Evident public use and interest in cannabis for sleep was found, with consumer caution warranted as the short and long-term effects of cannabis products on sleep are poorly characterized in the real world.
Current cannabis use for sleep was reported by 8.6% of U.S. adults, and past cannabis use for sleep was reported by 9.9%.
Eleven percent of adults who do not currently use cannabis endorsed likely future use of cannabis products for sleep.
Adults using cannabis for sleep (current, past, or likely future users) tended to report worse sleep quality than those who do not use cannabis.
The short and long-term effects of cannabis products on sleep are described as poorly characterized in the real world.
This research suggests that a meaningful portion of U.S. adults are already using or interested in using cannabis products to help with sleep. Using a nationally representative survey of 1,367 American adults, researchers found that about 1 in 12 currently use cannabis for sleep, roughly 1 in 10 have used it in the past for that purpose, and about 1 in 9 non-users say they would likely try cannabis products for sleep in the future. Together, these numbers point to widespread and growing public engagement with cannabis as a sleep remedy. The study also found that people who use or are interested in using cannabis for sleep tend to report worse sleep quality compared to those who do not use cannabis for sleep. However, this does not tell us whether cannabis causes poorer sleep or whether people with already poor sleep are more likely to turn to cannabis for relief — it is likely some combination of both. This research matters because it reveals a significant gap between how many people are using cannabis for sleep and how well scientists actually understand its effects. The authors note that the real-world short- and long-term impacts of cannabis on sleep remain poorly understood, even as millions of Americans are already incorporating these products into their nightly routines. The findings suggest there is an urgent need for more research into cannabis as a sleep aid so that consumers can make informed decisions.
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Upload Your LabsDzierzewski J, Miller A, Erickson A, Nielson S, Dautovich N. (2026). Use and interest in cannabis as a sleep aid: Results from a National Sleep Foundation population survey.. Sleep health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2026.04.002