Sleeping issues

[lazylathe]

I have always been a good sleeper, head hits the pillow and it is lights out till the alarm goes off.
Lately this has not been the case and I am waking up a lot!
Usually fall back to sleep but awake almost every hour there after.

I tend to stay away from Sativa because it makes me hyper alert, not good for me before bed.

My last MMJ order was Burmese and Kosher Kush as well as Girl Scout Cookies, never had those Kush strains before while GSC has been a favorite of mine for a while.
Using the above strains I have been unable to sleep a full night for the past few weeks and it is getting to be annoying.

I tried some AK-47 which is a Sativa and apart from the instant sweats and heart racing, I actually slept through the night! I just cannot vape Sativa too often otherwise I am wired for sound!

I then ordered Super and Pink Kush from another supplier to see if it was strains/ early harvest etc...

The new strains are super high quality, covered in trichs and are super strong for me!
They make me sleepy but I still wake up at 3am but am now falling asleep again until the alarm goes off.

Nothing else has changed that I know of....
Anyone else have this struggle?
I am on no other medication and would like to try and solve this!

I am going to be trying some high temp vaping tonight to see if that helps.
I usually start at around 210 and end at max in most of my vapes, so no real low temp vaping.
I just want that knocked out feeling and deep sleep again!

 

[Chezgreendream]

Have you tried edibles? I know it knocks me out and keeps me sleeping.

 

[lazylathe]

@Chezgreendream

I don't do edibles... It's like a crazy acid trip for me that lasts way tooooooo long!
Maybe if I did not have to work 10+ hours a day it would be an option.

I just find it strange that this happened all of a sudden!
I still have a tiny amount of Lemon Kush that knocks me out but only enough for maybe one small basket...
As soon as the new batch arrived I could not sleep from the very first night which makes me suspicious.

@biohacker suggested I may have cut down too much for the effects I need.
Problem is the herb I have now is strong so maybe I have to only vape later at night.

 

[Chezgreendream]

@Chezgreendream

I don't do edibles... It's like a crazy acid trip for me that lasts way tooooooo long!
Maybe if I did not have to work 10+ hours a day it would be an option.

I just find it strange that this happened all of a sudden!
I still have a tiny amount of Lemon Kush that knocks me out but only enough for maybe one small basket...
As soon as the new batch arrived I could not sleep from the very first night which makes me suspicious.

@biohacker suggested I may have cut down too much for the effects I need.
Problem is the herb I have now is strong so maybe I have to only vape later at night.

You are right, edibles are a totally different animal, it makes me trippy, though at certain dosis. I take very low dosis, at that point my eyes get real heavy without much of the trippy effect.

Vape later at night sounds like a good suggestion. If I vape at high temps, I get sleepy.

Are you doing anything different now that your sleep cycle is being interrupted? Anxiety, stress, new job, girl or significant other, thinking too much about the new strains? Maybe you can try herbal teas to help. I dont recommend this, but I do it, when I need to sleep, I havent vaped the wholw day, so I will vape like an hour before sleeping and drink some chamomile tea or another natural tea that aids sleep. Yogi bedtime tea works for me.

 

[FlyingLow]

Welcome to my world, no more than 3 hours sleep any nights wears me the fuck down. I can't turn off.

Ambien helps, but only in combination with loads of herb and I have to get in bed within 15 mins of taking pills.

 

[DDave]

The high temp vaping usually does it for me, as far as sleep goes. However, once in a while I get a strain that I need to stop vaping about an hour before trying to sleep, or it keeps me awake.

 

[killick]

I finish the evening at high temp with a 29% Headband strain these days. I used to flip through news on Ipad, but now I just make it to bed and blam for the next 8 or 9 hours (for the last couple of weeks!)

 

[mikek9]

I have always been a good sleeper, head hits the pillow and it is lights out till the alarm goes off.
Lately this has not been the case and I am waking up a lot!
Usually fall back to sleep but awake almost every hour there after.

Possible you are just worried about something? With anxiety, it is common to wake up multiple times a night, sometimes at the same time every night

 

[Chezgreendream]

Also, if you think about sleeping or anything in general before going to sleep, alot of times it makes it difficult to go to sleep.

Its wise to empty out the mind and not think of anything as you go to sleep and As @killick mentions, just put everything down and just head to bed.

 

[CarolKing]

Being online right before bed isn't suppose to help with sleep. It is something I always do. I like to go to sleep with the TV on we aren't suppose to do that either.

I use a water tool and use the higher temps at night. Sometimes I use shatter in an herb sandwich using the high temps for sedation and pain. I use Indicas or Indica hybrids for evening. The right edible will help but if it's a daytime one it won't, it will have an opposite affect.

I try not to have much caffeine after 6. Don't eat too late at night, that interferes with sleep. Don't drink alcohol. Initially it helps you to go to sleep but you won't stay asleep. Also no house work or excessive excersize before bed. Anxiety is a real hard thing if you are dealing with that and try to sleep, unclutter your mind. Keep the lights low before you go to bed.

It's hard for me to sleep if I'm too hot. I had a hard time when I went through menopause with hot flashes. You guys don't have to worry about that. I sleep best in a cool bedroom.

 

[Amoreena]

@CarolKing - I usually sleep with the TV on, too. It silences my own thoughts. I have a quiet fan with remote control; maybe something like that would be helpful for you when too warm?

 

[HerbalHealing]

My method is to not think about my physical surroundings or presence. If I think about something else ( count sheep?) I fall asleep much faster. I let my imagination take me someplace far away. Pretending to be on my rc helicopter flying around my neighbourhood looking around is one of my favs. If I think about anything activating any of my 5 senses, it takes longer to fall asleep.

Vaping or not, it works for me. Only difference is the wild dreams when not vaping too close to bedtime. I often choose dreaming over vaping which makes the next session extra special.

 

[FLelder ent]

I can't sleep thru the night at all. I have no problem falling asleep, but I wake up like at 3:20 - 4:20 AM, take a hit and go back to sleep. I usually wake at least one more time before morning. This is a reason that I toy with taking a T- Break.

 

[Jaindoh]

I have terrible sleeping/sleep cycle problems but they got a lot better when I quit vaping a couple hours before bed.

Why? Because marijuana is bad for sleep (link). That being said, if it's really late and I'm not going to be able to sleep, I will hit the nano because sometimes that helps. More importantly, I make sure my bedroom is very dark, as cold as I can get/stand it (extra covers) and I have a wind machine thing that makes whooshing sounds to drown out any outside noise. These things help a lot.

So does spending a decent amount of research/money on a bed and pillows. I recommend the "Mattress Underground", they helped me learn how to shop; I have a Denver Mattress Doctor's Choice now, big improvement over my old bed... fraction of the cost of a similar name-brand bed, which would also likely break down quicker. Never buy from a top brand, go for independent companies.

I have a couple supplements I take - Jarrow Sleep Optimizer to help me get to sleep and get thorough sleep, and the same company makes a Melatonin Sustain that helps me stay asleep. Harder to wake up, but it's worth it. Phenibut helps you get deeper sleep, so I take that as well; however, since it's an anti-anxiety thing it's really easy to form a habit.

 

[lwien]

I recommend the "Mattress Underground", they helped me learn how to shop;

Check out this site as well.....http://www.sleeplikethedead.com

I have a Denver Mattress Doctor's Choice now,

For innerspring mattresses, that mattress was rated right at the top in Consumer Reports. For memory foam, they top-rated the Novaform Serafina from Costco. Both GREAT values. For the money, I don't think either one of those can be beat.

 

[lazylathe]

Sleep seems to be a bit better now!

To answer a few comments above:
@CarolKing No coffee ever for me! One cup and i don't sleep for two days...LOL! Red Bull is even worse for me! I have started to drink a Sleepy Time brand tea about an hour before bed and that helps me a lot!
You mentioned menopause... My wife is going through that and we found a natural supplement that makes her normal again! LOL, you know what i mean! It is from Martin & Pleasance called Harmonyhttp://www.martinandpleasance.com/brands/harmony/
Check it out! All natural and very effective.

Oh and i suffer from extreme anxiety at times... I was on serious meds for that and they helped but i was as much fun as watching paint dry... So i gradually stopped them and the MMJ helps a lot with that.
Unfortunately i cannot vape during work, so it can get very stressful at times with crazy deadlines etc...

@Jon Do We have a Tempurpedic mattress! Would not trade it for the world!! Never feel my wife moving or getting up, its awesome!
And i am done with anti anxiety meds... addictive and hard to wean off...

What i have also done is up my usage a tiny bit, instead of two bowls and then a vape in bed... I do 3 bowls and a vape in bed! Works like a charm for me now.
Also discovered that Sativa's have changed for me! They used to make me super hyper and sweaty but now they make me super sleepy! Weird!

 

[CarolKing]

Sleep is so important to good health. If you are worn out from lack of sleep or anxiety it's easy to get sick. We need to take care off ourselves and make sure we get enough so we can stay as healthy as possible. Cannabis works better for me than pharmaceuticals without the side effects.

 

[herbivore21]

You need to start oxidating your material bro. CBN is nature's sleep giver. Good quality bud will not come with much/any CBN in the original material so you gotta do some processing.

Given that you already have a tolerance from daytime vaping, consider squishing rosin out of your nugs (use high heat on the straightener/press to do some decarb work) and give that rosin 75 minutes in the oven spread in as thin a film as possible on some teflon at 250f.

The resultant material will bring the sleep in a huge way, regardless of tolerance - especially if you don't dab during the day

 

[HomeFree]

Old cannabis FTW!

I don't know why but for the past few weeks I have been waking up wide awake at about 2:00 in the morning, with my heart pounding. Most of the time I can get to bed quickly but last time I tried to vape my least heady cannabis so it wouldn't keep me awake and ended up vaping around 5X as much as I normally do per day of pretty fresh cannabis and still no sleep until around 5:00 A.M. which is almost time to get up. So I have been falling asleep at my desk at times at work, and have a cognitive decline. Matter of fact I feel like going to sleep right now, which is unusual.

Reclaim might help as well. Personally I don't pay too much attention to if something is labeled a sativa or indica, as much of the time I can tell very little difference. I have a little bit of some thai sativa that actually does look like a narrow leaved variety, but that stuff actually knocks me out. It could be old though. Not sure, you never know.

I am wiped out. I bet I will sleep in until 10:00 or so tomorrow. I hope you get some relief lazylathe!

That's good info herbivore. Thank you.

 

[CarolKing]

I think if you live in an area where there isn't much medical cannabis chances are you are getting mystery herb. Strains really do matter when it comes to falling a sleep. Anything Sativa that's racy, it will keep you a wake.

About a year and a half ago I was having a lot of night anxiety and I was having panic attacks. I needed to have a night light on, the dark bothered me. My mom was in the later stages of life and I was having a hard time coming to terms with knowing that she didn't have much longer with us. I think was part of it.

This was before I was getting medical cannabis. Before the rec stores were selling here in WA. I was getting some mystery cannabis. It makes it difficult when you don't know what you are getting. Having a true Indica at night really helps.

My sleep is much better now. We sometimes get in the habit of waking at the same times every night. I wake up but go right back to sleep now most of the time. Try some melatonin too that may help.

EDIT
Hindu Kush, Grape Ape and Gorilla Glue an Indica Hybrid are my nighttime favorites lately.

 

[Silver420Surfer]

Sleep seems to be a bit better now!
What i have also done is up my usage a tiny bit, instead of two bowls and then a vape in bed... I do 3 bowls and a vape in bed! Works like a charm for me now.
Also discovered that Sativa's have changed for me! They used to make me super hyper and sweaty but now they make me super sleepy! Weird!

Here's a good read from a very talented, respected industry testing lab,

@herbivore21 --- You know I'm gonna say I disagree with you lol



When it comes to getting high on marijuana, the conventional wisdom is that one of two species of the plant—cannabis sativa or cannabis indica—will determine whether you get an up high or you get couch lock. (A third species, cannabis ruderalis, has also been identified, but it doesn't have much psychoactive effect and is more hemp-like.)

There is a good bit of truth to the conventional wisdom—indicas do tend to produce stuporous, narcotized highs, while sativas tend to produce giddy, exhilarating ones—but there's a bit more to it than that. And those relying on the good old sativa = up / indica = down as a guide may find themselves in for a surprise.

The differences between the two species are evident to the naked eye. Sativas typically are tall and lanky, with long narrow leaves, while indicas are shorter, stouter, bushier, and have thicker, stubbier leaves. That, says Krymon deCesare, chief research director at Steep Hill Halent Lab in Oakland, is because the two cannabis species developed in different environments.

He told High Times that marijuana's origins are in South and Central Asia, and that the plant differentiated itself into distinct species to accommodate different humidity regimes. The thin, lanky stems and long leaves of sativa plants allow the plant to respirate more efficiently and prosper in high humidity, while short, squat indicas evolved to deal with hot, dry conditions.

Thus, landrace varieties — "pure" original strains of indica, such as Afghani and Hindu Kush— developed in the dry foothills of the Himalayas, while pure sativas evolved in humid lowlands and river valleys. But in the US market today, landrace strains are a rarity. The vast majority of the weed grown and consumed in the US is one indica-sativa hybrid or another.

That makes sense, for both growers and consumers. For growers, even if they want that trademark stimulating sativa high, they don't want to spend extra weeks waiting for it to mature, so they use hybrid strains with varying amounts of indica that will ripen faster than a pure sativa.

For consumers, hybrids are similarly attractive. You can get couch lock and the giggles without being thoroughly sedated or completely zonked. Pot buyers will look for a hybrid they think will satisfy their desires: Do they want to be mainly up with just a hint of a body high? Then they may want a sativa-heavy hybrid such as Haze, Blue Dream or Strawberry Cough. Do they want to get stuporous, but maybe laugh a little, too? Then they'll go for indica-dominant strains such as Hash Plant, Blueberry or Girl Scout Cookie.

But you don't always get the high you think you're going to get. That's because growing conditions make a difference, and even stabilized strains, pure or hybrid, can exhibit new traits when grown in conditions to which they are not accustomed. But part of the reason is a bit stranger—and calls into question the traditional reliance on the indica/sativa distinction.

"The terms sativa and indica are only really valid for describing the physical characteristics of the cannabis strain in a given environment," deCesare told High Times. "They are not nearly as reliable as terms for making assumptions about energy versus couch lock."

He explained that the effects of THC, whether in indicas or sativas, are the same: It creates a euphoric, uplifting sensation when smoked. That sound pretty much like a sativa high, so if indica contains THC just like sativa, why does some indica leave you in a prostrate stupor?

DeCesare has the answer. While both indicas and sativas generally contain the full complement of cannabinoids in addition to THC, and the same terpenes—chemical compounds that create odors and essential oils—some indicas are especially heavy in one terpene that flips the switch on the up THC high. That terpene is myrcene.

"We found consistently elevated levels of the terpenoid myrcene in C. indica, as compared to C. sativa," he explained. "Myrcene is the major ingredient responsible for ‘flipping’ the normal energetic effect of THC into a couch lock effect."

In fact, deCesare says, myrcene rather than THC is probably the most important variable in creating the psychoactive differences between indica and sativa. That conclusion is based on the analysis of more than 100,000 marijuana samples taken over the past seven years.

He points to the theory of the "entourage effect," developed by his colleague, Ethan Russo, as a better explanation for different highs than the indica/sativa distinction. That theory postulates that it is the combination of different cannabinoids and terpenes working together that creates the distinctive highs of various strains.

Myrcene isn't limited to marijuana. It exists in many fruits and plants around the world, and some of them provide additional support to deCesare's theory.

"Notice the warm, relaxed feeling you get from a couple of hoppy beers?" deCesare asked. "That effect is, to a good extent, due to the myrcene present from the hops."

In his work at Steep Hill Halent, deCesare has found that myrcene levels make a difference. A level below 0.4% doesn't seem to effect the "upness" of the high.

But go beyond that and "the strain becomes increasingly more sedative and stony,” deCesare noted. “OG Kush is considered by most to be a strong couch lock flower at about 1.25% myrcene. A few strains have a myrcene content in excess of 3%. Other chemicals may well play minor roles in the couchlock effect, including CBD, CBN and linalool, when they are present in couch lock strains—but they aren’t always present or as influential."

Once marijuana is widely legal, myrcene content should be part of the labeling, he suggested.

"Moving forward to a time when the USDA and FDA oversee cannabis-distribution regulations," he replied, "they will insist on accurate labeling to assure that if a customer purchases an energetic strain—or a couch lock strain—then what they get is what they paid for. And the only reliable way to make this determination is by lab-testing for myrcene content."

Can't wait for that USDA-certified couch lock sticker.

Old myths going by the wayside, and probably the reason "sativas have changed" for you. You finally got one with a higher myrcene content. We are actually trying to get the owners where I work into having our flower tested, where I work, for myrcene so we can try to replicate SHHL's results. If true, this will change all the "sativa"- "indica"- hybrid" listings on Weedmaps dispensary menus and shake up the industry. It'll be a rush to see who can provide a highest myrcene-containing flower.

 

[biohacker]

Great article, sums up my experience - for me personally, strains don't appear to be as important as others have touted, and if anything Sativa's help me more due to numbing my brain. A relaxed body is great, but useless for me without a relaxed brain.

@lazylathe - nice to hear that your sleep is back on track! Your input on vape signature is greatly appreciated here as I think conduction vs convection makes a difference on effects.

Given that you already have a tolerance from daytime vaping

I can attest that @lazylathe does not have a tolerance from daytime vaping. He doesn't vape during the day, and he has the lowest tolerance of anyone I know.

Personally I don't pay too much attention to if something is labeled a sativa or indica, as much of the time I can tell very little difference.

You too? Sometimes I wonder how accurate these strain claims are....perhaps my sources aren't as great as some of the dispensaries you all visit, and i'm pretty sure some of the clubs just make things up (@lazylathe you know the place i'm talking about! lol). Either way, like the article says, most are in fact hybrids.

Strains really do matter when it comes to falling a sleep. Anything Sativa that's racy, it will keep you a wake.

Maybe for you, but some people require those tingles in the brain too just to relax. I find a good hybrid to cover all my bases.

My mom was in the later stages of life and I was having a hard time coming to terms with knowing that she didn't have much longer with us. I think was part of it.

So sorry to here this. This is exactly where I am in life now, and it's ripping my heart apart. She's already survived later stage cancer 7 years ago, and now she gets blessed with dementia? I'm sure the 5 ct scans haven't helped. It's like it happened overnight. I've been up since 1am, and just can't shake off the anxiety.

I empathize with anyone who struggles to get more than a few hours per night. It literally throws your life upside down and takes most joys out of it. I'm going on 4 months sick leave now, without any improvement, but i'm still working on it.

@lazylathe let us know if sativas are still working for you! thanks @Silver420Surfer for posting the article about myrcene!

 

[Silver420Surfer]

@biohacker -- You are very welcome. I'm happy to share.

 

[howie105]

I have always been a good sleeper, head hits the pillow and it is lights out till the alarm goes off.
Lately this has not been the case and I am waking up a lot!
Usually fall back to sleep but awake almost every hour there after.

I tend to stay away from Sativa because it makes me hyper alert, not good for me before bed.

My last MMJ order was Burmese and Kosher Kush as well as Girl Scout Cookies, never had those Kush strains before while GSC has been a favorite of mine for a while.
Using the above strains I have been unable to sleep a full night for the past few weeks and it is getting to be annoying.

I tried some AK-47 which is a Sativa and apart from the instant sweats and heart racing, I actually slept through the night! I just cannot vape Sativa too often otherwise I am wired for sound!

I then ordered Super and Pink Kush from another supplier to see if it was strains/ early harvest etc...

The new strains are super high quality, covered in trichs and are super strong for me!
They make me sleepy but I still wake up at 3am but am now falling asleep again until the alarm goes off.

Nothing else has changed that I know of....
Anyone else have this struggle?
I am on no other medication and would like to try and solve this!

I am going to be trying some high temp vaping tonight to see if that helps.
I usually start at around 210 and end at max in most of my vapes, so no real low temp vaping.
I just want that knocked out feeling and deep sleep again!

You could first look for the cause of your sleep disorder, then decide how/if MJ fits into the treatment. I went through a similar situation that ended up with me in a hospital and you don't want that. Good Luck

 

[biohacker]

OMG I think I just made a huge personal discovery with respect to temperatures! Recently fell for the VripMaster and as a result have dialed back the temperature for saliva-inducing flavour, and even though I still get clouds (awesome vape) and feel medicated and beyond, I wonder if my body is lacking higher temp compounds?

My only other vape ATM is the Mighty which has a ceiling of 210c, although the abv is nice and brown, that could just be the function of conduction.. so could a different vape with a higher ceiling help sleep issues? I have an EQ and Solo on the way.