Have you ever eaten an edible or smoked a joint before bed, only to wake up eight hours later completely refreshed from a dreamless, deep sleep? You are not imagining the connection between sleep and marijuana! In fact, sleep is one of the most common reasons why people turn to marijuana. Using weed for sleep has helped people with difficult conditions like insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain, and more, which can all disrupt sleep.
But how does weed affect sleep? What is the actual science behind the effects of weed on sleep? Luckily, sleep and weed has been one of the more researched medicinal applications of pot. In this article, we’ll turn to that research and introduce you to the best marijuana sleep aids available at our recreational dispensaries in Trinidad and Pueblo, Colorado.
Weed For Sleep: How Does it Work?
There’s no question how important sleep is to humans. While we snooze, new pathways for learning and retaining information are being created. Poor sleeping habits can manifest serious consequences like poor decision-making skills, depression, and even chronic diseases like kidney disease, diabetes, stroke, and obesity.
Suffice it to say, sleep is kind of a big deal. But what happens when sleep eludes you? Can you really use pot to help sleep better?
Most doctors agree that a full eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is optimal. Within those hours, humans go through five stages of sleep known as the sleep cycle. Stages one through three can be thought of as “powering down”, when the body prepares itself for sleep, and stage four is known as deep sleep. The final stage of the sleep cycle is REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, when the majority of dreaming occurs.
THC and CBD, two important chemical compounds found in cannabis, are both known to help foster better sleep habits. When we consume cannabis, these two cannabinoids interact with something called the Endocannabinoid System, a system of receptors found all throughout our bodies, especially in the brain. These interactions result in all sorts of therapeutic effects, including euphoria, relaxation, and pain relief, all of which can help people sleep better.
For those with severe anxiety, it may be extremely difficult to turn their brains off at night. Cannabis can help ease those anxieties. For those who suffer from chronic pain, the analgesic properties of THC and CBD can bring enough relief for a night of quality sleep. And for those with sleep apnea, in which breathing is disrupted throughout the night, THC can actually act as a bronchodilator, expanding airways making it easier to breathe.
Another condition that can severely disrupt sleep is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). And cannabis can bring a unique gift to those suffering: less frequent nightmares. Some researchers have observed that cannabis before bed can alter the sleep cycle, extending the time a person is in the deep sleep stage and reducing the amount of time spent in REM sleep. And less REM sleep means fewer dreams, or in the case of people with PTSD, night terrors.
H3 – Colorado’s Best Weed to Help Sleep – H3
There are a couple suggestions to keep in mind when finding the right weed for sleep. Very generally speaking, indicas will be better suited for the job than sativas. But not all indicas are created equal or for the same purpose. Edibles are great for sleep too, maybe even better than cannabis flower. They take longer to kick in, but will stay in your system longer, ideally providing you relief the entire night.
Best Strains of Marijuana to Sleep
Afghani is a deep Indica strain known to produce a dense resin. This strain will provide sedating and euphoric effects that can help the body melt into peaceful rest. It’s a good match for people with chronic pain or insomnia and one medical marijuana patients are known to seek.
Hindu Kush is a pure Indica strain named after the area of its origin. It is known to produce extremely sedating and relaxing effects, making it a good option for people who are losing sleep due to stress.
Pink Kush is an Indica-dominant hybrid that provides a deep body relaxation that will hit even the most experienced cannabis consumers. The effects of this strain can provide relief for stress, chronic pain, and insomnia. Pink Kush flies off the shelves, so call before stopping in to make sure it’s in stock!
Best Marijuana Edible for Sleep
These taffies are tasty enough to be a snack, but powerful enough to send you straight to bed. Start with 10 mg or less of the Indica Cheeba Chew for a very relaxing night.
These mints come with 5 mg of THC, a nice microdose for those just getting familiar with edibles. Dixie’s Peppermint Relaxing Mints contain other natural extracts that promote relaxation, including peppermint oil, ashwagandha, and lemon balm.
These tablets are made for those who want a discrete and non-smoking option. Stratos THC Sleep tablets are Indica based and provide effective pain relief and a very calm body high.
All products listed here are available at our Pueblo recreational dispensary and Trinidad recreational dispensary. Stop by our Pueblo dispensary or our Trinidad dispensary and our team will show you these and more of the best marijuana sleep aids on the market.