
Best Edibles for Sleep
Are you having trouble sleeping? If so, you’re among many who struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep each night. While the best treatment for your situation will depend on the underlying causes, cannabis edibles have proven effective for some people. Cannabis edibles, derived from the cannabis plant, are commonly used to help promote restfulness, especially for people with conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain. This article will explore how edibles can impact your sleep, what current research says about the long-term effectiveness of using cannabis for better sleep, and how to choose the right edibles if you decide you want to try them.
Understanding the Connection Between Edibles and Sleep
Several studies have suggested that more people are using edibles to help them get a good night’s sleep. In a 2022 study, 14% of U.S. adults reported using edibles, and a 2019 study found that sleep improved immediately for more than 65% of participants. However, edibles aren’t the perfect solution for better sleep in all situations.
Edibles are often more useful for people with conditions that prevent them from getting adequate sleep. Some studies suggest that people with sleep disorders, mental health issues, or chronic pain conditions benefit the most from taking edibles. This could be because cannabis helps to quiet the symptoms that would otherwise keep them awake.
For many, edibles may produce mixed results. Some people report that edibles help them fall asleep faster, but they get lower-quality sleep in the long run. In addition, those who habitually use cannabis may struggle to sleep if they stop taking it. For others, cannabis edibles have proven to be an effective solution for alleviating their symptoms and getting more rest. So, just because edibles help some people sleep doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll help others.
How Cannabis Compounds Affect Sleep Patterns
Cannabis may help promote better sleep by interacting with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. When cannabinoids bind to the receptors, they send messages to the brain to increase adenosine, which promotes sleep, and suppress the brain’s arousal system. These effects can make you feel sleepy.
While THC, one of the primary active compounds within cannabis, typically acts as a sedative, it can also act as a stimulant, especially if you’re new to taking cannabis or taking a high dose. In these cases, you may find that taking edibles makes it harder to fall asleep. There’s also research to suggest that CBD, another active compound in cannabis, may promote alertness at lower doses and sleepiness at higher doses, making it important to get the dosage just right.
Cannabis use may also impact how long you remain in different sleep stages. Using cannabis for a short period can increase the amount of time you spend in non-rapid eye movement, or NREM, sleep, which helps you wake up refreshed. However, THC decreases the amount of time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is when you dream, process emotions, and consolidate new memories. Decreasing REM sleep may be beneficial if you have posttraumatic stress disorder and experience nightmares, but for most people, getting enough REM sleep each night is essential.
Types of Edibles That Promote Better Sleep
Here are some of the most commonly used edibles to promote better sleep.
Cannabis Gummies
One of the most popular choices is cannabis gummies. Their benefits include precise dosing, long-lasting effects, and easy ingestion. The best gummies for sleep come with THC, CBD, or a blend of the two. Edible gummies usually take around 30 minutes to two hours to take effect, making them ideal to take before bed, and they come in a wide range of flavors and dosages.
Tinctures and Beverages
Tinctures and beverages are two other types of edibles for sleep. A tincture is a form of liquid cannabis extract that you place under your tongue with a measured dropper. Tinctures often take effect within 15 to 45 minutes since they’re absorbed quickly by the body. This means it’s usually easier to fine-tune your dosage until you get the desired effect.
Beverages infused with CBD or THC are typically used by those who don’t want to eat before bed or who want to avoid sugary edibles. Some beverages may also come infused with soothing ingredients such as valerian root or magnesium to improve restfulness further. If you’re new to taking cannabis before bed, you might prefer a tincture or a beverage, as you can start with a small dose and have a gentler onset of effects.
Top Recommendations: Best Edibles for Sleep
Here at UpLift in Cincinnati, Ohio, we offer a range of cannabis edibles that may help you sleep better. Some edibles we recommend include:
- Smokiez: Sweet Blackberry Gummies
- Ancient Roots: Sour Green Apple Live Rosin Gummies
- Certified Cultivators: Grape CBN Drink
- Butterfly Effect: 1:2 CBN Tincture
When browsing our products, you’ll come across different strains of edibles, such as indica, sativa, or a blend of the two. We recommend choosing edibles with the indica strain, as these tend to promote feelings of relaxation and sleepiness.
Order Edibles From UpLift Today
If you’re in the Cincinnati area and are interested in taking edibles for better sleep, our team at UpLift is here to help you find the right product. Get started today by viewing our inventories at our Milford or Mount Orab locations. You can also contact us with any questions.
woman sleeping on bed under blankets by Greg Pappas is licensed with Unsplash License