Medical Marijuana and the loss of dreams

Hey guys, I use Doctor-recommended marijuana to combat my insomnia, but before I began smoking herb, I was quite interested in Lucid Dreaming. I've attained it without specific intent, but never while trying to.

Over the last year and a half I've developed a routine of smoking most of the day. I enjoy smoking more active, uppy sativas during the day, and I use the stony indicas to knock me out at night.

Over the past several months I have noted that my dream recall is nil, and if I smoke just prior to sleeping, I'm quite groggy when I wake up. I'm attributing it in part to my use of mj at night, inhibiting my REM sleep.

It hasn't really bothered me much, as I've been busy enough during the day to occupy me, and when I'm not, I just reverted to smoking herb. I live on the outskirts of a fairly rural town (compared the the suburban Orange County, CA I grew up in), and have no TV or internet access- just a lot of DVDs of movies and TV shows, and my phone. My roommates smoke a lot of pot, so it's pretty much become daily habit, and I enjoy the feeling, of course.

But as I look to moving back down south to the LA/OC area, I'm looking to give my life a jump-start; re-energize myself and enjoy the world around me. At home now, I feel bored and lethargic.

After a search into the effects of REM-reduced sleep caused by marijuana use, I came across SKA's thread "Marijuana Induced REM-rebound". The impact of REM-rebound is one that I'm very interested in at the moment.

I think that I could use it as a goal to help myself moderate my use of weed, not only to put myself in a healthier life and sleep, but so that I can regain my dreams! I used to love dreaming! Even though the majority of them were about me being pursued, I still miss remembering my dreams, and I really miss the opportunity to explore the dream world while lucid.

Yesterday I had the idea that if I didn't smoke right before bed, perhaps I could still have some dream recall. I read in another thread that abstaining from mj for at least 7 hours (another thread said 4). I took my last hit at around 5pm, and when I woke for a WBTB, I recalled a vivid dream I had been in; something I haven't done if I've smoked the day before in a long time!

Here's my idea:
On weekends, smoke as I usually do: multiple times through the day (uppy sativas), and at night (stony indicas) to put me to sleep.
Ideally this will suppress my REM sleep like it currently does.

During the week, smoke only sativa (uppy) herb during the day, but do not smoke (especially indicas) within 6 or 7 hours of bedtime; ideally last smoke would be at 4:20pm
This should cause REM rebound, giving me vivid dreams. If I smoke sativas during the day, I think my mind will be more alert and able to create and modify my dream environment

I also saw the thread about how apple juice has been effective at increasing the intensity of the dreams; I love apple juice but I just finished off the jug I had; I do have applesauce, so I'm going to see if that has any kind of effect!

Anyway, I'm wondering if there are any other herb-smokers who have tried something like this or do something similar regularly. I'd love to be "adopted" by another weed connoisseur!

peace and blessings,
shalom, salaam

Your planned regimen sounds very good. It is very similar to mine, except i don't have the luxury of choosing sativa or indica :blue:. I do suggest occasionally taking entire day breaks, on those days I use exercise to avoid insomnia and withdraw.

Also, acetylcholine agonist increase REM, so I use some of them periodically to counteract the suppression.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lucid4sho

Your planned regimen sounds very good. It is very similar to mine, except i don't have the luxury of choosing sativa or indica :blue:. I do suggest occasionally taking entire day breaks, on those days I use exercise to avoid insomnia and withdraw.

Also, acetylcholine agonist increase REM, so I use some of them periodically to counteract the suppression.

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Excellent, l4s, thanks for the input.
What is an acetylcholine agonist, and what would an example of a supplement or food that contains it?

peace, shalom salaam

SKA has a thread aimed at identifying acetylcholine(ACh) agonist.
http://www.dreamviews.com/community/...ghlight=acetyl

As far as food, my favorite source of choline is steak, choline can raise ACh levels.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lucid4sho

SKA has a thread aimed at identifying ACh agonist.
http://www.dreamviews.com/community/...ghlight=acetyl

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thanks lucid, looking into that now.
Mind if I ask how much you smoke? Tryin to get an idea relative to my own patterns. And it seems you're an accomplished oneironaut; I've seen your posts all over

peace, shalom salaam

I have cut way back recently. Currently I smoke about a 1/2 gram of mid grade, and up to a 1/2 gram of variably high grade a day. I appreciate the compliment, I try to be helpful.

Do you smoke before bed? If not, have you noted how long you need to refrain from smoking prior to bed, in order to have REM/dream sleep?

peace, shalom salaam

I think about 6 hours seems optimal. I do still smoke before bed sometimes, but thats when I will use an ACh agonist.

So even if you smoke before bed, which you don't do regularly, you'll still have lucid, or otherwise vivid dreams, if you use an ACh agonist?
What do you use as an ACH agonist? Is there any detriment to using something like this?

thank you again for your help!
looking forward to becoming an oneironaut, and a healthier living person too!

- peace, shalom salaam

So far I react best to nicotine patches and l-huperzine, but everyone is different. Ofcourse its good to talk to your physician before starting any substance, especially if your currently on meds. The drugs I mentioned seem relatively safe if used appropriately.

yes, they typically allow me to still have lucids even when I've smoked before bed.

When you have a high tolarance you'll be able to dream more, but I remember when I first started 10 years ago yes 10 years of smoking and I still have my memory so I never realy had problem with not having dreams with marijuana mabey once in a while but not too much.