Use and interest in cannabis as a sleep aid: Results from a National Sleep Foundation population survey.

OBJECTIVES

Most adults are dissatisfied with their sleep, and some may see commercially available cannabis-based products as a solution. This study aimed to provide current population-based estimates of behaviors and attitudes related to cannabis use for sleep.

METHODS

Data from a national survey utilizing a probability-based, random sample of 1367 U.S. adults were analyzed. Cannabis use rates and sleep differences in adults using cannabis were tested.

RESULTS

Current and past cannabis use for sleep were reported at 8.6% and 9.9%, respectively. Eleven percent of adults who do not use cannabis endorsed likely future use of cannabis products for sleep. Adults using cannabis (current, past, likely future) tended to report worse sleep quality than those who do not use cannabis (p < .05 for all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS

Evident public use and interest in cannabis for sleep was found. Consumer caution is warranted as the short and long-term effects of cannabis products on sleep are poorly characterized in the real world.