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Statistics Canada estimates that 1 in 3 Canadians are not getting enough sleep. This article highlights prevalent sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome as well as possible causes and how medical cannabis might help.\u00a0<\/em>
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\"cannabis
woman unable to sleep at night, staring at alarm clock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sleep disorders are a global problem. Studies indicate that as much as 50 percent <\/b>of the world’s population suffers from some sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or narcolepsy. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and even premature death. Medical cannabis is emerging as an effective treatment for certain sleep disorders.<\/p>\n

\"Modern<\/p>\n

Medical Cannabis as an Alternative to Sleeping Pills<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Traditionally, the problem of insomnia has been treated with pharmaceutical drugs, using both over-the-counter and prescription medication. But sometimes, these drugs turn out to be less than perfect solutions. Sleeping pills can potentially produce unwanted side effects, such as daytime drowsiness, cognitive slowdown, next-day impairment, weakness, and in some extreme cases, abnormal parasomnias such as sleep-walking. Tolerance can also build up over time that makes these drugs less effective.<\/p>\n

Medical cannabis can be used as a safer alternative to pharmaceutical sleep medication. After all, cannabis has been used for thousands of years by ancient cultures to treat ailments such as chronic pain<\/a>, inflammation, and insomnia. This article will highlight the vital importance of sleep, common sleep disorders, and what medical cannabis can offer for relief.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"InWhy Sleep is Overlooked in Our Society\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The importance of sleep \u2013 of really getting an uninterrupted good night\u2019s rest \u2013 is essential to maintaining good health, but it\u2019s often ignored in our society. When we talk about health, sleep is usually the last rung on the ladder of priorities. Instead, the emphasis is placed on diet, exercise, staying out of the sun, drinking in moderation, and remembering to take vitamins. And if one can get some quality sleep along the way, then all the better.<\/p>\n

So how did sleep become so marginalized?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In recent years, the technological boom that brought us innovations like mobile phones, 4K TVs, and tablets was also responsible for exposing us to blue light. As we now know, blue light suppresses our melatonin production \u2013 the natural hormone produced in our brain that regulates sleep-wake cycles. For a society that is increasingly exposed to blue light via digital screens, this doesn’t bode well. But blue light exposure is just one reason among many for disrupting natural sleep.<\/p>\n

As a society, we work longer hours than before. Constant caffeine consumption gets us through the day. Our lives are full of social commitments, parenting commitments, and increasing work demands. All of these factors result in jam-packed routines and overstimulation that cause fundamental imbalances in our sleep-wake cycles. When we sleep, it gives our body precious time to heal and restore itself to full capacity before taking on the trials of a new day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"SleepingTop Benefits of Sleep
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1. Improves productivity and cognition
\n2. Minimizes heart disease and stroke
\n3. Helps with immune function
\n4. Restores energy and hormone production
\n5. Heals damaged cells, tissue growth and aids in general daily recovery
\n6. Maintaining good cardiovascular health
\n7. Reduces inflammation
\n8. Promotes emotional stability and manages stress and anxiety<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Most Common Sleep Disorders<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A sleep disorder is defined as any abnormal condition that negatively impacts sleep. Sleep is broken up into two main categories: REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement). NREM sleep is a deep stage of sleep when most restorative body processes occur. REM sleep is when dreaming happens. REM sleep also lets the mind organize and process thoughts and emotions as well as commit new knowledge to long-term memory.<\/p>\n

\"Insomnia1. Insomnia<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder where people experience difficulty falling asleep. As per Statistics Canada, 13% of Canadians, aged 15 and above reported suffering from insomnia.<\/p>\n

Insomnia can be short-term or long-term. Short-term insomnia isn’t considered to be dangerous, as it’s usually caused by emotional stress or life changes, which will eventually pass with time. Insomnia is deemed to be severe when it becomes chronic. Treatment usually consists of prescribing sedatives or anti-anxiety drugs.<\/p>\n

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\"Sleep2. Sleep Apnea <\/strong><\/h4>\n

This potentially severe sleep disorder happens when the affected person stops breathing intermittently during sleep. Common symptoms of sleep apnea are:<\/p>\n

1.) Loud snoring
\n2.) Periods where the affected person stops breathing during their sleep
\n3.) Headaches upon waking up
\n4.) Insomnia
\n5.) Hypersomnia (the feeling of extreme daytime sleepiness)
\n6.) Waking up with a dry or sore throat<\/p>\n

Several factors can increase the risk of sleep apnea. These factors include being overweight, being male, being older, being a smoker, and experiencing nasal congestion. As a result of the sleep disturbance caused by sleep apnea, affected persons feel very tired during the day, and may experience irritability and depression. Standard treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) sleep mask that helps facilitate breathing.<\/p>\n

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\"Restless3. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This sleeping disorder is marked by uncomfortable sensations that cause a strong compulsion to move one’s legs. The feeling is described as a tingling or unpleasant aching. Contributing factors to RLS include arthritis, Parkinson’s, kidney failure, low iron, and diabetes. Typically, women are more affected than men by Restless leg syndrome. Treatments for RLS involve lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol usage, improving sleep-wake routines, and sleep medications.<\/p>\n

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\"Narcolepsy4. Narcolepsy<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This sleep disorder is characterized by abnormal sleep-wake cycles, which in turn causes the affected person to experience extreme bouts of sleepiness throughout the day. These episodes of sudden drowsiness can occur at any given moment. Despite getting the same amount of rest as regular people, people with narcolepsy do not get the same quality of sleep. Narcolepsy affects both men and women equally.<\/p>\n

The precise cause of narcolepsy is not known, but extreme daytime tiredness can also be triggered by sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, and anemia. Treatment involves adding in short naps and medication.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"People5. Post-Trauma Stress Disorder (PTSD)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

PTSD is a psychological disorder<\/a> where the affected person suffers from long-lasting symptoms after being subjected to trauma. Examples of traumatic events include a severe accident, war, natural disasters, and forms of assault and violence. As a result, this person can experience unwanted and painful flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, and negative feelings related to the originating traumatic event.<\/p>\n

People living with PTSD can also experience intense, recurring nightmares that disturb sleep. PTSD can also cause the person to be in a state of hyperarousal. Hyperarousal is a heightened state of anxiety that stems from extreme trauma. Symptoms can include feeling “jumpy,” being easily startled, inability to relax, difficulty focusing, emotional outbursts, panic, and insomnia.<\/p>\n

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\"CBDHow CBD May Help with Insomnia<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are two main active components in the cannabis plant: THC<\/a> and CBD<\/a>.<\/strong> THC generates the mind-altering effects associated with users feeling high. CBD is non-psychoactive and has been used by patients for decades to manage a variety of medical conditions. Regarding sleep disorders, it’s believed that CBD can promote better rest through direct or indirect means. CBD has been observed in multiple laboratory settings to reduce anxiety, as well as pain. Anxiety and pain are two common sleep-disrupting agents, and alleviating one or the other can indirectly encourage better sleep quality.<\/p>\n

Let’s take a look at some of the most current scientific studies that potentially demonstrate how CBD can aid in managing some sleep disorders such as insomnia.<\/p>\n

Case Study #1: Tracking Insomnia Patients With a Mobile App\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"In<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A 2018 survey-based study led by Jacob M. Vigil and his team of researchers used a mobile application to survey 409 people who had insomnia. In this study, researchers sought to examine the relationship between ingesting cannabinoids THC and CBD and their effect on insomnia. Participants chose their method of ingestion from pipes, vaporizers, and joints. For data collection purposes, researchers had participants use a provided mobile application to record their perceived insomnia levels before and after cannabis consumption.<\/p>\n

Here is a summary of the research findings:<\/strong><\/p>\n