Getting the proper amount of sleep each night is extremely important for your health. According to the American Sleep Association, approximately 60 million people struggle with a sleeping disorder. Furthermore, 30 percent of Americans experience insomnia, 10 percent of which struggle with chronic insomnia. In the United States, nearly 9 million people take prescription sleep aid. Many of these medications come along with a number of negative side effects. In recent years, many people have begun using medical marijuana for insomnia and other sleeping disorders, as it is both effective and low risk.
Why and Who
One of the many benefits of marijuana is that it has the ability to restore the sleep cycle. Using medical marijuana before bed can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. People experiencing chronic pain, anxiety, stress and other related symptoms can really benefit from medical marijuana. Additionally, those who have been diagnosed with PTSD can also benefit from certain cannabis strains.
Choosing the Right Strain
When choosing a cannabis strain for sleeping disorders, you’ll want to choose one with a higher THC level. THC has been shown to help induce sleep. You will want to select Indica over Sativa. Indica contains more THC and will bring about heavier, sleepy effects due to the concentration of relaxing, sedating terpenes. Sativa will have the opposite effect by energizing you. THC has the unique ability to reduce the REM cycle, also known as our dream state. This means that it will reduce nightmares as well, which is why it will benefit those that suffer from PTSD.
Contraindications
Harvard physician, Dr. Jordan Tishler, recommends choosing a strain with less than 20% THC. He warns that consuming too much THC before bed can have adverse effects, leaving you anxious and even paranoid. Long term use also has the potential to impair the quality of your sleep. Dr. Tishler also noted that while edibles may help you stay asleep longer, they can also take much longer to kick in, leaving you feeling groggy in the morning. The effects of smoking usually last less than 4 hours while it can take the liver up to 12 hours to to process edibles.
Your Best Option
Your best option is to smoke an Indica strain that contains less than 20% THC, at least 1 hour before bedtime. Keep in mind that not all sleep aids work the same, including medical marijuana. Dr. Tishler says that choosing a strain should be like choosing a tea. Everyone is different and may require a different blend. You should experiment with different strains until you find one that works for you.
Contact Us
If you’re a Florida resident that suffers from any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact us today to set up your free consultation. You can call us at (786) 224-4005, Schedule your appointment ONLINE, or stop in to one of our 12 Florida locations. It’s time to get a good night’s rest!
