title: Cannabis species and cannabinoid concentration preference among sleep-disturbed medicinal cannabis users.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Individuals report using cannabis for the promotion of sleep, and the effects of cannabis on sleep may vary by cannabis species. Little research has documented preferences for particular cannabis types or cannabinoid concentrations as a function of use for sleep disturbances.
  
  
  METHODS
  163 adults purchasing medical cannabis for a physical or mental health condition at a cannabis dispensary were recruited. They provided self-report of (a) whether cannabis use was intended to help with sleep problems (e.g. insomnia, nightmares), (b) sleep quality (PSQI), (c) cannabis use (including preferred type), and (d) symptoms of DSM-5 cannabis dependence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  81 participants reported using cannabis for the management of insomnia and 14 participants reported using cannabis to reduce nightmares. Individuals using cannabis to manage nightmares preferred sativa to indica strains (Fisher's exact test (2) = 6.83, p < 0.05), and sativa users were less likely to endorse DSM-5 cannabis dependence compared with those who preferred indica strains (χ(2)(2) = 4.09, p < 0.05). Individuals with current insomnia (t(9) = 3.30, p < 0.01) and greater sleep latency (F(3,6) = 46.7, p < 0.001) were more likely to report using strains of cannabis with significantly higher concentrations of CBD. Individuals who reported at least weekly use of hypnotic medications used cannabis with lower THC concentrations compared to those who used sleep medications less frequently than weekly (t(17) = 2.40, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Associations between sleep characteristics and the type of cannabis used were observed in this convenience sample of individuals using cannabis for the management of sleep disturbances. Controlled prospective studies are needed to better characterize the impact that specific components of cannabis have on sleep.
authors.affiliation: University of California at Berkeley Institute of Human Development, 1127 Tolman Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720-1690, USA. Electronic address: kab@berkeley.edu.
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Belendiuk
authors.affiliation: National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road (152-MPD), Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA. Electronic address: Kimberly.Babson@va.gov.
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Babson
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224,USA. Electronic address: rvandrey@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vandrey
authors.affiliation: National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road (152-MPD), Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA; Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road (152-MPD), Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education, Philadelphia VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. Electronic address: Marcel.Bonn-Miller@va.gov.
authors.forename: Marcel O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Bonn-Miller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002188:Cannabis; D015897:Comorbidity; D004325:Dreams / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology*; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D064086:Medical Marijuana
keywords: Cannabis; Insomnia; Marijuana; Medical marijuana; Sleep