According to a trusted source, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over a third of adults in the United States do not get the recommended seven hours of sleep per night. This lack of sufficient sleep has led many individuals to seek out solutions to improve their sleep quality. While over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications have long been popular options, a new study published in the journal Exploration of Medicine suggests that more people are turning to cannabis as an alternative sleep aid. The study, conducted in 2023, examined data from a survey conducted by a Canadian medical marijuana data company. The survey included over 1,200 participants who reported using cannabis to help them sleep. Most of these participants had been struggling with sleep issues for over five years, including difficulty falling asleep, feeling tired the next day, and waking up during the night. Researchers analyzed the survey results to understand how cannabis affected participants’ sleep and how it made them feel compared to prescription and OTC sleeping pills. They also examined the participants’ preferences for cannabis usage and the specific type of cannabis they preferred for sleep. Two well-known cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), were of particular interest. THC is the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, while CBD has a calming effect without inducing a high. The results of the survey were quite interesting. Over 80% of participants stated that cannabis helped them sleep by relaxing their mind and body. More than half reported experiencing a deeper sleep, while 42% reported sleeping for longer periods, and 36% said they were able to sleep without waking up. When asked about their average sleep hours per night, 63% said they were able to get 6-8 hours of sleep when using cannabis alone, compared to only 20% or less when using sleep medications combined with cannabis, sleep medications alone, or no sleep aids at all. In terms of cannabis usage, the survey revealed that most participants preferred smoking or vaping cannabis over using oils or edibles. Additionally, about 79% reported using THC for sleep, indicating a preference for its effects over other forms such as CBD or cannabinol (CBN). Interestingly, the majority (82%) of participants stated that they did not currently use any sleep medications, although half of them had used them in the past. The researchers noted that people were more likely to replace sleep medications with cannabis rather than using both simultaneously. While cannabis can have side effects such as anxiety and irritability, participants reported feeling more focused and relaxed the next morning compared to when they used other sleep aids. On the other hand, sleep medications often come with side effects like dizziness, daytime drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating or remembering things. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of cannabis as a sleep aid compared to traditional sleep medications. Another study cited by the National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information showed that 39% of individuals stopped using sleep medication after starting cannabis, with 71% of them reporting improved sleep. However, it is important to note that more research is needed, and the study authors acknowledge that their findings can help guide future, more objective and controlled studies. As the benefits and potential risks of using cannabis for sleep become more widely recognized, it is crucial to continue exploring this topic to ensure individuals can make informed decisions about their sleep health. If you have a story idea, expertise to share, or personal experiences related to sleep, you can pitch them to SleepFoundation.org. They are open to hearing from readers and aim to provide comprehensive and valuable information on sleep-related topics.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (September 7, 2022) Sleep and Sleep Disorders., Retrieved November 28, 2023 fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/sleep/index.html
2. Stueber A, Cuttler C. (2023). A large-scale survey of cannabis use for sleep: preferred products and perceived effects in comparison to over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids. Exploration of Medicine.https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/em/Article/1001171
3. National Conference of State Legislatures. (June 22, 2023) State Medical Cannabis Laws., Retrieved November 28, 2023 fromhttps://www.ncsl.org/health/state-medical-cannabis-laws
4. Vaillancourt, R., Gallagher, S., Cameron, J. D., & Dhalla, R. (2022). Cannabis use in patients with insomnia and sleep disorders: Retrospective chart review. Canadian pharmacists journal.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9067069/