WEED AND SLEEP: PASS THE BONG OR ALL WRONG?
Reading Time: 2 mins 17 seconds
Around 80% of people globally state that they want to improve their sleep. As a result, many have praised cannabis as a possible solution for better rest. But how effective is it, and what are the potential downsides? Let’s explore the science behind cannabis and its impact on sleep.
THC AND SLEEP: THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis and is often hailed as a sleep aid. On the surface, it appears to help people fall asleep faster. But this benefit comes with significant caveats.
TOLERANCE AND DEPENDENCE. Using THC often causes tolerance. This means you need more to feel the same effects. Over time, this can also create a psychological dependence. When you stop using THC, you may face strong withdrawal symptoms, like severe insomnia. This can lead to even worse sleep than you had before. In fact, insomnia is a hallmark symptom of Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome. These early symptoms are most likely to peak at days 2–6. They improve as THC levels reduce over 7 days of abstinence.
REM SLEEP SUPPRESSION. One of the most concerning effects of THC is its ability to suppress REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. REM sleep is crucial for emotional well-being, memory, creativity, and hormonal balance. For example, men and women release peak levels of testosterone during REM sleep. Chronic THC use deprives the brain of this essential sleep stage. Many regular users report that they stop dreaming altogether. When they quit, the brain has a "rebound effect." This causes intense, vivid dreams as it tries to make up for the long REM deficit.
THC AND SLEEP APNEA
Some studies suggest that THC may help lessen sleep apnea symptoms. One study states that this condition affects 1 billion people worldwide. In these studies, we can see that participants who used THC had a notable drop in sleep apnea episodes.
This finding is interesting. Yet, the benefits of THC for sleep apnea don't outweigh its negative effects on sleep quality. Researchers are still exploring THC and how it relaxes airways and stimulates neurochemicals.
CBD
CBD is another compound in cannabis. It has gained attention for helping with sleep. Plus, it doesn't have the psychoactive effects of THC. Research is still in progress, and there really is not enough data, but CBD looks far more promising. It seems to help by lowering anxiety, which often gets in the way of restful sleep. Instead of being a typical sedative, CBD helps calm the mind and ease physical tension. This means that for those who struggle to fall or stay asleep, CBD might help improve sleep quality. If you're thinking about using CBD to improve sleep, view it as part of a broader strategy. It should work alongside other healthy sleep habits, not replace them. But it is dose dependent. Less than 25 milligrams seems to actually promote wakefulness. But 50 milligrams promotes sleep.
THE BOTTOM LINE: SHOULD YOU USE CANNABIS FOR SLEEP?
Cannabis, especially THC, might look like an easy answer for sleep problems. But it isn’t a good long-term fix. Its negative impact on REM sleep, risk of dependence, and withdrawal problems make it a bad option. CBD seems more promising, especially for easing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
Sleep is the foundation for your health and performance. So, it is important to recognise the crucial role it plays in your life. Cannabis may bring many benefits to you, but when it comes to using it as a sleep aid, you should think again.
