Study Shows People with Anxiety Sleep Better When Using Cannabis Than Alcohol or Nothing
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Understanding Cannabis and Alcohol Effects on Sleep Quality in Individuals with Anxiety
The intricate relationship between substance use and sleep quality, particularly among individuals experiencing anxiety, has been the focus of a new study funded by the federal government. This research, published in the esteemed journal Drug and Alcohol Review, provides insightful findings into how the use of cannabis and alcohol influences sleep quality in people with anxiety.
Carried out by a collaborative team of researchers hailing from the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the University of Haifa, the study rigorously examined the subjective sleep quality of 347 individuals who employed cannabis as a method for addressing symptoms associated with anxiety. The principal aim of this investigation was to clarify the discernible effects on sleep quality resulting from the consumption of cannabis, alcohol, and both substances concurrently, or neither on any given day.
To achieve a comprehensive understanding, participants in the study were required to complete daily surveys over 30 days. These surveys meticulously gathered data regarding their substance use and the subjective quality of sleep experienced the previous night. This approach enabled the researchers to draw comparisons between various scenarios: days with no substance use, days when only cannabis was used, days with solely alcohol consumption, and days when both substances were used.
The findings of the study were revealing. The researchers observed that, relative to days of non-use, participants reported a noticeable improvement in sleep quality on days when they used only cannabis and on days when both cannabis and alcohol were used. Conversely, this enhancement in sleep quality was not reported on days when only alcohol was consumed. This observation was substantiated by funding provided by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Additionally, the study shed light on the interplay between the frequency of substance use and sleep outcomes. It was found that individuals who used cannabis and alcohol more frequently reported a higher quality of sleep on days when they consumed only cannabis, in comparison to those who used cannabis and alcohol less frequently.
The researchers noted that this study’s reliance on naturalistic data from individuals with anxiety symptoms corroborated findings from previous experimental studies conducted on individuals without sleep and anxiety issues. These prior studies concluded that, overall, cannabis use is associated with improved subjective sleep quality. The present study enhances this comprehension by positing that increased habitual consumption of both alcohol and cannabis could potentially impact the day-to-day association between the utilization of cannabis and the quality of sleep. This could potentially be due to factors such as pharmacokinetics and cross-sensitization, which refer to how substances are processed in the body and how the use of one substance may affect the body’s response to another.
In summary, this research offers valuable insights into how cannabis and alcohol usage impacts the sleep quality of individuals with anxiety. The findings indicate that, particularly for frequent users, cannabis use is associated with a subjective improvement in sleep quality, a relationship not observed with alcohol use. This research contributes to the advancement of our comprehension of the intricate interplay between substance consumption and sleep, thereby laying the groundwork for forthcoming investigations and potential therapeutic implementations.
In their meticulously conducted study, the researchers meticulously explored the influence of cannabis usage on sleep patterns. Their findings robustly supported their initial hypothesis, establishing a significant correlation between the consumption of cannabis and the enhancement of sleep quality. This relationship was evident in scenarios involving the exclusive use of cannabis, as well as in instances where its use was combined with alcohol. The authors observed a marked improvement in sleep quality following days when only cannabis was consumed, as opposed to those where it was used in conjunction with alcohol. This observation contributes to the burgeoning body of evidence that highlights the sleep-augmenting properties of cannabis.
Interestingly, the study also delved into the long-term effects of cannabis on sleep, particularly in individuals who regularly consume both cannabis and alcohol. The findings indicated that the sleep-enhancing effects of cannabis did not diminish over time in this cohort, suggesting that the development of tolerance did not adversely affect sleep quality. The researchers posited a hypothesis that the observed improved sleep quality on days following cannabis use, especially among frequent users, could potentially be attributed to the administration of higher doses, which might have a more pronounced impact on sleep. However, they acknowledged the limitations of their understanding of the effects of different cannabis combinations and ratios on sleep, underscoring the necessity for further, more comprehensive research in this area.
Moreover, the study employed a simple slope analysis to investigate the variability in sleep quality post-cannabis use among different user groups. The analysis revealed no significant differences, thereby challenging any alternative interpretations that might suggest frequent cannabis users experience withdrawal-related sleep disturbances on days they do not use cannabis.
The inclusion of diverse cannabis types in the study, varying in dosage and product selection, raised further questions regarding the specific impact of different concentrations and cannabinoid profiles on sleep. This observation led the researchers to call for additional clinical trials to more accurately discern these effects.
The study concluded with a pressing call for experimental research to explore the effects of both cannabis and alcohol on sleep. The authors emphasized the potential of cannabis to positively influence subjective sleep quality, particularly among individuals who turn to cannabis as a coping mechanism for anxiety, thereby underlining the significant therapeutic potential of cannabis in the realm of sleep enhancement.
Exploring the Impact of Cannabis on Sleep Quality
The comprehensive research presented in the study meticulously examines the nuanced relationship between alcohol and cannabis consumption and their respective impacts on sleep quality. The study elucidates that in the examined demographic, the habitual use of alcohol, in the absence of cannabis, appears to exert a relatively minimal influence on sleep patterns. However, when alcohol is consumed in conjunction with cannabis, it seems to diminish the otherwise positive effect that cannabis alone has on sleep. The researchers underscore the necessity of further investigative efforts to explore how the frequency of cannabis and alcohol use might moderate the immediate associations between sleep quality and substance consumption. This aspect of research is deemed particularly critical for populations who utilize cannabis as a means to manage anxiety, a demographic that may be more vulnerable to the misuse of both alcohol and cannabis and consequently, more prone to experiencing sleep disturbances.
In a parallel vein, another recent survey focusing on cannabis consumers grappling with sleep issues sheds additional light on the subject. The majority of respondents in this survey expressed a preference for using cannabis over other sleep aids to facilitate the onset of sleep, citing more favorable outcomes the following morning and fewer adverse effects. The survey revealed a particular fondness for consuming cannabis through methods such as smoking joints or using vaping products, especially those containing THC, CBD, and terpene myrcene. These consumption methods were noted for their popularity among the surveyed individuals.
Furthermore, the issue of sleep quality frequently emerges in other studies exploring the potential benefits of cannabis. Generally, these studies report that consumers perceive a notable enhancement in their rest due to cannabis use. To illustrate, two recent studies—one examining individuals with chronic health conditions and the other focusing on individuals diagnosed with neurological disorders—have both found an improvement in sleep quality correlated with cannabis use.
Additionally, a study conducted in 2019 provides further intriguing insights. It was observed that the availability of legal cannabis led to a decline in the purchase of over-the-counter (OTC) sleep medications. This study highlights the competitive edge that cannabis seems to hold over OTC sleep aids, particularly those containing diphenhydramine and doxylamine, which together make up a substantial 87.4% of the OTC sleep aid market. The authors of this study specifically noted the favorable comparison of cannabis to these common sleep medications, suggesting a significant shift in consumer preferences towards cannabis in contexts where it is legally accessible. This transition not only mirrors evolving societal perspectives concerning cannabis but also highlights its potential as a feasible substitute for conventional sleep remedies.
