Why Young Adults Are Turning to Cannabis for Sleep and Why It's a Problem

Many young adults are choosing cannabis and alcohol to help them sleep, but this might not be the best idea. A recent study shows that a lot of people aged 19 to 30 are using these substances to catch some zzz's. The numbers are quite surprising: 18% of young adults use cannabis for sleep, while only 7% use alcohol. The study also found that women are almost twice as likely as men to use cannabis to fall asleep. Interestingly, those who identify as another gender are four times more likely than men to do the same. When it comes to alcohol, Black young adults are three times more likely than their white peers to use it as a sleep aid.Experts are worried because using these substances to sleep could make things worse. Megan Patrick, a researcher from the University of Michigan, explains that cannabis and alcohol can mess with sleep quality and make it harder to stay asleep. Over time, this can lead to bigger sleep problems and even substance use disorders. The study also found that using these substances regularly can lead to tolerance. This means that people might need more and more to get the same effect, which can create a vicious cycle. Instead of solving sleep problems, it might make them worse. This study is one of the first to look at why young adults use substances to manage sleep issues. The findings show that there is a need for better support from health care providers. Good sleep is crucial for mental health and mood regulation, so it's important to find safe and effective ways to improve sleep.