiences, there are are a number of products that work well for us.

Products that have a 1:1 THC:CBD ratio can be found HERE.

The Twisted Extracts Zzz Bombs were designed as a sleeping aid and for deep relaxation. They come in a variety of yummy flavors and can be found HERE.

The best thing you can do is try out a new product for a couple of weeks to see if it works for you and to establish a healthy sleep time routine!

How have you incorporated cannabis into your bed time ritual?