Marijuana improves the quality of sleep in several ways, for insomnia sufferers the most important will be that it makes it easier to fall asleep, but that's not all, here are 5 ways marijuana affects sleep
1) Marijuana makes it easier to fall asleep
Sleeping woman
As far back as 1973, studies have shown that THC reduces the time it takes to fall asleep, in both healthy people and those suffering from insomnia.
The study also showed that too much THC can make it difficult to fall asleep, so the dose must be reasonable.
Another study from 2013 also found that marijuana makes it easier to fall asleep.
2) Marijuana extends sleep time
"Laughter and long sleep are the two best cures for everything: - Irish proverb
Early studies have shown that both THC and CBD increase sleep time.
The downside is that too high of a dose can make you feel sluggish in the morning, so as in point 1 it's important to get the dose right.Low doses didn't cause such problems and the subjects felt refreshed in the morning.
3) Marijuana increases the time the brain spends in the deep sleep phase
Deep sleep
Deep sleep is when brain waves are at a low frequency.
During deep sleep, there is more regeneration of the body than in other phases.
4) Marijuana shortens the REM sleep phase - reduces dreams
REM sleep
Many people don't dream when they smoke marijuana before bed because they dream during the REM sleep phase.
Scientists to this day have not determined what the purpose of the REM sleep phase is and whether shortening it has a negative effect on humans.
5) Marijuana before bed makes breathing easier
Sleep apnea
About 25% of men and 9% of women suffer from sleep apnea.
It is the cessation of lung ventilation for more than 10 seconds or shortness of breath of less than 50%.
Sleep apnea can cause many diseases like diabetes and heart problems.
The problem is that not many people have this condition diagnosed and its treatment means sleeping with a breathing mask which is not comfortable.
Researchers are conducting studies on the effects of THC on reducing breathing problems during sleep and early results are promising.
