One poll found that 68 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 report symptoms of insomnia , compared to 59 percent of adults ages 30 to 64 , and 44 percent of people over the age of 65 . Needless to say , insomnia is a national epidemic .
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Could Cannabis Help My Insomnia ?
Millions of Americans suffer from insomnia in epidemic proportions . by Peter Kershaw , Contributing Writer
Sleep is a blessing , and restful sleep is vital to our overall physical and emotional health . We all want a good night ’ s sleep . Yet many millions of Americans complain of poor sleep . The National Institutes of Health estimates that “ roughly 30 percent of the general population complains of sleep disruption , and approximately 10 percent have associated symptoms of daytime functional impairment consistent with the diagnosis of insomnia .” One poll found that 68 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 report symptoms of insomnia , compared to 59 percent of adults ages 30 to 64 , and 44 percent of people over the age of 65 . Parents with children in the home report more insomnia symptoms than adults without children in the home , 66 vs . 54 percent . Needless to say , insomnia is a national epidemic .
Insomnia is defined as , “ The perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep due to a number of factors , such as difficulty falling asleep , waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep , waking up too early in the morning , or unrefreshing sleep .” Insomnia can adversely affect our quality of life , resulting in problems functioning well during the day such as tiredness , low energy , difficulty concentrating , lack of motivation , and irritability . These problems can escalate into psychological disorders , such as chronic depression , which in turn can result in worsening insomnia . Insomnia ranges from “ transient insomnia ” ( lasting a few nights to several weeks per year ) to “ chronic insomnia ” ( most nights and lasting long-term ).
There are many potential causes for insomnia , including long-term stressful life circumstances , chronic pain , environmental
20 March 2024 toxins ( household mold , heavy metal poisoning , etc .), prescription drugs such as anti-depressants , obesity , poor diet , irregular mealtimes , lack of exercise , poor hydration , and more . Caffeinated drinks late in the afternoon often cause restless sleep . While a single glass of wine may be beneficial , it ’ s been shown that several glasses can interfere with restful sleep . Pre-bedtime practices can also have a big impact on sleep . For example , eating a heavy meal late at night is a bad idea . Investing in a quality mattress and pillow is important to getting a good night ’ s sleep . Taking steps toward good “ sleep hygiene ” is critical to a good night ’ s sleep . Yet even after implementing good sleep routine , many millions of Americans still suffer each year from insomnia .
One poll found that 68 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 report symptoms of insomnia , compared to 59 percent of adults ages 30 to 64 , and 44 percent of people over the age of 65 . Needless to say , insomnia is a national epidemic .
Cannabis is one of the most beneficial of all sleep aids because it addresses many of the underlying causes that interfere with sound sleep . For example , chronic pain can make it impossible to sleep well . One may find themselves tossing and turning in a futile effort to get comfortable . The right strain of cannabis properly administered will give many hours of pain relief . A stressful lifestyle can leave one ’ s brain racing while trying to fall asleep or even awaken us in the middle of the night , unable to fall back to sleep . Cannabis calms the fretful brain allowing one to calmly fall to sleep and stay asleep .
The correct strain of cannabis relaxes and calms us while also inducing sleep . However , what we need is a long-term effect that lasts through most or all night . Smoking or vaping cannabis has the benefit of an almost immediate effect . However , it doesn ’ t remain active in our system for more than a few hours . If we wake up hours later , we may need to consume more to go back to sleep . Ingesting cannabis orally results in long-lasting effects , often remaining active throughout the night . Many will find edibles and tinctures to fit the bill perfectly .
Like alcohol , it ’ s important not to overdo cannabis consumption . Overconsumption can actually interfere with sleep . Overconsuming edibles , in particular , is a bad idea because of the time it takes the liver to process the excess . One may find themselves waking up impaired and unable to function effectively the next morning . Start with a low dose and gradually increase to achieve the desired effect .
Those suffering from chronic pain should also consider topical applications such as canna-balms . As this author discussed in a previous article , CBD alone is ineffective for chronic pain management . Any canna-balm should contain a large percentage of THC . Canna-balms are slow-release and provide many hours of pain relief . While it won ’ t induce sleep , canna-balm eliminates the pain and inflammation that causes restlessness .