Can you use cannabis if you take Ambien?

Combining cannabis and Ambien (zolpidem) isn’t recommended, as they can interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Ambien is a prescription medication that can help people with insomnia fall asleep faster, and cannabis may also help improve sleep, but they shouldn’t be used together.

Learn more about the potential interactions between Ambien and cannabis and consider speaking with a Leafwell provider to establish a personalized care plan.

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What is Ambien?

Ambien is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia, which is when you have trouble falling or staying asleep. It belongs to a class of medications known as sedative-hypnotics, which calm down the brain to help you feel relaxed and sleepy.

Ambien is only meant for short-term use, as directed by your doctor. Taking it for longer periods may lead to tolerance or dependency issues.

How does Ambien work?

Ambien is a medicine that slows down activity in the central nervous system. It interacts with receptors in the brain that respond to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical that promotes calmness and relaxation.

While Ambien can help you fall asleep faster, it may also cause side effects, such as:

• Dizziness
• Grogginess
• Physical impairment
• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• Sedation
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Complex sleep behaviors, such as walking, eating, or driving while asleep
• Worsening depression in people who have existing mood problems

Never drive or operate heavy machinery after taking Ambien. Mixing Ambien with alcohol can be dangerous and should be avoided. Pregnant people should not take Ambien without first speaking with their doctor.

Is it safe to combine Ambien and weed?

There currently isn’t enough research to know exactly how cannabis and Ambien interact with each other. That said, combining them is not recommended.

Both cannabis and Ambien can slow down your nervous system. This can make their effects stronger and increase the risk of:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Physical impairment
• Confusion
• Sedation
• Slow or shallow breathing

This combination can be unsafe, especially if you need to stay alert or have underlying health issues.

Ambien and THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main intoxicating compound in cannabis. Because it’s intoxicating, combining Ambien with cannabis products that contain high amounts of THC can be especially risky.

THC inhibits enzymes in your liver that help your body break down and metabolize Ambien. This can intensify the effects of Ambien, making them stronger and longer-lasting.

As a result, mixing THC and Ambien is generally not recommended.

Can you take CBD and Ambien?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a nonintoxicating compound in cannabis. It’s commonly used to help with certain health issues, such as:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Inflammation
• Pain

Research is limited on how Ambien and CBD may interact. Still, combining them is not recommended, as it may increase the risk of side effects like dizziness and confusion.

Like THC, CBD can inhibit liver enzymes that help your body break down and metabolize Ambien.

CBD vs. Ambien for sleep

Like Ambien, CBD can help calm the mind and promote sleep. But the effects of CBD are generally milder than Ambien.

Findings from a review of studies note that CBD may help relieve insomnia. However, overall research on CBD for insomnia is limited. Larger human studies are needed to fully understand how well it works.

On the other hand, research has found Ambien to be effective at helping people with insomnia fall asleep and stay asleep.

One study found that people who use CBD for insomnia report minimal side effects, with fatigue being the most common. Ambien tends to have more side effects compared to CBD.

It’s best to speak with your doctor to decide which treatment is safest and most effective for your specific sleep needs.

How to take Ambien and marijuana

Taking Ambien and cannabis together is not recommended. Combining them can increase the risk of serious side effects, including sedation, changes to your breathing, and impairment. In some cases, these side effects can be serious and require medical attention.

You should never mix cannabis and Ambien without first speaking to your doctor, who can help you find a safe approach to address your sleep needs.

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The bottom line: Combining Ambien and weed isn’t recommended

Taking Ambien and cannabis together can increase the risk of side effects, including drowsiness, impairment, and changes to your breathing. Cannabis can also make the effects of Ambien stronger and longer-lasting.

If you take Ambien, speak with your doctor or a Leafwell pharmacist for personalized guidance before combining it with cannabis. They can help you find a safe, effective approach to manage your sleep needs.

Get your medical marijuana card

Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.

• 
  Larger purchase limits
• 
  Access to higher potency strains
• 
  Save up to 40% on product taxes
• 
  Enhanced legal protection

Select State

Get started