Due to challenges in quantifying THC and CBD, raw cannabis products were not included. Demographic variables, such as age, gender, height, weight, race, ethnicity, and qualification for reduced fees, were recorded during patient enrollment. A complex physiological process essential for cognitive functioning, memory consolidation, and overall well-being, sleep is fundamental to human health. From 2015 to 2023, responses regarding symptoms reported by patients were collected from 1962 individuals participating in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program (MMCP). Cancer patients, despite the scarcity of research, are choosing to use compounds from cannabis, 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 green technology in THC startups 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
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.
A pressing operational requirement: Tackling the concealed health emergency of sleep apnea among military and civilian communities
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).
While the study of cannabis as a treatment for sleep issues is limited, it shows potential for addressing sleep disorders. Currently, approximately 14.5% of individuals in the United States utilize cannabis products for various reasons. Although research into CBD and cannabis products continues to be conducted by the government, further studies are required to gain a complete understanding of CBD’s effects on the human body. With properties that fight inflammation and relieve pain, CBD may be advantageous for certain chronic pain symptoms. Research involving individuals with PTSD has indicated that synthetic cannabinoids can reduce nightmares and assist with insomnia.