Email 
Trouble Sleeping at Night? Cannabis Can Help
In the United States, marijuana is getting popular. There’s scientific evidence showing the effectiveness of the herb in managing a wide range of conditions. So, more states are opting for cannabis legalization for medical purposes. In the cannabis legalized states, you require a medical marijuana card signed by a licensed doctor to use cannabis legally.
One of the major health benefits of marijuana use is that it can help boost sleep. Let’s discuss how exactly cannabis works for insomnia patients, the top strains for fighting this condition, and what’s the complete process to apply for an MMJ card online.
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder, affecting about 30 million people in the United States. It can lead to trouble sleeping, waking up during the night, sleepiness, lack of focus, irritability, depression, etc. Acute insomnia occurs because of certain circumstances such as listening to bad news, before the interview, etc. Many have experienced this type of insomnia, and usually, it doesn’t require any treatment.
However, patients suffering from chronic insomnia experience sleep problems at least 3 nights a week and it lasts for 3 months. Common causes of this type of sleep disorder are—using certain medications, changes in the sleep environment, stress, etc.
Cannabis For Insomnia
Marijuana has been used for centuries for relaxing and sedative effects. People have been using it to boost sleep, increase the duration of sleep, and make sleep more refreshing. Medical studies performed in the past show that insomnia is one of the major reasons for cannabis consumption. Moreover, the herb is effective in managing the health issues linked to insomnia, such as chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. To understand how marijuana works for managing insomnia symptoms, it’s important to learn about the cannabinoids. These are chemical compounds that possess amazing therapeutic properties. In the marijuana plant, there are more than 100 cannabinoids. Here are the best-known ones-
THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol is a main psychoactive compound that provides high effects along with health benefits. THC can help in relieving pain and nausea. Studies have found that tetrahydrocannabinol delivers sedative effects, thus making you fall asleep. It can also help in improving breathing, thus treating obstructive sleep apnea. By reducing REM sleep, THC can help boost deep sleep. This can be helpful for patients suffering from PTSD. After using cannabis, patients may experience fewer dreams and nightmares.
CBD
Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that provides health benefits such as reduced anxiety levels, boosted focus, etc. Researchers believe that CBD can help in counteracting the high effects caused by the psychoactive cannabinoids. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a CBD-based medication named Epidiolex for treating certain types of epilepsy.
The Endocannabinoid System & Marijuana
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex biological system, which helps in managing different bodily functions. It comprises a wide range of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. Endocannabinoid deficiency can lead to health problems such as trouble sleeping, mood swings, memory problems, etc. When you consume cannabinoids, they bind to the cannabinoid receptors in the ECS, thus correcting the endocannabinoid deficiency. This, in turn, helps in regulating sleep and various other bodily functions.
As every patient has a different endocannabinoid system, choosing the right cannabis strain for managing your symptoms is important.
Top Marijuana Strains For Insomnia Patients
Not all strains are equal. Different strains contain different levels of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. Moreover, they don’t deliver the same effects to all patients. So, it’s important to try different cannabis strains, analyze its effects on your body, and get the right ones for managing your insomnia symptoms. Here’s a list of the best sleepy strains-
Granddaddy Purple
It exhibits high amounts of myrcene, a terpene that provides amazing relaxing effects. Granddaddy Purple is perfect for people suffering from anxiety, pain, and insomnia.
Harlequin
A high-CBD strain that offers ultimate relief from pain, anxiety. Harlequin can help you fall asleep quickly without causing any psychoactive effects.
Girl Scout Cookies
It contains 20 percent THC and 2 percent CBD content. Girl Scout Cookies is known for delivering sedating effects and full-body relaxation.
Hindu Kush
It’s known for reducing pain and headaches, and it can also help in boosting sleep. Hindu Kush delivers deep calming effects.
How to Consume Cannabis For Boosting Sleep
Smoking is one of the most popular methods of delivering cannabinoids into the body. However, it’s not the only way to consume marijuana. Vaping is a safer alternative to smoking. Cannabis-infused edibles take longer to deliver their effects. However, their effects last longer than other smoking and vaping. Patients who don’t get enough sleep during the night, edibles can help them get long-lasting relaxation and good night’s sleep.
Other methods of consuming cannabis are—cannabis oils, topicals, and tinctures.
The next question is—how much marijuana you should consume? Well, it depends. Because everyone has different symptoms. You can start with a low dose, and monitor the effects. Slowly increase the dose for managing your symptoms effectively. If you haven’t consumed marijuana before, make sure you have someone to help you monitor your condition.
Also Read- Pro Tips For Smoking Cannabis For The First Time
Marijuana Side-Effects
Marijuana helps in promoting sleep. However, it can lead to certain side-effects, such as-
- Dry mouth, euphoria, etc. by using high-THC strains.
- Grogginess due to overuse
- Withdrawal symptoms such as mood swings, trouble falling asleep, etc.
So, before you start using cannabis for sleep problems, consult with an MMJ doctor to seek professional help.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card Online?
Due to the coronavirus lockdown conditions, visiting a doctor’s clinic to get an MMJ card is quite difficult. Americans are now opting for telemedicine services to get medical care remotely. You can also get your medical marijuana card online. No need to visit a clinic. Use your digital device to see a medical cannabis doctor online. Here’s the complete process to apply for your card online-
- Submit an online form
- Talk to the doctor over a secure HIPAA-compliant platform
- Receive your PDF MMJ recommendation letter in the email
Takeaway
To sum up—trouble sleeping can interfere with your life in various ways. It can lead to a lack of concentration, irritability, anxiety, headaches, etc. Marijuana’s therapeutic properties can help in boosting sleep, and improving the quality of life. The cannabinoids in cannabis attach to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system, thus improving sleep and various other functions. There’s a wide range of strains with different levels of THC and CBD available. Thus, for managing your sleep problems, make sure you select the right strains.
Medical marijuana is legal in over 30 US states currently. But, only verified patients are allowed to access medical dispensaries and use cannabis products for health benefits. So, talk to a licensed doctor to get your medical marijuana card today.
