By Budding Wellness Owner Dr Cheyne Mitchell
Insomnia or disruptions to sleep quality are a common problem throughout society, between half to two-thirds of Australian’s report having disrupted sleep.
Often this is due to secondary issues such as chronic pain or anxiety, but may also present as an isolated sleep issue without obvious cause.
Poor quality sleep is associated with a range of negative health impacts affecting multiple body systems, these may include:
● Cognitive impairment.
● Unstable mood.
● Impaired blood sugar control and weight gain.
● High blood pressure.
● Increase risk of heart attack and stroke.
● Worsening of pain symptoms.
● Impaired immune function.
● Inability to maintain attention.
Medications traditionally used to treat insomnia have attracted increased concern in recent years as side effects and safety issues have become more apparent.
Often such medications affect the ability to transition into the deeper phases of sleep most valuable to recovery. Even when they are effective at inducing sleep it is less of physiological value due to this effect.
Endocannabinoid supporting (ECS) medications can be useful in assisting with both the initiation and maintenance of sleep through the night.
Continuous blocks of four to six hours of sleep allow completion of sleep cycles, where the brain moves through deep non-REM and REM sleep, these are the most important phases of sleep for physiological recovery.
ECS medications also compare favourably to conventional sleep aids from a safety perspective, not suppressing breathing through the night and lower potential for addiction and longer term cognitive impairment.
Any medication used to aid sleep is most effective combined with non-medication based strategies, these are discussed at the time of consultation.
Examples of sleep hygiene measures include: timing of caffeine consumption, adopting a sleep routine and limiting screen time in the hour prior to attempting to sleep.
Improving sleep quality is one of the best value interventions for health promotion and quality of life.
ECS medications may be useful where other sleep aids have been poorly tolerated or ineffective.
Budding Wellness in Noosa Junction specialises in endo-cannabinoid support (ECS) therapy to improve quality of life.
For more information or to book an appointment, visit buddingwellness.com.au or call (07) 5440 4900.
Drop into the Budding Wellness clinic to chat through any questions at Shop 6, 4-6 Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Heads.
