Obtaining good sleep is one of the most important factors in maintaining good health. Long-term sleep deprivation is a harrowing condition, with negative effects including:
- Irritability
- Weight gain
- Increased risk of cardiovascular problems
- Increased risk of experiencing a fatal accident
- Depression
It’s no wonder that over 8 million Americans are prescribed some kind of sleep aid. Unfortunately, many sleep medications have profound side effects. It’s extremely common for patients to switch medications several times before ultimately giving up due to the side effects. Some of the worst reactions include:
- Extreme daytime fatigue
- Hallucinations
- Blackouts at night with erratic behavior, including eating or driving
There are many categories of sleep medicines, and some are safer than others, but the data is clear. Many patients are looking for a more holistic approach to managing their sleep.
A safer alternative to sleep medication
A switch to medical marijuana for sleep problems could result in a better quality of life for many patients experiencing negative side effects. Some choose to replace their prescriptions entirely with cannabis, while others may use both for best results. Marijuana has been used as a medicine for thousands of years and across many cultures. There has never been a reported death from overdose, unlike many sleep aids. There are three main chemicals in marijuana that are currently known to have medicinal properties, including benefits to sleep.
Cannabinol (CBN)
Cannabinol is the most sedative chemical found in medical marijuana. It causes a relaxed and sleepy feeling, with little or no effect on the mental state of the patient.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol, generally shortened as CBD, is a cannabinoid with anti-anxiety and anti-convulsant properties. It helps to calm the mind and relax tenseness in the body before sleep.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
THC is the most psychoactive cannabinoid found in medical marijuana. Many patients find that THC helps them drift off to sleep by eliminating stress and constant racing thoughts from their mind. In some patients, THC may cause some anxiety. This is best counteracted with CBD, or by finding a strain that is very low in THC.
Which kinds of strains will help?
There are two main types of marijuana, indica and sativa. Traditionally, indica strains have more CBD and CBN, making them perfect for sleep.
With the rise of medical marijuana in the United States, many growers have created new strains which are specifically targeted at helping sleep and other medical problems. For patients who do not desire any kind of mental effects, there are new strains which are extremely rich in CBD and have next to no THC. These are fantastic new options for MMJ patients.
Get the sleep you deserve with medical marijuana
If you’ve been struggling with your sleep, there’s no need to suffer without help. If you’ve had enough of prescription sleep medication, or are experiencing side effects that affect your life, give medical marijuana a try. Experience the life-changing and rejuvenating effects of good sleep for yourself. Call today to be pre-qualified for medical cannabis use and get back your life.