The Matt Walker Podcast cover image

The Matt Walker Podcast

Ask Me Anything Part 9 - THC, Melatonin, and Defining ‘Enough Sleep'

Aug 5, 2024
01:10:18
Snipd AI
Doctor Eti Ben-Simon, a medical expert specializing in cannabis and sleep, joins in for an enlightening discussion. They explore how THC can help with initial sleep but disrupts patterns if used long-term, affecting REM sleep and health. White noise's benefits for improving sleep efficiency in noisy environments are highlighted, along with warnings about melatonin overuse. The conversation rounds out with insights on what constitutes 'enough sleep,' emphasizing quality over quantity, and the potential health risks associated with excessive sleeping.
Read more

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • THC may initially help with sleep onset, but chronic use disrupts REM sleep and can lead to dependence and adverse health effects.
  • White noise can improve sleep efficiency and help individuals fall asleep faster by masking disruptive sounds, though effectiveness varies by individual.

Deep dives

The Role of THC in Sleep

THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis, is often pursued for its potential sleep benefits. Initial use of THC appears to facilitate quicker sleep onset for users, particularly those new to cannabis. However, chronic use can lead to adverse sleep effects, disrupting normal circadian patterns and negatively impacting the quality of REM sleep, which is crucial for emotional regulation and memory processing. As users develop a tolerance, they may require higher doses to achieve the same sleep-inducing effects, ultimately leading to dependence and a rebound in insomnia symptoms upon cessation of use.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode