- Sleep Disorders
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PRESENTED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. MEDICAL MARIJUANA INC. PROVIDES THIS INFORMATION TO PROVIDE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF CANNABIDIOL. LINKS TO THIRD PARTY WEBSITES DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS BY MEDICAL MARIJUANA INC. AND NONE SHOULD BE INFERRED.Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that disrupt proper sleeping habits and thereby adversely affect health. Studies have shown cannabis improves the quality and duration of sleep and helps manage various sleep disorders.
OVERVIEW OF SLEEP DISORDERSSleep disorders are disruptions in normal sleeping patterns. Among the most common types of sleep disorders is insomnia, which is having difficulty of falling or staying asleep. Sleep apnea is characterized by breathing interruptions while sleeping. Restless legs syndrome is the tingling or prickly sensation in the legs while lying down. Narcolepsy is having sudden and irresistible bouts of sleep during the day. Parasomnias, which include nightmares, sleepwalking, sleep talking, wetting the bed, grinding the teeth, night terrors and head banging, can also disrupt proper sleep.
Sleep disorders can adversely affect one’s health and safety. Sleep deprivation decreases physical performance and alertness and impairs memory and cognitive abilities. This can increase the risk of occupational and automobile injuries and prevent participation in activities that require sustained attention. In addition, sleep deprivation and night disruptions can lead to relationship problems.
The method for treating sleeping disorders depends on the type. For some sleeping disorders, simply incorporating regular sleep habits can be effective. Making lifestyle changes, like adjusting one’s exposure to daylight, strategically scheduling naps, as well as sticking to a set sleeping schedule and routine, often help. For disorders that are caused by a disruption in circadian rhythm, a common treatment method is bright light therapy, which helps to synchronize the body’s clock by exposing the eyes to safe levels of intense light for brief durations throughout the day. Medications and melatonin treatments can help encourage quality sleep and assist in maintaining a proper sleep-wake cycle.
FINDINGS: EFFECTS OF CANNABIS ON SLEEP DISORDERSStudies have shown that cannabis can improve the quality and duration of sleep and help treat various sleeping disorders. A major cannabinoid found in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), effectively reduces the amount of time it takes those with insomnia to fall asleep2. One study found that regular consumers of oral THC fell asleep faster and without difficulty compared to non-consumers6.
THC has also been shown to decrease the number of awakenings throughout the night2. An animal trial found that a synthetic cannabinoid similar to THC was effective at attenuating seratonin-induced apnea by relaxing a muscle in the chin and tongue that has been implicated in the cause of the disorder1. Studies have also found that cannabinoids are effective for treating nightmares in military personnel with PTSD4,7.
STATES THAT HAVE APPROVED MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR SLEEP DISORDERSMinnesota has approved medical marijuana for obstructive sleep apnea, effective starting in July 2018. No states have approved medical marijuana for the treatment of early morning disorder.
In Washington D.C., any condition can be approved for medical marijuana as long as a DC-licensed physician recommends the treatment. In addition, a number of other states will consider allowing medical marijuana to be used for the treatment of early morning disorder with the recommendation from a physician. These states include: California (any debilitating illness where the medical use of marijuana has been recommended by a physician), Connecticut (other medical conditions may be approved by the Department of Consumer Protection), Massachusetts (other conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician), Nevada (other conditions subject to approval), Oregon (other conditions subject to approval), Rhode Island (other conditions subject to approval), and Washington (any “terminal or debilitating condition”).
RECENT STUDIES ON CANNABIS’ EFFECT ON SLEEP DISORDERS
OVERVIEW OF SLEEP DISORDERSSleep disorders are disruptions in normal sleeping patterns. Among the most common types of sleep disorders is insomnia, which is having difficulty of falling or staying asleep. Sleep apnea is characterized by breathing interruptions while sleeping. Restless legs syndrome is the tingling or prickly sensation in the legs while lying down. Narcolepsy is having sudden and irresistible bouts of sleep during the day. Parasomnias, which include nightmares, sleepwalking, sleep talking, wetting the bed, grinding the teeth, night terrors and head banging, can also disrupt proper sleep.
Sleep disorders can adversely affect one’s health and safety. Sleep deprivation decreases physical performance and alertness and impairs memory and cognitive abilities. This can increase the risk of occupational and automobile injuries and prevent participation in activities that require sustained attention. In addition, sleep deprivation and night disruptions can lead to relationship problems.
The method for treating sleeping disorders depends on the type. For some sleeping disorders, simply incorporating regular sleep habits can be effective. Making lifestyle changes, like adjusting one’s exposure to daylight, strategically scheduling naps, as well as sticking to a set sleeping schedule and routine, often help. For disorders that are caused by a disruption in circadian rhythm, a common treatment method is bright light therapy, which helps to synchronize the body’s clock by exposing the eyes to safe levels of intense light for brief durations throughout the day. Medications and melatonin treatments can help encourage quality sleep and assist in maintaining a proper sleep-wake cycle.
FINDINGS: EFFECTS OF CANNABIS ON SLEEP DISORDERSStudies have shown that cannabis can improve the quality and duration of sleep and help treat various sleeping disorders. A major cannabinoid found in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), effectively reduces the amount of time it takes those with insomnia to fall asleep2. One study found that regular consumers of oral THC fell asleep faster and without difficulty compared to non-consumers6.
THC has also been shown to decrease the number of awakenings throughout the night2. An animal trial found that a synthetic cannabinoid similar to THC was effective at attenuating seratonin-induced apnea by relaxing a muscle in the chin and tongue that has been implicated in the cause of the disorder1. Studies have also found that cannabinoids are effective for treating nightmares in military personnel with PTSD4,7.
STATES THAT HAVE APPROVED MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR SLEEP DISORDERSMinnesota has approved medical marijuana for obstructive sleep apnea, effective starting in July 2018. No states have approved medical marijuana for the treatment of early morning disorder.
In Washington D.C., any condition can be approved for medical marijuana as long as a DC-licensed physician recommends the treatment. In addition, a number of other states will consider allowing medical marijuana to be used for the treatment of early morning disorder with the recommendation from a physician. These states include: California (any debilitating illness where the medical use of marijuana has been recommended by a physician), Connecticut (other medical conditions may be approved by the Department of Consumer Protection), Massachusetts (other conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician), Nevada (other conditions subject to approval), Oregon (other conditions subject to approval), Rhode Island (other conditions subject to approval), and Washington (any “terminal or debilitating condition”).
RECENT STUDIES ON CANNABIS’ EFFECT ON SLEEP DISORDERS
- Cannabinoid significantly reduced nightmares in military personnel with PTSD.
The efficacy of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, in the treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares: A preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design study.
(http://www.psyneuen-journal.com/article/S0306-4530(14)00413-2/fulltext) - Synthetic cannabinoid similar to THC found to potentially treat obstructive sleep apnea.
Intranodose ganglion injections of dronabinol attenuate serotonin-induced apnea in Sprague-Dawley rat.
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3880550/)
- Calik, M.W., Radulovacki, M., and Carley, D.W. (2014, January 1). Intranodose ganglion injections of dronabinol attenuate serotonin-induced apnea in Sprague-Dawley rat. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 190, 20-24. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3880550/.
- Cousens, K., and DiMascio, A. (1973). (−)δ9 THC as an hypnotic. Psychopharmacologia, 33, 355-364. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00437513.
- Dahl, R.E., Scher, M.S., Williamson, D.E., Robles, N., and Day, N. (1995). A longitudinal study of prenatal marijuana use: Effects on sleep and arousal at age 3 years. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 149(2), 145-50. Retrieved from http://store.jamanetwork.com/productDetails.aspx?articleId=517460.
- Fraser, G.A. (2009). The use of a synthetic cannabinoid in the management of treatment-resistant nightmares in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 15, 84-88. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1755-5949.2008.00071.x/pdf.
- Gates, P.J., Albertella, L., and Copeland, J. (2014, December). The effects of cannabinoid administration on sleep: a systematic review of human studies. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 18(6), 477-87. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079214000215.
- Gorelick, D.A., Goodwin, R.S., Schwilke, E., Schroeder, J.R., Schwope, D.M., Kelly, D.L., Ortemann-Renon, C., Bonnett, D., and Huestis, M.A. (2013, September-October). Around-the-clock oral THC effects on sleep in male chronic daily cannabis smokers. The American Journal on Addictions, 22(5), 510-514. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4537525/.
- Jetley, R., Heber, A., Fraser, G., and Boisvert, D. (2015, January). The efficacy of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, in the treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares: A preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design study. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 51, 585-8. Retrieved from http://www.psyneuen-journal.com/article/S0306-4530(14)00413-2/fulltext.
- Murillo-Rodríguez, E., Palomero-Rivero, M., Millán-Aldaco, D., Arias-Carrión, O., and Drucker-Colín, R. (2011). Administration of URB597, Oleoylethanolamide or Palmitoylethanolamide Increases Waking and Dopamine in Rats. PLoS ONE, 6(7), e20766. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3136458/.
- Pava, M.J., Makriyannis, A., and Lovinger, D.M. (2016). Endocannabinoid Signaling Regulates Sleep Stability. PLoS ONE, 11(3), e0152473. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4816426/.
- Prasad, B., Radulovacki, M.G., and Carley, D.W. (2013). Proof of Concept Trial of Dronabinol in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 4, 1. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3550518/.
- Rueda-Orozco, P.E., Soria-Gomez, E., Montes-Rodriguez, C.J., Perez-Morales, M., and Prospero-Garcia, O. (2010, April 5). Intrahippocampal administration of anandamide increases REM sleep. Neuroscience Letters, 473(2), 158-162. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304394010002284.
- Santucci, V., Storme, J.J., Soubrie, P., and Le Fur, G. (1996, January). Arousal-enhancing properties of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716A in rats as assessed by electroencephalographic spectral and sleep-waking cycle analysis. Life Sciences, 58(6), PL103-10. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0024320595023194?via%3Dihub.
- Sleep Disorders. (2015, December 16). MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sleepdisorders.html.
- Sleep Disorders. (n.d.). National Sleep Foundation. Retrieved from https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems.
- Sleep disorders. (2014, February 7). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-disorders/basic.