Sleep disorders have become a huge public health issue across the globe. Now, a new study claims cannabis can help improve sleep quality.
For the study, researchers conducted an online survey that involved 1,000 recreational consumers with a medical licence.Respondents had to report on how cannabis affects their sleep patterns and whether or not it impacted their pharmaceutical needs. Participants were also asked about how cannabis impacted their issues with pain.
Data from the survey revealed the following:
- 74 per cent of the group reported cannabis improved their sleep.
- 84 per cent found it effective in promoting sleep.
- Eight out of 10 people stated it helped them rely on over-the-counter (OTC) aids.
- 80 perc ent find cannabis extremely helpful in treating pain.
- 82 per cent reported it helped them stop using OTC pain medications.
“A daily user could be a grandmother taking an edible that she believes enhances sleep, or a construction worker suffering from back pain at the end time of the day,” study co-author Dr Gwen Wurm, an assistant professor of clinical paediatrics at the University of Miami, told a news portal.
However, further research is needed to investigate how or if it can be used to improve sleep quality. The study's findings were originally published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drug. Multiple studies are investigating the potential benefits we can gain from cannabis.
One study found it helps tackle certain bacteria. "Given cannabidiol's documented anti-inflammatory effects, existing safety data in humans, and potential for varied delivery routes, it is a promising new antibiotic worth further investigation. The combination of inherent antimicrobial activity and potential to reduce damage caused by the inflammatory response to infections is particularly attractive," Dr Mark Blaskovich, a researcher at The University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience's Centre, told a news portal.
Another study found it can help reduce psychotic symptoms. According to the study,published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, a single dose of cannabis extract could be extremely effective in treating conditions like hallucinations, anxiety and insomnia. "The mainstay of current treatment for people with psychosis are drugs that were first discovered in the 1950s and unfortunately do not work for everyone," study author Dr Sagnik Bhattacharyya, told a news portal. Adding, "Our results have started unravelling the brain mechanisms of a new drug that works in a completely different way to traditional antipsychotics."
