Cannabis to aid sleep : I struggle to... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Cannabis to aid sleep

Curryandchips profile image
21 Replies

I struggle to get to sleep at night. Not sure if its connected to my HF / HCM but I am always knackered.

I have tried a good stiff malt, boring books and even self hypnosis but nothing has worked so far.

Would [Removed] CBD Gummy Bears be a solution?

[Removed]

What do you think?

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Curryandchips profile image
Curryandchips
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21 Replies
Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

I suggest you discuss this with your GP or Pharmacist. Maybe give the BHF helpline a call and speak to one of the cardiac nurses?

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

There is some evidence that cannabis can be harmful to some heart patients as well as interacting with their heart medication.

newsroom.heart.org/news/mar...

I also have difficulty sleeping as I am often woken with chest pain at night.

I listen to music, podcasts and audio books.

I rest in the afternoons.

I hope you find a way of managing your insomnia.

Curryandchips profile image
Curryandchips in reply toMilkfairy

Thanks for that!

Happyrosie profile image
Happyrosie

you can get these at high street retailer whose name I won’t mention but they are well known. Over in the Tinnitus group on Health Unlocked this comes up for sleep sometimes, and doesn’t really get the vote. But what works for you might be different. In my regrettable youth I had a puff or two with no effect.

Curryandchips profile image
Curryandchips in reply toHappyrosie

I was to square to puff!

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed

Being overtired or suffering fatigue it's highly unlikely that UK CBD products would have much affect, particularly if the cause of your insomnia is linked to heart rate or blood pressure.More importantly, it's really important to consider which medications you are taking currently for your heart condition.

Most cardiac medications interact to some level with CBD because the active ingredient is metabolised by the same pathway in the liver as the cardiac drugs.

This can cause a build up of medications in the blood stream , reduce the efficacy of your treatment, or cause drug absorption issues. For some people this can cause toxicity or serious side effects with a supplement which isn't very effective anyway.

To be honest , CBD advertising is a bit of a bone of contention with me , I think they should be told to add proper on screen warnings about the issues for those on cardiac, liver , kidney and some diabetes treatments because people just assume it will be harmless , buy it and take it without knowing the potential problems.

Have you spoken to your GP and had some general advice or support for the sleep problem?

You may benefit from a full check up and some blood tests to check for any irregularities or nutrient deficiency that can cause Fatigue and Insomnia.

The GP can refer you to a Sleep Clinic or Sleep Course and may discover that a change in the dose if your current medications could help , or you could benefit from a mild medication or antihistamine to aid sleep for a short time until your pattern is resumed.

Can you pin point if the sleeplessness is because of heart symptoms , or other things like being mentally over alert (although obviously physically exhausted) or because of pain , discomfort, breathing or digestive problems.

Trying to find the causes can help you to make decisions about what methods you can use to alleviate the insomnia.

Without knowing more about the medications you are on or your heart rate and blood pressure or full history I wouldn't want to suggest any other supplements, but there are some things that might help. Alcohol or Smoking can actually increase insomnia.

Eat light in the evenings. Increase your oxygen intake during the day with light strolls outdoors. Increase your fluid intake and B vitamins. Don't do vigorous exercise in the evening and do no exercises for at least 90 mins before getting into bed.

Believe it or not the Sleep Foundation found that a milky drink with a little honey does aid sleep if drunk an hour before bed.

Raising the head and shoulders on supportive pillows, turning off all devices at least an hour before bed, removing light sources , reducing the distractions in the room or noise from others in the house and keeping a steady comfortable temperature helps.

Remove anything with strong smells even relaxing oils or candles as if you smell these things for more than 30 mins at a time it begins to increase your heart rate again and make you more alert.

Try to get into bed and use deep breathing and muscle relaxation and then allow yourself to get body rest and don't think about sleeping helps you to drop off, and rest is beneficial even when you don't sleep.

Hope you get some rest soon , take care , Bee

EllenMcC profile image
EllenMcC in reply toBlearyeyed

my husband struggles with sleep since his heart attack. I have suggested the milk but he is Mr. Stoic lol. Maybe coming from someone else he may try it. Thanks

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed in reply toEllenMcC

There is good medical research about it.Cows Milk contains Tryptophan which is a nutrient which helps promote serotonin and melatonin which help relaxation and sleep.

Almond or Oat milk can also be useful but Cows Milk , which can be lactofree , appears to be best because of other amino acids like CTH that also help reduce the amount of times you wake in the night , or how long it takes to go to sleep in studies.

One research found that if you can find it , milk from cows that are milked at night is the best because the cows milk itself has the largest concentration of Tryptophan and other sleep inducing amino acids.

EllenMcC profile image
EllenMcC in reply toBlearyeyed

Thank you. I have always heard milk is good for sleep. I wonder if I can tempt him with a White Russian minus the Russian 😜 we have a small beef farm but I don’t think I could convince him to milk or any of the ladies to be milked

Curryandchips profile image
Curryandchips in reply toBlearyeyed

Deffo going to tray that!

Curryandchips profile image
Curryandchips in reply toBlearyeyed

I suspect the Insomnia is part of the post viral fatigue i am suffering after getting Shingles at Christmas. I may be jumping the gun a bit.

Curryandchips profile image
Curryandchips in reply toBlearyeyed

I suspect the Insomnia is part of the post viral fatigue i am suffering after getting Shingles at Christmas. I may be jumping the gun a bit.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

I suffer from chronic pain. 20 years on opiates have now ruined my digestive system and are now not working. The pain clinic has no more options except to offer cannabis but can't do it because not enough research has been done on its effect on the heart. Be very careful.

Curryandchips profile image
Curryandchips in reply toQualipop

I'm beginning to think it wasn't one of my best ideas!

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed in reply toCurryandchips

😆😆😆😆 Don't beat yourself up , as a long term sufferer of Fatigue and Insomnia I know you can get to the point that you will try anything for a bit of relief.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

You could always try CBD patches or drops. BUT see this warning from the Mayo clinic.

CBD use also carries some risks. Though it's often well-tolerated, CBD can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue. CBD can also interact with other medications you're taking, such as blood thinners.

Curryandchips profile image
Curryandchips in reply toQualipop

Thinking i will stick to boring books and a stiff Whisky!

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toCurryandchips

I've been known to just g o out and sleep in my car. Far more comfortable. Trouble is he more you worry about it the worse it gets. I just get up and do things (quietly)

Curryandchips profile image
Curryandchips in reply toQualipop

He must have a very posh car!

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toCurryandchips

My car up to last December was a 14 year old Picasso; the most comfortable thing I've ever slept in.

Curryandchips profile image
Curryandchips in reply toQualipop

Lobve it!

WeeHoolet profile image
WeeHoolet in reply toQualipop

Your experience reminds me of my insomnia, Qualipop. It troubles me far less in a tent or even a bivy bag. Perhaps I was born feral.

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