People have long used marijuana (cannabis) to loosen up and unwind. Now that the drug is legally available in lots of places and in lots of forms (including sweet, chewy gummy candies), using cannabis as a sleep aid has grow to be increasingly popular. Along with safety concerns about traditional sleep medications, greater awareness of the link between insufficient sleep and health problems may contribute to this trend. If you are within the weeds on the subject of selecting CBD gum, here’s some perspective and advice.
Cannabis ingredients
Cannabis comprises over 500 unique compounds, each with different effects. Two popular ones are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which produces intoxication and euphoria (referred to as the “high”), and cannabidiol (CBD), which lacks addictive properties but will help prevent seizures, pain and anxiety. A 2024 Randomized trial Published in Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology Another ingredient, cannabinol (CBN), was found to enhance sleep, including reducing nighttime awakenings.
Dr. Gruber says other studies show that CBD, either alone or with small amounts of THC, will help people go to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. A 2022 Review Previous research on cannabinoids and sleep disorders suggests that although the passion for using cannabis for sleep could also be greater than the available evidence suggests, there may be a robust argument for further research on this area.
Choosing Cannabis Products for Sleep
Currently, anyone within the US should purchase CBD-based products derived from hemp, a form of hemp with low THC levels. States which have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational purposes require cannabis producers to check their products for the potency of CBD, THC, and sometimes other cannabinoids. Many states also require testing for contaminants, including pesticide residues and heavy metals. Lab test results are frequently provided as a certificate of study, or COA. “These certificates are not always required or available for hemp-derived products. Also, they may contain laboratory-made compounds containing synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids, which I do not recommend,” says Dr. Gruber.
About 80% of Americans live in a county with at the very least one cannabis dispensary, which may be an excellent place to begin. Tell the salesperson you are concerned about a product that will not necessarily get you high, but will aid you go to sleep, stay asleep, or each, says Dr. Gruber. Sometimes, chronic pain, anxiety, or simply feeling like you’ll be able to’t shut your mind off at night can interfere together with your sleep. Most products containing CBD, CBN, and other non-addictive cannabinoids will help with these other challenges. Some contain very small amounts of THC, which theoretically increases overall advantages (a hypothesis referred to as the delegation effect). Be sure to request a COA for the product you might be considering.
Recognize that different formulations affect how quickly the results start and the way long they last. Fruit-flavored cannabis gummies are popular, but tinctures (oils you’re taking as drops under the tongue) make it easy to step by step increase your dose to get the specified effect. Because a tincture is absorbed into the bloodstream relatively quickly, you’ll be able to feel its effects inside 15 to 45 minutes, and so they can last for several hours. Gummies and other foods take one to a few hours to kick in, and the results can last as long as eight hours. Individual differences similar to age and underlying health conditions (each physical and mental) can affect your response to cannabis.
“A chronic sleep problem isn’t something you can fix overnight with one dose. It often takes a little trial and error to find what works for you,” says Dr. Gruber. She suggests starting low and going slow.
Side effects of cannabis
Dr. Gruber says many individuals like the thought of ​​cannabis sleep products because they do not have the next-day effects, especially those who contain more CBD and CBN. But as with every edible cannabis product, whether it’s gum, brownie, drink or tincture, people may be more sensitive to it than expected, or take an excessive amount of in the event that they’re anxious to feel the results. In addition to drowsiness, high levels of CBD could cause unwanted side effects similar to diarrhea, changes in appetite, and dry mouth. In high doses, THC can disrupt sleep and even cause panic attacks, including a racing heart or palpitations.
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