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Can CBD, CBN, THC and TERPENES help restore sleep cycles?
“Sleep is the golden chain that binds health and our bodies together” – Thomas Dekker
According to the National Centers for Biotechnology Information, around 70 million Americans experience sleep disruption. Thousands of people cannot sleep properly due to insomnia in our country during the pandemic. Dr. Sam Friedlander, who is practicing at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, commented, “We are going through an unprecedented time where there is so much stress affecting people. I have been seeing a lot of sleep problems.”
In the last few years, cannabis has become quite popular due to its various health benefits. One of the primary health benefits of cannabis is that it may help people cope with insomnia. It helps to restore the normal circadian rhythm thus potentially eradicate insomnia.
Overview
The natural chemical compounds present in cannabis may help people fall asleep fast. Both cannabinoids and terpenes have sedating effects, which help people sleep 30 minutes sooner than before. Active ingredients like Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) help people with insomnia fall asleep quickly. Even those who don’t have insomnia can sleep 15 minutes sooner than before. The THC ingredient promotes deep sleep often without nightmares. As such, people can have peaceful and undisturbed sleep.
Benefits
- CBD helps to reduce pain, stress, depression, and anxiety. These factors help to relax your mind and potentially fall asleep faster.
- CBD doesn’t have any harmful side effects on your mind. Moreover, it helps to boost your concentration power.
- CBD doesn’t make you feel sleepy throughout the day. It helps you to stay awake and alert.
- CBN helps you to sleep quickly due to its sedative effects.
- THC helps to improve the breathing cycle during sleep and lowers the chances of obstructive sleep apnea.
- Linalool – a lavender-scented terpene helps to increase the adenosine (sedating hormone) and drive people to sleep.
- Limonene helps to elevate the serotonin level, which lowers the depression symptoms.
- Myrcene has both sedating and anti-inflammatory properties, which help people to sleep.
- The analgesic properties of cannabis help to give some relief to individuals who suffer from chronic pain. These factors may enhance peaceful sleep at night.
How to use cannabis
You may use cannabis in various ways. You can smoke or consider trying the vaping method. You can also eat CBD infused edibles or take CBD capsules. Taking a CBD tincture is yet another option for you. Get detailed information from here.
The dosage depends on your response, overall health needs and tolerance level. Start low and increase slowly. It’s not for everyone and may take some getting used to. The best time to consume cannabis is during the day, when you have nothing to do so you may assess your reaction and adjust accordingly.
Research
Cannabis contains various natural chemical compounds that help you fall asleep quickly. But the most important ones are cannabinoids and terpenes, which we will discuss today.
Cannabinoids – The first natural chemical compound
Cannabinoids are natural chemical compounds found in cannabis that have several health benefits. Some studies have shown that cannabinoids help people have longer, deeper sleep with few disruptions. Moreover, these natural compounds may also help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, etc.
The most popular cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC|). Let us discuss how they help to get relief from insomnia and restore a natural sleep cycle.
- Cannabidiol (CBD) – In many individuals, CBD helps to relax your mind, reduce pain, increase clarity, reduce stress, and lower anxiety. All these beneficial factors may help you fall asleep faster. You won’t should not experience the high associated with THC. The best part of CBD is that it can helps you stay awake and alert during the day. Most individuals don’t feel sleepy during the daytime. So, you can attend classes or the office without feeling sleepy. Your sleep-wake cycle won’t get affected. Here’s how you can take our featured cannabinoids.
- Cannabinol (CBN) – Usually found in old cannabis, cannabinol is well-known for its sedating effect, which becomes quite strong when it is paired with THC. Although CBN is not as popular as CBD, its beneficial powers can’t be ignored. CBN has pain-relieving power and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps stimulate your appetite. THC may convert to CBN over time.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – This is a psychoactive cannabinoid, which is responsible for giving that feeling of high many people enjoy. It helps to reduce nausea and pain. Like CBN, THC may also have sedating effects. Thus, you may fall asleep quickly. The popularity of THC has increased in the last few years due to its ability to improve breathing when you are sleeping. Due to this beneficial power, THC may be used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
THC has been shown to be beneficial for individuals with PTSD. PTSD patients often experience sleep disruptions due to nightmares and traumatic dreams. Now, dreams usually appear during the last stage of the sleep cycle, which is known as Rapid EYE Movement sleep. THC cuts down the time spent in REM sleep. It promotes slow-wave sleep. Due to this reason, people are less likely to have dreams if they take THC before going to bed every night.
Terpenes – The second natural chemical compound – Terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis. They have relaxing and energizing effects, which help people cope with insomnia and other mental health conditions.
Types of terpenes that help you to sleep
Here are five types of terpenes that help you cope with insomnia and get back into a natural sleep cycle.
- Linalool – It is a lavender-scented terpene, which is found in cannabis. Research shows that this lavender-scented terpene helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. It also increases the sedating hormone called adenosine, which helps you to sleep. Stress hurts the immune system. Linalool also helps to protect the immune system against the harmful effects of stress.
- Limonene – It is a citrus-scented terpene with multiple health benefits. This particular terpene is easily found in cannabis. Limonene helps to reduce OCD symptoms, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and stress. Moreover, limonene has a unique quality of increasing the serotonin level in the brain. In short, limonene has an overall positive effect on mental health. It helps to promote sleep and lower insomnia symptoms.
- Myrcene –This terpene has anti-inflammatory properties and sedating effects. It is usually found in cannabis, mangoes, thyme, and basil.
- Caryophyllene – This peppery scented terpene has many health benefits. It helps to reduce anxiety, pain, and stress. Otherwise known as analgesic, relaxing, and anxiolytic properties.
- Terpineol – This terpene has sedating effects, pain-relieving, and relaxing properties. All these properties help to get relief from insomnia. You can find this terpene in cannabis and lilac.
Indica and Sativa – How do they help to cope with insomnia?
Indica and Sativa are two types of cannabis strains. Indica helps to relax your mind and induce sleep. Sativa generally helps you to feel energized and happy.
Now, you know that Sativa and Indica are two cannabis strains. If you mix these two types of strains, then what you will get is the hybrid strain. Usually, manufacturers know how to combine the two strains in the right proportion. Doctors and cannabis therapeutic specialists can help find the perfect strain based on individual requirements.
It’s somewhat like tea leaves. You can mix different types of tea leaves to get a hybrid tea for enhanced texture and flavor. Likewise, Indica and Sativa can be combined to form the hybrid strain. Some individuals use hybrid strains to strike a balance between the sedating and uplifting effects.
Patient risks and warnings
- You may feel groggy the next day due to over indulging, so keep a journal.
- Smoking or inhaling is the fastest onset of cannabis and often is beneficial when determining outcome/feelings. One puff at a time and the smoke can be harsh. Go low, start slow.
Patient insights
Sang Choi, a pharmacist at a New York City-based dispensary said, “We know that cannabis can help with sleep issues. Our patients tell us that they’ve gotten really good sleep at night.”
Choi adds that the chemical compounds in cannabis help to restore the natural sleep cycle. The biggest benefit of using cannabis is that it not only helps to relieve insomnia but it also has been shown to suppress depression and anxiety symptoms. So, patients get multiple benefits.
Patients should choose cannabinoids based on the strains. For instance, they can choose THC- dominant strains when they want to suppress the symptoms of depression, insomnia, anxiety, etc.
Many consumers find relief by choosing a CBD dominant strain, which has a small amount of THC to have a clear mind.
Here are some safe and tested cannabis sleep products:
- Aspen Green REST Full Spectrum CBD Oil (35% Off Promo Code – UPG)
- Aspen Green REST Organic CBD Gummies (35% Off Promo Code – UPG)
- Receptra Naturals Serious Rest Gummies (15% Off Promo Code – UPG)
- Receptra Naturals Serious Rest Gel Capsules (15% Off Promo Code – UPG)
- Unity Formulas CBD Sleep Calm Tincture (15% Off Promo Code – UPG15)
- FOCL CBD Night Capsules (25% Off Promo Code – UPG)
- WYLD CBD Elderberry Sleep Gummies (15% Off Promo Code – UPG15)
You can find more trusted brands and products here.
Conclusion
If you have never had cannabis before or you have various questions, always consult medical professionals via Skype, Zoom, or phone. It is better to consult with medical professionals and make informed decisions.
Alternatively, tune in to United Patients Group – Be Informed. Be Well.
RESOURCES:
https://lotolabs.com/cannabis-and-restoring-your-natural-sleep-cycle
https://www.grobo.io/blogs/lifestyle/5-ways-in-which-cannabis-helps-with-insomnia
https://modernnature.com/blogs/articles/how-cbd-helps-restore-your-natural-sleep-cycle
https://getheally.com/patients/news/cannabis-for-sleep