Can medical marijuana help insomnia? Well, it’s a fact that those who use marijuana in the evenings tend to report a good night’s sleep.
And, there is little doubt that poor sleep patterns can have a negative effect on your life as a whole; not only does it lead to poor health and many minor ailments (which when experienced all at the same time can have the same effect as a major medical condition), but it also leads to poor productivity and time lost from work. In worst case scenarios, of course, lack of sleep can be fatal, in that poor concentration when driving or operating machinery leads to operator mistakes.
There are various over the counter (OTC) medications that will help you to fall asleep; usually these medicines have been formulated for other applications — such as antihistamines for treating allergies. In general it’s not a good idea to take treatment for a condition you don’t have — especially if you are already taking other medications.
Sleeping pills that are obtainable with a prescription often have unpleasant side effects. Let’s take a look at the listed side effects of Ambien (zolpiderm tartrate) as an example:
depressed mood, thoughts of hurting yourself
unusual thoughts, risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger
anxiety, aggression, feeling restless or agitated
hallucinations, confusion, changes in personality
daytime drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, feeling “drugged” or light-headed
lack of coordination
amnesia, forgetfulness
vivid or abnormal dreams
nausea, constipation
stuffy nose, sore throat
headache, muscle pain
blurred vision.
A case here of the treatment being worse than the medical condition?
How can Marijuana help with Insomnia?
A recent study, undertaken at Alberta University in Canada, was designed to investigate the effects of THC on appetite, specifically on the appetite of cancer patients. An unexpected finding of the study, however, was that the patients receiving THC also slept better than the control group. In fact, the study was published with the headline:
Pot Helps Cancer Patients Sleep and Enjoy Food
The first thing to remember when looking for a marijuana strain to help you sleep is that sativa based strains tend to give you a high — the last thing you want when you have sleep problems. Indica based strains, on the other hand, are great for relaxation, stress relief, and for an overall sense of calm and serenity.
There is one particular indica strain, Ingrid, which seems to be particularly helpful for non-sleepers.
Ingrid is a high-quality marijuana strain, which is becoming increasingly popular among medical marijuana patients. It’s quite amazing to look at — a light green that is almost neon. It is very potent and you won’t need much to help you towards a restful sleep.
Source: Medical Marijuana Blog
