Sleep is an important part of surviving and thriving through life. Some of us get a good night’s sleep every night, whereas others might have many sleepless nights for various reasons. It could be dealing with restless toddlers or struggling with insomnia.
For some, it might be a mind that’s constantly running and refusing to wind down to allow sleep to come.
CBD and THC may be a useful way to aid and improve sleep quality naturally. It interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system by reducing anxiety, alleviating pain, and promoting sedation.
Often given in higher doses, CBD improves sleep duration and decreases the number of people who wake up during the night. Alternatively, low doses of THC can shorten sleep onset but may alter sleep architecture over time.
How CBD and THC work
CBD is known for its calming effects. It helps to reduce anxiety and pain, providing a better environment for your mind and body for sleep. It’s believed to work by helping modulate cortisol levels and increasing serotonin in the body. This also helps with regulating mood and sleep patterns.
When it comes to THC, it’s a psychoactive compound that acts as a sedative, binding directly to CB1 receptors in the brain. It helps individuals fall asleep faster and increases deep, slow-wave sleep.
Combining CBD and THC is often considered one of the most effective ways to improve sleep duration, enhance deep sleep, and reduce nighttime disturbances that contribute to poor sleep quality.
Key considerations before taking CBD or THC
Before you take CBD and THC for better sleep, it’s good to consider the following before doing so.
Dose-dependent results
CBD is biphasic, which means low doses may be alerting, whilst high doses are generally a way of sedating. Dependent on the results you want will likely determine how you dose this when administering it.
REM sleep reduction
THC is known to reduce REM sleep, which also reduces nightmares. That can also have a direct impact on dream-state sleep, too. REM sleep is often very important for your health and wellbeing, so it’s something to think about before you start taking it.
Long-term usage
Research on the long-term effects of cannabis for sleep is still emerging, and so the effectiveness can vary.
Which is better, CBD or THC?
Neither CBD nor THC is better than the other. The best choice often depends entirely on your health goals and your legal location.
CBD is generally better for anxiety, inflammation, and pain without being intoxicating. THC is better for the severity of pain, insomnia, and nausea. It provides a psychoactive high and therefore has stronger sedative effects.
If you’re looking at which one to choose, you may find CBD useful for better sleep quality in general. THC might be helpful for those who are dealing with severe sleeping problems like insomnia as a way of helping them get to sleeper quicker and with fewer interruptions in the night.
Before taking either, be aware of the pros and cons of both, taking small doses to begin with.