Discover the Surprising Relationship Between Cannabis and Sleep
If you’ve ever wondered whether cannabis can help you sleep, you’re not alone. In fact, a 2020 study revealed that many people turn to medical marijuana for better sleep, with a staggering 70 percent of young users citing it as a way to combat insomnia. It’s no wonder the appeal of a peaceful high leading to a restful night’s sleep seems so intuitive, but there are important reasons to exercise caution when relying on anecdotal evidence or personal experience.
For instance, W. Christopher Winter, a neurologist and host of Sleep Unplugged podcast, points out that people often mistake being unconscious for quality sleep when using substances like alcohol or cannabis. However, the real question we should be asking ourselves is whether these substances actually improve the nature of our sleep.
While alcohol serves as a cautionary tale of something that appears helpful but actually worsens sleep, the relationship between cannabis and sleep remains foggy. A 2022 BMJ study found mixed results related to cannabis use and varying sleep durations, with potential downsides to frequent use. Similarly, a January 2021 study in Addictive Behaviors found limited associations between cannabis use and sleep outcomes, proving that more research is necessary to paint a clear picture of cannabis as a sleep aid.
In fact, a meta-analysis published in the journal Sleep in 2022 showed that only a small percentage of patients experienced sleep benefits from cannabis use in randomized controlled trials, suggesting that the substance may not be a reliable way to achieve quality sleep. And while some experts remain optimistic about the potential of cannabis for insomnia, further research and more comprehensive studies are needed to understand the true nature of its effects on sleep.
For now, the best course of action is to approach cannabis with care if you’re considering it for sleep, and to discuss your usage with a healthcare professional to ensure it’s not interfering with other medications or impacting your overall health. With limited concrete evidence, it’s crucial to seek reliable information rather than relying on exaggerated claims often found online. As more attention and funding are put into cannabis research, more clarity on its potential as a sleep aid may emerge. Let’s get some good studies on it.
