While sleeping high, marijuana reduces brain activity, creating a calming effect that can make it easier to fall asleep. However, this short-term benefit comes with long-term risks for the brain and body. Developing a dependence on marijuana should be a serious concern for users. Once you depend on marijuana for sleep, and you want to overcome it, marijuana withdrawal can make things even worse.
Suppose you or someone you care about is facing challenges with marijuana use disorder or can’t sleep without the aid of cannabis. In that case, our experienced team is here to support the recovery journey. We are offering painless and medically assisted rapid detox along with behavioral therapies like CBT and DBT, and a same-day MAT program to fight against Marijuana addiction. Call 844.445.2565 or fill out this form here to start your free screening.
Table of Contents
What Exactly Is ‘Sleep High’?
“Sleep high” refers to going to bed after using marijuana and expecting a deeper or earlier sleep. Likewise, marijuana is a psychoactive drug that alters brain activity and helps people sleep quickly. Marijuana is derived from the cannabis plant, which has sleep-causing components.
Cannabis For Sleep: Does It Help?
The answer is yes and no, that’s because there are deeper implications attached to marijuana as a getaway drug. It may help some people fall asleep more easily by tranquilizing them. But that’s not all. There are some serious risks related to this combination.
Warning: These benefits come with serious risks, especially when used longer. It may be a temporary fix with dangerous consequences, such as the ones written below.
What Happens to Your Brain When You Sleep High?
Here is a step-by-step explanation of the connection between marijuana and the brain.
Marijuana’s Effects on the Brain
While sleeping high, the THC component of marijuana binds to brain receptors. This binding brings relaxation, helping you fall asleep more easily.
Interaction With REM Sleep
REM sleep is reduced, resulting in less dreaming and emotional processing. With less REM sleep, your brain may struggle to process emotions and store memories effectively.
Post-Sleep Phase
After waking, you may still feel high or experience a “cannabis hangover,” causing sluggishness and haziness.
Myths and Facts About Marijuana Use
Falling Asleep High– What Happens to the System?
The main component of marijuana, THC, travels to the brain and affects mood, memory, sleep, appetite, and pain. A constant stimulation to the brain can result in the following things:
- Marijuana dependence/addiction
- Increased chances of lung irritation
- Weakened and impaired memory
- Eye redness
- Impaired judgment
If this happens frequently, it can lead to dependence, which can further cause insomnia. Over time, it can disrupt natural sleep patterns and contribute to long-term mental and physical health issues. And this means you are now addicted to marijuana use, which requires a proper treatment plan. If you are unsure and looking for help. Call us at 844.445.2565 or fill out this form. Our addiction specialist will make the process easy for you. Get help today!
Ask Our Doctor
Executive Clinical Director at ChoicePoint
Can sleeping high affect memory and learning?Yes, sleeping high can affect memory and learning because THC reduces the amount of REM sleep. REM sleep is essential to the brain’s functionality to consolidate memory and process emotions. Less REM sleep may lead to difficulty focusing, recalling, and learning new skills.
Risks of Using Marijuana Before Sleeping
Most research on the drug has been done recently. Almost all studies show that the risks associated with marijuana outweigh its benefits (if any). Many studies also show the risks of using marijuana. Some of these risks are listed below.
Short-Term Risks
Reduced REM Sleep
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is the stage when dreaming occurs. It plays an important role in resetting certain brain functions, such as mental focus, mood regulation, memory consolidation, and processing new information. Using marijuana can reduce REM sleep, which may negatively affect brain activity.
Cannabis Hangover
Multiple studies have been conducted on cannabis hangover, but no clear conclusions have been reached. Some studies have found negative effects in certain individuals, such as trouble with clear thinking.
Mood Fluctuations (Anxiety or Paranoia)
In-depth research led by Oxford has found links between cannabis and short-term paranoia in some people. Other studies have found a relation between THC, an active marijuana ingredient, and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia (SCZ), and bipolar disorder (BD).
Dependency for Sleep
Long-term marijuana use results in dependency for falling asleep. Over time, a person may need higher doses to achieve peaceful sleep, worsening dependency.
Drowsiness or Fatigue
Marijuana use can cause drowsiness or fatigue, making it difficult to carry out everyday tasks. In some cases, it may even lead to serious consequences, such as accidents.
Increased Heart Rate
It is well established that marijuana use increases heart rate. Regular or long-term use may negatively affect the heart and lead to serious health problems.
Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.
Long-Term Risks
Cognitive Impairments
According to research, cannabis use affects the brain’s functionality, making it harder for people to move properly, think, solve problems, make decisions, stay organized, remember things, and manage emotions or behavior.
Heart Health Risks
A study published in the JACC (Journal of the American College of Cardiology) confirms a link between marijuana use and cardiovascular disease. It reports that more than 2 million US adults who use cannabis have developed heart disease.
Mental Health Disorders
Research shows that long-term marijuana use can lead to mental health issues in some individuals.
Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD)
CUD is a mental health condition that affects a person’s well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. It is a type of substance use disorder that may require professional treatment and recovery support.
Respiratory Issues
Marijuana is often smoked like a cigarette and can cause similar health problems, especially harming the respiratory system.
Constant Nausea and Vomiting
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition caused by long-term, heavy marijuana use. It leads to severe nausea and vomiting, but these symptoms usually go away after stopping cannabis use.
Not being able to sleep without marijuana may be a symptom of marijuana addiction. Call now to seek help. Call 844.445.2565 or fill out this form here.
Statistics on Marijuana For Sleep
- According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (SAMHSA), 61.9 million people in the US, aged 12 or older, used cannabis that year.
- Another study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) suggests that about 9% of people who use marijuana develop an addiction to it.
- According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, one in four Americans report using marijuana—either occasionally or regularly—to help them fall asleep.
- A survey of U.S. adults showed that 18% used cannabis to promote sleep. All recent studies show how it is important to look closer and ascertain the risks involved in using cannabis for sleep.
Ask Our Doctor
Executive Clinical Director at ChoicePoint
Should You Use Marijuana For Sleep?No, it is not recommended to use marijuana for sleep, especially not regularly or for long periods. There are many risks involved in using marijuana for sleep. The most concerning is the potential for addiction, which can have several negative effects on your health. Frequent use can lead to marijuana overuse and dependence, which may also disrupt your body’s natural sleep regulation.
Why Is Marijuana Addictive?
THC is a key component of marijuana, and it affects the brain’s reward system. It triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical that makes people feel relaxed or high. With regular use, the brain becomes dependent on marijuana to feel normal. This is what leads to marijuana—or weed—addiction.
Insurance-Covered Marijuana Addiction Treatment
At Choice Point, we offer all levels of care for the treatment of drug addiction, and most services are covered by insurance plans to ensure accessible and affordable care. Some of the options for addiction treatment include:
FAQS
If you have more questions that need to be answered, our Q&A section below will help address them all.
What does it mean to “sleep high”?
“Sleeping high” refers to using marijuana to fall asleep quickly and experience deep rest. However, this kind of sleep may have serious long-term consequences, including the risk of developing a marijuana addiction.
Does sleeping high affect REM sleep?
Yes, studies show that sleeping high affects REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which can negatively impact brain activity and memory.
Can sleeping high lead to dependency?
Yes, chronic use of marijuana for sleep can likely lead to dependency. Individuals struggling with marijuana use should consider seeking professional help for recovery.
Can marijuana help with sleep disorders like insomnia?
Yes, marijuana may help with certain sleep disorders, but it’s a short-term solution that can lead to serious negative health effects.
Can Smelling Weed Get You High?
Yes, getting high while smelling weed can get you high. However, it’s rare. It depends on how well your room is ventilated or how close you are sitting to the person who is smoking marijuana.
Sources
- Daniel, M., Richesson, D., Magas, I., Brown, S., Hoenig, J. M., & Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. In the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [Report].
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt42731/2022-nsduh-nnr.pdf - National Institute on Drug Abuse, O Johnston, L., J., O O’Malley, P., J., O Miech, R., J., O Bachman, J., J., O Schulenberg, J., J., & D Volkow, N., D. (2015). Marijuana: Facts parents need to know. https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/parents_mj_brochure_2016.pdf
- Chait, L., Fischman, M. W., & Schuster, C. R. (1985). ‘Hangover’ effects the morning after marijuana smoking. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 15(3), 229-238.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0376-8716(85)90002-X - Crean, R. D., Crane, N. A., & Mason, B. J. (2011). An Evidence-Based Review of Acute and Long-Term Effects of Cannabis Use on Executive Cognitive Functions. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 5(1), 1.
https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0b013e31820c23fa - How cannabis causes paranoia | University of Oxford. (2014, July 16).
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2014-07-16-how-cannabis-causes-paranoia - DeFilippis, E. M., Bajaj, N. S., Singh, A., Malloy, R., Givertz, M. M., Blankstein, R., Bhatt, D. L., & Vaduganathan, M. (2020). Marijuana use in patients with cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 75(3), 320–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.11.02
Medical Disclaimer:
ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.
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