If you’ve been hearing about CBD and wondering what it can do to help you, you’re not alone. The hype for CBD, and its psychoactive counterpart THC, looms large now as states legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational use.
CBD and THC are both cannabinoids sourced from the cannabis plant. Generally, THC comes from marijuana, while CBD usually comes from hemp. THC offers psychoactive effects, while CBD does not. But both can offer relief when it comes to getting a good night of sleep.
Read on to learn about a handful of ways THC, CBD, or both can help you get the rest you need.
1. Cannabis can treat insomnia.
Insomnia is common, and about one in three adults in the United States are chronically short on sleep at night according to the Centers for Disease Control. But, cannabis could help. A study from Kaiser Permanente found that almost 67% of adults in the study with poor sleep were able to improve sleep outcomes within the first month.
2. Cannabis can relieve pain that keeps you up at night.
Cannabinoids can be powerful for pain relief, offering therapeutic effects. In fact, according to research from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, cannabis and cannabinoids can offer a clinically significant reduction in pain symptoms. You may even be able to replace traditional pain medication with cannabis. That can come in handy if pain keeps you up at night. For example, if you’re unable to fall asleep comfortably due to back pain. Alleviating the pain could make it easier for you to get to sleep and feel better the next day.
3. Cannabis can help you calm down.
CBD is an overall calming compound, which can help if you’re having a hard time slowing down at night and relaxing before sleep. If you’re suffering from anxiety, there’s research that suggests CBD could help with that — possibly enough to help you calm down and get to sleep. The Kaiser Permanente study found that in 79% of patients, anxiety scores decreased within the first month of CBD use and remained decreased during the study duration.
4. Cannabis can help you eat.
It’s hard to go to sleep on an empty stomach, or when you’re feeling nauseous. CBD or THC could help. CBD can help with nausea, making you feel better and helping you feel more comfortable about eating. And THC can stimulate your appetite so you can go to sleep feeling satisfied.
5. Cannabis can help with depression.
Depression, especially combined with anxiety, can keep you up at night and make it hard to sleep. In fact, depression and insomnia often go hand in hand. A negative mood can lead to sleep difficulty and those who don’t feel happy are more likely to say they don’t sleep enough at night. Some cannabis users turn to the drug for relief from depression, which could help with sleeping at night.
Want to sleep better? Cannabis might be helpful. If you’re having a hard time with pain, anxiety, depression, or other issues that can keep you up at night, consider how cannabis, whether it’s THC or CBD, can offer relief. Visit your local VidaCann dispensary or shop online to find the right product for you.
This post was written by Amy Highland, a sleep expert at SleepHelp.org. She loves taking naps during thunderstorms and cuddling up with a blanket, book, and cats.
