Marijuana can be a great aid to sleep. Just ask your friends who smoke weed at night or who’ve fallen asleep in the middle of a party because the wonderful green herb they smoked was so relaxing. But despite weed’s sleep-inducing effects, it’s important to understand that the relationship between cannabis and sleep isn’t as clear-cut as many people think. Today, we’re sharing a few things to keep in mind if you use cannabis as a sleep aid.
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The amount of cannabis
It’s simple: if you take a substantial amount of cannabis, you’ll fall asleep faster than from a single hit from the bong. If you smoke too little, you’ll barely feel any effect. However, if you smoke too much, it can lead to your nighttime rest being disrupted by moments of paranoia or other negative effects. If you use marijuana to sleep, try to create a relaxing environment and avoid overstimulation. A good way to do this is by putting your phone away and not drinking alcohol. Over time, you’ll discover the ideal dose of cannabis that will help you sleep like a baby. Because, unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
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Method of consumption
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Just like the dose, the way you consume cannabis is also important. Avid marijuana users know exactly what the different effects are when the herb is smoked or eaten, and you should keep these same effects in mind when using cannabis to sleep better. For example, if you put the herb in a tasty brownie or cake, you should keep in mind that it may take a few hours for the effects to kick in. If you smoke or vape the herb, you have much more control since the effects will kick in very quickly. If you want to fall asleep in no time, smoking or vaping cannabis is therefore the better option.
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The type of cannabis
So we’ve covered the dosage and method of consumption you need to consider, but another important factor is the type of cannabis you use for this purpose. We’ve discussed sativas and indicas before—two “groups” of cannabis strains, each with their own effects. Not all cannabis strains are created equal, so it’s a good idea to figure out which type of marijuana best suits this purpose and your body. Indica strains can have relaxing effects, while sativa strains often have a stimulating effect—according to cannabis users. A good way to find out what works for you is to simply try a few different strains.
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The day after
We’re all familiar with the dreaded alcohol hangover—filled with nausea, headaches, a lethargic feeling, and the sense that the day just drags on and on. You can also get a hangover from cannabis, although these are often less intense than those from alcohol. According to users, these cannabis hangovers are more common when low-quality weed is used, but also when it is smoked or vaporized by people who have little experience with it. For this reason, we recommend starting slowly with small doses. It’s also always wise to drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods throughout the day. If you need a little extra help with this, you can always supplement your diet with some health supplements.
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(A lack of) dreams
One of the most common side effects of using cannabis to sleep better is a certain effect on your dreams. While some users report having much more vivid and intense dreams after using cannabis, there is also a large group of users who say that cannabis actually causes them to stop dreaming altogether. This appears to be due to the fact that cannabis limits REM sleep, the stage of sleep during which dreams occur. Since REM sleep is quite important for our bodies, it’s wise to keep paying close attention to how your body feels after using cannabis. Do you suddenly find yourself never waking up feeling rested anymore? Then maybe using cannabis before bed isn’t the best option for you after all...
