What to Do When You Can’t Sleep Without Cannabis
A growing number of people with MMJ cards are finding that they need cannabis to fall asleep, which puts some in a dangerous situation where they are unable to fall asleep without it.
It’s critical to comprehend the potential consequences of cannabis cessation as well as what to do if you are experiencing difficulty falling asleep without cannabis.
How Does Cannabis Affect Sleep?
Sleep and weed is a complex topic. To fully understand the effects of cannabis on sleep, a lot more research is needed.
Cannabis probably has a variety of effects on the body, including the ability to disrupt sleep. According to one study, it’s possible that cannabis use alters a person’s circadian rhythms. These adjustments aren’t always beneficial and could interfere with a person’s ability to sleep.
But some people use cannabis to treat their insomnia. People who use cannabis claim that it makes it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep longer than they could if they tried it alone.
At this point, it’s difficult to draw any firm conclusions about cannabis’s potential influence on circadian rhythms and sleep cycles. Don’t be afraid to talk openly with your doctor about your worries if you’re worried about how cannabis might affect your ability to sleep.
While the effects of individual cannabinoids, such as THC or CBD, on sleep patterns have been the focus of many recent studies, the whole cannabis plant’s chemical composition is also significant. People frequently use high-THC products because they think they are more “potent” or “powerful” than high-CBD and low-THC products (which may be equally as beneficial, if not more so).
Terpenes like myrcene and linalool may also play a role in why a particular cannabis strain has a more sedative effect.
Cannabis Withdrawal: Understanding Why You Can’t Sleep Without Weed
People who have recently stopped using cannabis but are regular users may be wondering if there are any withdrawal symptoms to be aware of.
Among the signs of cannabis withdrawal are:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Shakiness
- Weight loss
- Anger
- Irritability
- Vivid dreams
- Depression
- Sweating
- Chills
- Headache
A frequent consequence of stopping cannabis use is a reduction in overall sleep duration. This usually only happens during the withdrawal phase, after which sleep patterns usually stabilize.
The length of time someone experiences cannabis withdrawal symptoms will vary depending on a number of factors, such as how long they have been using, how often they take the dosage, their metabolism, and their unique biology. Drink plenty of water and consider exercising to hasten the cannabis detox process. These methods can be useful in helping the body flush out any leftover cannabis.
It is crucial to understand the warning signs and symptoms if you are thinking about beginning the detoxification process. If you have any concerns, don’t be afraid to speak with a doctor. They can advise you on the best course of action for your health.
I Quit Smoking Weed, and Now I Can’t Sleep. Why?
You may be wondering why and how to break the cycle if you have trouble falling asleep without cannabis. Keep in mind that each person has a different body and biology, so what suits one person may not suit another. It is imperative that you remember this for your personal health and well-being.
It’s not uncommon to have vivid dreams after stopping cannabis use. If the vivid dreams are bad, like a nightmare, they could cause you to wake up feeling exhausted. Should your dreams be interfering with your sleep, think about speaking with a specialist and receiving tailored guidance.
The fact that long-term cannabis use can alter sleep architecture is probably the biggest effect of cannabis on sleep. Cannabis may shorten or lengthen particular sleep cycle periods in addition to causing tolerance, where higher doses are needed to achieve the same effects. This shift in sleep patterns may be the cause of people’s inability to fall asleep after quitting cannabis.
Additionally, some studies have discovered that cannabis altered particular sleep stages, such as non-rapid eye movement sleep. Cannabis has been identified as a “zeitgeber” in other research, which is an environmental factor that triggers circadian function. It might be more difficult to trigger the circadian function and more difficult to fall asleep if this variable is eliminated. Alterations in the levels of endocannabinoids, such as anandamide and 2-AG, may also have an impact on circadian rhythms.
How to Sleep Without Cannabis
For those who wish to learn how to fall asleep without marijuana, there are plenty of options.
- Melatonin: The brain naturally produces the chemical melatonin. When a person’s internal clock is in a healthy state, their brains produce melatonin in response to darkness, usually in accordance with their body’s circadian rhythms. Although the brain naturally produces melatonin, it is also available as a pill or tincture. One natural strategy to help the body fall asleep is to use melatonin. Consider asking your doctor if adding melatonin could be a wise decision if you take any other medications.
- Meditation: Relaxation is frequently the key to getting the body to go to sleep. Discovering methods to unwind can be very helpful and serve as a signal to the body to shut down. Learning different techniques for meditation or watching videos on the subject can make it easy to practice at home, which is a great way to unwind. You can take some time for yourself and concentrate on your main objective—calming down to the point where you can fall asleep—by practicing meditation. You can perform a basic breathing exercise like the 4-7-8, which involves inhaling through your nose for four counts, holding your breath for seven counts, and then exhaling through your mouth for eight counts.
- Exercise: Including regular exercise in your routine can be a great way to promote natural sleep cycles in your body and steer clear of supplementation.
- Reflection: Having trouble falling asleep can be very stressful and overwhelming. Considering how different aspects of your lifestyle, like how much coffee you consume, might be affecting your sleep quality. Maintaining a journal to document your sleep patterns and lifestyle modifications can be very helpful in determining what may or may not be effective.
- Reduce light: If you have trouble sleeping, consider using blackout curtains or turning off any lights that might be on in the space. Furthermore, stay away from using your phone right before bed because the increased light exposure can interfere with the production of melatonin.
If you have insomnia and are thinking of including marijuana in your treatment plan, you must have a medical card online that will allow you to legally access marijuana without running under the law.
