Limitations in quantifying THC and CBD led to the exclusion of raw cannabis products. Demographic variables such as age, sex, height, weight, race, ethnicity, and eligibility for reduced program fees were recorded in patient enrollment records. A complex physiological process (sleep is crucial for cognitive functioning), memory consolidation, and overall well-being, serving as a cornerstone of human health 3, 4. From 2015 to 2023, responses to symptoms reported by patients were gathered from 1962 individuals diagnosed with cancer who participated in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program (MMCP). Although research is limited, many cancer patients are choosing cannabis compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) to enhance 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, the distinct roles of CBD and THC 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
The effects of cannabis on sleep or cognition have been independently reviewed, however to our knowledge it is yet to be investigated whether effects of cannabis on cognition and sleep are independent of each other. We identified 6 human and 6 animal studies to be eligible for inclusion in this review. While various studies have suggested that chronic exposure to THC and other CB1-activating compounds may lead to slight improvements in sleep (recent meta-analyses), such as one conducted by Mucke et al. (2018) based on Cochrane data, have critiqued the quality of these findings . This is in accordance with a more recent metanalyses of the treatment of insomnia,108 medical cannabis used for impaired sleep,109 and a narrative review.8 The response to cannabis use varies widely, and more extensive, power-adequate, randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to clarify the role of medical cannabis in the sleep disorders.
Table 2.
Changes in urban and rural cigarette smoking and cannabis use from 2007 to 2017 in adults in the United States. Altered frontal cortical volume and decision making in adolescent cannabis users. Long-term effects of cannabis on brain structure. A 2021 literature review found multiple studies both in animal studies and studies in infertile males which demonstrated that THC exposure leads to arrest in the production of sperm and spermatogenesis (Ryan et al., 2021). The study was limited by lack of a matched control group of fertile men , Teixeira et al., 2022,.
While randomized controlled trials will be needed to prove that the products are safe and effective — the authors suggest that cannabis-based medical products could improve sleep quality in insomnia patients. They examined the patient’s reports of their sleep quality (anxiety/depression), and quality of life changes between one and 18 months of treatment. About one out of every three people has some trouble getting a good night’s rest, and 10 percent of adults meet the criteria for an insomnia disorder.
An urgent operational need: Addressing the hidden health crisis of sleep apnea in military and civilian populations
We discovered six studies that assessed both cannabis use and its impact on sleep or cognitive responses (CRs). Following the second evaluation, 12 studies (6.19%; comprising 6 human and 6 animal studies) qualified for inclusion in the review. Out of the original 194 reports, 17 studies (8.76%) advanced to the secondary full-text assessment. A standardized form, utilized and described in earlier systematic reviews by our lab group , Pocuca et al., 2021; Walter et al., 2021,, was used by AHM and EP to complete these ratings. Articles published until February 2023 were located by searching through databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE (Embase), CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. The predicted direction of effects is indicated by arrows (e.g. (alterations in the ECB system influence sleep regulation), and changes in sleep regulation impact 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.
