Can you Mix Melatonin and Weed?

Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, with your mind restless and unable to drift off to sleep? Are you curious about the potential interaction between melatonin and weed? You reach for your bottle of melatonin, hoping to quiet your active thoughts, but after smoking some weed earlier in the evening, a small voice in the back of your head wonders - can these two substances interact in any way?

You're not alone in that curiosity. As cannabis and CBD become increasingly normalized and mainstream, many people are wondering about mixing them with other natural supplements or medical cannabis. In this post, we'll take a deeper look at what science has revealed about the potential effects and safety of mixing melatonin and marijuana.

By understanding how these substances may or may not interact in the body, we hope that you'll feel more informed and empowered as you make choices about your own health and wellness routines. Let's get started and explore the world of both: melatonin and weed!

Understanding Melatonin: Exploring Its Nature and Mechanisms

Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, profoundly impacts various bodily processes, most notably sleep. As a signal for relaxation and winding down, melatonin informs the body that it's time to prepare for a restful slumber. The amount of melatonin in your system directly influences your level of sleepiness.

As darkness falls, the brain ramps up melatonin production, maintaining a higher rate throughout the night. Conversely, when daylight emerges, melatonin production decreases to facilitate awakening. This intricate process orchestrates our sleep-wake cycle.

Who Can Benefit from Melatonin?

Melatonin supplement is particularly beneficial for individuals facing specific conditions or circumstances.

They are often recommended to mitigate the effects of jet lag when traveling across different time zones.

Research indicates that melatonin supplements can aid those with delayed sleep disorders and individuals who struggle with falling asleep, waking up or just face sleep disturbances.

These supplements have been found to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep by more than 20 minutes, making them helpful for individuals who need to adjust their sleep schedule—such as those who struggle to stay asleep before midnight but need to wake up at 6 a.m. for work.

Additionally, melatonin can be advantageous for individuals engaged in shift work, particularly night shifts, as it may promote longer and deeper sleep during the day. Furthermore, melatonin may be especially beneficial for older adults, as natural melatonin production slows down with age, potentially leading to sleep difficulties and disturbances.

Several studies have suggested that melatonin supplements help older adults fall asleep faster and achieve longer periods of uninterrupted sleep.

What are the side effects of Melatonin?

Melatonin supplements are generally considered safe, non-addictive, and non-toxic. However, some individuals may experience mild side effects like dizziness, headaches, and nausea. It's worth noting that higher doses of melatonin can lead to daytime sleepiness or grogginess.

Also, it's good to be aware that melatonin can interact with different medications, like sleep aids, blood thinners, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, oral contraceptives, immunosuppressants, diabetes medications, and blood pressure medications.

It is worth mentioning that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) does not endorse melatonin as a sleep aid for long-term treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia. This is because there is insufficient strong evidence supporting its effectiveness. If you are currently taking any of these medications, it is advisable to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before incorporating melatonin into your routine.

Cannabis and Sleep: What the Research Says

Let's begin with this introductory statement extracted from a recent study on the impact of cannabis on sleep:

“Current literature on the effect of cannabis use on sleep quality is mixed, and few studies have used objectively measured sleep measures or real-time sampling of cannabis use to examine this relationship.”

Simply put, like many other areas of cannabis research, available information is scarce. However, the existing studies strongly indicate that cannabis does indeed deliver on its promises. For instance, one study revealed that middle-aged and older adults who reported using cannabis experienced longer periods of sleep on the nights they consumed it. Although the sample size was small, this finding opens up new possibilities for further research.

A recent review of cannabis and sleep research explored literature from the 1850s to the present day. The main takeaways were that cannabis use can offer the following benefits:

• Assist individuals in achieving faster sleep onset,

• minimizing nocturnal awakenings,

• enhancing slow-wave (deep) sleep,

• and reducing REM sleep while diminishing reliance on pharmaceutical sleep aids.

Getting the Right Dose of Cannabis for a Good Night's Sleep.

Discovering the perfect strain and dosage to prepare for sleep can be challenging. Many individuals incorporate edibles into their nightly routine to aid in this process. Since the effects of cannabis in an edible can take an hour or more to kick in, it is advisable to consume it one to two hours before bedtime.

And remember, when it comes to edibles, start with a low dose and gradually increase until you find your ideal amount.

The Pros and Cons of Mixing Melatonin and Weed supplements: let's dive in!

While there may be a moderate drug-drug interaction when cannabis and melatonin are mixed, it is not uncommon to find hemp-based, full-spectrum CBD products combined with melatonin to aid in achieving a restful sleep. However, it is important to note that these products typically contain minimal amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Combining melatonin with cannabis varieties that have higher levels of THC and other cannabinoids such as cannabinol (CBN) may enhance melatonin's sedative effects as a natural sleep aid.

Potential Benefits of Mixing Melatonin and Weed:

Combining marijuana and melatonin may aid in falling asleep and staying asleep. Cannabis can also boost the production of natural melatonin, allowing for a lower dosage of melatonin to achieve the desired effect. Moreover, there is limited evidence of harm when mixing melatonin with cannabis or CBD.

Potential Risks of Mixing Melatonin and Weed:

However, mixing cannabis with melatonin can elevate the risk of experiencing adverse side effects and melatonin overdose. Although melatonin overdose is not fatal, it can leave you feeling groggier than usual in the morning and potentially induce nausea.

Additionally, melatonin has the potential to increase the duration of REM sleep, whereas cannabis reduces the time spent in REM sleep while increasing deep sleep. The implications of this interaction, if any, remain unknown. Lastly, melatonin is not considered an ideal long-term solution for managing insomnia.

What happens inside your body when you combine melatonin and cannabis?

When used responsibly and infrequently, melatonin and weed may not result in severe side effects. However, indiscriminate usage of these substances can lead to closed-eye visualizations or hallucinations. This refers to being awake while having dream-like experiences in a euphoric state.

Cannabis consumption can extend deep sleep while reducing time in the rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep phase. Intense dream states characterize the REM sleep phase. Combining melatonin with weed can cause closed-eye hallucinations.

The Bottom Line

Mixing melatonin and cannabis can actually boost the sedative effects, so they work together like a dream. While there isn't much research on using both at the same time, there's no evidence to suggest it's super harmful.

Lots of folks have shared their success stories of using the two together, and you can even find products on the market that combine phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and melatonin. Just remember, finding the right dose is key to reaping the benefits without any downsides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does melatonin interfere with any drug?

No, melatonin does not interfere with any drugs. However, consulting with a healthcare professional or pharmacist is always recommended before combining any medications or supplements.

Is CBD with melatonin safe?

Yes, CBD with melatonin is generally considered safe. However, consulting with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or medication is always recommended.

How long does it take for melatonin to kick in?

Melatonin typically takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour to kick in.

Is 10mg of melatonin too much?

No, 10mg of melatonin is not too much. However, starting with a lower dosage is recommended and gradually increasing if needed. It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.