An investigation of cannabis use for insomnia in depression and anxiety in a naturalistic sample

Kuhathasan, Nirushi; Minuzzi, Luciano; MacKillop, James; Frey, Benício N.

doi:10.1186/s12888-022-03948-6

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Indica strains typically contain a higher ratio of CBD to THC, whereas Sativa strains typically contain a higher ratio of THC to CBD. Predominantly Indica or Indica hybrid strains were found to be subjectively more effective than Sativa or CBD only strains [6 ▪ ,11]. Also, the combination CBD plus THC had higher perceived improvement in insomnia versus CBD or THC alone [6 ▪ ].…”

Section: Cannabis Products and Insomniamentioning

confidence: 90%

Updates in the use of cannabis for insomnia

Earl¹,

Proano

2022

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine

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Purpose of reviewThis review aims to summarize recent updates in the area of cannabis use for insomnia.Recent findingsCannabis products have continued to become more potent, particularly in regard to delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration. Additionally, the use of cannabis has continued to become more accepted with less legal restrictions. The reported use of cannabis for relief of symptoms in sleep disorders appears to be increasing, however the specific effects of cannabinoids on sleep varies with cannabinoid type and concentration. Some evidence supports claims of efficacy of cannabinoids in sleep disorders such as insomnia, while other evidence is either lacking or in some cases contradictory. Regular cannabis use has been associated with withdrawal which can profoundly alter sleep. Also, clinicians should be aware of the potential effects of cannabis on the metabolism of other medications as well as the fact that cannabis use has been reported in a significant number of women in the periods before, during, and after pregnancy.SummaryCannabis use has been becoming more and more prevalent in the setting of relaxed restrictions and easier consumer level access to cannabis and cannabis products. A relative paucity of high quality evidence regarding the effects of cannabis on sleep and the treatment of insomnia symptoms remains. The optimal type, concentration, ratio, and dosage form of cannabinoids in the treatment of insomnia symptoms needs further clarification. As the trend of acceptance and use of cannabis continues, more high quality evidence to help guide clinicians in their recommendations will hopefully become available.

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Section: Cannabis Products and Insomniamentioning

confidence: 90%

Updates in the use of cannabis for insomnia

Earl¹,

Proano

2022

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine

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“…There is emerging evidence that cannabis may have pharmacological properties that could be therapeutic in patients with BD (Ashton et al, 2005) and depression (Kuhathasan et al, 2022). Only about one‐third of people with BD respond to lithium (Rybakowski, 2014) and there is limited good quality evidence supporting other mood stabilizing medications, carbamazepine, valproate (Mitchell, 2008) and lamotrigine (Ng et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The experience of mood disorder and substance use: An integrative review

Crowe

Inder

Thwaites

2022

Psychiatric Ment Health Nurs

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Accessible Summary What is known on the subject? People with mood disorders often use substances. There are several clinician‐driven hypotheses explaining the relationship. What the paper adds to existing knowledge? The paper draws together the existing research on the perceptions of those with lived experience of mood disorders on the reasons for using substances. The participants in the studies identified using substances to manage their mood when treatment to manage their mood was not effective or acceptable, and as an escape from trauma and hardship. What are the implications for practice? Mental health nurses need an understanding of why people with mood disorders may use substances and the impact of this on their treatment. Mental health nurses need to provide trauma‐informed care that emphasizes harm reduction for those who have mood disorders and substance use. Abstract IntroductionSubstance use is highly prevalent among people with mood disorders. Effective treatment for these people requires a better understanding of the relationship between both mood and substance use from the perspectives of those with lived experience. QuestionWhat are the reasons those with lived experience of mood disorders give for substance use? MethodAn integrative review was conducted. The Joanna Briggs Institute suite of critical appraisal tools was used to evaluate the quality of individual studies. Data relevant to the review question were extracted, and the results were synthesized into themes. ResultsEighteen papers met the eligibility criteria. Three themes were identified across the included studies: Managing my mood, More Effective than prescribed medication, and Escape from trauma and hardship. DiscussionThis integrative review identified that people with a mood disorder who use substances described choosing to take substances to manage their mood, as an alternative to prescribed medications, and to cope with trauma and social hardships. Implications for PracticeMental health nurses need to provide care that recognizes why people use substances. They need to understand these reasons to provide a harm reduction and trauma‐informed model of care. Evidence‐based non‐pharmacological interventions for mood disorders need to be available as an alternative to medications or as a supplement.

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“…For example, in a naturalistic sample of individuals who self-reported using cannabis to cope with insomnia, cannabis use was perceived to help with sleep (Kuhathasan et al, 2021). This also appears to be the case among individuals with mental health problems, as in a recent study of individuals who self-reported using cannabis to cope with insomnia symptoms and comorbid depression and anxiety, cannabis use was perceived to help with sleep (Kuhathasan et al, 2022).…”

Section: The Multifaceted Relationship Between Insomnia and Cannabis Usementioning

confidence: 94%

Longitudinal associations between insomnia, cannabis use and stress among US veterans

Davis

Prindle

Saba

et al. 2023

Journal of Sleep Research

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SummaryInsomnia is highly prevalent among military veterans, with rates nearly double that of civilian populations. Insomnia typically co‐occurs with other psychological problems, including substance use (e.g. cannabis) and perceived stress. Much of the research focused on insomnia, stress and cannabis use explores cannabis as a sleep aid and a mechanism for stress relief. However, recent theoretical and empirical evidence suggests a dynamic interplay between insomnia, cannabis use and perceived stress, yet few longitudinal studies exist. Using a sample of 1105 post‐9/11 veterans assessed over four time points across 12 months, we used latent difference score modelling to examine proportional change between insomnia, perceived stress and cannabis use. Results revealed a complex interplay between all three constructs. In particular, we show that higher prior levels of insomnia are associated with greater increases in perceived stress, and greater prior levels of stress are associated with greater increases in cannabis use. Perhaps more importantly, our results also point to cannabis use as a catalyst for greater increases in both stress and insomnia severity. Our results suggest there may be both benefits and costs of cannabis use among veterans. Specifically, for veterans who experience chronic sleep problems, perceived stress may become overwhelming, and the benefit of stress reduction from increased cannabis use may come at the cost of increasing insomnia symptomology.

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An investigation of cannabis use for insomnia in depression and anxiety in a naturalistic sample

Cited by 12 publications

References 39 publications

Updates in the use of cannabis for insomnia

Updates in the use of cannabis for insomnia

The experience of mood disorder and substance use: An integrative review

Longitudinal associations between insomnia, cannabis use and stress among US veterans

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