Whether you’re working from home or sitting at the office, an entire day at work can really tire your mind and body. Sleeping after such a taxing day is the ultimate way to rejuvenate yourself for the next day. For some people, sleeping may be as simple as lying on the bed and shutting your eyes. For others, it is a never-ending battle trying to fall asleep.
Extreme cases of sleeplessness are referred to as ‘Insomnia,’ and nearly 70 million Americans suffer from it. Being unable to sleep at night significantly reduces a person’s quality of life due to the inability to focus on work, participate in social life, or contribute to personal life. Some experts today believe that cannabis can help people restore their sleep and march towards a healthier lifestyle.
In this article, we will shed light upon the association between cannabis products and sleep aid.
Medical Cannabis and Relaxation
Studies have associated cannabis, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in cannabis, with stress relief and mental relaxation. Some experts believe that medical cannabis may help users relax and, therefore, have a more sound sleep. Others state that the effects on sleep are highly dependent on the type of strain a user consumes.
For example, an extensive study conducted by the National Academies of Science revealed that some Indica strains are more effective for relaxation than others. Sativas, on the other hand, contain more THC, which is a compound associated with psychoactive and mood-boosting effects.
Another factor that plays a critical role in sleep is the dosage consumed. While smaller doses may not provide you with efficient sleep cycles, higher doses can lead to groggy mornings. In other words, it is always good to consult a budtender or a medical expert about the dosage that may be preferable for your needs.
Cannabis Consumption and Disruptive Sleep Patterns
Although medical cannabis or mainly CBD consumption helps you relax, there is not sufficient evidence that it helps you reach the REM stage. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) is the final stage of your sleep signifying sound asleep. It is also the time when you begin to dream.
Research suggests that the consumption of cannabis will hinder in reaching this stage of the sleep cycle, which means users will not be able to dream while asleep. While it may not be great news for a regular user, it is highly effective for people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), as they generally seek relaxation through sleep, while avoiding dreams and nightmares.
Dr. Samoon Ahmad is a psychopharmacologist who states that consuming cannabis has the potential to inhibit an individual’s dreams, but as soon as they quit the consumption, they may start having dreams that are quite vivid in nature.
CBN and Sleep
There is also evidence that older cannabis may be beneficial in triggering sleep. This may be because the older cannabis ages, the more cannabinol (CBN) it may contain.
Unlike CBD and THC, CBN is a compound found in cannabis that is not as popularly known. Initially, CBN was considered to be the compound associated with the psychoactive effects (a role played by THC). The confusion happened because THC is replaced by CBN at the end of its life, which may have led researchers to associate the same buzz with CBN.
Researchers over the years have identified that CBN is among the most sedative compounds in cannabis, which is why it is also quite popular when it comes to treating symptoms of insomnia.
The reason why CBN has gained recent popularity is that it doesn’t just help insomniacs fall asleep but also holds several therapeutic properties that couple together to benefit the user in more ways than one. For instance, CBN has also been associated with anxiety relief, enabling people to relax well before falling asleep.
CBN is also excellent for treating chronic pains and can further assist the user’s stages of relaxation. Several similar characteristics combine to provide a sounder sleep with CBN consumption.
The Cost of CBN
Despite being so effective in triggering sound sleep and enabling people to relax, CBN is far less popular in the cannabis industry as compared to its counterparts like CBD or THC. The reason behind that is the cost of procuring this compound.
CBN can be obtained in two ways: the first is to let the THC degrade in a cannabis plant. Once the plant is old, the THC starts being replaced by CBN. The other method of obtaining CBN from cannabis is to transform THC into CBN through the use of technology.
Both of these methods can prove costly to the budtenders and manufacturers, which can trickle down to the end-users.
Experts believe that the costs of producing CBN-induced strains will plummet as the production of cannabis grows in general. The good news is that states are actively pursuing strategies to encourage cannabis production as a move to improve revenues, which could lower CBN production costs.
However, as with any other compound related to CBD, significant research is required to determine if CBN is truly beneficial for treating insomnia. Advocates of cannabis have high hopes with the MORE Act 2021, which could lead to the federal legalization of cannabis. If this happens, research around cannabis will experience a significant boost due to an influx of investment.
Where to Buy Cannabis in Las Vegas
If you reside in Nevada and want top-grade cannabis products and strains, head over to the best Vegas dispensary – Inyo Las Vegas! We are a leading dispensary in Vegas that offers a broad range of medical and recreational cannabis products to choose from.
Order online today or visit our Las Vegas strip dispensary during the following hours:
MON-WED: 8AM – 12AM
THU-SAT: 8AM – 2AM
SUN: 8AM – 10PM
Our budtenders will help you find the perfect products to fit all your cannabis needs.
