In theory, it should be simple. Turn the lights off, settle into bed, close your eyes, and soon you’ll be floating away to the land of nod.
But nowadays, so many people experience problems getting the rest they need to function at their best.
The medical marijuana community widely acknowledges cannabis as a sleep aid. And some marijuana edibles on the market have been specifically marketed to help users improve their quality of sleep. They appeal to people who want to avoid the side effects and risk of dependence that come with more potent sleep aids like opioids.
But do sleep gummies work? Here’s a perspective on whether you should associate weed gummies with good sleep, and some tips for if you choose to take them.
The Benefits of Sleep Gummies
People will turn to natural substances to unwind and destress after a difficult day. And many first think of sleep gummies because of cannabis’ reputation for relaxation. Weed gummies also have the potential to help users drift more easily off to sleep, and stay asleep.
Users take marijuana edibles to treat their insomnia and sleep disorders. But they’re also using them for other conditions that can profoundly disrupt sleep quality.
People with chronic pain opt for cannabis for its pain-relieving properties. Sufferers of PTSD use the substance to help with nightmares, and its anti-anxiety potential can be invaluable for a better night’s sleep.
Of course, giving the body more sleep often causes significant improvements in how a person’s body and brain functions – having its own knock-on long-term benefits for quality of life.
Do Sleep Gummies Work?
Research into weed gummies for sleep is still developing. As cannabis is still a federally controlled substance, there’s limited research that compares the substance’s efficacy with that of more conventional sleep aids.
But it’s hard to ignore the anecdotal reports from users of cannabis as a sleep aid. In a small study in Canada, 71% of patients with sleep disorders reported an improvement in their sleep or related conditions.
Besides subjective user feedback, what is known about the science of cannabis and sleep?
Well, scientists recognize that cannabinoids in the cannabis plant bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain. They send messages to increase levels of the chemical adenosine, which inhibits arousal and helps to prepare the brain for sleep. This could explain the sleepy, couch-locked feeling many people get after ingesting weed – and why some users feel it knocks them out more effectively than any other sleep aid.
Cannabis is also believed to alter the time you spend in different sleep stages. A 2008 study found that consuming cannabis high in THC (the cannabinoid that gets you high) reduces the amount of time you spend in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Instead, you’ll likely spend more time in the “deep sleep” state – thought to be the most restorative stage of the sleep cycle. After a night like this, you may wake up feeling more refreshed than usual.
There is a downside – reducing REM sleep also means less opportunity to process emotions and new memories – and to dream. However, you may find using weed gummies for sleep and dreaming less also reduces the number of nightmares you have. A common symptom of PTSD, for instance, is frequent nightmares, so this can offer both emotional relief and better sleep overall.
Finally, cannabis’ ability to treat pain is now well documented. In one 2016 study, 244 medical marijuana patients with chronic pain reported a 64% decrease in opioid use once they began to use cannabis. If you frequently awake at night because of your pain, marijuana edibles may be the answer.
What Influences the Effectiveness of Weed Gummies for Sleep?
Quality
Users will often tell you they find Indica strains more relaxing and calming, settling them down for a good night’s sleep. Sativa, on the other hand, can make people feel more energized and creative. Whether or not a particular strain will improve your night’s sleep, the quality of the weed will certainly have an impact. If you’re consuming low-grade cannabis it likely contains fewer of the powerful cannabinoids and terpenes that deliver the therapeutic benefits of high-quality sleep gummies.
Strength
Some users report CBD (the main non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis) promotes wakefulness at lower doses. At higher doses. however, it makes them feel more relaxed and sleepy. THC, conversely, makes some people feel too “high” and alert when taken at higher doses, impacting on sleep and causing drowsiness the next day. Patients should discuss the strength of both CBD and THC in sleep gummies with their doctor and local dispensary, to find what works best for them.
Individual tolerance
Everyone reacts to cannabis differently, with some regular users building up an astronomical tolerance to THC. Taking a gummy for sleep could also affect you differently depending on your metabolism, how much you’ve eaten that day, and any other medications you’re currently taking. Alas, you’ll need to establish your own personal tolerance through trial and error. But here’s some guidance: Sleep gummies with less than 20% THC are less likely to produce adverse effects such as anxiety and disrupted sleep in new users.
3 Tips for Using Sleep Gummies
Experiment with timing
As well as figuring out your optimal dose, consider the best fixed time each day to take your sleep gummies. THC taken too close to bed time may wake you up more, resulting in a longer wait to fall asleep. Edibles also take longer to metabolize than smoking cannabis, as they need to work their way through your stomach and liver before they enter your bloodstream. On the plus side, their effects often last for longer – up to 12 hours – which may help you stay asleep throughout the night. A good rule of thumb is to take THC for sleep at least an hour before going to bed.
Practice good sleep hygiene
Many people are relieved at the return of better sleep once they start taking cannabis. But long-term use of any sleep aid isn’t recommended, and problems sleeping often point to an underlying issue. You may be aware of what causes your broken sleep and feel unable to change it. Nevertheless, using cannabis sleep gummies must go hand-in-hand with practicing good sleep hygiene and making positive changes during your day to help facilitate sleep at night.
Buy from a licensed medical marijuana dispensary
Your focus should be on experimenting with strength, dosage and timing with sleep gummies – not on having to doubt the product itself. Sleep gummies from licensed medical marijuana dispensaries have to pass through rigorous testing and quality control. This means you can trust that the ingredients you see on the label are actually present in the sleep gummies.
Florida locals seeking a friendly and safe MM dispensary can look up your nearest VidaCann dispensary. You’ll find a product offering that meets the mark – and could even help you get a better night’s sleep.
