More American adults use cannabis to help them sleep than prescription sleep aids, according to the results of a recent survey. The survey found that 16% of American adults aged 21 and older used cannabis to help them sleep compared with the 12% who used prescription sleep aids. Cannabis was also more popular as a sleep aid than alcohol (11%) but not as popular as the use of supplements (26%) or over-the-counter sleep aids (19%).
The survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the “incredibles” line of cannabis edibles from Green Thumb Industries (GTI). The survey of more than 2,000 adults found that nearly eight out of 10 participants (79%) said that something keeps them up at night. More than half (58%) said that they used at least one substance to help them sleep.
The responses available to survey participants included both “cannabis” and “CBD-only or CBD + melatonin products,” according to a report from online cannabis news source Marijuana Moment. Survey participants were allowed to choose multiple responses.
The survey found that seven out of 10 (71%) respondents said they wished they slept better. Nearly one out of five (16%) said they inhale or ingest cannabis, which could include hemp. Ten percent said they used CBD, either alone or with melatonin.
Sleep Survey Reveals Differences in Cannabis Use Among Demographic Groups
Among the survey respondents, 18% of men said they used cannabis as a sleep aid, compared with 15% of women. Men were also more likely to use CBD, with 11% of male respondents saying they used the cannabinoid to help them sleep, compared with 8% of women.
Among women, those aged 21 to 34 were the most likely to use cannabis as a sleep aid compared to older age groups. Among men, however, respondents aged 35 to 44 were most likely to use cannabis to help them sleep.
Respondents with lower incomes were more likely to use cannabis as a sleep aid, with 23% of those with incomes less than $50,000 saying they used cannabis to help them sleep. Respondents from households with higher incomes reported a greater use of supplements and over-the-counter sleep aids.
The survey also found that parents were more likely to use cannabis as a sleep aid than respondents without children. One out of five (20%) participants with children in their household said they used cannabis to help them sleep, compared with 14% of participants without kids.
The survey also found regional differences in the use of cannabis as a sleep aid. In the West, 20% of participants said they used cannabis to help them sleep, while 19% of respondents in the Northeast said the same. By contrast, the rates of using cannabis as a sleep aid were lower in the South (13%) and Midwest (14%).
“Sleeping well is essential for feeling your best,” Ben Kovle, CEO of Green Thumb, said in a statement about the new survey. “More Americans are choosing cannabis for relaxation, sleep, and overall well-being.”
The survey also found that sleep and relaxation are the two most commonly reported reasons that American adults use cannabis edibles. Among the respondents who said they used cannabis edibles, 25% said it was to help them relax, and 21% said they used cannabis edibles to help them sleep.
Other reported reasons for consuming cannabis edibles included managing stress (17%), pain relief (15%), having fun (11%), getting high (9%), and helping with creativity (2%).
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