Cannabis linked to improved sleep quality: A preliminary study

Abstract

Introduction Sleep disorders are a substantial public health issue with serious consequences on patients’ quality of life. Cannabis has been recently suggested as a potential treatment for patients with sleep disorders; however, research on the relationship between cannabis and sleep is still in its infancy. Objectives The aim of this investigation was to assess whether cannabis use was associated with improved sleep quality. Methods Our study comprised 173 participants, 42 cannabis users and 131 non-cannabis users, who completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the most common self-reported measure of sleep quality. The scale provides a global PSQI score and seven component domain scores, including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime functions. Results Cannabis users self-reported statistically significantly healthier scores than non-cannabis users in the global PSQI as well as the specific domains of subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, as well as sleep disturbances. Conclusions This preliminary evidence points to the possibility that cannabis could provide effective treatment for patients with sleep disorders. Research into the constituents of cannabis that may have a differential impact on sleep and sleep disorders is warranted.

Keywords

• Marijuana
• Cannabis
• sleep quality
• PSQI