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Avatar universal

Do I have delayed sleep phase disorder? Is using cannibis to help me fall asleep during more conventional hours hurting me?

Since childhood I have slept 3-6 hours a night, usually no more than four hours.
I simply cannot sleep like other seem to. I cannot sleep unless my body really wants it.
I am alert as long as I get my four hours and feel no tiredness during the day.
Once asleep I sleep perfectly soundly, but am naturally a light sleeper in that I can be woken quickly if disturbed. Without that disturbance I will continue to sleep.

My problem is that I live in a world which operates from 9-5. If I do not feel tired, I will not sleep until I am. If this happens at 3 am, I will sleep till 7 or 8 am and be late for school, uni, or work. The reality is that I will often opt to make do with 2 hours, and go to wherever i need to be.

Throughout my 28 years, I have learned to occasionally survive on very little sleep, sometimes skipping a nights sleep so that I fee especially tired later that evening.

While at University, i discovered that smoking Cannibis would knock me out. I have continued intermittently to use it to accelerate artificial sleep, so that I get what sleep I need, while still conforming to everyone else's rhythm.
When  I do this, I feel stoned when I wake  and can take a few hours to be mentally alert. This is not the same as feeling tired, just the effect of smoking cannibis, IMO.

Although I manage to hold down a job, ( I have a senior customer-facing in a traditional corporate company ) . I have no problem keeping alert during the day, and am known for having high energy levels. When I have talked about my sleeping condition, the response is usuallly disbelief.

I do not suffer from insomnia, and have always seen my sleep habit as a gift as well as a curse. I have more time to do things, and have a lovely 4 hour period each day when everyone else is asleep and I am awake, when I read, watch tv, internet.

I do not want to continue smoking cannibis, and I want to be able to dream again.

I am I sick? What should i do?






This discussion is related to Insomnia...
4 Responses
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1276659 tn?1271691149
n yes it has no withdrawl symptoms so u can leave remelteon as soon as ur sleep cycle becomes regular,,,regards
Helpful - 0
1276659 tn?1271691149
go for remelteon or zeleplon..take it at night..ur natural biological clock will adjust in few days n ull have a timed n nice sleep regularly hope so...wish u luck take care
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think you probably need a sleep study.  You're right, using cannabis is not a solution.  You need the right kind of medical help.  To me, you sound like a perfect candidate to be evaluated by a sleep medicine specialist.  You should maybe get a good, thorough general physical exam first, to rule out something simple and obvious.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My girlfriend tells me that I have very bizzare breathing patterns when i sleep, whether under alcohol or cannibis, or when sleeping naturally.

She says that i will appear not to breath for around ten seconds, before hurriedly trying to breath in, with my closed airway will restrict the flow of air so that it siunds as though I am struggling to sleep.

Sometimes the intake is so loud that it wakes her.

I should mention that I do not and have not taken any other drugs, other than cannibis.

sorry for th etypos, crappy keyboard.
Helpful - 0
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