by Insomnia and poor-quality sleep are prevalent issues, affecting a significant portion of the global population. Many adults in the United States have turned to over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids to alleviate these problems. However, emerging evidence suggests that a growing number of medical cannabis users are now choosing to use cannabis as a sleep aid instead. A study conducted by researchers at Washington State University (WSU) aimed to investigate this phenomenon and its impact on the use of conventional sleep aids.
The study recruited 1,216 cannabis users, predominantly female, ranging in age from 18 to 77. These participants shared information about their sleep issues, the duration of their sleep problems, and the frequency of their cannabis use as a sleep aid. The majority (82.2%) reported difficulty falling asleep, feeling tired the next day (68.1%), waking during the night for no reason (67.1%), difficulty returning to sleep (61.6%), and difficulty functioning the next day due to poor sleep (53.9%).
Interestingly, 81.8% of cannabis users reported no longer using over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids, and more than 60% reported getting between six to eight hours of sleep when using cannabis alone. This data demonstrates that using cannabis for sleep-related issues was generally perceived as more advantageous than using conventional sleep aids. Moreover, cannabis users commonly reported feeling refreshed, focused, and better able to function in the morning, along with experiencing fewer headaches and less nausea compared to when they were using traditional sleep aids.
In terms of the forms of cannabis used, smoking joints were the most popular choice (46.1%), followed by cannabis oil (42.5%), vaping flower (42.6%), edibles (34.9%), vape pens (33.9%), and THC capsules (14.6%). Among the participants, 60% preferred high THC products to aid sleep, while 21.7% used a balanced combination of THC and CBD.
The study also revealed that 49% of participants sought the terpene myrcene in the cannabis they used for sleep. Myrcene is the most abundant terpene found in cannabis and is known to synergize with cannabinoids and other terpenes to amplify the plant’s health benefits. It possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties. The fact that participants specifically sought out myrcene for sleep purposes indicates that they have recognized its potential sleep-promoting effects.
It is worth noting that the study has certain limitations, including a strong selection bias as participants were already using cannabis because they perceived it to be beneficial for sleep. The researchers suggest that future studies should employ more objective sleep measures to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effects of cannabis on sleep. Further research is also needed to validate the efficacy of myrcene and other isolated compounds in cannabis for sleep without the intoxicating effects of THC.
In conclusion, the study shows a growing trend among medical cannabis users who are turning to cannabis as a sleep aid, replacing conventional over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids. These users have reported positive outcomes, such as improved sleep quality and reduced side effects compared to traditional sleep aids. However, more research is needed to explore the effects of cannabis on sleep in a more comprehensive manner.
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- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
