Getting a good night's sleep is essential for maintaining good health and well-being​

Unfortunately, many of us struggle with getting the rest we need. In fact, one in three adults in the United States don't get enough sleep, and our collective lack of sleep can lead to a host of problems, including depression, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have even declared sleep deprivation to be a health epidemic.

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As we age, things only get worse - by the time we reach our mid-to-late 40s, we've lost 60-70% of the deep sleep we enjoyed as teenagers, and by age 70, that number increases to 80-90%. Women, in particular, suffer from sleep problems, with 46% reporting difficulties getting a good night's rest every night.

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Why is sleep so important? Here's the 411 as it relates to you.​

​Lack of sleep (less than 7-9 hours a night for more than 3 days) is heart-breaking for women:

Women who have insomnia:

• Have a 45% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD)

• Have a 1.6 times higher risk of developing heart failure

• Are 2 to 4 times more likely to experience depression

• Have a 45% higher risk of developing obesity compared to women without insomnia

• Are 3 times more likely to contract a cold than those who sleep well

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​Hope! Cannabis

Cannabis has been used for millennia across all cultures – from Nordic to North African – to help people get to sleep and stay asleep. Cannabis is safe, natural, and non-addictive, and it doesn't leave you feeling groggy in the morning. When cannabinoids bind to receptors in the brain, they send messages to increase levels of sleep-promoting adenosine and suppress the brain's arousal system, enabling you to get deeper, more restful sleep. THC, CBN, CBD, and formulas that include complementary plants like elderberry for calming restless leg syndrome and chamomile for soothing sleep can all be effective.