Sleep disorders can be challenging to live with, as they can negatively impact a person’s quality of life. Sleep quality plays a significant role in mental and physical health effects. Individuals with sleep disorders find it difficult to function effectively during the day. They may experience excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. These symptoms can significantly impair their work performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. Recently, medical marijuana has gained the spotlight for its relaxing role in coping with sleep disorders. Floridians can add medical marijuana Naples into their medicinal routine after consulting with a medical marijuana doctor.
In this article, we will discuss the impact of medical marijuana on sleep disorders. Moreover, we will focus on how to check if you are eligible for medical marijuana.
What are Sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders are characterized by a person’s inability to sleep properly on a regular basis. As sleep promotes good health, any disruptions in sleep patterns can influence overall health.
Research shows that 50 to 70 million Americans are affected by sleep disorders, indicating a significant public health concern. Among some common sleep disorders are:
- Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing interruptions and poor sleep quality.
- Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that causes difficulty falling or staying asleep, leading to unease when a person is awake.
- Restless Legs Syndrome: It causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, often disrupting sleep.
- Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.
Treatments for Sleep disorders
As a part of conventional approaches to managing sleep disorders, prescription medications like benzodiazepines or non-benzodiazepine hypnotics are given to patients. They are curated to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
In some cases, over-the-counter melatonin can regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Additionally, certain antidepressants can help with sleep disturbances associated with conditions like depression and anxiety.
For some patients, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to insomnia. Moreover, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is also a considerable therapy for managing sleep apnea.
Medical alternatives for sleep disorders
It is crucial to note that lack of sleep can exacerbate existing health problems that may require professional medical attention. In recent years, alternative medicines have gained popularity owing to advancements in clinical research.
The medical community has closely researched marijuana’s therapeutic benefits and healing properties and found it a promising alternative to traditional sleep medications. The use of Medical Marijuana for managing sleep disorders is increasingly gaining popularity, and many patients are turning to it to improve their sleep.
How does MMJ help with sleep disorders?
There are several ways in which marijuana can contribute to improving the sleep quality of patients with sleep disorders. Medical cannabis contains active compounds or cannabinoids, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
ECS is a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters that help regulate various bodily functions, including quality sleep. Research suggests that marijuana may improve sleep disorders in several ways:
1. Pain Relief
Marijuana has analgesic properties, and it can help ease pain associated with conditions like chronic pain, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. This can help patients fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer.
2. Anxiety and Stress Reduction:
Marijuana can help reduce anxiety and stress, common causes of sleep disorders. THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, can produce calming and relaxing effects, assisting patients in falling asleep more easily.
3. Sleep-Wake Cycle:
Medical marijuana can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle by stimulating the production of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone. THC can also help increase the time spent in the deep, restorative stage of sleep.
4. Reduced REM Sleep:
According to research, medical marijuana may effectively reduce the amount of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is the stage of sleep where most dreaming occurs. Reduced REM sleep can be assistive for patients who suffer from nightmares or sleep disturbances associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It is worth noting that while marijuana can be an effective natural remedy for managing sleep disorders, it may not be suitable for everyone. Thus, patients should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using marijuana to manage their sleep disorders.
How do you know if you are a qualified patient?
If you have a sleep disorder or symptoms of one, it is essential to speak with a healthcare expert. Moreover, you must check if you are a qualified patient for medical marijuana use by reaching out to a medical marijuana expert. The Florida Department of Health licenses them to offer MMJ services.
The Qualifying criteria for MMJ use in Florida include health conditions such as:
- Anxiety
- Back pain
- Sleep disorders
- Depression
- Cancer symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Cachexia
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Lyme disease
- Migraine headaches
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Glaucoma
This list can include any other similar condition diagnosed by a healthcare expert. Moreover, understanding that delayed treatment can lead to health deterioration and complications is crucial. Thus, seeking treatment as soon as the symptoms appear is necessary.
The Takeaway
Sleep disorders can take a toll on your overall well-being. They can adversely affect your physical and mental health and ruin the quality of your life. From difficulty concentrating and fatigue to more serious health issues like heart disease and stroke, lack of quality sleep can have far-reaching consequences. If you suspect that you have symptoms of a sleep disorder and wish to use medical marijuana, you can get help from My Florida Green experts. We can help you obtain your medical marijuana card Naples and streamline the application process.
