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"I am so exhausted from not sleeping. I have tried a lot of different sleep aids and think I am ready to try marijuana. I don't know where to begin."
Mark S.
Sleep, or the lack of it, is a big problem, in America, with many of us not getting the seven to nine hours a night we need to stay healthy. Having enough shut-eye gives us energy, keeps us focused and productive, boosts the immune system so we can fight off infections, and provides many other health benefits.
A lack of sleep can have the opposite effect, leaving us dispirited and depressed, and susceptible to a wide range of physical and mental health problems.
The Kiva Petra Mint is a popular low dose mint.
The stats bear out the size of the sleeping issue. Up to 70 million people in this country are affected by sleep disorders, spending $70 billion a year on sleep aids, 65% of which goes to medications. Also, 30 to 35% of us suffer temporary symptoms of insomnia at one time or other, with it being a chronic condition in 10% of people.
The sleep problem has been made worse by the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic. A huge number of adults are turning from alcohol to weed to get a better sleep, as well deal with other conditions, such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
Cannabis may be used to address a number of sleep disorders, ranging from insomnia and sleep apnea to night terrors and circadian rhythm disorders. Anyone who has gone into slumber land or has experienced couchlock after consuming weed knows that the substance has a powerful potential for sleep.
Marijuana works by triggering receptors in our endocannabinoid system (ECS), which help regulate hormones, immunity, pain, hunger, and (drum roll!) sleep. Weed cannabinoids that are known for inducing a good sleep include THC, CBD, and CBN. THC is known for its psychoactive effects and its ability to help with sleep. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound and may also work to make you sleep, though in some people it may spark wakefulness (it depends on how your body reacts to it).
Edibles, like Wana Brand gummies, are often used as sleep aids.
CBN is often associated with THC products that have aged over time, and may also serve as a sleep aid, though more research is required to prove this.
Terpenes found in cannabis may also contribute to better sleep, including beta-myrcene and limonene, which have calming effects, beta-caryophyllene for stress-reducing effects, and linalool for sedative and pain-relieving properties.
SchererDelight
Finding out what works best for you may require some experimentation. You may want to try cannabis products with different levels of CBD, THC, or CBN. If you are just starting out, going low and slow is a good way to proceed.
With THC particularly it might be a good idea to start with a low dosage, 2mg for example, and go up from there, if you need it, to 10mg or even higher. Also try different brands and consumption methods, including smoking, vaping, edibles, gel caps, and others. Some cannabis brands specialize in sleep disorders, so seek these out.
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Jetty Extracts has a variety of solventless products with live rosin.
Through our YouTube channel and article archive, HelloMD has provided a lot of information about how medical marijuana can help with sleep and good products to try if you are new to the field. For example, in this article, we provide info about three CBD products that may be able to help you doze off.
Among these is Dream CBD Mints produced by Mr. Moxey’s Mints. Vegan and gluten free, the delicious mints are also enriched with sleep-inducing passion flower, valerian root and other ingredients, adding to the sedative effects of the CBD. Dissolve one of these mints under your tongue for best results.
Also check out our YouTube video on CBD products to help you sleep. They include [Pure Ratios Hemp Extract Topical Salve}https://botanicam.com/product/pure-ratios-hemp-extract-topical-salve/), which when applied to a hurting part of the body can ease aches and pains so you can doze off. Each 25ml canister of the hemp-extract product contains 150mg of CBD.
Happy dreams!
Paula D.