Cannabis Use and Sleep Difficulties in Adolescents and Young Adults

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Washington have investigated the relationship between cannabis use and sleep difficulties in adolescents and young adults (AYA) receiving treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD). The study, which used a 42-day ecological momentary assessment, found that cannabis use was associated with changes in sleep duration and trouble sleeping during the first two weeks of treatment. Notably, the relationship between cannabis use and sleep varied across treatment weeks, with cannabis use related to longer sleep during the first week for those with severe CUD and shorter sleep during the second week for all participants.

Key Takeaways:

  • During the first week of treatment, cannabis grams were related to longer sleep among AYA with severe CUD and shorter sleep among AYA with mild CUD.
  • During the second week, greater cannabis grams related to shorter sleep duration, regardless of CUD severity.
  • Cannabis use was otherwise unassociated with sleep duration and trouble.
  • Clinicians treating AYA CUD should provide greater sleep management skills early in treatment.
  • A total of 65 AYA (51% female, 15-24 years, 57% White) completed the study.
  • The study was conducted from 2009 to 2012.

Statistics:

  • 65 AYA participants completed the 42-day ecological momentary assessment study.
  • 51% of participants were female.
  • 57% of participants were White.
  • The study was conducted from 2009 to 2012.
  • Cannabis use was associated with changes in sleep duration and trouble sleeping during the first two weeks of treatment.

Sources:

  • Dynamic associations between cannabis use and sleep in adolescents and young adults during a cannabis intervention trial. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 2025;35(4).
  • Kirstyn N. Smith-LeCavalier, Dept. of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States (corresponding author).
  • Jamie E. Parnes, Samuel N. Meisel, and Robert Miranda, additional authors.
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, financial supporters.
  • Journal of Research on Adolescence, available at: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1532-7795.