THOUGHTS FROM DOC ►
Insomnia Symptoms Treated with Medical Cannabis
Best Cannabis Strains for Insomnia . by Dr . Michael J . Poppa DO , MBA
As many of you know , insomnia is a very common sleep
disorder affecting up to 30 % of the general population but is elevated to as high as 50-60 % in older people .
It is very difficult for many people to fall asleep and remain asleep due to their inability to disconnect from their daily activities of living . This is often exacerbated by fatigue , difficulties involving concentration and memory , alterations in mood , and , especially , social dysfunction . We ’ ll discuss insomnia symptoms and the effective use of medical cannabis for insomnia , including the best cannabis strains for insomnia treatment .
Sleeping difficulty : Medical marijuana restores an individual ’ s natural sleep cycle , and when struggling with insomnia , your sleep cycle can definitely fall out of sync . Daytime sleepiness : Most people who think about medical weed imagine it causing sleepiness , relaxation , and giddiness . However , not all strains make you feel tired . Sativa strains actually do the opposite . They ’ re energizing and uplifting and help you treat daytime sleepiness caused by insomnia . Lack of concentration : Cannabis can help with concentration and focus , which are lacking when you are tired from not getting adequate sleep . Headache : Headaches can interfere with work , performing daily tasks , and insomnia . Studies show medical cannabis can help with headaches . Anxiety or depression : Cannabis has also been shown to improve anxiety and depression , which can be a side effect of struggling with insomnia and not getting adequate sleep .
Ways to use Medical Cannabis for Insomnia
One way you can experiment with cannabis and insomnia is by changing how you ingest the substance .
Smoking and vaping both cause the effects to kick in right away . This can be beneficial if you are experiencing severe pain that is contributing to your insomnia . Immediate pain relief makes you feel better overall , so you can focus on sleep .
However , the effects of smoking and vaping wear off faster . That shorter period of relief may mean you wake up in the middle of the night when the effects stop . Smoking may also cause breathing issues due to higher levels of byproducts created by combustion .
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Another option is consuming edibles , which are products infused with cannabis . You will have to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours for the cannabinoids to take effect fully , so plan ahead — edibles won ’ t make you fall asleep immediately . The benefit of this option is that the effects last much longer than they do with smoking or vaping .
Best Strains of Cannabis for Insomnia
Choosing the right cannabis strain is an important part of the treatment process .
Sativa-dominant strains tend to have an energizing and uplifting effect , which is not helpful when you want to fall asleep . Not everyone experiences the “ upper ” feeling , but it ’ s generally best to avoid Sativa strains when sleep is your goal .
Indica-dominant strains are typically the best choice for treating insomnia . Indica strains usually induce a sleepy feeling that helps you drift off and stay asleep . The cannabinoid called CBN tends to have a sedating effect , so choosing a strain high in CBN may be a good choice . Aged cannabis tends to have higher CBN levels because another cannabinoid , THC , breaks down into CBN as it ages , making it a better option for getting good sleep .
THC also appears to be effective in treating insomnia . It may help you fall asleep faster with less difficulty , and it may reduce the number of times you wake up in the middle of the night . However , THC can worsen anxiety symptoms when used in high doses ( use cautiously if suffering from anxiety ). If your insomnia stems from anxiety or you feel anxiety as a result of your sleep issues , opt for a strain that ’ s low in THC . Also , consider “ Micro ” dosages to start and gradually increase ( or decrease ) as needed .
Some strains that may work well for insomnia include : ( Note : Strain names may vary by state cultivators branding .)
● Tahoe OG Kush
● Purple Urkle
● Godfather OG
● Granddaddy Purple
● Skywalker
● God ’ s Gift
● Ingrid
● Blackberry Hashplant
● Afghan Kush
● Northern Lights
● Ogre