My cortisol levels in the morning are high due to burn-out, causing me to wake up anxious and with palpitations.
Would cannabis for sleep help to decrease the cortisol level in the morning?
Hi Marion,
Thanks for your question! There are a lot of assumptions built into your question that are tough to challenge but may be mini jumps to conclusions which may not be accurate. For example, cortisol is not typically something one would feel to be elevated. Do you know from specific testing that your cortisol levels are high in the morning? I would also want to ask more about your anxiety and palpitations. They can often be correlated with one another, but they can also come separately, and may have other explanations that are potentially separate from elevated cortisol. These (important) concerns aside, I can try to answer the questions assuming all of what you’re including are, in fact, related and known:
If you’re finding yourself waking up anxious with palpitations that are indeed related to high cortisol levels, you might be pondering if cannabis, especially for its sleep-supporting properties, could help manage your morning cortisol. Let’s examine what current research suggests about this.
CBD has shown promise in studies for its potential to affect cortisol levels, which could help calm your mornings, over time. One example of this research highlighted in the Journal of Psychopharmacology suggested that CBD might act as a sedative by impacting cortisol secretion. This surely suggests at the possibility that CBD could help in moderating cortisol levels, potentially easing morning anxiety and in your case, palpitations too. However, it’s crucial to note that research specifically targeting morning cortisol levels in the context of burn-out is still pretty sparse.
On the other hand, THC can have other, related effects. Although some of the time THC can be just what someone might find helpful to ease anxiety, for some, it might increase anxiety or at specific doses, not provide the intended calming effect. This underscores the importance of considering the type of cannabis and its components in your decision.
When it comes to sleep, the relationship with cannabis is complex. Initial findings suggest that certain cannabis components, particularly those with a higher CBD content and certain collections of terpenes, may help you fall asleep easier and reduce night-time awakenings. Yet, it’s worth mentioning that long-term use, especially of THC-rich strains, might lead to tolerance and could diminish sleep quality over time. If you haven’t already seen the Sleep Diagram pages on CaplanCannabis.com – I highlight the specific impact of cannabinoids on sleep, and sleep stages, extensively.
So, while there’s some groundwork suggesting that CBD may help with modulating cortisol levels and improving sleep, the direct impact on morning cortisol, related or not to anxiety and palpitations specifically, isn’t entirely clear-cut. Using cannabis for sleep and to potentially lower cortisol levels requires a thoughtful approach, ideally under the guidance of a healthcare provider well-versed in cannabis medicine. Given the individual nature of response to cannabis, I think a personalized plan is key.
Given the limitations in accessing real-time databases for the most up-to-date research, I recommend checking out peer-reviewed journals and clinical trials for the latest insights. The CED Clinic website has the world’s largest library of free journals to read, if you want! And remember, the field of cannabis research is rapidly evolving, so staying informed on the latest studies will be helpful!
Citations:
- Zuardi, A. W., Shirakawa, I., Finkelfarb, E., & Karniol, I. G. (1993). Action of cannabidiol on the anxiety and other effects produced by delta 9-THC in normal subjects. Psychopharmacology, 99(2), 198-202. This study explores the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on anxiety and the influence it has on the secretion of cortisol, suggesting CBD’s potential as a sedative.
- Crippa, J. A., Derenusson, G. N., Ferrari, T. B., et al. (2009). Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25(1), 121–130. This paper examines the anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects of CBD in the context of social anxiety disorder, offering insights into CBD’s potential mechanisms of action in reducing anxiety.
- Babson, K. A., Sottile, J., & Morabito, D. (2017). Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19(4), 23. This review discusses the relationship between cannabis, its components like CBD, and sleep, highlighting the potential benefits and complexities of using cannabis for sleep disturbances.
- Gates, P. J., Albertella, L., & Copeland, J. (2014). The effects of cannabinoid administration on sleep: a systematic review of human studies. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 18(6), 477-487. This systematic review evaluates the effects of cannabinoids on sleep in human studies, offering a comprehensive overview of how cannabis might influence sleep patterns, including the potential development of tolerance over time.
