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SLEEP DISORDERS

The cause of sleep disorders

Many circumstances can promote or trigger sleep onset and sleep maintenance disorders. Examples are: 

  • Stress, such as at work or in your personal life.
  • Caffeine, alcohol or drugs
  • Physical or mental illness, such as pain, stroke, depression or dementia
  • Medications, such as certain antibiotics, blood pressure medications, or asthma medications
  • Shift work
  • personality traits, such as perfectionism
  • Hereditary predisposition
  • Nighttime rumination or sleep habits, such as an afternoon nap, can contribute to the sleep disorder becoming permanent. 
 

Medical cannabis can not only help you fall asleep faster, but it can also help you sleep longer. It can also reduce stress and have a calming effect during the day. Since sleep disorders often occur as a concomitant symptom of a major disease such as chronic pain syndromes, cannabinoid therapy often provides strong relief of both conditions. The cannabinoids THC and CBD from medical cannabis can provide a sound and restful sleep. They can have a calming effect that reduces your stress and allows your body to rest. Medical cannabis can be particularly low in side effects compared to traditional sleep medications. Cannabinoid therapy often allows patients to finally get a solid night’s sleep. You can do it easily from home. 

SLEEP DISORDERS

The cause of sleep disorders

Many circumstances can promote or trigger sleep onset and sleep maintenance disorders. Examples are: 

  • Stress, such as at work or in your personal life.
  • Caffeine, alcohol or drugs
  • Physical or mental illness, such as pain, stroke, depression or dementia
  • Medications, such as certain antibiotics, blood pressure medications, or asthma medications
  • Shift work
  • personality traits, such as perfectionism
  • Hereditary predisposition
  • Nighttime rumination or sleep habits, such as an afternoon nap, can contribute to the sleep disorder becoming permanent. 

Medical cannabis can not only help you fall asleep faster, but it can also help you sleep longer. It can also reduce stress and have a calming effect during the day. Since sleep disorders often occur as a concomitant symptom of a major disease such as chronic pain syndromes, cannabinoid therapy often provides strong relief of both conditions. 

The cannabinoids THC and CBD from medical cannabis can provide a sound and restful sleep. They can have a calming effect that reduces your stress and allows your body to rest. Medical cannabis can be particularly low in side effects compared to traditional sleep medications. Cannabinoid therapy often allows patients to finally get a solid night’s sleep. You can do it easily from home. 

Read More

Calming effect

Cannabis can provide stress relief by reducing the levels of cortisol in the body.

Better sleep quality

Not only can it improve their sleep quality, but it can help them sleep faster and, more importantly, longer 

How Medical Marijuana Can Help Patients

  • Easier to fall asleep
  • Pleasant sleeping through
  • Reduction of sleep disturbance
  • Low side effects compared to sleeping pills
  • Firm sleep without the need for additional medications

SLEEP DISORDER

Medical Cannabis for Sleep Disorders: A Review of Supporting Studies

Introduction

Sleep disorders, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, are prevalent and can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Traditional treatments for sleep disorders include pharmaceutical medications, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and lifestyle modifications. However, medical cannabis has gained attention as a potential alternative or adjunctive treatment for sleep disorders. This review will discuss the evidence from several supporting studies that investigate the potential benefits of medical cannabis in the management of sleep disorders.

Improving Sleep Quality

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. Babson et al.’s 2017 literature review examines the relationship between cannabis, cannabinoids, and sleep. The authors found that both THC and CBD could potentially improve sleep quality, with THC showing a more significant effect on sleep latency and maintenance. However, they also note that tolerance may develop over time, and more research is needed to establish optimal dosing and long-term effects.
[1] Babson, K. A., Sottile, J., & Morabito, D. (2017). Cannabis, cannabinoids, and sleep: a review of the literature. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19(4), 23.

Reducing Insomnia Symptoms

Another study conducted by Bonn-Miller et al. (2014) assessed the impact of medical cannabis on insomnia symptoms among patients with PTSD. The study showed that patients experienced a significant reduction in insomnia symptoms when using medical cannabis.
[2] Bonn-Miller, M. O., Babson, K. A., & Vandrey, R. (2014). Using cannabis to help you sleep: heightened frequency of medical cannabis use among those with PTSD. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 136, 162-165.

Reducing Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. Carley et al.’s 2018 study examined the effects of dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC, on obstructive sleep apnea. The study found that dronabinol significantly reduced the severity of sleep apnea symptoms compared to a placebo, suggesting that cannabinoids may have potential as a novel treatment option for sleep apnea.
[3] Carley, D. W., Prasad, B., Reid, K. J., Malkani, R., Attarian, H., Abbott, S. M., … & Zee, P. C. (2018). Pharmacotherapy of apnea by cannabimimetic enhancement, the PACE clinical trial: effects of dronabinol in obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep, 41(1), zsx184.

Safety and Side Effects

As with any medication, potential side effects and safety concerns must be considered when using medical cannabis for sleep disorders. Common side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, and impaired cognitive function. The long-term effects of medical cannabis on sleep are still not fully understood, and further research is needed to determine the optimal dosing and administration methods.

Conclusion

The current evidence suggests that medical cannabis may have potential benefits in the management of sleep disorders, including improving sleep quality, reducing insomnia symptoms, and alleviating sleep apnea symptoms. However, more research is needed to better understand the long-term effects of medical cannabis on sleep and to establish optimal dosing and administration strategies. Healthcare providers should remain informed about the latest research developments and engage in open discussions with their patients about the potential risks and benefits of using medical cannabis for sleep disorders.
 

DISCLAIMER

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for intormational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
 

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