Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 1 day ago
Long-term cannabis use linked to more disrupted sleep in adults
Researchers found that adults with greater lifetime cannabis use tended to have more restless and interrupted sleep.
The study followed Black and White adults who joined a long-running US study in 1985 and 1986, when they were aged 18 to 30.
Researchers tracked cannabis use over decades and used wrist monitors to estimate sleep for 891 participants in middle age.
People who had used cannabis in the previous 30 days slept about 20 minutes longer on average than those who had never used it, but their sleep was more fragmented.
Greater lifetime use was also linked to spending more time awake after falling asleep and a smaller share of the night actually asleep.
Most users did not report that their sleep felt worse, and total lifetime use was not linked to how many hours people slept.
The study found an association, not proof that cannabis caused the sleep changes.
A study found that greater lifetime cannabis use was linked to more restless and disrupted sleep, although participants generally did not report feeling that their sleep was worse.
The researchers analyzed cannabis-use records collected over decades from 1,266 adults in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study.
Among 891 participants who wore wrist monitors for a week in middle age, each additional cannabis-year was linked to a 0.20 percentage-point increase in restlessness and about 0.85 more minutes awake after first falling asleep.
Recent cannabis users slept about 20 minutes longer on average than people who had never used cannabis, but their sleep was more fragmented and they spent about 11 extra minutes awake after first falling asleep.
The researchers said the findings show an association, not proof that cannabis caused poorer sleep.
- Who
- Researchers led by Dr. Thanh-Huyen T. Vu at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- What
- A study linked greater lifetime cannabis use to more disrupted sleep, while recent users slept longer but had more fragmented sleep.
- When
- Published October 10, 2026
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- To examine the long-term association between cannabis use and sleep.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This study challenges the common belief that cannabis helps people sleep better. Our findings suggest cannabis may actually be associated with poorer sleep quality, even if people don’t perceive those changes.
Our data do not support the belief that cannabis is helpful as a sleep aid. As cannabis becomes increasingly available and accepted, it’s important to better understand its long-term associations with health behaviors such as sleep.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Study participants analyzed
- 1,266 adults with sufficient information on cannabis use and sleep
- Participants monitored by wrist device
- 891 wore an Actiwatch Spectrum PLUS for a week in middle age
- Cannabis-use measure
- One cannabis-year equals 365 days of use, which may be spread across several years
- Lifetime-use association
- Each additional cannabis-year was linked to 0.20 percentage points more restlessness and about 0.85 more minutes awake after first falling asleep
- Recent-use comparison
- Recent users slept about 20 minutes longer on average but spent about 11 extra minutes awake after first falling asleep compared with people who had never used cannabis
Sources
Related news
Planning and portioning freezer foods can make healthy meals quicker
Screen use and poor posture can put added strain on the neck
How prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics differ
Five simple exercises aim to support strength and balance after 50
Hip tightness is not uniquely linked to stress or past trauma
63-Year-Old Says Month of Daily Dead Hangs Improved Mobility and Strength
Dwayne Johnson uses a rice, blueberry and protein shake after training
Japan study warns children’s screen time may increase prolonged sitting
Keeping sweet potato skin adds fiber and other nutrients
More than 500 cyclists join Hyderabad arthritis awareness ride
Denise Austin suggests adding upper-body exercises to a walking routine
