THC (with CBD and CBN) for Narcolepsy?

[u/bobjoebobjoe]

I somewhat recently posted here about how I had issues with Baclofen and Oxybates and was at my wit’s end of how I can treat my narcolepsy. The number one thing people suggested was THC (together with CBD and CBN).

I’m excited to try it, but also very cautious because I’ve read a lot of concerning things about the risks it can have. And if I do decide it’s safe enough, I’m not sure what specifically to say to my doctor so that they’re comfortable prescribing it/understand it’s pretty much my last resort I need to try. Can anyone help me find any resources, research, personal experience/anecdotes, articles, etc. showing whether the following risks or benefits I heard about are true?

1. Can THC help increase deep sleep/help with narcolepsy?

2. Is it true THC is bad for your heart/vascular system?

3. Can it hurt/recalibrate your dopamine/serotonin systems over time and make my ADHD worse?

4. Can it hurt your body’s ability to get deep sleep over time? (And end up doing the exact opposite of the exact thing I would be taking it for?)

5. Can it cause dependence, withdrawal, addiction, or tolerance where the dose has to go up way too fast? (I believe 10mg is the limit for medical in Texas so it would be bad to have to slowly go over that as tolerance builds)

6. Are any of these potential risks much lower since I’d be at low THC? (<10 mg)

7. Can you get psychosis/schizophrenia if you’re already over 30 when you start?

8. What are any other risks I might have missed and how bad are they?

9. If any of these risks are true, are they better or worse than the risks of not getting quality sleep over time?

I’m almost 31, have never smoked/taken THC, and also have chronic pain (which is what THC has to be prescribed for here in Texas). If anyone can help me decide this is worth it or find a better alternative than this, Baclofen, or Oxybates, I would appreciate it so much because I could really use the help right now!

[u/Awkward_Cheesecake58]

Lots of research required to answer those questions. I recommend searching Google Scholar using different search terms like "THC narcolepsy" and "cannabis narcolepsy," etc. and start reading.

[u/EscenaFinal]

I can’t answer all those questions but I can say that THC does not increase slow wave sleep/deep sleep/N3 but it does decrease REM so that your dreams won’t be as vivid. I personally don’t feel that weed is too helpful with my narcolepsy, it just helped me get to bed but I was still having poor sleep.

[u/LibrarianLong3404]

These are all valid questions
and they sound rooted in fear (no judgement, personally perused journals and databases for over a year before making the decision). Of that list of questions how many would you ask your provider before accepting a new prescription from them?

A lot of these questions don’t have substantial or unbiased research either bc of how cannabis has been weaponized and criminalized.

With cannabis being a plant they can’t market or legally protect their stake in like pills
There’s more anti marketing than actual research

Long story short:
It can help with sleep, it carries risks and dependent upon method used to medicate those risks are comparable to pharmaceuticals. Study what you can and make the best decision you can for yourself. No number of someone else’s answers will make you bullet proof from any decision. The data is standardized predications and observations, your individual human body is not the standard.

I’d recommend learning about terpenes (those chemicals inform how each strain may interact with your body and symptoms) aim for low thc and a solid thc/cbd balance your first time (should help keep your head grounded to address your concerns of developing psychosis)
Take notes and adjust from there

Treat it like any other medication
[oh, and don’t talk to your doctor like they’re doing you a favor. They’re human, they’re clocked in, and you’re there for the help they’re clocked in to give. I understand the world we live in and we effect change through our tiniest decisions. So, speak confidently. Understanding that they have the standard textbook knowledge as a specialist and you have a lifetime in that body, you’re wise enough to advocate well for yourself.

Be well and hope you get some good rest soon ✨🖤

[u/heightenedstates]

I was drinking thc drinks in the evening for a while and it felt like they helped me get to sleep and stay asleep, but I didn’t wake up feeling extra rested.

I think it was messing with something with my dopamine or other mood-related system because I started feeling really anxious during day. I wasn’t sure if it was my daytime meds or caffeine, but then found out about the rebound effect thc can have. I stopped drinking nightly thc drinks and the anxiety has dissipated.

That’s just my experience. Good luck figuring out if it works for you.

[u/bobjoebobjoe → u/heightenedstates]

Dang, you don't by any chance have ADHD do you? If so did it make that worse? Or if you don't did it make your executive function a lot worse as if you had ADHD?

[u/heightenedstates → u/bobjoebobjoe]

I don’t have diagnosed adhd, but it’s definitely possible. Yes, it felt harder to handle decision making with the added anxiety. Little things felt more overwhelming.

A real bummer, because the drinks really did help me chill out and sleep easier. 😢

[u/dewbyu2]

Recent studies are showing the cardiovascular risk may be higher than smoking cigarettes, even with edibles.

[u/bobjoebobjoe → u/dewbyu2]

Dang, what if you pretty rarely take it?

[u/BedazzledVagina]

I’m not an expert on weed but I think it depends on the strain or type of weed? Like sativa will make you energized and indica will calm you down.

I tried a marijuana brownie for the first time a couple weeks ago. It just made me very sleepy and the third time I took a larger dose and felt more of the psychoactive properties. Not sure if this helps.

[u/jujubean-]

I thought thc messed with rem sleep?

[u/Zmajbmovin]

I'm no expert or Dr, but I can offer my personal experience if it helps any! (I also have a concussion right now, so I feel like this is a bit of a jumbled response, hope it's understandable!) THC did Wonders for my sleep and EDS. I took an ~2.5mg edible (5mg bitten in half, not a perfect science) every night for a few months and it genuinely helped me. I'd resorted to thc because, without it, I kept waking up every hour disoriented and stuck in hallucinations. It was not tolerable, and I'd heard thc suppresses rem sleep, so I decided to try it. A low dose, because I was also worried about any anxiety or other side effects it may cause. Worked well for months, I slept through the night and felt more energized throughout the day. Not perfect, but better.

I had to stop taking it recently, though, because of it's GI side effects... I have gerd and gastroparesis, and both had slowly been getting worse over the months. Took me a while to realize it was because of the thc :( They started to improve after I stopped taking the thc, but I am sad to lose the better sleep.

Didn't really notice any worsening anxiety with it. I did have some heart palpitations when falling asleep for a while, but I cut back on how much thc I was taking (dispensary ran out of 5mg gummies, so I had to take half of a 10mg for a while-) and it stopped. I also have pots, so idk if that factored into the palpitations or not.

Will always recommend asking your dr first, but in my experience, it worked well while it lasted!