Cannabis Versus Prescription Meds
It’s great that you’re considering cannabis as a natural sleep aid. Common side effects of prescription medication such as Ambien, Halcion, Lunesta, Rozerem, and Sonata include:
- Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- Changes in appetite
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Balance problems
- Dizziness
Based on my experience, I recommend trying marijuana as a more natural way to fall and stay asleep. Here are some of my tips:
- Not every cannabis product is created equal – certain types of marijuana products are more helpful for sleep than others (some might keep you awake).
- Experiment with different product types, strains, and consumption methods before making any hard decisions.
- Be cautious with dosage. Start low and go slow.
CBD, CBN, THC, CBG and Sleep
It may feel like a lot at first, but I’m hopeful that my experience with cannabis can help. I was struggling in a very similar way. I would lay awake most nights after very long days and still find my mind racing. I knew with certainty that sleep wasn’t going to come easy most nights, leading to higher stress levels, lower productivity, and increased anxiety.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana. This cannabinoid can help relieve pain, anxiety, and more. CBD also promotes a better night’s sleep and one study found that it increased sleep scores in 67% of adults post-consumption. It’s also thought that CBD helps with the release of cortisol, which acts as a sedative in consumers.
Cannabidinol (CBN) is another cannabinoid that is known to help relieve stress and anxiety, which can lead to a better night’s rest. According to Ari Mackler, the chief scientific officer for Plus Brands, “CBN appears to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which in turn, can affect the function of many hormones and neurotransmitters that are involved with mood, energy, and sleep.”
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) helps to amplify the effects of CBD and CBN. When all three cannabinoids are combined, they can significantly impact a person’s ability to sleep – promoting long-lasting sleep.
Lastly, CBG is within this formulation, which is known to help relieve pain and inflammation. Often, physical tension or discomfort can cut sleep short, so this cannabinoid is a great addition to the mix.
The best cannabis products for sleep aren’t focused on a single cannabinoid – instead, they use the most sleep-inducing cannabinoids together to create an optimal sleep-enhancing weed product.
Brands to Look For
I tried all kinds of high-THC, high-CBD, or even high-CBN edibles, vapes, and flower strains, but I noticed slight issues with each. One would make me anxious and make sleeping hard, another left me feeling worn out in the mornings, and another simply wasn’t helping me sleep at all. I went through this phase of experimentation for about a month until I found Wana Optimals Fast Asleep gummies.
Wana’s Fast Asleep gummies were designed specifically to help with sleep. They contain a mix of cannabinoids as well as melatonin and sleep-inducing terpenes. Some of my favorite things about these gummies are the fast onset (typically about ten minutes) and that it does not leave me drowsy the following day.
Wana didn’t call these gummies “fast asleep” for nothing. They literally make my eyelids heavy within 10 minutes, and I’m usually fast asleep within 20 minutes. The best part is that I don’t wake up in the middle of the night – I sleep soundly and wake up refreshed.
You can find where to purchase Wana Optimals Fast Asleep gummies on Weedmaps or at retailers like LivWell for $23.
