Aging is associated with many health related conditions. One of the most common is sleeping disorders. Most seniors have difficulty in falling asleep or maintaining the sleep at night. This negatively affects their performance during the day and the quality of life. One of the options used by some people is consuming cannabis that is rich in THC. THC refers to tetrahydrocannabinol, a compound found in cannabis Skunk’s Oasis in Vancouver .
Searching for a solution to insomnia
Sleeping disorders in seniors is linked to aging brain. Similarly, other health conditions that are common among aged people worsen the problem. Sleeping problems in seniors require more actions to enable them have quality sleep. In some cases, people resort to use of drugs. Cannabis is one of the options for those who live in areas where its use is legal. It contains a compound famously known as THC.
THC and sleep
Human brain has special receptors called CB1 receptors. These receptors are also found in the spinal cord, and they play a role in regulation of the nervous system. When one consumes THC, it binds with the special receptors found in the brain. THC has a compound called terpenes, which is known to boost sleep. It lowers neural activities in the brain. Apart from boosting sleep, they are used in pain management, reduces inflammation, and boost mood.
Several studies promote the idea that consuming medical cannabis like THC before sleep can help a person to fall asleep. The cannabis product used should have higher concentration of THC. THC is known to manage REM disorders, a condition that makes people to physically react to what they dream. This product reduces the time taken in REM stage of sleeping, hence less dreams.
Why some seniors prefer THC to induce sleep
Studies suggest that THC is less addictive compared to other opioids and other sleeping aids. It is also claimed that it is less dangerous as compared to other sleep-inducing medications. Additionally, THC reduces conditions that distract or lower the quality of sleep.
Dosage
Majority of seniors who use THC only use trial and error method. This is due to lack of sufficient information about the public use of the product. Due to controversial issues related to cannabis, it can even be more difficult to get the product itself. People who reside where it is legal to use cannabis products should seek advice from doctors. As a general guide, where legal, users should start with low dosages as they monitor their sleep patterns. Most importantly, individual people will respond differently to the product, hence it should be used with caution.
In conclusion
Most people with sleeping disorders will rarely consider it as a health condition, while others will resort to use of drugs. Therefore, some sleep disorders require medical intervention. Some sleeping disorders can easily be solved by observing healthy habits and avoiding distractors just before retiring to bed. For example, avoiding heavy meals before going to bed, listening to soothing music and avoiding watching the TV for extended durations can be helpful.
Some people use THC to help them manage sleep. Whereas it might be helpful, it could also alter the performance of other drugs that the person could be using. Whichever the case, it is a good idea for patients to discuss their choice with medical experts.