Cannabis helps people fall asleep – but actually harms the quality of sleep

Sleep doctors and neurologists describe in clinical reports that cannabis does shorten the time to fall asleep, a phenomenon known as shortened sleep latency. This effect is mainly attributed to THC, the main psychoactive substance in cannabis, which acts on receptors in the brain associated with relaxation and reducing arousal. For people who suffer from stress, anxiety or difficulty “turning off the head”, this effect is well felt.

But here comes the critical difference between falling asleep and quality sleep. Normal sleep is made up of sleep cycles that include different stages, first of all the REM stage – dream sleep, which is essential for emotional processing, memory and mood regulation. Repeated medical reports indicate that regular use of cannabis, especially high-THC strains, reduces the duration of the REM phase. This means more superficial sleep, even if the total sleep duration is not shortened.

Doctors report that patients who use cannabis for a long time tend to wake up less refreshed, suffer from concentration difficulties the day after and sometimes also from a drop in mood. Some do not associate this with the use of cannabis, because they still experience falling asleep quickly, but the quality of sleep is impaired below the surface.

Another problem that comes up in clinical reports is the phenomenon of tolerance. As cannabis use continues, the body becomes accustomed to the effect, and the user needs a higher dose to achieve the same anesthetic effect. When trying to stop or reduce the use, a withdrawal syndrome sometimes appears that includes severe insomnia, multiple awakenings, intense dreams and even nightmares. This phenomenon is well described in medical reports and reinforces the claim that cannabis is a short-term solution that may produce functional dependence.

Even the CBD component, which is considered no less controversial, is not without ambiguity. Medical reports indicate that CBD may reduce anxiety in some people, but its direct effect on sleep is not uniform. For some users, it actually stimulates, especially in low doses, and does not guarantee a consistent improvement in the quality of sleep.

In this context, sleep doctors emphasize that cannabis is not a first-line treatment for insomnia. It does not solve the deep causes of the problem, such as poor sleep hygiene, mental stress, depression or other sleep disorders. Using it may mask the real problem and make accurate diagnosis and treatment difficult.

The conclusion emerging from the medical reports is clear. Cannabis can help you fall asleep, but it does not guarantee better sleep, and sometimes even harms it. This is a temporary solution, which may take a toll in the long run.

Bottom line, cannabis is a loan of sleep. It may be given quickly, but the interest, in the form of impaired sleep quality and dependence, may be revealed later.