Medical marijuana and sleep apnea!

Medical Marijuana and Sleep Apnea

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder that is characterised by an irregular breathing pattern.

However, as this is a condition that occurs during sleep, it often goes undiagnosed and many individuals don’t know they have it - up to 80% of sufferers in fact!1 Roughly 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea2. It is more prevalent in men and approximately 25% of middle-aged men have symptoms of sleep apnea; for women it is much lower at 9%3. Those who suffer from this sleep disorder can experience as many as 30 disruptions in their breathing within just one hour of sleep! As a result, this condition has a direct correlation to how rested such individuals feel.

The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are trouble staying awake during the day, or feelings of fatigue. However, sleep apnea sufferers can also show other symptoms, such as: â—?

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Cognitive problems such as memory loss, lack of concentration and a reduced ability to learn or process information.

https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/conditions/sleep-apnea/ https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems/sleep-apnea 3 https://www.bergerhenryent.com/sleep-apnea-statistics-2016/ 2

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Mood issues such as mood swings, personality changes, irritability, depression Waking up often to use the bathroom Sore throat or dry mouth when waking up Headaches after waking up

Current Treatments for Sleep Apnea Treatment for sleep apnea depend on the cause, which in some cases is related to obesity or hypertension. Typical treatment methods can include a breathing device, surgery or lifestyle changes to help manage the symptoms and treat the underlying cause.

How Can Cannabis Help?

Medical marijuana has been proven to assist individuals that suffer from sleep disruption and insomnia (difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep). With this data, it is easy to see how medical marijuana would be able to improve the quality of life for sleep apnea patients. In fact, in the first THC and sleep apnea study, which was published in 2002, the effects of cannabis were tested on 17 sleep apnea patients4. The study revealed an average symptom reduction of 32% with the introduction of THC.

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12071539

Best Strains for Sleep Apnea If you are looking to treat your sleep apnea with cannabis, it is a good idea to know where to start. The ideal strain for sleep apnea is one that has both THC and CBD compounds, with a focus on THC. For those who don’t already know, THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects (or “the high”) that comes from smoking cannabis. However, for individuals who suffer from anxiety, it is best to stick to low THC strains or those that are higher in CBD. CBD is another active compound in cannabis, but actually balances out the effects of THC to help reduce anxiety in individuals who have a pre-existing anxiety disorder. Indica strains are the most popular when it comes to treating sleep disorders thanks to their sedating effects, but Sativa strains can be beneficial for individuals fighting fatigue or mood swings caused by lack of sleep as well.

A few strains that are excellent for managing sleep apnea include: ● Grape Ape - This is a 90% Indica-dominant hybrid with moderate THC levels of 18-21%.

Grape Ape has deeply sedative properties that are beneficial for patients with sleep apnea, as well as those looking to manage stress and chronic pain. While this strain does have a strong physical relaxation, it will not knock you out so it is perfect for afterwork to help you relax and prepare for sleep. ● Bubba OG - This strain is an Indica-dominant hybrid that is high in THC, ranging from 20-25%. This strain is ideal for treating sleep-related disorders including insomnia and sleep apnea. Bubba OG produces potent body effects to reduce stress and encourage sleep, as well as spark up the munchies! ● LA Confidential - This is a popular strain with up to 25% THC, resulting in a strong body and cerebral high. This strain is one of the most potent Indica’s around and is praised for its ability to put you straight to sleep. This makes it perfect for individuals looking to help manage their sleep apnea. ● Skywalker OG - This strain is another potent Indica-dominant hybrid with 20-25% THC. Skywalker OG has a heavy body high that leaves the user couch-locked and with a mean case of the munchies! Upon coming down, Skywalker OG will help take you to a galaxy far far away as you fall into a deep and peaceful sleep. ● Purple Rhino - This strain is a mix of two Indica’s, White Rhino and Mendocino Purps, and is very potent. Indica-dominant strain. The heavy body high makes Purple Rhino perfect for evening use to relax the user and help cradle you to sleep. As a result, this strain is ideal for sleep disorders as well as anxiety, depression, muscle spasms and loss of appetite!

Click here to shop more sleepy-time strains!

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Sources: https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/conditions/sleep-apnea/ https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/cannabis-and-sleep https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/the-best-cannabis-strains-for-insomnia