Stress and Sleep: How Cannabinoids Could Be the Solution You’ve Been Searching For
We all crave one thing more and another thing less, don’t we? More sleep, less stress. Trust me, I understand that desire all too well.
When we dive into the reasons behind chronic fatigue and low energy, key culprits often emerge: chronic stress, poor sleep, and overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Here’s the thing—cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC, could be just the solution you’ve been looking for. Let’s explore why.
Chronic Stress and Lack of Sleep: A Vicious Cycle
Chronic stress and lack of sleep often go hand in hand, and here's why: Our stress response is hardwired for survival. When we face a life-threatening situation (like being chased by a bear), our sympathetic nervous system kicks in, triggering a series of physiological changes to help us survive. Cortisol is released to boost our blood sugar, providing an immediate energy source, while blood is directed to our muscles, preparing us to flee the danger.
This "fight or flight" response is beneficial in the short term, but when cortisol is repeatedly released due to chronic stress, it becomes damaging. The persistent elevation of cortisol keeps blood sugar levels higher than normal, and over time, this can lead to serious damage to organs and tissues in the body.
That’s where cannabinoids like CBD come in. Studies have shown that CBD can help disengage the fight-or-flight response, activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the "rest and digest" system), and inhibit cortisol release. In other words, CBD may be able to lower stress, reduce cortisol levels, and help us stay in a more relaxed, restorative state. It’s a win for everyone!
Chronic Stress and Sleep Disruption
Now, let’s talk about how chronic stress impacts sleep. When the sympathetic nervous system is constantly engaged, it messes with our sleep patterns. The excessive cortisol release makes it harder to get quality rest, leading to disrupted sleep and, for many, tossing and turning all night. Over time, prolonged stress can lead to metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, and obesity.
Could it be that stress and sleep deprivation are contributing to our poor health? If you’re struggling with both, it’s time to make a change.
The Good News: CBD and THC for Better Sleep
The silver lining is that research shows CBD and THC can be incredibly effective for those suffering from insomnia and disrupted sleep. That’s huge for anyone who’s struggling to get a restful night’s sleep, which is essential for our overall health and well-being.
I’m passionate about helping people understand how to use these amazing plants to improve their lives—whether it’s managing stress or promoting better sleep. What I find especially compelling is that cannabinoids tend to have a much safer side effect profile compared to conventional medications. This means we have a natural, effective option that can improve our quality of life without the risks that come with traditional treatments.
At the end of the day, isn’t that the ultimate goal of medicine? To help people live better, healthier lives?
By embracing cannabinoids like CBD and THC, we have the potential to reduce stress, improve sleep, and ultimately enhance our well-being in a way that’s both safe and effective.
One amazing plant with seemingly endless potential, now that’s what I call medicine.
Bee Well,
Brandon Farless
*This information is for education purposes only. No medical advice or claims are being made, but people deserve to know what’s being published in the medical world. Education is empowering.
References
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2. Zuardi, A. W., Guimarães, F. S., & Moreira, A. C. (1993). Effect of cannabidiol on plasma prolactin, growth hormone and cortisol in human volunteers. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas, 26(2), 213–217.
3. Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
4. Hirotsu, C., Tufik, S., & Andersen, M. L. (2015). Interactions between sleep, stress, and metabolism: From physiological to pathological conditions. Sleep science (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 8(3), 143–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.slsci.2015.09.002
5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916
6. Ranum, R. M., Whipple, M. O., Croghan, I., Bauer, B., Toussaint, L. L., & Vincent, A. (2023). Use of Cannabidiol in the Management of Insomnia: A Systematic Review. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 8(2), 213–229. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2022.0122
7. Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2(1), 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0034
