Sleep disorders can affect anyone at any age, even children. Whether you’re having a few sleepless nights or a chronic struggle to get the recommended seven-plus hours of steady sleep, insomnia can disrupt daily life and contribute to long-term health issues. Standard treatments for insomnia include holistic remedies, lifestyle changes, and a variety of prescription and over-the-counter sleep medications.
Now, a growing body of research reveals that cannabis can offer safe and effective relief from sleep disorders without the side effects of common sleep medications. And today, adults in Missouri with a qualifying medical condition can choose from a variety of quality cannabis products designed to promote a good night’s sleep.
Insomnia is a Common Problem
Insomnia is a broad term that describes a persistent problem with falling asleep or staying asleep. It’s one of several recognized sleep disorders, and because it has many causes, it can be difficult to treat. Common causes of insomnia include:
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Medication
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Shift work or other causes of irregular and interrupted sleep schedules
- Foods and beverages
- Lifestyle factors – such as distracting surroundings or habits
For many people, lifestyle changes that promote better conditions for sleep can resolve simple insomnia, and so can adopting healthier routines that include changes in diet and drinking habits. But some of the most common contributors to insomnia may call for other interventions.
Chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis, migraine, and cancer can cause nighttime discomforts that interfere with sleep. Anxiety also contributes to sleeplessness, and it’s on the rise thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rates of depression and other mental health issues are rising in the US and worldwide, which can also contribute to sleep disorders.
People with Insomnia can turn to a variety of non-prescription sleep aids or get a prescription for pharmaceuticals. These medications can have side effects that range from dizziness and a “hungover” feeling to engaging in sleepwalking and other daytime activities such as driving while under the influence of sleep medication.
A more natural approach to alleviating sleepless nights is the use of cannabis. The many compounds and terpenes in cannabis work with the body’s regulatory systems to relieve pain, anxiety, and other issues that may interfere with sleep. Plus, cannabis does not have the same unwanted side effects that other sleep medications are known to create.
Cannabis: A Natural Aid for Sleep Disorders
In addition to helping people sleep better, cannabis has many science-backed health benefits. Cannabis contains more than a hundred known cannabinoids that work with the body’s endocannabinoid system or ECS. The ECS is an extensive network of cell receptors that respond similarly to the natural cannabinoid chemicals our body produces and those produced by plant sources such as cannabis.
The endocannabinoid system plays a significant role in keeping the body’s many subsystems in balance and moderating brain pathways related to mood and pain signaling. Cannabis cannabinoids such as THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), along with many other compounds and terpenes, affect ECS receptors throughout the body and brain to provide pain relief and promote feelings of calm and relaxation. In that way, cannabis can make it easier to get and stay asleep without the risks and side effects of popular sleep aids.
Cannabis products for sleep come in various forms for smoking, vaping, or consuming, so there’s an option for everyone in Missouri with a valid medical cannabis card.
Medical Cannabis is Legal in Missouri
Cannabis became legal in Missouri for medical use in 2018, so adults can now visit dispensaries throughout the state with a valid medical card. Although recreational use was decriminalized in 2014, it remains illegal.
For now, anyone with a card can choose from a variety of quality cannabis products designed to support restful sleep.
Here are five options for cannabis products in Missouri that help people get a good night’s sleep.
Amend Sleep 2:1 Tablets
Amend Sleep 2:1 tablets from Beleaf Medical support relaxation and healthy sleep with a high CBD formulation that also contains sleep-supporting melatonin. These tablets contain twice as much CBD as THC, which helps to regulate sleep cycles and reduce anxiety that interferes with sleep.
Soothe 1:20 RATIO Vape Pen
Soothe 1:20 RATIO Vape Pen
Vaping can be a healthier alternative to smoking cannabis, and RATIO vape pens are dose-controlled, which makes it easy to get the right amount every time. The Soothe 1:20 RATIO vape pen from New Growth Horizon contains a high-CBD, low THC blend that supports relaxation and reduces anxiety for better sleep.
Rural Route CBD Tincture
Rural Route CBD Tincture
Tinctures absorb quickly under the tongue and are fast acting. They can also be added to foods and beverages. With 1500 mg of soothing CBD, the Rural Route CBD tincture also contains a blend of other cannabinoids, plus organic mint extract for a full spectrum tincture that can ease pain and relieve the anxiety that can cause insomnia.
Care by Design 2:1 Tincture
Care by Design 2:1 Tincture
Care by Design’s 2:1 tincture contains 300 mg of CBD to 150 mg of THC – a combination that supports relaxation and eases chronic pain. This Care by Design tincture is sugar and additive-free and contains additional minor cannabinoids for natural sleep support.
Wana Blueberry Sour Gummies
Wana Blueberry Sour Gummies are an indica edible gummy may do the trick for getting a good night’s sleep. These not-too-sweet, not-too-tart gummies are infused with an indica distillate to promote feelings of relaxation and calm. They don’t melt in intense heat and are full of 30+ terpenes. Taken an hour before bedtime, you may get your Zzzz’s sooner rather than later.
About one in ten Americans experience insomnia that interferes with daily life, and the number rises with age. Because it works with the body’s systems, cannabis can support sleep safely and naturally, without the side effects of common sleep aids. Now, Missouri residents with a valid medical cannabis card can choose from various quality cannabis products for getting a good night’s sleep.
