Medical Marijuana for Insomnia

Cannabis for Insomnia

Medical marijuana can reduce anxiety, and it can relax and sedate you. These effects may help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. Seventy percent of young adults in a survey reported that cannabis helped them get to sleep more quickly.

You’ve likely talked with friends who say cannabis helps them get better sleep.

But what do the experts say? The jury is still out due to scant evidence.

Insomnia is notoriously complex. It’s a symptom, not a medical condition or disorder. Many underlying medical conditions can cause insomnia, including cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, acid reflux, to name a few. Not to mention sleep-specific disorders like restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea.

On top of that, our circadian rhythms and sleep cycle are still not fully understood. Ongoing research continually adds to our knowledge about sleep problems.

Some studies even show that the effects of cannabis can worsen the ability to fall and stay sleep. That’s another important reason to talk with your doctor before you try cannabis to relieve insomnia.