One question that has dumbfounded scientists and regular folks alike have to do with melatonin and weed. The question lies with the safety of using these two products at the same time. This question is pertinent because each substance is known to cause users to experience various side effects. It is the primary concern of people who wish to use both compounds at the same time to understand the potential risks involved before they actually combine weed with melatonin. It is also worth stating that the severity of the side effects of consuming both melatonin and THC may differ from one user to another.
That is why the question of the safety of the combined use of these two compounds cannot be answered with a simple yes or no.
An individual may experience little or no side effects from using both substances, while another person taking a similar dose of the two compounds may be more susceptible to severe side effects.
That is why it is advisable for you to first consult a qualified doctor if you wish to use these two products together. This post seeks to give more clarity to the question of whether mixing melatonin with cannabis is safe or not by answering other questions on these two compounds. We will highlight the side effects of using melatonin pens and marijuana together. Knowing how each compound could affect your well-being gives you a better idea of how safe it is to run a cycle of melatonin and weed simultaneously.
Does Marijuana Make You Sleepy?
Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is an active compound in cannabis and responsible for the euphoric feeling that users experience when they smoke weed. THC is known to bind with specific receptors in your brain, which can then induce sedation. So does cannabis make you sleepy? The quickfire answer to this question is Yes!
But besides causing drowsiness in users, cannabis is also known to significantly disrupt circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle, which causes you to sleep and wake at odd times of the day or night. However, if appropriately used, medical cannabis can help you to get a well-deserved rest and sleep.
It is therefore not unusual to find people using cannabis strains like indica or sativa for sleep apnea under the direction of a qualified complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner. In addition to this, researchers also believe that using cannabis will stimulate an increase in your body's melatonin production. So with this in mind, it may be unwise to take melatonin supplements while using weed, as your melatonin production could spike to unhealthy levels.
Is Taking Melatonin Everyday Bad?
Many experts advise that you run a daily dose of between 0.5 to 5 milligrams (mg) of melatonin supplements for a cycle not exceeding 2 months or 60 days (1). Consuming a daily dosage higher than 3 mg and running a cycle for an extended or indefinite length of time is considered dangerous and a poor decision on your part.
Ultimately, you would be better off keeping to cycles and doses prescribed by a qualified healthcare practitioner, as self-medication is ill-advised, harmful, and should be avoided at all costs.
Are Melatonin Gummies Safe?
Melatonin gummies are generally considered to be safe for both adults and kids. However, you must only use melatonin gummies per your doctor's prescribed dose. It is therefore advisable to stick with the short-term use of melatonin gummies, as your body naturally produces melatonin hormone. An overdose could have adverse side effects, including disrupting your sleep-wake cycle.
Can You Take Nyquil and Melatonin?
Nyquil is a sleeping aid just like melatonin, and this drug also contains between 1 to 2 mg of melatonin (2). When you combine Nyquil with melatonin, you risk experiencing serious sedative effects like disorientation, poor concentration, severe drowsiness, and shallow breathing. With this in mind, taking Nyquil with melatonin is not a wise decision, especially if you need to engage in activities that require your full focus, such as; driving or working with machinery.
What Goes on in Your Body When You Mix Melatonin With Cannabis?
If melatonin and weed are taken responsibly and infrequently, you may not experience severe side effects. However, using these two compounds indiscriminately makes you susceptible to closed-eye visualisations or hallucinations. It is where you are awake but has dream-like experiences while in a euphoric state.
Taking cannabis will extend your deep sleep while reducing your time in the rapid-eye-movement or REM sleep phase. In the REM sleep phase, you experience an intense dream state, but melatonin added to weed will cause you to experience closed-eye hallucinations.
Side Effects of Using Melatonin and Weed
There is a misconception amongst the general populace that because a substance is natural, it can be used without giving thought to the quantity and duration of use. Cannabis may be a naturally occurring plant, but excessive use may lead to health concerns. Also, melatonin may be a naturally produced hormone, but taking supplements or using melatonin pens in excess could be detrimental to your wellbeing.
At this point, the side effects listed below are anecdotal reports from users of melatonin and weed.
Common side effects of cannabis use:
- Cottonmouth: This is where you experience dryness in your mouth. It is as if your saliva glands stop producing saliva for some time.
- Drowsiness: It is not uncommon for marijuana users to feel sleepy after smoking weed.
- Dizziness: Dizziness is a common side effect of using cannabis.
- Nausea: Cannabis users also claim to experience symptoms of nausea, including lightheadedness, headaches, mild fever, and vomiting.
- Euphoria: The THC in cannabis is the compound responsible for giving you the 'high', euphoric feeling you get from smoking marijuana.
- Loss of balance: Staying on your feet could be a chore after using marijuana as you experience a loss of balance.
- A loss of spatial awareness and time: You could lose track of time and a sense of where you are when you use cannabis.
It is worth noting that the degree of cannabis side effects will vary from person to person. However, if you indiscriminately use cannabis, the severity of the side effects is more than likely to be heightened.
Common Side Effects Of Prolonged Melatonin Use
If you use melatonin for a long time or take high doses of melatonin daily, you are likely to experience these side effects:
- Nausea: Melatonin taken in excessive quantities can cause you to feel sick with possible vomiting.
- Headaches: Melatonin is believed to cause headaches in persons who overdose.
- Drowsiness: Drowsiness is also a common side effect of people that use melatonin indiscriminately.
As you can see, cannabis and melatonin have similar side effects like drowsiness, headaches, and nausea. By combining melatonin and THC, the severity of these side effects is more than likely to be intensified.
In Conclusion
It is important to note that clinical studies on the effects of using both melatonin and weed are still ongoing. But you can deduce from the experiences of the users that it may not be wise to use both substances simultaneously. As shown in this post, excessive use of cannabis and melatonin can cause similar side effects that can intensify if both compounds are used together.