According to new research from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), adults using medical cannabis reported improved sleep quality within months, with these improvements persisting for at least a year.
The study, Changes in Sleep Quality During the 12 Months Following Medical Cannabis Initiation, followed 137 Pennsylvania adults who reported poor sleep quality before starting medical cannabis. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a validated sleep assessment tool, at baseline and again at three, six, nine and 12 months after initiation.
Researchers found that overall sleep quality scores improved significantly within the first three months of medical cannabis use. These benefits were maintained over the yearlong follow-up.
“The consistency of the improvement was one of the most striking findings,” said Megan M. Short, lead author and research coordinator at PCOM. “By following patients for a full year, we were able to observe that self-reported improvements in sleep were sustained over time, which helps inform ongoing clinical conversations.”
Sleep improvements were reported across all major domains measured by the PSQI, including time to fall asleep, sleep duration, nighttime disturbances, daytime functioning and use of sleep medications.
Though sleep disturbances are not qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Pennsylvania, sleep-related issues are common in patients seeking medical cannabis for other approved conditions. Previous sleep research has often focused on short-term outcomes or produced mixed results, making it difficult to understand whether perceived benefits persist over time. This study helps address that gap by tracking sleep quality over a full year following medical cannabis initiation.
The study also examined whether sleep outcomes varied based on patients' preferred route of administration, such as oral products versus other methods, or by primary referring condition, including anxiety, chronic pain or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Results showed no significant differences in sleep improvement across these groups.
“This research helps fill an important gap,” said Michelle R. Lent, PhD, second author of the study and Interim Chief Research and Science Officer at PCOM. “There has been relatively little long-term data. Our findings suggest that the perceived sleep benefits of medical cannabis are sustained over time, underscoring the need for continued, rigorous research in this area.”
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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Ally Wengel
Public Relations Manager
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: allywe@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6325
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