Millions of Americans struggle to sleep peacefully at night. Some due to body pain and others because of insomnia. Whatever the reason, people want a solution to fall asleep and improve sleep quality.
In the quest for better sleep, some turn to sleeping pills (only to regret it later), while smarter ones prefer a natural solution, which is medical marijuana.
Many new or even the ones already using weed find themselves asking questions about its effects on the brain, benefits, and side effects. One popular question is, “What happens when you sleep high?” Others may be curious to know if weed works for sleep.
Today, we’re here to satisfy their curiosity and clear their doubts once and for all. So, without further delay, let’s find out what happens to the brain when you sleep high.
Does weed really work for sleep?
To find an answer about whether cannabis works for sleep, we have to look at the compounds present in cannabis. The three main natural compounds found in cannabis are THC, CBD, and CBG. They all are best for different roles and are different from each other.
We have broken down the difference between CBD and CBG in another blog; for now, let’s stick to how marijuana works as a sleep aid.
THC and CBD are both beneficial when it comes to improving sleep. THC is known for its sedative effects on the brain and helping you fall asleep faster. Meanwhile, CBD helps you relax and get a deeper sleep.
The best results come from using CBD and THC together to relax your body and calm a racing mind. We aren’t making up things from our side; research backs these claims.
What happens when you sleep high?
Time to answer the burning question—what happens if you go to sleep high? Using marijuana for sleep can help you get better sleep, but continuous and long-term use of cannabis might alter your sleep cycle. Here is what happens if you sleep high on marijuana:
1. Increased Deep Sleep
Sleeping high positively impacts deep sleep by enhancing it. You might wonder how this matters for your body and health—it does! This phase helps repair muscles, improve mood, and strengthen immune function.
2. Reduced REM Sleep
While sleeping high is beneficial for increasing deep sleep, it also comes at a cost—it shortens REM sleep. It is the phase of the sleep cycle where dreams occur. Shortening this phase means fewer nightmares.
That’s a good thing, No? Yes, but maybe not for many out there, as lacking enough REM sleep might lead to memory problems, emotional instability, difficulty concentrating, and more.
3. Alter Brain Activity
CBD and THC affect brain waves and neurotransmitters in different ways. THC slows brain activity, and CBD promotes relaxation to improve sleep quality. However, THC might produce melatonin hormone that signals the brain when to sleep. This unnatural production may lead to dependency on cannabis for sleep.
Benefits of Using Weed for Sleep
25% of Americans use marijuana occasionally or regularly to fall asleep or stay asleep. This might leave you questioning what is so special about using marijuana for sleep that a quarter of Americans are using it.
Here are some benefits of cannabis for sleep that you may be unaware of:
1. Fall Asleep Faster
Weed helps its users fall asleep quickly. The THC present in weed produces sedative effects that calm people’s nerves and help them fall asleep quickly.
2. Improve Sleep Quality
The best part about using marijuana for sleep is that it does not just help people fall asleep quickly. It enhances sleep quality and promotes deep, restful rest.
3. Relieve Pain
Patients above 60 years of age mention pain as a common reason why they cannot fall asleep. Cannabinoids in marijuana reduce pain and inflammation to help people sleep comfortably.
4. Reduce Anxiety
Among younger people, stress and anxiety are the most common reasons for not falling asleep. THC and CBD create a calming effect that helps quiet the mind and promote better sleep.
Are there any risks of using weed for sleep?
If something has positives, there is a high chance that it also has negatives. Similarly, while marijuana may act as a sleep aid, its use might cause side effects if used irresponsibly. Here are some drawbacks of using cannabis for sleep:
1. Dependency
Using weed for a long time can make you habitual, and you may find yourself in a situation where you need it to sleep. You may not fall asleep without it or need a higher dose to fall asleep.
2. Shortened REM Sleep Cycle
The biggest hit is to your REM sleep due to cannabis use for sleep. Weed use may shorten REM sleep duration, which adversely affects your memory, emotional processing, and dreaming.
3. Next-Day Drowsiness
Marijuana for sleep can leave you feeling tired and sluggish the next day. It can slow your reactions, fog your thoughts, and make even simple tasks feel exhausting.
The Bottom Line
Sleeping high is good, especially for people with qualifying medical conditions. The cannabinoids in marijuana work best against various reasons that keep a person awake, like insomnia, PTSD, and more. You can use it occasionally to get a restful sleep. However, long-term use may disrupt the sleep cycle and affect your brain and cognition.
To avoid any complications, it is recommended to consult a medical marijuana doctor. They can help you use marijuana safely for sleep problems.
FAQs About Marijuana and Sleep
What does getting high feel like for the first time?
Getting high for the first time may give you uncontrollable laughter at nothing. You may feel more energetic, lighter, and happy. Time slows down, and a minute may seem like an hour. Troubles fade, and you feel yourself in a dream.
Does weed kill your brain cells?
Early research suggests that long-term use of marijuana may be harmful not just to your brain cells but to your overall health. However, the current evidence is weak, and more research is needed. Therefore, we can’t reach any clear conclusions.
Is sleeping while high dangerous or safe?
There is no definitive answer to it. Yes, weed helps you sleep quickly. But does it really improve your sleep quality? Some say yes, and others negate.
The research at this point is minimal, which leaves us all wondering if sleeping high is safe or dangerous (until we have conclusive research). However, one thing is for sure: using weed as a daily sleep aid can have negative effects.
Can you sleep high and wake up high?
Yes, you can wake up high if you go to sleep high. The effects of weed can last for several hours, depending on the quantity and way of consumption.
For example, if you take a 4-hour nap after consuming the best weed edible whose effects last for 8 hours, you’re likely to wake up still experiencing a high.
