It’s no secret that marijuana can have a very powerful effect on sleep quality. Marijuana is probably best known for its ability to induce drowsiness; in other words, it often makes people feel mellow or sleepy.
People who consume marijuana before bed often report a decrease in the time it takes to fall asleep, increase in the restfulness of their sleep, and a lack of dreams/nightmares.
Scientists now know that cannabinoids (active ingredients in marijuana, such as THC and CBD) mimic the effects of endocannabinoids, compounds naturally found in the body. Studies have revealed that endocannabinoids act as natural regulators of the human sleep/wake cycle. Substances such as nicotine and alcohol are known to disrupt natural sleep cycles.
Research has found that ingestion of THC (the psychoactive compound found in marijuana) leads to increased slow-wave sleep, which leads to a decrease in REM sleep, which explains why marijuana users often experience less dreams/nightmares.
Nighttime marijuana use might be beneficial for the treatment of sleep disorders like insomnia, night terrors, and sleep apnea.