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Cannabis and Sleep Disorders: Getting the Rest You Need
Trouble sleeping is a discomfort many are familiar with. For most, it is an occasional inconvenience triggered by an event or circumstance soon to pass. For insomnia patients, however, difficulty sleeping is a crippling challenge that defies explanation, resists treatment, and complicates daily life. Fortunately, many patients suffering from insomnia and other sleep disorders are finding medical cannabis beneficial. The following tips and strategies may be helpful to anyone exploring cannabis as a treatment for conditions affecting sleep.
Why Cannabis?
Treatments for common sleep disorders are widely available. You may have a seen some advertised on evening television or heard them mentioned by friends and family. For some, these conventional therapies prove effective, but for others the side-effects can outweigh the benefits. Fatigue, depression, anxiety, dependence, and even hallucinations have been reported by patients taking prescription sleep aids. Many patients have found that medical marijuana offers a natural alternative that promotes rest and allows them to wake refreshed.
Though medical science continues to explore the relationship between cannabis and sleep, several studies have produced encouraging results. Whaxy presents some key findings:
A 1973 study conducted in the United States and published in the journal Psychopharmacology revealed that THC, administered in a 20 mg dose, helped patients fall asleep, reducing the time required to achieve sleep by more than an hour […]
A 1981 study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and conducted using human subjects reported that 160 mg of cannabidiol, or CBD, helped patients gain “significantly more” sleep than a placebo.
A 1986 study conducted by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and published in Pharmacological Review found that THC, in doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg, helped patients fell asleep faster.
A 2010 human trial study conducted at McGill University in Montreal and published in the journal Anesthesia and Analgesia reported that nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, was effective as a sleep aid for those suffering from fibromyalgia.
These outcomes are believed to result primarily from the sedative properties of two cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant, THC and CBN. Achieving success in treating sleep disorders with cannabis requires the right approach with the right product, so the following suggestions are essential.
Tips and Strategies
Strain Selection – All cannabis strains are not created equal when it comes to assisting with sleep. Only indica strains are recommended due to their restful and relaxing effects. In particular, indicas in the “purple” category are considered especially effective due to their unique terpene profiles. Be advised that using sativa strains in the evening is strongly discouraged due to the stimulating cerebral effects they produce. Sativas may be beneficial for increasing energy levels during the day, but they’re best avoided during the hours preceding sleep.
Dosage and Timing – Strong doses are not recommended due to the risk of an intensified cerebral experience that may interfere with rest. Low to medium doses are ideal for most patients. Timing is also particularly important in the treatment of sleep disorders, due to the delayed onset of THC’s sedative effect. Waiting 60-90 minutes after medicating is advised before attempting sleep. This allows the cerebral effects to subside and allows the sedative properties to take effect.
Cannabinoid Content – As noted above, THC produces sedative effects an hour or more after use, so strains rich in THC are popular for insomnia treatment when used appropriately. CBD-rich strains are not considered inherently sedative, but it should be noted that CBD’s anti-anxiety properties can be beneficial for patients whose sleep issues are related to an anxiety condition. Finally, the cannabinoid CBN is known for particularly strong sedative effects. Though uncommon in fresh cannabis, CBN begins to occur in greater concentrations as THC content breaks down in aging flowers. This means, surprisingly, that a given sample of cannabis becomes more sedative the older it gets.
Edible Products – The above tips apply primarily to smoked or inhaled cannabis flowers, but edibles can be popular for treating sleep disorders as well. Edible products are recommended for patients who routinely awaken during the night and need a longer-lasting option to help them maintain a restful state. A low dose is suggested to avoid overmedication. Note that some edibles are specifically manufactured and labelled for nighttime use. Please review these tips and strategies carefully if you’re new to edible products.
Conclusion
The debilitating effects of insomnia and other sleep disorders can impact every aspect of a patient’s life as they struggle to find the rest and recovery they need. Feel free to discuss your symptoms and health goals with dispensary staff, who will be happy to recommend specific products and share additional advice. We’re worked with many patients who found cannabis effective for improving sleep and we hope these tips will help others achieve similar results.
Cannabis Use for Neuropathic Pain: Part 3
The legalization of marijuana (cannabis) for medical use in 25 states and the District of Columbia (as of the writing of this article) has fueled a growing acceptance of marijuana as a treatment option for a number of conditions. Despite criticism of the programs (whether for prescribed medical conditions or recreational), there is real science behind the use of cannabinoids for therapeutic effects by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells. The commercial availability of medical cannabis has moved patient usage quickly, and many unanswered questions remain as to how to best utilize these medical marijuana product offerings. Click here to read Part 3 of the series.
Cannabis and Chronic Pain: Finding Relief
For patients living with chronic pain, the search for answers is often elusive. When one’s ability to work, to travel, or just to relax is disrupted by constant discomfort, it can become difficult to find hope that better days lay ahead. Fortunately, for many, medical cannabis has helped provide comfort and relief when they needed it most. In our experience working with chronic pain sufferers, the following tips and strategies proved useful in helping patients manage their symptoms.
Why Cannabis?
Patients who’ve turned to medical cannabis frequently cite the difficulty of finding effective relief from prescription drugs as a primary reason for seeking an alternative. Furthermore, even when effective, many medications carry devastating side-effects and troubling risks that undermine holistic wellness. As we discussed previously in the blog:
…the risk of developing dependency, the prevalence of debilitating side effects, and especially the threat of a fatal overdose are concerns our patients communicate to us every day in explaining why they’ve chosen cannabis as an alternative. Sadly, the limited options available for treating serious chronic pain have often forced patients to choose between living with unbearable symptoms, or adopting a regimen of medications whose side effects disrupt their ability to perform basic tasks and enjoy their lives. Many have discovered that medical cannabis provides a middle ground, in which pain can be reduced while maintaining a mental and physical state that allows them to be comfortable, alert, and productive.
The analgesic properties of cannabis are believed to result from multiple functions, including its anti-inflammatory effects, mitigation of neurotransmission, and activation of the endocannabinoid system within the body. While our understanding of how and why it works is the subject of continuing scientific inquiry, evidence of its efficacy in pain management is considerable. As Leafly reports:
In a comprehensive, Harvard-led systematic review of 28 studies examining the efficacy of exo-cannabinoids (e.g. synthetic formulations or cannabinoids from the plant) to treat various pain and medical issues, the author concluded, “Use of marijuana for chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and spasticity due to multiple sclerosis is supported by high quality evidence.”
Of the studies reviewed, six out of six general chronic pain studies and five out of five neuropathic pain studies found a significant improvement in symptoms among patients. Notably, while most of the studies were limited to synthetic preparations of cannabinoids, three of the five neuropathic pain studies investigated “smoked” cannabis, while two examined an oral spray preparation.
Based on our experience working each day with patients who experience chronic pain from a broad range of injuries and conditions, it comes as no surprise that science is beginning to substantiate the benefits we’ve observed.
Product Selection and Dosage
Developing a treatment plan that’s tailored to your individual needs is the key to achieving satisfactory results. Chronic pain encompasses a spectrum of conditions with diverse causes and varied symptomatic response. Discovering which methods of administration, strain categories, and dosage parameters work best for your needs may require some research, but for many, the effort is well-rewarded. Here are a few tips based on our experience.
Dosage – Since tolerance to cannabis itself varies from one patient to the next, identifying the ideal dosage is an individual determination based on your judgement and experience. If you’re new to medical cannabis, starting slow is strongly recommended until you become familiar with how it affects you. More experienced patients may be comfortable with larger doses, but be advised that optimum dosage for achieving pain relief is usually found in the medium range. Large doses may produce side effects without increasing symptom relief.
Methods of Administration – A variety of cannabis preparations exist that can play a role in chronic pain treatment. Edible products are popular for providing long-lasting symptom relief from a single dose. Flowers and concentrates, when smoked or inhaled, provide fast-acting symptom relief and offer the benefit of precise dosage control. Topical products provide localized symptom relief for uncomfortable muscle and skin conditions. Understanding the product categories and how they interact with your symptoms will help inform your selection.
Strain Selection – Generally speaking, the strains available at the dispensary will be therapeutically beneficial for pain management. Individual preferences, however, may vary according to a variety of factors. Patients who require daytime symptom relief typically prefer the more energizing sativa strains. Indicas are popular for evening use to relax the body and assist with rest and recuperation. Strains with elevated levels of CBD are considered especially effective for treating neuropathic pain and are also popular among patients who simply find high-THC strains to be too intoxicating. Feel free to discuss your specific symptoms with dispensary staff, who may be able to relay product feedback from other patients with needs similar to yours.
Talking to Your Doctor – Many chronic pain patients are prescribed a variety of medications for their condition. Reducing consumption of opioid drugs, for example, is a common goal among many patients we’ve worked with. Be advised that reducing consumption of prescription pain relievers, though often very beneficial for health, can carry side effects such as withdrawal. Before and after initiating treatment with medical cannabis, be sure to communicate with your doctor about your health goals and the progress you’re making.
Conclusion
Chronic pain can result from diverse causes, but carries the shared consequence of reducing comfort, mobility, and quality of life among those living with this difficult condition. We’ve been encouraged to observe countless patients achieving beneficial outcomes through treatment with medical cannabis and it’s this aspect of our work that we find most rewarding. Our staff is always available to answer your questions and discuss your health goals to ensure that you discover the solutions you’re looking for.
How to Use Medical Marijuana Edibles
There’s no question that patients entering their first medical marijuana dispensary will immediately notice the wide range of available products. Simply learning the difference between common varieties of flowers takes time, but becomes a rewarding journey once their benefits are discovered. Similarly, marijuana infused edibles open up a world of possibilities for patients with particular needs. In this article, we’ll explore how cannabis edibles work and discuss tips on using them safely and properly.
What Are Edibles?
Medical marijuana edibles include a broad range of orally-administered products including baked goods, drinks, candies, lozenges, capsules, tinctures, and more. Each product contains a specified quantity of medical marijuana which is digested in the stomach or absorbed into the gums, depending on the product type. Although many varieties exist, almost all edibles are made using a process called decarboxylation, which is required in order to activate the medicinal properties of the plant material. Some benefits of edibles include:
- Convenience: Most edible products are easy to carry and administer when the patient requires medication.
- Discretion: Edibles offer an easy way of medicating without attracting attention or producing the aromas associated with smoking or vaporization.
- Symptom Relief: Edibles provide long-lasting symptom relief resulting from gradual digestion.
- Value: Edibles are a medicinally efficient way of administering cannabinoids, meaning that strong effects can be achieved at a reasonable cost to the patient.
How Do They Work?
Unlike inhaled cannabis, edible products allow cannbinoid content to enter the bloodstream through digestion in the gastro-intestinal tract. This process is much slower than inhalation, but produces very strong effects. The experience after consuming edibles can be very different than that of smoking or vaporizing cannabis, so patients are encouraged to exercise caution to avoid becoming overmedicated.
Tips for Consuming Edibles
Proper Dosage: One 10 mg dose is a commonly recommended starting point. This is the most you should consider consuming if you’re new to edible products. Make note of the potency listed on the packaging and be advised that many edible products contain more than one dose.
Patience: Edible products will usually require at least 30-60 minutes to take effect. Make absolutely sure you’ve given the product time to digest and begin taking effect before deciding whether or not to consume more. Since you likely won’t experience the full effect for at least an hour, additional consumption during that window of time can easily lead to overmedication.
Tolerance: Patients who are experienced with smoked or vaporized cannabis don’t always build up a strong tolerance for edible products. Don’t assume that you’ll require a large dose simply because you use other products frequently.
Effects: Edibles are metabolized differently than inhaled cannabis products and produce a different effect. Benefits such as improved mood, appetite, and pain relief are still likely to occur, but the physicial sensation may be slightly different that what you’re accustomed to. Do not plan on driving or engaging in other behaviors in which impairment could compromise your safety. The effect of an edible dose can often be felt for several hours. This can be very beneficial for patients seeking long-term symptom relief, but it can be inconvenient if you haven’t planned and prepared for the experience.
Eat First: Like other medications, consuming edibles on an empty stomach may intensify the effect and cause discomfort. It’s best to take edibles along with other non-medicated foods.
Ask questions: Staff at the dispensary are available to provide specific information on available products. Potency may vary from one manufactuerer to the next, so don’t hesitate to inquire before sampling a product that’s new to you.
Product Types: Be aware that some edible products work differently than others. For example, products such as baked goods that are digested in the stomach will require more time to take effect than products like tinctures that are absorbed under the gums.
Ingredients: Be mindful of the ingredients listed on the package and be sure to doublecheck all products before consuming if you have food allergies.
Storage: Be sure to check the product label for storage and expiration information. Edibles should be stored properly and safely out of reach from anyone who is not intended to consume the product.
Adverse Reactions: If too large a dose is consumed, the patient may experience discomfort including upset stomach, anxiety, and disorientation. Overmedication can be unpleasant, but the effects will wear off and do not cause lasting harm. If you find that you’re experiencing symptoms of overmedication, the best thing to do is relax and remember that the effect will begin to subside within a few hours. Medical assistance should be contacted in the event of a serious reaction.
Conclusion
The popularity of marijuana infused edibles demonstrates the diverse options available to patients with a wide range of individual treatment needs. When used properly, these products offer strong symptom relief with long-lasting effects and provide many patients in pain with the solution they’ve sought for so long. We’re committed to curating a selection of the finest edible products in Massachusetts and our staff is always available to help you choose the right product for your needs.