Cannabis Use and Sleep: A look at the Expectations, Outcomes, and the Role of Age

Abstract

Objectives: Estimate the associations between cannabis use with expectations of cannabis being a sleep aid, subjective sleep outcomes, and the influence of age on these relationships. Methods: In 152 moderate cannabis users (67% female, mean age = 31.45, SD = 12.96, age range = 21-70) we assessed the influence of cannabis use history and behaviors on expectations of cannabis being a sleep aid and subjective sleep outcomes via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We used moderation analysis to examine the role of age in the relationship between cannabis use and subjective sleep outcomes. Results: Cannabis use along with more frequent cannabis use were associated with increased expectations that cannabis use improves sleep (all β > 0.03, p < 0.04). Frequency of recent cannabis use and reported average THC or CBD concentration were largely not associated with subjective sleep outcomes. However, endorsing current cannabis use was associated with worse subjective sleep quality (β = 1.34, p = 0.02) and increased frequency of consuming edibles was associated with worse subjective sleep efficiency (β = 0.03, p = 0.04), lower sleep duration (β = 0.03, p = 0.01), and higher global PSQI scores (worse overall sleep) (β = 0.10, p = 0.01). Furthermore, age was determined to have a moderating influence on the relationship between increased concentration of CBD and both better sleep duration and sleep quality (both p < 0.03). Conclusion: Cannabis users have higher expectations of cannabis being a sleep aid, but few associations existed between cannabis use and subjective sleep outcomes with the exceptions of endorsing any cannabis use and frequency of edible use. Additionally, age may be an important moderator of the potential positive influence CBD concentration can have on sleep.