Many people have embraced THC as a natural remedy for sleep disorders like insomnia. While THC boasts potent relaxation properties, is this cannabinoid effective as a sleep aid? What are THC’s effects on sleep?
This guide offers a comprehensive exploration of THC as a sleep aid, detailing its key characteristics, health benefits, and its role in sleep promotion.
Join us as we examine various cannabis strains and their different attributes that impact sleep quality. We’ll also discuss crucial considerations when using THC for sleep, such as correct dosage, timing, routes of administration, tolerance, side effects, and legality.
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At a glance:
Effects of THC on Sleep
THC's potential as a sleep aid is thought to stem from its interaction with our body's endocannabinoid system — a system instrumental in modulating various physiological processes, including sleep. THC's affinity for CB1 receptors in the brain can result in reduced anxiety and heightened relaxation, thereby facilitating sleep onset.6
Besides helping you wind down in the evening and fall asleep more easily, THC can also affect your sleep architecture, or the structure of your sleep cycles. In small amounts, THC can enhance sleep quality by amplifying slow-wave sleep — a sleep phase vital for physical rejuvenation and recovery.
Spending more time in slow-wave sleep can help support various vital health processes, including:
- Muscle repair and recovery
- Immune system function
- Memory consolidation
- Mood regulation
- Stress reduction
- Appetite control
- Hormone regulation
- Pain management
Unfortunately, THC’s effects on sleep aren’t always positive. While low THC doses may support a healthy sleep cycle, higher THC doses can reduce REM sleep, a critical phase for cognitive performance and memory consolidation. REM is also the sleep phase where most dreams occur, which is why some people report dreaming less after consuming THC.
Dosage is important when using THC for sleep. In low doses, THC can be an effective natural sleep aid, especially when combined with other cannabinoids like CBD and CBN. This combination creates a synergistic “entourage effect” that maximizes the beneficial THC effect on sleep.
If you’re looking to reap the potential sleep benefits of THC without the high — or enjoy THC in low doses alongside your CBD sleep products — check out full-spectrum CBD sleep products from FOCL.
Which Type of THC Is Best For Sleep?
Cannabis comes in a variety of strains, each bearing distinct effects. The two most prevalent strains — Indica and Sativa — have unique characteristics:
Given its soothing effects, Indica is often recommended as the go-to cannabis strain for sleep. Nevertheless, Sativa may be preferred by those seeking to avoid nightmares. Hybrid strains, a blend of Indica and Sativa, may yield diverse effects depending on the specific composition of cannabinoids and other components.
Health Benefits of THC
THC is a noteworthy cannabinoid native to the cannabis plant. It is largely accountable for the intoxicating effects associated with cannabis use. However, THC's reputation transcends mere recreational use — it also boasts promising therapeutic potential for rest and relaxation.
Here are a few of the main health benefits THC offers:
These various benefits can transform your sleep quality, especially if pain or nausea is keeping you awake at night. THC even has potent stress-relieving properties, which can help you calm racing thoughts and wind down before bed.
How To Use THC As A Sleep Aid
Using THC as a sleep aid can be a great way to get a good night's rest. However, it is important to understand how to use THC correctly in order to get the most out of your sleep. Here are some tips on how to use THC as a sleep aid:
Dosage
When considering THC as a sleep aid, dosage is a crucial factor to take into account. Low doses may promote sleep, yet high doses could potentially disturb sleep patterns and diminish sleep quality.7 Therefore, it's advisable to begin with a minimal dose, incrementally adjusting upwards as necessary until you identify the optimal amount for your individual needs.
Many people have success microdosing THC for sleep. This practice involves taking a low dose of THC — around 2 to 5 mg — which is enough to promote sleep without causing overwhelming psychoactive effects.
Routes Of Administration
Various methods exist for THC administration when used for sleep, each possessing unique attributes. The most favored routes — smoking cannabis — afford near-immediate relief. However, health considerations might rule out smoking for some individuals.
A viable alternative is edibles, offering a gradual, sustained THC release over an extended timeframe, beneficial for those needing a constant THC concentration in their systems.
Tinctures constitute another choice — they can be ingested sublingually or incorporated into beverages.
Finally, topicals provide localized alleviation of muscle and joint discomfort.
Each administration route brings its benefits and drawbacks, underlining the importance of consulting with a healthcare professional to discern the optimal choice tailored to your unique needs.
Time Of Day
In the context of employing THC as a sleep aid, the timing of consumption plays a pivotal role in the product's efficacy. Typically, THC-based products are best utilized in the evening an hour or more before sleep.7 This schedule accommodates the body's metabolism process, ensuring THC effectively imparts its influence effectively.
Things To Consider When Using THC As A Sleep Aid
When using THC as a sleep aid, it's important to consider a few factors to ensure that you get the best results. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Overall, it's important to do your research before using THC as a sleep aid. Finding the right dose, route of administration, and time of day can help you get the best results.
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Final Thoughts
Cannabis is emerging as a promising sleep aid with its potential to alleviate sleep disorders, enhance relaxation, and improve overall sleep quality. However, proper dosage, timing, and consumption methods are crucial to optimize its effectiveness and minimize any potential side effects. It's worth noting that individual responses to THC may vary, making it essential to adjust usage to meet your personal needs and comfort.
In this context, FOCL emerges as an ideal solution. As an all-natural sleep aid, it combines beneficial ingredients such as magnesium, melatonin, and valerian root to promote relaxation and deep sleep. Furthermore, it eliminates the morning-after grogginess often associated with other sleep aids. Its vegan-friendly and non-GMO attributes make it a universally acceptable choice.
Harnessing the full potential of THC, FOCL brings a new dimension to natural, restful sleep, serving as a compelling choice for those looking to improve their sleep quality. Reach out to us if you have any questions about using CBD and THC.
You can also check out these articles to learn more about THC:
FAQs
Does being high make you sleep well?
When you consume THC, it can affect your sleep in a variety of ways. It can make you feel relaxed and help you drift off to sleep more easily, but it can also make it harder to stay asleep or get the quality sleep that you’re looking for. Depending on the type and amount of THC you take, it can also cause sleep disturbances like vivid dreams or nightmares.
What happens if you take an edible and then go to sleep?
When you take an edible, the THC is absorbed into your bloodstream and can stay in your system for up to eight hours. This means that if you take a THC gummy for sleep, the effects of the THC may still be present when you wake up. It's important to be aware of this so you can plan accordingly and make sure you get the restful sleep you need.
Why do I wake up high after eating edibles?
When you eat an edible, the THC is absorbed into your bloodstream and can stay in your system for up to eight hours. This means that if you take an edible and then go to sleep, the effects of the THC may still be present when you wake up. To avoid this, make sure to wait at least eight hours after consuming an edible before going to bed.
Sources:
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- Naftali, T., Bar-Lev Schleider, L., Dotan, I., Lansky, E. P., Sklerovsky Benjaminov, F., & Konikoff, F. M. (2013). Cannabis induces a clinical response in patients with Crohn's disease: a prospective placebo-controlled study. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 11(10), 1276-1280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2013.04.034
- Farrimond, J. A., Whalley, B. J., & Williams, C. M. (2012). Cannabinol and cannabidiol exert opposing effects on rat feeding patterns. Psychopharmacology, 223(1), 117-129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-012-2697-x
- Parker, L. A., Rock, E. M., & Limebeer, C. L. (2011). Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids. British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), 1411-1422. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01176.x
- Babson, K. A., Sottile, J., & Morabito, D. (2017). Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19(4), 23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0775-9
- Vaillancourt, R., Gallagher, S., Cameron, J. D., & Dhalla, R. (2022). Cannabis use in patients with insomnia and sleep disorders: Retrospective chart review. Canadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue Des Pharmaciens Du Canada, 155(3), 175–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/17151635221089617
- FOCL review: Everything to know about the wellness CBD brand. (n.d.). https://www.sacbee.com/health-wellness/article271872982.html
