People have long used marijuana (cannabis) to calm down and unwind. Now that the drug is legally available in lots of places and in lots of forms (including sweet, chewy gummy candies), using cannabis as a sleep aid has develop into increasingly popular. Along with safety concerns about traditional sleep medications, greater awareness of the link between insufficient sleep and health problems may contribute to this trend. If you are within the weeds in relation to selecting CBD gum, here's some perspective and advice.
Cannabis ingredients
Cannabis incorporates over 500 unique compounds, each with different effects. Two popular ones are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which produces intoxication and euphoria (generally known as the “high”), and cannabidiol (CBD), which lacks addictive properties but might help prevent seizures, pain and anxiety. A 2024 Randomized trial Published in Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology Another ingredient, cannabinol (CBN), was found to enhance sleep, including reducing nighttime awakenings.
Dr. Gruber says other studies show that CBD, either alone or with small amounts of THC, might help people go to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. A 2022 Review Previous research on cannabinoids and sleep disorders suggests that although the keenness for using cannabis for sleep could also be greater than the available evidence suggests, there may be a powerful argument for further research on this area.
Choosing Cannabis Products for Sleep
Currently, anyone within the US should purchase CBD-based products derived from hemp, a sort of hemp with low THC levels. States which have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational purposes require cannabis producers to check their products for the potency of CBD, THC, and sometimes other cannabinoids. Many states also require testing for contaminants, including pesticide residues and heavy metals. Lab test results are often provided as a certificate of research, or COA. “These certificates are not always required or available for hemp-derived products. Also, they may contain laboratory-made compounds containing synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids, which I do not recommend,” says Dr. Gruber.
About 80% of Americans live in a county with no less than one cannabis dispensary, which might be a very good place to start out. Tell the salesperson you are fascinated about a product that will not necessarily get you high, but will assist you go to sleep, stay asleep, or each, says Dr. Gruber. Sometimes, chronic pain, anxiety, or simply feeling like you possibly can't shut your mind off at night can interfere together with your sleep. Most products containing CBD, CBN, and other non-addictive cannabinoids might help with these other challenges. Some contain very small amounts of THC, which theoretically increases overall advantages (a hypothesis generally known as the delegation effect). Be sure to request a COA for the product you might be considering.
Recognize that different formulations affect how quickly the consequences start and the way long they last. Fruit-flavored cannabis gummies are popular, but tinctures (oils you're taking as drops under the tongue) make it easy to progressively increase your dose to get the specified effect. Because a tincture is absorbed into the bloodstream relatively quickly, you possibly can feel its effects inside 15 to 45 minutes, and so they can last for several hours. Gummies and other foods take one to a few hours to kick in, and the consequences can last as long as eight hours. Individual differences corresponding to age and underlying health conditions (each physical and mental) can affect your response to cannabis.
“A chronic sleep problem isn't something you can fix overnight with one dose. It often takes a little trial and error to find what works for you,” says Dr. Gruber. She suggests starting low and going slow.
Side effects of cannabis
Dr. Gruber says many individuals like the thought of ​​cannabis sleep products because they haven't got the next-day effects, especially those who contain more CBD and CBN. But as with every edible cannabis product, whether it's gum, brownie, drink or tincture, people might be more sensitive to it than expected, or take an excessive amount of in the event that they're anxious to feel the consequences. In addition to drowsiness, high levels of CBD could cause unintended effects corresponding to diarrhea, changes in appetite, and dry mouth. In high doses, THC can disrupt sleep and even cause panic attacks, including a racing heart or palpitations.
Photo: © Nyaka Photo/Getty Images