The science of sleep: an ephemeral paradise. Colors, flashes, digressions, backdrops, and shapes. Raw intensity. Dreams within dreams. There’s an architecture in the arms of Morpheus. And for frequent cannabis smokers, a joint can act as the great conciliator. Light up, smoke, and drift off.
But, but, but: what happens to sleep when regular pot smokers stop using it? Does anything change? Do dreams become more intense? Do nightmares surface? Are there alterations within the dream phenomenon? Does something reset and return us to square one?
“It’s likely that cannabis slightly alters the REM phase and the sleep phase, possibly leading to fewer dreams,” according to Diego Golombek, biologist and expert in chronobiology, the science that studies the biological rhythms of living beings. In short: the “REM phase” is the stage of sleep characterized by intense brain activity, similar to wakefulness, and is where most vivid dreams occur.
However, there is little scientific evidence on this. But some certainties, deductions, or hints are emerging. “Any pharmacologically induced sleep, in the long term, worsens the quality of sleep. It causes us to wake up more often and alters the architecture of sleep itself,” Golombek continues.
Indeed, cannabis can improve sleep; especially for those with chronic conditions such as pain, PTSD, or parasomnias. “There is scientific evidence that confirms that people do sleep a little better with cannabis. But it depends on the type of cannabis and the specific strain. Therefore, pharmacologically, it’s impossible to work with something so variable,” explains the specialist.
Specifically, cannabinoids increase the activity of circuits that promote sleep. There is a neurotransmitter called adenosine that promotes sleep and is precisely the one that caffeine blocks. That’s why caffeine “wakes you up,” and cannabinoids increase the effects of adenosine, which causes sedation and promotes calm.
“If you are chronically using cannabis—smoking it, taking pills, oils, or whatever—the system gets used to it and becomes overwhelmed, and the receptors tend to adapt. Therefore, if you abruptly stop a chronic treatment, the system will crave it. This is called tolerance. Consequently, there will be a reappearance of symptoms, even stronger than before.”
Therefore, altering sleep architecture and transforming REM sleep could have some impact on the appearance of nightmares. Once unleashed, dreams can strike back like lightning. The human body is itself a system of balances, constantly establishing equilibrium points. And once altered, it’s difficult to restore them. If dreams become clearer, don’t worry: at some point, everything makes sense. Without the green veil, the unconscious screams louder.
“Cannabinoids are not a cure. At best, they are a symptomatic treatment. That’s why when, you stop using them, everything you had before can return, and even with greater intensity,” Golombek insists.
When the fire goes out, Morpheus ignites other visions. Thus, abruptly stopping chronic marijuana use can lead to sleep disturbances. Now, is there any advice for improving sleep hygiene? “Grandma’s advice is useful,” Golombek says reassuringly. “Common sense advice.” Here you go, High Times readers, take note: “Go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time, even on weekends. Eat a light dinner. No light at night. Any stress-reduction technique is welcome: meditation, breathing techniques. In this case, not pharmacological ones. And, as mentioned, be careful with abruptly stopping any medication or substance use.”
In the United States, lines of research are opening up to delve into new evidence about cannabis use and sleep, though research is still in a fairly primitive stage. “There’s still research to be done, isolating suitable compounds and continuing to test what effects they have. With sleep, we haven’t yet reached that level of scientific research and certainty,” Golombek laments.
However, anecdotal evidence abounds. We did a poll on High Times’ Instagram on whether when you detox, your dreams get “Wild AF” or not. The answer? 76% of people said they experience insanely vivid and intense dreams when they go on a tolerance break.
Meanwhile, a truth remains: when the body remembers, sleep answers with vivid memories.
