Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders. People who have insomnia often struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep for the recommended 7-8 hours a night. This is different from when an individual regularly stays up late to watch a movie, finish homework, or care for children (though the impact on the body can be similar over time).
Lack of sleep can lead to a variety of health and psychological problems and may impact neurological function and the immune system.
Individuals with insomnia may be asked by their primary care physician to participate in a sleep study to identify any underlying problems that may be causing the sleep disturbance.
What Causes Insomnia?
There are a variety of factors – personal and environmental – that can cause insomnia.
- Stress
- Pain
- Pregnancy
- Age
- Certain medications
- Lifestyle choices
With medication, stress, and lifestyle choices all appearing as potential factors in the development of insomnia, many consumers may wonder if cannabis can help them get better sleep. And for those who continue to struggle with sleep despite getting their med card, the question might change: does weed cause insomnia?
Before we consider the impact of cannabis on insomnia, let’s consider what insomnia feels like.
Insomnia Signs & Symptoms
Insomnia doesn’t always look the same, so knowing the signs and symptoms is important. While the most obvious symptom of insomnia is trouble sleeping, individuals may also experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Irritability
- Waking up at the wrong time
- Accidents during the night
- Difficulty staying awake during the day
- Struggling to fall asleep
If lack of sleep affects your well-being, consider speaking with a medical professional about your different treatment options. Depending on your state of residence, your doctor may recommend cannabis.
Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Symptoms of Insomnia?
Cannabis has the potential to help some people sleep, but it can inhibit healthy sleep cycles in others. Different products, cannabinoid ratios, and consumer physiology can all play a role in how cannabis affects an individual. Understanding your reaction to cannabis is essential when determining if it can be a helpful addition when treating insomnia.
While many studies have suggested that cannabis may aid in the treatment of insomnia, others raise concerns about the potential long-term effects of depending on cannabis to fall asleep.
One study found that 71% of participants had sleep improvements attributed to cannabis use. Notably, 21% of study participants reported adverse effects, though the undesirable effects were manageable and did not cause concern.1
A 2021 review noted that CBD may help promote increased sleep time and reduced wakefulness during sleep.2 On the other hand, THC may lessen REM sleep, instead magnifying the amount of Stage 4 sleep an individual gets. This indicates that using THC may have potential applications for those who experience unpleasant dreams.3
Clinical studies of oral cannabinoid formulations containing primarily THC and smaller amounts of CBD and CBN have found that participants had significant improvements. Researchers suggest that both the CB1 and CB2 receptors may play a role in the sleep-wake cycle and, thus, insomnia.4
Regardless of the findings, the consensus among experts is that additional research is needed to understand better how cannabis affects the quality and quantity of sleep. And because cannabis affects all users differently, it’s often recommended that individuals speak with their doctor before introducing cannabis into their sleep routine.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers insomnia to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes insomnia or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in over half the United States. We’ve connected over 1,300,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Resources
- Vaillancourt R, Gallagher S, Cameron JD, Dhalla R. Cannabis use in patients with insomnia and sleep disorders: Retrospective chart review. Can Pharm J (Ott). 2022;155(3):175-180. Published 2022 Apr 15. doi:10.1177/17151635221089617 ↩︎
- Edwards D, Filbey FM. Are Sweet Dreams Made of These? Understanding the Relationship Between Sleep and Cannabis Use. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2021;6(6):462-473. doi:10.1089/can.2020.0174 ↩︎
- Low ZXB, Lee XR, Soga T, Goh BH, Alex D, Kumari Y. Cannabinoids: Emerging sleep modulator. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2023;165:115102. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115102 ↩︎
- Kuhathasan N, Minuzzi L, MacKillop J, Frey BN. An investigation of cannabis use for insomnia in depression and anxiety in a naturalistic sample. BMC Psychiatry. 2022;22(1):303. Published 2022 Apr 28. doi:10.1186/s12888-022-03948-6 ↩︎
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
