WHY DOES WEED MAKE YOU TIRED?
Marijuana, also known as weed, is a popular recreational drug that is known to have a variety of effects on the body and mind. One of the most commonly reported effects of marijuana use is feelings of fatigue and drowsiness. Many people have experienced the drowsy side effect of smoking weed, but why does weed make you tired? The answer lies in the way that marijuana interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind the sleepy side effect of weed and offer tips for managing drowsiness and fatigue caused by marijuana use.
There are several reasons why weed may make you tired. The main active ingredient in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for most of the drug’s psychoactive effects. When THC enters the bloodstream, it binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which can alter the activity of certain neurotransmitters and lead to feelings of relaxation and sedation.
Another reason why weed can make you tired is that it can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. When you smoke or ingest marijuana, it can suppress the release of the hormone melatonin, which is responsible for regulating the body’s sleep-wake cycle. This can make it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, leading to feelings of fatigue during the day.
Additionally, marijuana use can also cause dry mouth and red eyes, which can also contribute to feelings of drowsiness and fatigue.
Tips for Managing Weed-Induced Fatigue:
- Timing of consumption: Consuming weed in the evening or at night may be more likely to lead to feelings of fatigue and drowsiness. Consider consuming earlier in the day or avoiding consuming right before bed.
- Strain selection: Different strains of weed can have varying levels of THC and other compounds that may affect sleep. Look for strains with lower THC levels or high levels of CBD, which is a non-psychoactive compound that may have a balancing effect on the endocannabinoid system.
- Dosage Management: Start with a low dose and go slow. Consuming too much weed can lead to increased feelings of fatigue and grogginess.
How to Consume THC Without Getting Tired
Don’t worry if taking THC makes you weary; there are a few things you can do to improve your experience. There is strong clinical evidence that THC can be used without making you sleepy because medical cannabis is frequently used to provide specific therapeutic benefits without making people weary.
There is also plenty of anecdotal data to suggest that many recreational cannabis users don’t go to sleep after ingesting THC. Finding the ideal setting, stress level, and mindset all contribute to a satisfying, awakened experience.
Here are the top five suggestions for preparing yourself to experience THC to the maximum and feel less worn out.
Does THC Make Everyone Tired?
THC has a variety of effects on various people. THC and other cannabinoids alter how a person feels differently depending on their metabolism, THC tolerance, and overall biochemistry.
It can be challenging to draw reliable conclusions from products that cause one individual to pass out on the couch but not another.
However, some strains are more prone than others to result in fatigue and sluggishness. In a relative sense, a Sativa strain with a lower percentage of CBD will almost always make a person feel more energetic than an indica strain with a higher CBD concentration and sedating terpenes.
How Does Weed Affect the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is a complex network of receptors and molecules found throughout the body that plays a role in regulating various physiological processes, including sleep, appetite, and mood. When you smoke weed, the active compounds in marijuana, known as THC and CBD, interact with the endocannabinoid system.
THC is the psychoactive compound in weed that is responsible for the “high” feeling associated with marijuana use. It binds to the CB1 receptors in the brain, causing a cascade of effects that can lead to drowsiness and fatigue.
CBD, on the other hand, does not bind to CB1 receptors and is not psychoactive. Instead, it may have a regulating effect on the endocannabinoid system, which could explain why it is often used to help manage insomnia and other sleep disorders.
How to Avoid Falling Asleep After Smoking Weed
Medical marijuana users frequently like smoking a few joints in the morning. If you smoke marijuana in the morning, it’s likely that you prefer moving forward with your day than closing the blinds and going back to sleep.
Regardless of the time of day or night, use the following methods to stay awake when consuming marijuana.
It’s important to note that marijuana’s effects can vary from person to person and depend on the amount and method of consumption. Some people may find marijuana use energizing, but for others, it may make them feel more tired and sedated.
Final Thoughts: Why does THC Make You Sleepy?
Even though THC is frequently used to treat insomnia, many people use it for therapeutic or recreational purposes and don’t want to get sleepy while doing so. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to lessen the amount of fatigue you experience when using THC and have a more positive and productive experience.
The effects of THC on sleep are well-documented. Studies have shown that THC can cause an increase in deep sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep, during the first half of the night. However, it can also lead to a decrease in deep sleep during the second half of the night, which can cause insomnia and other sleep disturbances.
Many people find that choosing sativa strains over indica strains is sufficient, but you can also try looking for strains with low CBD content or change to cannabis strains or distillates that contain higher levels of THCV.
Don’t get disheartened if your first encounter with THC doesn’t live up to your expectations because, in general, THC advantages take time to manifest. You’ll probably discover a combination that works for you with practice and some experimentation. The effects of CBD on sleep, on the other hand, are not as well-understood. Some studies have suggested that CBD may have a regulating effect on the endocannabinoid system, which could help to improve sleep. However, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between CBD and sleep.
In summary, marijuana use can make you tired due to its active ingredient THC binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and altering the activity of neurotransmitters, disrupting the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, and causing dry mouth and red eyes. It’s worth noting that some people may experience drowsiness after smoking weed while others may not.