Cannabis and Sleep: A Mixed Bag for Young Adults

Young adults with anxiety or depression might find cannabis helpful for sleep, but for others, it could make things worse. A recent study from USC shows that cannabis can improve sleep problems for those with mental health issues, but worsen sleep for those without. Researchers think this might be because THC in cannabis helps mask symptoms like anxiety or depression, which can disrupt sleep. However, it's not clear if cannabis actually treats these conditions.The study also found that people who use cannabis more frequently (20 days a month) had different sleep outcomes compared to non-users. Interestingly, cannabis affects sleep differently depending on how it's consumed. Lower doses and specific strains might help sleep better than higher doses or different strains. But, like any sleep aid, cannabis comes with risks, including dependence and reduced REM sleep.