Raw cannabis products were excluded due to limitations in THC and CBD quantification. Patient enrollment records documented demographic variables (including age), sex, height, weight, race, ethnicity, and eligibility for reduced program fees. Sleep, a cornerstone of human health, is a complex physiological process the distinct roles of CBD and THC that is vital for cognitive functioning, memory consolidation, and overall well-being 3, 4. Patient-reported symptom responses were obtained from 1962 cancer patients enrolled in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program (MMCP) from 2015 to 2023. Despite limited research — cancer patients are opting for compounds found in cannabis, like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), to improve their sleep.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests in any product or service discussed in the manuscript. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Apoorva C. Reddy, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.
The authors evaluated cognitive function with respect to ADHD symptoms and used self-reported sleep quality surveys. The sixth and final study identified in this review was unique in that it examined associations between reward response, cannabis use, and circadian preference in the same participants at two different ages, 20 and 22 (Hasler et al., 2017). (Figure 1) Four duplicates were identified, leaving 194 reports for the first assessment. A conceptual model demonstrating the hypothesized interactions between cannabis (endocannabinoid signaling), sleep regulation and cognitive function. As our conceptual figure (Figure 1) illustrates, we predict that the existing literature will demonstrate that cannabis, through ECB signaling, has direct effects on cognitive function, and indirect effects by modulating sleep regulation.
Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg installed as president of American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Although the effects of cannabis on sleep and cognition have undergone independent reviews, it remains unexamined whether these effects are mutually exclusive. We discovered a total of 6 studies involving humans and another 6 involving animals that were qualified for this review. Numerous studies have indicated that chronic exposure to THC and other compounds activating CB1 could yield minor enhancements in sleep; however, recent meta-analyses, particularly one by Mucke et al. (2018) utilizing Cochrane data, have raised concerns regarding the validity of these results. This aligns with a recent meta-analysis concerning insomnia treatment,108 the use of medical cannabis for sleep impairment,109 and a narrative review.8 The variability in response to cannabis use is significant, indicating a need for larger, adequately powered randomized placebo-controlled trials to elucidate the function of medical cannabis in sleep disorders.
Table 2.
Trends in cigarette smoking and cannabis consumption among adults in urban and rural settings from 2007 to 2017 in the United States. Changes in decision-making abilities and altered frontal cortex volume are observed in adolescents who use cannabis. The long-term impacts of cannabis on the structure of the brain. A literature review conducted in 2021 revealed numerous studies, both in animal models and among infertile males, indicating that THC exposure halts sperm production and spermatogenesis , Ryan et al., 2021,. A limitation of the study was the absence of a matched control group consisting of fertile men (Teixeira et al., 2022).
Although randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish the safety and efficacy of these products — the authors propose that cannabis-based medical products may enhance sleep quality for patients suffering from insomnia. They assessed patient-reported changes in sleep quality, anxiety/depression, and overall quality of life during treatment periods ranging from one to 18 months. Approximately one in three individuals experiences difficulties achieving a restful night’s sleep, while 10 percent of adults fulfill the criteria for an insomnia disorder.
An urgent operational need: Addressing the hidden health crisis of sleep apnea in military and civilian populations
We identified six studies that included cannabis use data and assessments on sleep or CRs and cognition. 12 studies , 6.19%; 6 human, 6 animal studies, were eligible for the review after the second assessment. Of the initial 194 reports, 17 studies , 8.76%, were included in the secondary full text assessment. These ratings were completed by AHM and EP via a standardized form used and described in previous systematic reviews conducted by our lab group , Pocuca et al., 2021; Walter et al., 2021,. Reports were identified by searching PubMed/MEDLINE (Embase), CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for articles published through February 2023. Arrows indicate predicted direction of effects (e.g. (changes in ECB system affects sleep regulation), changes in sleep regulation affects cognition).
Although research into the uses of cannabis to treat sleep problems is limited, cannabis holds promise for the treatment of sleep disorders. Today — an estimated 14.5% of people in the United States use cannabis products for a variety of purposes. While government research into CBD and cannabis products is ongoing, more research is needed to fully understand CBD’s effects on the body. CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties and might be beneficial for some symptoms of chronic pain. A few studies of individuals with PTSD have found that synthetic cannabinoids reduced nightmares and helped with insomnia.