How to Sleep Without Weed?

With the increase of cannabis use in the USA and the rest of the world, we’ve come to notice that legalized cannabis is usually used for its therapeutic properties.

As a matter of fact, weed or cannabis has been used in cases of anxiety attacks, depression, and of course, sleep disorders.

Regular cannabis users often describe this compound as sleep-inducing or helping people fall and stay asleep when they’ve previously had trouble establishing a routine.

However, an increasing number of cannabis users experience insomnia and sleep hindrances after they’ve stopped using weed.

People seem to have a hard time falling or staying asleep if they don’t use cannabis previously.

That is because THC improves the sleep-wave cycle and induces deep sleep.

Therefore, in the following paragraphs, we’ll share the recommendations and methods you can utilize to fall asleep without weed. Let’s get started!

Why Is It Hard To Fall Asleep After Quitting Cannabis?

Before we get into the actual methods, it is important to understand why it can be so hard to fall asleep without weed.

After you quit weed, it is safe to say that your body has probably become reliant and is expecting THC to induce sleep.

So, now when there is no THC in your system, the body doesn’t recognize the signs it should start inducing sleep itself.

Of course, now your body needs enough time to establish a new routine and go back to functioning without THC or cannabinoids.

It is estimated that it can take up to two weeks to get used to falling asleep without weed, but you are at risk of developing serious sleep disorders, like insomnia, in the meantime.

That is why it is important to act on time and start practicing prevention methods.

Patience And Alternatives

Inability to sleep after quitting marijuana usually lasts for a few nights. After that, your natural sleep rhythm becomes normalized and you are suddenly able to sleep.

But, what to do in the meantime? Well, apart from the recommended tips and tricks, you could also try to be patient. That is surely the hardest thing of all, but try to change your mindset and accept the fact that it will take some time to return to your before-weed state.

Try not to replace weed with other codependent substances and ways of falling asleep. Instead, try to establish a healthier lifestyle and accept that for some time you will have some trouble falling asleep.

However, since we’ve mentioned codependent substances, often seen as alternatives to being patient, here’s what you should know about them;

• CBD Oil

Cannabidiol or CBD is a compound found in marijuana, for a long time believed to actually have the same effects as weed. However, CBD oil doesn’t contain the active compound THC, so it won’t make you high.

Instead, CBD oil is supposed to help you fall asleep, and for that reason, it is often used in cases of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other sleep disorders.

But, because the studies on the effects of CBD oil are scarce, it is often seen as a codependent substance promoted as an alternative to weed. Most people who quit smoking marijuana tend to turn to cannabidiol.

Cannabidiol is not only believed to help you fall asleep but also to have several (serious) side effects, which include diarrhea, digestion problems, excessive appetite, drastic changes in weight, lack of physical activity, etc.

That is why it is important to discuss with a doctor or medical professional if you want to start using CBD oil as a sleeping aid.

Note: It is generally not recommended, but some people claim this oil has helped them establish a healthy sleep. Check 5 Best CBD Oil For Sleep – Everything You Need To Know

Also, we’d recommend you check out this pillow which is infused with cannabidiol (CBD) to give you a calm, relaxing sleep all night long

7 Best Methods For Falling Asleep Without Weed

1. Physical Activity like Running

Studies have shown that regular physical activity and exercise can help your brain establish a regular and healthy circadian rhythm, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Physical activity is one of the most common ways to battle insomnia and sleeping disorders, whether you’re a stoner or not. Not to mention that it helps you undo all the ‘damage’ weed has done to your brain, meaning that physical activity improves cognitive function, and helps your body relax on its own. Chances are you thought that relaxation only comes with weed consumption, so this might be important information for you.

2. Nice And Clean Sleeping Environment

People tend to neglect the importance of a fresh and clean sleeping environment when they discuss sleeping problems. Of course, you may not see the connection between stopping weed consumption and clean bedsheets, but listen out. The place where you sleep needs to be clean, fresh, and comfortable enough so the chances of you getting agitated and irritated are slim. Because you’re struggling with falling asleep, as well as weed withdrawal symptoms, a comfortable and clean sleeping place will only help you out and calm you down. It might also help your brain induce sleep, increase melatonin production, and act as a stress relief.

On the other hand, if you don’t really change your sheets regularly, you don’t clean the bedroom or don’t open windows for some fresh air, you’ll have a hard time falling asleep with or without weed. So, establish a cleaning routine for your bedroom, and keep it clean and comfortable. Think to yourself; is this a place where I want to sleep or where I would let a guest sleep? If the answer is ‘yes’ then you’re doing good. If the answer is ‘no’ then you should do some cleaning.

Related: Best Colors for Your Bedroom According to Science

3. Healthy Nutrition

Let’s be honest; using cannabis often ends up in munchies (and not the healthy kind).

Studies have shown that cannabis users tend to have a more carb, fat, and processed-based diet, which might later cause trouble with their health and weight. So, now that you’ve stopped using weed, it is time to treat your body with the nutrition it deserves. You should be aiming at the food that naturally encourages melatonin production and helps your brain induce sleep.

4. Establishing A Sleeping Routine

By establishing a sleeping routine, you’re increasing your chances of actually falling or staying asleep. Because there is no cannabis now to dictate your sleep-wake cycle, you have to do it yourself. What we recommend is the following;

• Take a warm bath or shower – studies from NIH have shown that by taking a warm bath or shower before bedtime, you’re brain is more likely to produce more melatonin and induce sleep. Because there is a change in the body temperature during and after taking a warm shower, your body temperature lowers as the water evaporates. At this point, your body reaches the temperature it needs to induce sleep. Moreover, you will feel generally more relaxed and calm after a warm shower, which should put you at peace and ready to visit the land of Nod.
• Avoid bedtime stimulation – this means that you should stop working at least two hours before bedtime, as well as not watch TV or scroll Instagram on your phone. Excessive exposure to blue light before bedtime decreases your chances of falling asleep. Your brain receives this as a signal to stay awake, increases stress levels, and becomes fully engaged and stimulated. To avoid this from happening, put your phone, laptop, computer, or TV away, and rather read a book before bedtime.
• Listen to some music – now, we’ve recommended you stay away from the phones, gadgets, and monitors overall before bedtime. However, if you have a player, a radio, or anything that can play music for you, utilize it to help you fall asleep. Classical music, for example, is said to help you calm down and improve your sleep quality. Studies, in general, have confirmed that soothing, relaxing, and peaceful music affect the nervous system and helps you not only fall but also stay asleep and will ensure you don’t wake up frequently during the night.

5. Establishing A Sleeping Routine

Now that you’ve quit cannabis, you shouldn’t be turning to other sleep-inducing drugs. However, it is believed that melatonin supplements are excellent in cases where people quit cannabis and now experience withdrawal symptoms and sleep disturbances. Your brain produces melatonin on its own, however, after you’ve been using cannabis, there may have been certain changes in the amount of melatonin produced.

So, now that there is no THC to induce sleep, the brain needs some assistance, possibly in the form of melatonin supplements.

Also Read: 8 Useful Tips: How to Reset Sleep Schedule?

6. Avoid Alcohol And Other Substances

Because you’ve stopped weed consumption doesn’t mean you should now turn to other substances to ensure a good night’s sleep. Added substances, like alcohol or even depressants, might complicate things for you and actually worsen your already disturbed circadian rhythm. Alcohol might help you fall asleep faster, but you won’t be sleeping long, and you will keep waking up throughout the night. Not to mention the restlessness, night sweats, and morning hangover you’ll be going through. Also, studies from NIH have shown that alcohol consumption actually increases your chances of developing insomnia.

On the other hand, depressants mess up your REM sleep and increase the time you usually take to enter deep sleep. So, you won’t be entering the stage of sleep where your body actually recovers and normalizes the immune system and metabolism.

Read More: How Does Alcohol Affect Sleep?

7. Have A Warm Drink

Having a cup of warm drink before sleep can help you fall asleep faster. For example;

• Warm milk – sure, it can seem a bit of a cliche, but warm milk can truly help your body relax and become ‘sleepy’. Milk contains tryptophan, which is an amino acid that promotes sleep. It also helps the body produce more serotonin and melatonin, which furthermore contribute to the body’s natural sleep onset. If you’re lactose intolerant, you can try warming up some almond milk, as it has the same properties and effects.
• Herbal tea – chamomile, peppermint, and honey tea are some of the main expert recommendations when it comes to falling asleep. Herbals teas are known to help your body relax and become sleepy. These teas reduce stress levels, relax muscles, and promote the production of melatonin. You can also try jasmine and lavender teas, as they’re both sleep-inducing, but make sure to stay away from caffeine-rich teas like green or black tea.

Question: Can you mix melatonin with alcohol, check this post to know more details.

Conclusion

Even if you start practicing the aforementioned recommendations, it might still take you some time to go back to a normal sleep routine and cycle. Until that happens, it is important to stay dedicated and persistent.

The withdrawal symptoms will go away eventually, so use that time to build a healthy lifestyle, stay active, and eat good, fresh, and healthy food. Not only will you start sleeping better, but your overall mental and physical health will start flourishing as well.

Sharing is caring!