Sleep Apnea and Medical Cannabis

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition where breathing stops and starts when you’re sleeping. You are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea if you snore, suffer from obesity or other metabolic disorders, have undergone some form of facial surgery, and as you age. Sleep apnea can also increase the chances of cardiovascular disorders and stroke. Sleep apnea is caused by your airways becoming relaxed and narrow while you sleep. The most common type of sleep apnea is called “obstructive sleep apnea”.

Sleep apnea is usually treated by a CPAP machine, which is a machine that delivers a stream of oxygenated air through a mask and tube that you wear over your face when sleeping. Following a healthy diet, regular exercise and regulated sleeping hours are other treatments.

Cannabinoids may be a useful treatment for mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, especially where insomnia is an issue. One human trial showed that dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC, may be effective for reducing some of the symptoms of sleep apnea and re-regulated sleeping. However, more research needs to take place.

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