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Move Over Sleeping Pills, Cannabis Is People’s Sleep Aid Of Choice

Move Over Ambien, Cannabis Is People's Go-To Sleep Aid

Health

Move Over Sleeping Pills, Cannabis Is People’s Sleep Aid Of Choice

Until very recently, it’s been common for people to turn to sleeping pills when they had problems falling asleep. But according to a report published today, that is changing as more and more people are choosing cannabis as their go-to sleep aid.

Sleep Aid: Sleeping Pills Or Cannabis?

Move Over Ambien, Cannabis Is People's Go-To Sleep Aid

Today’s report revealed some important trends about cannabis use. In particular, it looked at how the growing cannabis industry is affecting the way people use sleeping pills.

The findings were based on a study that surveyed more than 50,000 individuals. The results from this data reveal that over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping pill sales are taking a hit as more and more people turn to legal cannabis.

As a result, the study estimated that legal cannabis could eventually kill 9.5% of all OTC sleep aid sales. When that’s translated into dollars-and-cents, the OTC sleep aid industry could lose as much as $70 million in sales to the legal cannabis market.

Other Key Findings

Move Over Ambien, Cannabis Is People's Go-To Sleep Aid

The study concluded that cannabis is rapidly replacing OTC sleeping pills and other similar sleep aids. It also found that cannabis is increasingly being used in place of OTC pain medications.

Here are some of the report’s key findings:

  • Legal cannabis consumers were 25% more likely to be users of sleep aids than people who do not use legal cannabis.
  • 50% of people who were likely to use legal cannabis said they planned to purchase fewer OTC sleeping aids in the future.
  • 86% of people who used cannabis specifically as a sleep aid believed it worked better than traditional OTC sleeping pills.

So what does this mean? It means that a large portion of people who struggle sleeping are willing to give cannabis a shot. And when they do, a majority of them eventually conclude that weed works better than pills.

As a result, half of those who use cannabis as a sleep aid plan to reduce their use of OTC sleeping pills.

Cannabis and Sleep

Move Over Ambien, Cannabis Is People's Go-To Sleep Aid

According to the report, people who use OTC sleep aids don’t tend to switch around and experiment too much. Once they find something that works for them, they stick with it.

But now, cannabis is an entirely new treatment option with the added benefit of mood enhancement.

Its effectiveness as a sleep aid, along with all the other effects it produces, makes legal cannabis a real threat to OTC sleeping pills and aids.

These findings are in line with other research into cannabis and sleep. One study found that cannabis helps people fall asleep quicker, and also increases the time spent in deep sleep.

During deep sleep, our bodies release growth hormones and ramp up production of certain proteins. It helps us maintain emotional health and social functionality.

However, cannabis doesn’t increase each stage of sleep. It decreases REM sleep, which is the dream stage.

The Ideal Cannabis Strain for Sleep

Move Over Ambien, Cannabis Is People's Go-To Sleep Aid

We’re learning more and more about the science of cannabis and it’s effects on sleep. One key variable in all this is the type of strain being used.

Now it’s obviously a different experience for different users, but in general, there are certain strains that work better than others.

Indica strains — like Blueberry and Northern Lights — are better than sativa strains — like Super Silver Haze and Malawi Gold — because of the drowsy effect they produce. Indica strains mellow you down, whereas sativa strains make you energetic.

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