How does Marijuana disrupt your sleep?

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Marijuana, specifically THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), disrupts sleep by blocking REM sleep. THC can speed up the onset of sleep but results in a non-natural sleep architecture. Regular users of THC may not recall their dreams, but upon stopping its use, they can experience intense, bizarre dreams due to a REM sleep rebound effect. This is because the brain, being deprived of REM sleep, tries to compensate for the lost REM sleep, though it never fully recovers all that was missed 1 2.

Additionally, explains that alcohol and THC disrupt the pattern and depth of sleep, leading to less restorative sleep, despite sometimes helping people fall asleep. The sleep architecture is considerably altered due to these substances 3. Furthermore, THC causes dependence on cannabis to achieve certain states such as sleep, relaxation, and reduced anxiety. This dependence emerges because THC and CBD have a greater potency than endogenous cannabinoids and outcompete them for receptor binding. Without cannabis intake, individuals can experience heightened anxiety levels and mood disruptions 4.

Marijuana and Sleep

Matt explains that THC in marijuana can speed up the onset of non-consciousness, but it disrupts the architecture of sleep and blocks REM sleep. People using THC may not remember their dreams, but when they stop using it, they experience a rebound mechanism, leading to intense dreams.

Huberman Lab

Dr. Matthew Walker: The Science & Practice of Perfecting Your Sleep | Huberman Lab Podcast #31
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In summary, marijuana disrupts sleep primarily by blocking or altering REM sleep and can lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms that negatively affect sleep quality and architecture.

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