Cannabis has historically been viewed as a mind-altering plant.
But unknown to many, only a handful of marijuana’s naturally occurring compounds are psychoactive. Even more intriguing is that most of weed’s psychedelic chemicals possess remarkable therapeutic benefits as well.
This post examines the role of THC in improving sleep quality, with a special focus on THC gummies.
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THC gummies are gummy bears containing THC as the primary bioactive ingredient.
Short for tetrahydrocannabinol, THC is part of the 100+ naturally occurring cannabinoids in marijuana. It’s one of the two most popular cannabis derivatives, alongside cannabidiol (CBD).
THC is most famed for its mind-altering properties. It’s usually the first cannabinoid that springs to mind while referencing marijuana’s psychoactive effects.
However, THC possesses nearly similar therapeutic abilities as its more popular non-psychoactive cousin – CBD. The compound has demonstrated efficacy against several health issues, including sleep deprivation.
Taking high-quality THC gummies for sleep is widely touted as a safer alternative to administering conventional sleep pills. But do THC chewables deliver on their claims, or is it all just hype?
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A significant percentage of insomnia incidences is due to prolonged sleep latency.
Sleep latency refers to the average duration from complete wakefulness to deep sleep. While it varies considerably depending on an individual’s bedtime routine and mental frame, most people slip into restful sleep within thirty minutes of going to bed.
A longer sleep onset time can accumulate worrying levels of sleep debt over time, causing daytime grogginess. Fortunately, administering tetrahydrocannabinol gummies at bedtime might make a significant difference.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that acute, short-term exposure to THC supplements may lower sleep onset latency and decrease arousal after falling into sleep. Researchers also noted that THC could accelerate slow-wave sleep (SWS).
Also called deep sleep, slow-wave sleep is a sleep phase noted for facilitating growth and cognitive development. It’s also involved in boosting overall immune functions.
Tetrahydrocannabinol gummies don’t only reduce your mean sleep latency. Additional research suggests that THC may prolong sleep duration by shortening REM sleep.
REM (rapid eye movement) is a sleep phase marked by rapid, involuntary movements of the eyeballs behind the eyelids. More importantly, it’s during REM that most dreams happen.
Dreaming isn’t inherently harmful. In fact, dreams have been shown to boost our mental and emotional well-being.
But for people with underlying anxiety disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dreams can present as sleep-disrupting nightmares. Such individuals should spend fewer hours in REM sleep to enjoy uninterrupted sleep.
According to a 2022 study, cannabis strains higher in tetrahydrocannabinol were shown to reduce the amount of REM sleep. Rather than experience frequent nightmares, consuming THC gummies allows you to spend more time in the more restorative deep sleep state.
Pain is a leading cause of sleep deprivation.
Persistently aching muscles or tender joints can prolong your mean sleep latency and lead to frequent arousals. Therefore, administering analgesic compounds at bedtime is a proactive way to treat pain-induced insomnia.
Like most cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol possesses potent analgesic properties. THC gummies alleviate pain by desensitizing the vanilloid receptor, an essential endocannabinoid receptor that transmits nociceptive signals across the body.
THC gummies may also treat pain-related sleep deprivation by activating the body’s signaling of serotonin and dopamine. While the two neurotransmitters are best known for their ‘feel-good’ effects, they’re also responsible for improving pain tolerance.
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THC gummies may not always have tetrahydrocannabinol as the sole bioactive ingredient. They may also be fortified with non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD.
So, how do you make the distinction?
The secret is to look out for the words “isolate” or “full-spectrum” on a product’s label.
Gummies labeled THC isolates contain tetrahydrocannabinol as the sole bioactive ingredient. Due to their higher THC potencies, isolates are best administered moderately.
Meanwhile, full-spectrum gummies are formulated with THC, CBD, and a host of other cannabinoids and terpenes. They’re excellent if you seek relief from other common health issues besides sleep deprivation. Studies have shown that THC and CBD deliver compounded therapeutic benefits when used together rather than separately.
Whether you prefer THC isolates or full-spectrum THC gummies, moderation is paramount.
One exciting thing about THC gummies is that they come with predetermined amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol. Even so, it’s best to administer them sparingly to minimize the risks of adverse effects.
THC potency is measured in milligrams, with serving portions typically classified as follows;
1 - 2.5 milligrams/serving – Microdose
3 - 5 mg/serving – Low dosage
10 - 15/serving – Medium dosage
15 - 20 mg/serving – High dosage
20+/serving – Overdose
If you’re new to tetrahydrocannabinol gummies, you’d do well to start with microdoses and then build up from there.
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Tetrahydrocannabinol’s sleep-aiding benefits are no longer a subject of speculative conversations. Multiple findings have shown that integrating THC gummies into your bedtime routine may, indeed, improve sleep quality.
However, remember that tetrahydrocannabinol is still marijuana’s most potent psychoactive cannabinoid. Therefore, observe temperance while administering THC-infused supplements.
Excess consumption of tetrahydrocannabinol gummies may cause THC poisoning. Symptoms include extreme anxiety, paranoia, drowsiness, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, hallucinations, and severe vomiting.
If you’re new to THC gummies, start with lower doses and build momentum gradually until you achieve your sweet spot.
