No one likes missing out on sleep! Even shorting yourself just a few hours can leave you feeling poorly and unable to focus on a new day. What some people may not realize is that insomnia can actually cause a range of health problems, some of which can become serious over time.
Virginians with medical marijuana cards may be in reach of a solution, however, as cannabis is a great way to help with insomnia and other sleep issues.
How Insomnia Happens
It’s estimated that as many as 60 million Americans have some form of insomnia every year. Insomnia comes in several forms and can have different triggers. The most common types of insomnia include:
Chronic insomnia (1 month or more)
Acute insomnia (1 day to a few weeks)
Comorbid insomnia (triggered by another disorder)
Insomnia can also vary depending on when it hits you at night, as well. If you have trouble falling asleep, that is what is known as “onset” insomnia. “Maintenance” insomnia is when you can fall asleep but have trouble staying asleep throughout the night.
Insomnia: Bring on the Health Issues
Yes, insomnia is frustrating, but it can also lead to health issues big and small. Here are just some of the problems you may encounter with regular insomnia.
An Increase in Weight
Sleeping less than 7 hours a night on the regular can make you put on pounds. Why? Some experts believe that a reduction in sleep affects the hormones that regulate how hungry or full you feel. This dysregulation leads to disordered eating, which of course can lead to weight gain. Chronic insomnia, as a result, puts you at a higher risk for obesity, as well as the myriad health problems linked with obesity, including heart disease and high blood pressure.
A Reduced Sex Drive
Uh oh! You read it right— not getting the sleep you need can affect the hormones that control sex drive… at least if you are a guy. Insomnia takes a toll on testosterone levels, which in turn reduces sex drive. Getting to bed on time may have never been so critical!
Increased Mental Health Issues
We have all experienced the grumpiness that can happen after one night of bad sleep. In the long term, insomnia can have a more serious and long lasting impact on your mental health. Chronic insomnia has been shown to lead to a range of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. In fact, according to one study, those who experience regular bouts of insomnia are five times more likely to develop depression. It can also increase the stress you experience each and every day. All of these disorders can compound sleep issues, creating a pretty vicious cycle!
A Weakened Immune System
Sleep is when your body rejuvenates, releasing key proteins that protect you against infection and inflammation. When you miss out on a lot of sleep, your body doesn’t have the time to get this important work done. That leaves you with seriously reduced antibodies to fight off infection. What are some real world results of that? For one, you are more likely to catch a cold or flu, and that’s just for starters. With a compromised immune system, you will be more at risk of catching any number of infections.
An Increased Risk for Diabetes
Losing those all-important zzz’s can also compromise how your body deals with blood sugar. A study conducted on adults showed that those who slept fewer than 5 hours a night were more than twice as likely to develop diabetes when compared to those who regularly got a good night’s sleep.
Heart Disease
Things only get more serious as chronic insomnia progresses! Not getting enough sleep on a regular basis can even affect your most important organ—your heart. A study run on men showed that missing even one night of sleep raises blood pressure. When blood pressure stays higher in the long term, you can begin to incur damage to your arteries, increasing your chances of experiencing a heart attack or even heart failure.
Life Expectancy
Wait… what? Missing out on sleep can shorten your lifespan? According to several studies, yes. Sixteen studies that looked at over one million individuals found that your risk of death goes up by 12 percent when you get less than seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Another study conducted over almost 40 years found that chronic insomnia increases an individual’s risk of death by an enormous 97 percent. If there were ever a reason to get a solid eight, this might be it!
Turning to Medical Marijuana for Help with Insomnia
If you have insomnia, nipping it in the bud is easy... with, erm, the right bud? Medical marijuana has been shown to positively impact those with insomnia.
In one study, CBD taken orally was shown to improve sleep in those with chronic cases of insomnia. Indica strains are popular options as well. You can find them at your regional Virginia dispensaries; look for products that are listed under "Get Some Sleep" or a similar category. You can also read patient reviews to see which medical marijuana products deliver the best answer for disordered sleep.
Get Your VA Marijuana Card for Insomnia Relief Now!
Those experiencing insomnia can get the help they need with the natural, healing properties of medical marijuana. Whether you are dealing with chronic insomnia or a rough night here or there, cannabis may well be the answer to your needs! Our compassionate and informed experts can help you make the right choices.
Schedule an appointment with an online medical marijuana doctor today, to start gaining access to safe, legal cannabis products, including tinctures, flower, concentrates and more.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Virginia Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness
safely and conveniently through increased access to MMJ. Our focus on
education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by
providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (888) 633-5808, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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Check out Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information.
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