The study of data from 1473 young adults aged between 19 and 30 years also found 7.2% of those surveyed reported drinking alcohol to induce sleep.
But using cannabis which might help them fall asleep in the short term, will, in the long term, lead to worsening sleep problems and increased substance use.
The researchers analyzed survey data from 2022 to 2023 of a nationally representative sample of 12th grade students who were followed starting in 2010 (51% female; 54.8% White). Among all respondents, 18.3% used cannabis to get to sleep (P < .001).
Daily or near-daily cannabis use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.58; 95% CI, 2.10 -6.09) and being female or another gender identity (aOR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.25-3.16) were associated with higher odds of using the drug to fall sleep.
Those who used alcohol daily or near daily had higher odds of using cannabis to get to sleep (aOR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.12-9.78), as did those who identified as Black (aOR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.46-6.29; P = .003).
More than 20% of young adults in the United States struggle to fall or stay asleep. Research has shown many people build gradual cannabis tolerance when consumed for sleep, leading to more use and potentially cannabis substance-use disorder.
Prior to this study, research was mixed on whether cannabis can help with insomnia. A 2023 qualitative scoping literature review found the use of cannabis worsened sleep (48%), improved sleep (21%), had no effect (17%), or produced mixed results (14%). A clinical outcomes analysis published earlier this year demonstrated improvements in patient-reported measures in individuals prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products for insomnia.
Treatments for insomnia in young people mentioned in other studies include sleep hygiene — such as keeping a consistent bedtime and exercising daily — cognitive behavioral therapy, and acupressure.
Meanwhile, the evidence for using alcohol to get to sleep shows clear, detrimental effects. A review of 27 studies on the impact of alcohol consumption on subsequent sleep in healthy adults found consumption of two standard drinks disrupted REM sleep.
Although alcohol reduces sleep latency and helps individuals fall asleep faster, it subsequently worsens sleep architecture and alters the ways that our brain functions during sleep. Additionally, alcohol relaxes breathing muscles, causing snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
