This article was co-authored by Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Dr. Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH is the founder and Medical Director of the Center for Medical Cannabis Education. Dr. Corroon is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and clinical researcher. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Corroon advises dietary supplement and cannabis companies regarding science, regulation, and product development. He is well published in the peer-review literature, with recent publications that investigate the clinical and public health implications of the broadening acceptance of cannabis in society. He earned a Masters in Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from San Diego State University. He also earned a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from Bastyr University, subsequently completed two years of residency at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, and is a former adjunct professor at Bastyr University California.
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Many claim that marijuana helps them fall asleep and stay asleep. But research into the effects of cannabis on sleep patterns and sleep quality is still ongoing, and there’s a lot we don’t know. That’s why we’re here to lay out what we do know about what happens when you fall asleep while high. We’ll fill you in on whether or not weed is a viable sleep aid and its risks and side effects. We’ll also give you valuable tips for using it before bed, and offer more widely-used, well-researched, and natural sleep aids.
Things You Should Know
- Some studies show that marijuana may help you get to sleep more quickly and stay asleep for longer. However, the quality of that sleep may be worse.
- Marijuana use before bed may lead to suppressed dreams, drowsiness the next morning, or a dependence on cannabis to help you sleep if used too frequently.
- Look to other natural sleep aids first, like melatonin, lavender essential oils, meditation, or chamomile tea.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
Warnings
- Only use marijuana in accordance with your local laws, and purchase marijuana through licensed, trusted vendors.Thanks
- Consult a doctor before you self-medicate for any disorder, including insomnia or general difficulties while sleeping.Thanks
- Medical marijuana product labels should clearly state the amount, in milligrams, of THC, CBD and any other active ingredient. Inactive ingredients should also be included if they could cause an allergic reaction (e.g., nuts, wheat, etc.).Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9067069/
- ↑ https://ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13722-016-0056-7
- ↑ https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-understanding-sleep
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/shorter-dream-stage-sleep-may-be-related-to-earlier-death-2020091820932
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-teenage-mind/200906/marijuana-sleep-and-dreams
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2992898/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2442418/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4392-marijuana
- ↑ https://www.vice.com/en/article/ne9kpw/how-to-use-weed-for-better-sleep
- ↑ https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2015.29003.ebr
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7572650/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2442418/
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/melatonin-for-sleep-does-it-work
- ↑ https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/jul/is-it-bad-to-take-melatonin-every-night-5-more-questions-about-melatonin-answered/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/meditations/progressive-muscle-relaxation-meditation.htm