Sleep troubles are a common issue in today’s world.
Many people struggle with insomnia symptoms or other sleep problems. It’s no surprise then that a significant number of cannabis users cite restlessness or inability to fall asleep as a reason to turn to weed.
In fact, in 2022, about 15.3 % of adults in the U.S. reported current cannabis use, and roughly 80 % of them smoked marijuana to get those effects.
Smoking marijuana might sound like a quick way to get good sleep. Some studies even suggest potential benefits for occasional use, especially in people with chronic pain or sleep disturbances.
But the picture isn’t perfect. Over time, negative effects can develop, worsening sleep quality or creating dependence.
In this article, we’ll take you through what happens when you sleep high on weed or cannabis products.
Table of Contents
Can Getting High Help You Sleep?
Many people, especially those having trouble sleeping, turn to weed hoping it’ll help them fall asleep faster or sleep more deeply.
At first glance, it can seem like it works. It’s common to feel drowsy or relaxed after smoking cannabis, especially with strains high in THC. Naturally, that sense of calm can make drifting off feel easier, which is why some people use it as a nighttime ritual.
But that’s where it gets complicated. While cannabis can make you sleepy in the short term, it doesn’t necessarily lead to better sleep in the long run.
Research suggests that THC may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, but it also interferes with the deeper stages of sleep. These stages are central for recovery and memory processing, so regular use of cannabis may throw off your natural sleep cycle and leave lasting cognitive effects.
How Weed Makes You Sleepy
THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, is the one responsible for making you sleepy because of its sedative effects. It interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors that helps regulate mood and sleep.
When THC binds to these receptors, it slows down brain activity and triggers the release of adenosine, a chemical that builds up in your brain the longer you’re awake and signals it’s time to rest.
That’s why you might feel sudden fatigue after getting high.
Some strains of weed, especially indica strains, tend to increase this effect and produce more body-heavy sensations.
THC isn’t the only compound in cannabis that contributes to sleep, though. CBD, another compound in weed, eases anxiety, which may influence sleep if anxiety is what’s keeping you awake.
It’s important to note that these effects can vary from person to person. A lot of factors play into this, like dose and tolerance. So, weed won’t necessarily make you sleepy.
What Happens When You Sleep High?
Since THC changes how your brain moves through the different stages of sleep, sleeping high isn’t the same as sleeping naturally.
Some studies suggest that THC shortens REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the stage where dreaming and emotional processing happen, and increases time spent in deep sleep.
This may seem like a good trade-off. You’ll wake up feeling like you slept heavily, and no dreams to disturb you.
However, over time, missing out on REM sleep can affect your cognitive functions because it impacts your memory and focus.
On top of that, most people will wake up the next day feeling groggy and disoriented. This is usually more common if they consumed higher doses or used a strong strain.
Others might find it harder to fall asleep without weed because their tolerance keeps growing. Over time, this can lead to a cycle of dependence that’s tricky to break.
Risks and Side Effects of Sleeping High
A lot of people will argue that sleeping high isn’t dangerous on its own, and the truth is that it’s not. But that doesn’t mean it’s not without risks. Here are common risks and side effects of sleeping high:
- Disturbed sleep quality: Even though THC can make you fall asleep faster, it messes with your sleep stages, making your rest less restorative and more harmful to your cognitive functions.
- Fatigue and brain fog: Weed usually lingers in your system even after waking up, so you’ll likely feel fatigued or suffer from brain fog after waking up the next day.
- Increased tolerance: Using weed regularly to fall asleep can grow your tolerance for it, which will eventually make you dependent on it. Stopping it suddenly may also cause rebound insomnia, where sleep gets worse before it gradually gets better.
- Irregular heart rate: It’s no news that weed messes with your heart rate, and it can carry into your sleep.
- Vivid dreams after quitting: When you stop using cannabis after regular use, REM sleep often rebounds, causing intense and vivid dreams that may be disturbing to some.
Does Sleeping Cause the Weed Effect to Wear Off?
Sleeping or staying awake doesn’t affect whether you stay high. Time is the main player here, since the effects only wear off when the THC is out of your system, and it’ll take its time to pass through, whether you’re awake or asleep.
You’ll probably feel milder effects after waking up because time has passed and your body is breaking the THC out of your system. If you’d stayed awake during this time, the effect would be the same.
In most cases, your body isn’t done breaking the THC down by morning, so you may experience reduced focus and reaction time, especially if you’ve consumed heavy doses.
The truth is, THC and its byproducts can remain in your system for days, though the effects aren’t as intense as the first few hours of consuming weed.
Will Using Weed to Sleep Make You Addicted?
It’s possible that using weed to sleep will make you mildly addicted. Though weed doesn’t cause the same addiction as harder drugs, psychological dependence on it is the main issue.
When you use weed regularly to fall asleep, your brain starts to rely on it to trigger that relaxed state. Over time, you’ll find it hard to drift off without getting high.
This pattern can lead to a form of mild addiction where quitting or cutting back causes withdrawal symptoms. They aren’t nearly as intense os withdrawing from hard drugs. The most you’ll feel is some insomnia, irritability, or vivid dreams.
So, we can say that weed doesn’t make you ‘addicted’ in that dramatic sense, but your body gets used to it.
The good news is that your brain can recalibrate once you stop. Your sleep may stay disturbed for a week or two, but it’ll gradually get back to normal.
Short- and Long-Term Effects of Smoking Weed
Some effects of cannabis show up right after smoking or consuming it, while others need some time to build up.
The effects also vary from one person to another, depending on their usage and tolerance.
Short-Term Effects
Within minutes of smoking, THC will start traveling from your lungs to your bloodstream and your brain. That’s when you start feeling high, which is described as a mix of euphoria and relaxation.
Along with feeling high, there are some less enjoyable effects of marijuana:
- Slower reaction time
- Poor coordination
- Short-term memory issues
- Anxiety and paranoia (mostly only common with strong strains)
- Red eyes and dry mouth
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
Some of these effects will usually disappear after a few hours, but they can linger longer if you’ve consumed a high dose or used edibles. When digested rather than smoked, THC stays active in the body longer.
Long-Term Effects
When you keep using marijuana daily or near-daily, it can start affecting your mental health and leave long-term effects. Here’s what long-term cannabis use does to your body:
- Reduced attention and memory: regular exposure to THC affects cognitive function and short-term memory, especially in young people.
- Disrupted sleep patterns: long-term use of marijuana can interfere with deep and REM sleep.
- Mood swings: a lot of people experience increased anxiety and irritability after using edibles for a long time.
- Respiratory issues: if you smoke weed daily, it can irritate your lungs and cause phlegm buildup, similar to what’s seen in tobacco users.
While occasional marijuana use may not cause serious harm for most healthy adults, consistent use, especially as a sleep aid, can be habit-forming and harmful.
How to Improve Sleep Naturally Without Weed
You don’t need weed to sleep, even if you’ve been finding it difficult to drift off or feel relaxed enough.
Your body already has built-in systems for rest; all you need is to get them to work properly again, and that can be done with the right habits.
Here’s how to fall asleep easier without resorting to weed:
- Stick to a routine, where you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This will help recalibrate your internal clock.
- Don’t use screens at least 30 minutes before bed. The blue light from your phone can delay melatonin production, the hormone that signals to your body that it’s time to sleep.
- Avoid heavy meals and alcohol late at night. They can interfere with sleep quality, even if you fall asleep early.
If insomnia persists despite these lifestyle changes, it’s worth talking with a healthcare professional. They can check for underlying causes like anxiety or other medical issues.
