Lack of sleep has long been associated with mental health struggles, such as depression and anxiety. When we don’t get enough rest, our brains have a harder time managing emotions and stress, which can either trigger or worsen these mental health conditions. Sleep is crucial for the brain’s ability to process emotions and memories. During deep sleep, the brain strengthens important neural connections and releases chemicals that help us feel balanced. Without enough sleep, this process is disrupted, leading to heightened emotional reactions and difficulty coping with stress.
When we don’t rest properly, our brain’s regulation of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine—which play a big role in mood—can become imbalanced. This imbalance can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety. I know this from personal experience. After going through a breakup from a toxic 9-year relationship, there were many sleepless nights where everything in life seemed more difficult. That’s why I highly recommend finding strategies that help you improve both your sleep and mental well-being. This could mean seeking professional help, as well as incorporating healthy habits like eating well, exercising, or considering medication. For me, cannabis was a helpful tool. It eased my anxieties and helped me sleep better. Unlike some sleep medications, cannabis is often less addictive, which made it a viable option for me to get the rest and peace I needed. Another thing that helped was having goals to give me a sense of purpose. Writing music became my therapy. As I shared songs with my band, Fevr, I began to see people relate to my work, which was incredibly rewarding. Finding a hobby or creative outlet that helps take your mind off daily stressors, as well as being part of a supportive community, can also ease anxieties and improve sleep. Sometimes, simply expressing yourself or realizing that you’re not alone can help calm those racing thoughts.
Chronic sleep deprivation can lower our ability to cope with stress, making even small challenges feel overwhelming. This creates a cycle, where anxiety and depression prevent us from getting the sleep we need, which only makes our mental health worse.
Cannabis has been suggested as a potential solution for improving sleep in some people. The cannabinoids in cannabis, especially THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates sleep and mood. THC has sedative properties, making it easier to fall asleep and experience deeper sleep cycles. It can also help reduce anxiety by promoting relaxation, making it easier to unwind before bedtime. For people struggling with insomnia or sleep disruptions due to mental health issues, cannabis may provide temporary relief.
I recently spoke with music producer Vick Vapors on my podcast. He shared how cannabis helped him through a traumatic time in his life. After his sister tragically passed away in a car accident, he struggled with anxiety and sleepless nights. At that time, his lack of sleep made his depression and anxiety even worse. But after trying cannabis edibles, he found relief. He told me, “I was so glad I could finally get to sleep. Thanks to cannabis, it got me through a tough period of my life.”
Over the years I have learned poor sleep has a direct impact on mental health, often leading to conditions like depression and anxiety. Cannabis may help as a sleep aid or anxiety reliever, but it should be part of a broader strategy for improving mental health. If you are seeking tools to help with depression and anxiety, please check out my podcast. We discuss various tools for improving mental health so that you can get your mind and life back on track.
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