How Is Cannabis Different from Other Natural Sleep Aids?īecause cannabis is considered a controlled substance, there is limited research on the safety and efficacy of cannabis sleep aids compared to other sleep aids. Some participants in this study also reported experiencing better overall sleep quality and fewer daytime flashbacks. One study found that synthetic forms of cannabis significantly decreased nightmares, or stopped them completely, for people with PTSD. A study on women with PTSD found that those with more severe PTSD symptoms and poor sleep were more likely to use cannabis to help them cope. However, THC decreases the amount of time you spend in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when you spend more time dreaming, processing emotions, and cementing new memories.ĭecreasing REM sleep may have some benefits for people with PTSD, since nightmares are a common and disturbing symptom. Short-term cannabis use appears to increase the time you spend in deep sleep, the stage that helps you wake up feeling refreshed. In addition to helping you fall asleep faster, cannabis may alter your sleep architecture, a term that describes how long you spend in the different sleep stages. Cannabis has higher concentrations of THC, the primary psychoactive component. When using cannabis as a sleep aid, the effects you feel may depend on the type of cannabis you are using. CBD, on the other hand, may reduce symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness. The effects of the two compounds together may depend on the dose and timing.īoth CBD and THC may also have benefits for chronic conditions that interfere with sleep.įor example, synthetic forms of THC have shown potential for treating obstructive sleep apnea, reducing PTSD-related nightmares, and improving sleep for people living with chronic pain. CBD appears to promote alertness at lower doses, and sleepiness at higher doses. In these cases, using cannabis before bed may result in a longer time falling asleep. While THC typically acts as a sedative, it can have a stimulating effect for some people, especially for those who are new to using cannabis or taking higher doses. Together, these effects may help cannabis users feel sedated or sleepy.Ĭannabis has several different active compounds, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). When cannabinoids bind to these receptors, they send messages to increase levels of sleep-promoting adenosine levels and suppress the brain’s arousal system. It is believed that the sleep-promoting effects of cannabinoids are due to their interactions with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Non-daily users report fewer sleep issues than both daily users and non-users. Those who use cannabis daily are more likely to report more sleep problems than occasional users or people who do not use cannabis at all. Some studies have found a distinction between daily users and less frequent, non-daily users in how cannabis affects their sleep. Among these users, the effectiveness of cannabis for sleep is more ambivalent, though a study conducted on individuals with insomnia found that many participants reported relief from their symptoms when using cannabis. Many people use cannabis to self-treat insomnia, anxiety, and pain. A recent study also found that cannabis effectively relieves symptoms for people with restless legs syndrome (RLS). For people with certain conditions such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and multiple sclerosis, cannabis may help them fall asleep faster, wake up less during the night, and enjoy better sleep quality overall. Does Cannabis Help You Sleep?Ĭannabis appears to improve sleep in certain cases.

Cannabis may help relieve insomnia when used occasionally, though researchers are unsure whether long-term use is ultimately beneficial or detrimental for sleep quality. Research into cannabis as a sleep aid is still developing. Among people who use cannabis for medical reasons, such as pain relief, as many as 85% say it improves their sleep. Among long-term cannabis users (those who have been using it for 10 years or more), about half use cannabis to improve their sleep. Around 70% of young adults that casually use cannabis report that they do so to help them sleep. Cannabis, also called marijuana, is widely used as a sleep aid, both recreationally and among medical users.

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