Sleep problems affect roughly 70 million people in the United States each year. In Louisiana, insufficient sleep reports have climbed 5% since 2014, and as of 2020, nearly a third of Louisiana’s adult population suffers from insomnia.

If you’re struggling to sleep in Lake Charles, LA, you’re not alone. Don’t worry—there is hope yet: Lake Charles medical marijuana may be the solution you and many others have been searching for.

We’ll discuss insomnia, facts and figures surrounding its onset in Lake Charles and the benefits of medical cannabis to resolve problems sleeping in this post.

Why Is Sleep Important?

According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep regulates the body’s circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is the body’s internal clock that schedules somatic functions like hunger, sleeping and waking.

Sleep is also crucial to the body’s regeneration. During sleep, the body goes into a state of deep relaxation, which unleashes a cascade of hormonal responses that strengthen the cells of the heart and the immune system.

How Does Trouble Sleeping Affect Your Health?

The body’s optimum functioning is predicated heavily on the continuity and regularity of the circadian rhythm. Any disruptions to it can lead to illnesses, both physically and mentally.

Trouble sleeping can lead to cardiac issues over time that can range from hypertension to stroke. Mental health also takes a serious hit during phases of sleep deprivation or deficiency. 

According to Healthline, sleep deficiency leads to reduced productivity and focus and it’s also an early indicator and symptom of depression and anxiety.

What Percent of the Population Suffers from Sleep Problems in Lake Charles?

Louisiana is a state with one of the highest incidences of sleep deprivation. According to The Center Square, more than a third of the state’s adult population (38%) do not get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep.

There’s little data to go on for a city like Lake Charles. However, it is a city in one of the most sleep-deprived states in the country, so it’s safe to say that Lake Charles is home to a sleep-deprived adult population.

To note, Lake Charles is home to several sleep disorder centers, including the Sleep Disorder Center of Louisiana.

The Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Trouble Sleeping

Sleeping pills are the most common go-to remedies for sleep. However, as WebMD points out, sleeping pills aren’t a long-term cure for sleep issues.

Medical marijuana is continuously showing itself to be an effective agent for restoring patients’ circadian rhythms. Several chemical compounds unique to medical marijuana can quickly induce relaxing sleep without the “hangover” effect of sleeping pills.

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) patients can also use medical marijuana to remedy their trouble sleeping. 

According to Healthline, medical cannabis can reduce the duration of the REM (rapid eye movement) phase. As a result, PTSD sufferers do not dream and experience nightmares, which facilitates longer and more restful sleep.

What Medical Marijuana Products Are Good for Sleep?

For those looking to use medical marijuana for trouble sleeping, there are several options. Some of the most commonly available products in dispensaries are pill and liquid forms of medical marijuana.

Of course, inhalable forms of medical marijuana, like vaporized cartridges for vapes, are also on the market. Gummies and tinctures are also popular among many consumers.

What Are the Therapeutic Benefits of Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana confers several therapeutic benefits that are conducive to sleep.

Medical marijuana contains sedatives, which are compounds that ease a person into a state of drowsiness and relaxation, blunting any sympathetic nervous system activity.

The active components of medical marijuana block prostaglandin synthesis, desensitizing pain receptors. The result of this is a lowered pain response and perception, which means that terminally ill patients can enjoy more relaxing sleep.

Medical Marijuana Works for Trouble Sleeping in Lake Charles

Medical marijuana carries many health benefits, among them being restful sleep. If you’re getting less than seven hours of sleep a night, you need a safer alternative to sleeping pills. 

Lake Charles medical marijuana is your key to better sleep and a better you the morning after.