Cannabis & Sleep

Effects of cannabis on sleep cycle

• According to a 2008 study, ingesting marijuana strains with higher levels of
THC typically reduces the amount of REM sleep you get. Reducing REM
sleep means reducing dreams — and for those who experience PTSD, it
could mean reducing nightmares.
• Most of research was conducted in the 70’s and results varied depending on
plants chemical make up. Low doses of THC mildly decreased REM sleep in
both regular users and none users. Interestingly deep sleep was increased
when cannabis was initially used but disappeared after repeated use.
 Cannabis effects on melatonin levels
• As well as being in a perfect position to receive all kinds of substances not
filtered by the blood-brain barrier, the pineal gland is also at the heart of a
“cascade” of reactions which fire off when norepinephrine, a well-known
neurotransmitter responsible for regulating sleep and wakefulness, binds
to its receptors in the pineal gland.
• It is likely that THC’s endogenous analogue anandamide performs the
same action of reducing the norepinephrine-induced release of melatonin,
and is therefore fundamentally involved in pineal gland function.
 Health Advice
• There does not seem to be a lot of evidence or theories surrounding
studies of the use of cannabis as it is still an illegal class B drug, There are
many different compounds found in cannabis, the two most often studied
are THC which is the active compound in cannabis and CBD. Most
studies have focused on CBD which has been proven to have many heath
benefits which can reduce seizures and fits. Cannabis has also been used
to treat PTSD due to the reduced REM sleep it appears to cause