A newly released peer-reviewed study shows that cannabis can effectively help people get some much-needed sleep and relief from symptoms.
The study, published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, found that using marijuana for the relief of pain and certain other symptoms, as well as for getting sleep, was common among adult-use customers at two dispensaries in Colorado.
These recreational cannabis users took part in an online survey conducted by the researchers. They were surveyed on how cannabis has affected their sleeping patterns, as well as how it affected their pharmaceutical needs.
The researchers focused solely on adult-use cannabis consumers and excluded anyone who had a medical license from the results.
Out of the 1,000 respondents, 74 percent reported using weed as a sleep aid. And among the respondents who used cannabis to promote sleep, 84 percent found the drug very effective and helpful. Also, of this group, around eight to 10 said that they were able to stop or at least lessen their use of over-the-counter sleeping medication.
The researchers also asked the respondents about using cannabis in the treatment of pain. Of those who said they use cannabis to get pain relief, 80 percent reported that the drug was extremely helpful. Of that group, 82 percent said that they were able to stop or reduce over-the-counter pain medications, while 88 percent said they stopped or lessened their use of opioid analgesics.
The study’s authors wrote that while adult-use laws are frequently referred to as ‘recreational,’ implying that the cannabis products obtained through the adult-use system are only meant for pleasure or for experiencing a high, their findings suggest that many consumers use the drug for symptom relief.