Does Medical Marijuana Affects REM Sleep?

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So far, experts are sure about one thing. Medical Marijuana does influence sleep cycles for patients who consume it in certain dosages. But has Medical Marijuana got anything to do with REM sleep? Well, the first thing you need to understand is that REM sleep is not the usual sleeping phase. Second, yes, Medical Marijuana does impact the REM sleep phase for patients who consume it.

What Exactly Is REM Sleep?

A normal sleep cycle can be divided into certain sections depending on brain activity and how deep the sleep is for a particular section. REM sleep refers to the sleep section that is deepest and is known to cause dreams during a regular sleep cycle. In order to get to the REM sleep section, your body needs some time to settle into normal sleep patterns.

A major day to check if your REM sleep section is in optimum health is to try to remember whether you were dreaming last night or not. If you can remember anything about the dream you had last, then congratulations, your REM sleep health is in fact optimum.

CBD vs THC

	CBD (Cannabidiol)	THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
Chemical Structure	Non-intoxicating cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis plants	Psychoactive cannabinoids primarily found in cannabis plants
Psychoactive Effects	Does not produce a “high” or intoxication	Produces psychoactive effects, resulting in a “high”
Legal Status	Legal in many countries and states, subject to specific regulations	Legal in some countries and states, subject to restrictions and regulations
Medical Benefits	Potential therapeutic effects, including relief from pain, anxiety, inflammation, seizures, and more	Medical applications such as pain relief, muscle relaxation, appetite stimulation, and nausea reduction
Side Effects	Generally well-tolerated, but may cause mild side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, and changes in appetite	Can cause side effects such as increased heart rate, dry mouth, impaired memory, coordination issues, anxiety, and potential psychiatric symptoms
Drug Testing	Unlikely to result in a positive drug test for THC	Can result in a positive drug test for THC
Consumption Methods	Available in various forms, including oils, tinctures, capsules, edibles, topicals, and more	Typically consumed through smoking or vaping cannabis flower, but also available in oils, edibles, and other forms
Legal Restrictions	Generally less regulated compared to THC due to its non-intoxicating nature	Subject to stricter regulations and limitations due to its psychoactive properties
Research Status	Considered promising for research, but more studies needed to understand its full potential	Extensive research conducted on THC, including medical applications, effects, and potential risks

Marijuana’s Known Impact On Sleep

Studies have revealed that Marijuana strains having a high CBD content are known to cause a state of ‘alertness’ rather than causing a soothing and relaxing ‘high’ responsible for easing out the sleep cycles. That’s why, strains with higher THC content are preferred when one of the goals for Medical Marijuana intake is to regulate REM Sleep or general sleep cycle.

 

Also Read: What Do I Do If I Lose My Medical Marijuana Card?

So, Should You Be Taking Medical Marijuana To Enhance Your REM Sleep?

This is something that you should decide on your own after consulting your physician. THC high Marijuana strains are known for their sleep-enhancing effects but that doesn’t mean that the strain will particularly target REM Sleep. You may get the chance to take a light nap while REm Sleep is the time when your body recharges the most.