Wondering what happens when you sleep high? THC may help some people fall asleep faster, but a recent AASM study reported that 49% of Americans have lost sleep after consuming marijuana ¹. Furthermore, it may:

1. Disrupt the normal sleep cycle
2. Improve deep slow-wave sleep cycle at first but gradually crashes down
3. Reduce REM sleep cycle
4. Lower brain activity due to high THC
5. Make you feel sluggish after consumption

Were you using Marijuana as a ‘quick-sleep fix’, but now it is disrupting your natural sleep cycle? Call Empower Health Group of North Carolina (EHG of NC) at 910-335-9102, Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 5 PM, to speak confidentially with our admissions team.

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What Happens When You Sleep High on Marijuana?

Sleeping high on weed may help you fall asleep quickly. However, it typically reduces REM cycles and affects sleep quality².REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is the stage when most dreaming occurs. It plays an important role in learning, memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and brain recovery. Reducing REM sleep repeatedly may affect these functions over time. 

1. Fall Asleep Quickly

THC could lessen the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, especially for new users; and: ³

• The body becomes dependent on THC for sleep
• May develop tolerance with regular use
• Alter the sleep cycle routine

2. Deep Sleep Cycle May Increase

Marijuana use, especially the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), slows down REM and affects the slow-wave cycle, but slowly:

• Temporarily boosts slow-wave sleep
• Limits the amount of time in REM sleep
• Alters the balance between sleep stages

3. THC May Reduce REM Sleep

According to the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, THC decreases the number of REMs and the duration of REM sleep, and this may ⁴:

• Impact learning and memory ⁵
• Increase mood swings and anxiety over time
• Decrease emotional processing by reducing REM sleep ⁶

4. THC May Slow Brain Activity

According to a JAMA Network Study, THC can slow brain activity and decrease cognitive function, as well as ⁷:

• Impairs judgement and decision-making
• Makes it harder to concentrate and work the following day
• Has an impact on cognitive recovery and normal brain function

5. Groggy Feelings Next Day

According to a PubMed study, after the consumption of cannabis, individuals often feel sluggish or lethargic for several hours after use, and it may cause: ^{8 9}

• Daytime fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Impaired driving
• Low workplace performance

Seek Professional help by visiting us at 2106 South 17th Street or receive our behavioral health services to manage marijuana addiction symptoms today! 

What Happens To Your Brain When You Sleep High?

When you sleep high, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to CB1 cannabinoid receptors.

According to the Journal of Clinical Sleep Management, inside the brain while you’re sleeping high, THC may ¹⁰:

• Hyperactivate CB1 receptors, which slows down brain cell communication
• Reduce the time to fall asleep
• Alter light and deep sleep balance
• Reduces cognitive restoration
• Create dependence on THC for sleep

Note: With repeated THC exposure, cannabinoid receptors become less responsive, causing tolerance and reducing marijuana’s sleep-promoting effects.

Start Marijuana Abuse Treatment At The EHG of NC

Can you sleep while high? Yes, you can sleep while high, but you may become dependent on marijuana. NCDAS stats reported that 44% of the population who used marijuana in the past month may have some degree of marijuana use disorder ¹¹. 

To break the cycle of addiction, EHG of NC offers a diverse range of services for marijuana addiction:

• Marijuana Addiction Treatment
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment
• Substance Abuse Evaluation
• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Outpatient Addiction Treatment
• Partial Hospitalization Program

Ready to Start Your Marijuana Recovery Journey at the EHG of NC? Call 910-335-9102 and Verify Insurance to Access Our Personalized Treatment and Support Now!

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About What Happens When You Sleep High

Get answers to questions related to what happens when you sleep high on marijuana.

What Happens When You Go To Sleep High On Marijuana/Cannabis Every Night?

Nightly cannabis use often leads to tolerance, and it reduces its sleep benefits over time ⁴. 

Can You Go To Sleep High?

Yes, you can go to sleep high because the sedative effects of THC may help individuals fall asleep fast.

Can You Still Be High After Sleeping?

Yes, you can still be high after sleeping when you consume high-THC edibles that offer long-term effects.

Does Weed Affect REM Sleep?

Yes, weed affects REM sleep because THC reduces the time of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which is linked with memory and dreaming.

Do Edibles Make You Sleepy The Next Morning?

Yes, consuming edibles can make you sleepy and groggy the next morning due to higher doses and a slower metabolism. 

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Sleep problems should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

References

1. https://aasm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sleep-prioritization-survey-2023-lost-sleep-due-to-marijuana-use.pdf
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7572650/
3. https://news.umich.edu/sleep-trap-many-young-adults-use-cannabis-to-fall-asleep/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9036386/
5. https://news.utdallas.edu/health-medicine/cannabis-memory-sleep-2024/
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079225001170
7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11775743/
8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4330120/
9. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/28/health/marijuana-working-memory-study-wellness
10. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11446118/
11. https://drugabusestatistics.org