If you have frequent periods of heavy sweating during your sleep, then you may be experiencing night sweats. Night sweats are not typically considered a condition but are usually symptomatic of another problem.
It’s important to note that night sweats must be extreme in order to qualify. Sweating to the extent of soaking through clothes and bedding is typically qualified as night sweats. However, light sweating due to external factors (such as room temperature) will not qualify as night sweats.
Night sweats are something that’s not often talked about, but many people experience them.1 Some will feel extremely hot during the night, while others wake up drenched in sweat. Night sweats aren’t typically experienced at a single age. Both adults and children can experience this degree of sweating. However, there are some additional factors, such as menopause, that can make certain ages more likely to experience night sweats.
What Causes Night Sweats?
Night sweats can be complex, and there isn’t one sole factor that causes them.
Possible causes include:
- Alcohol use
- Autoimmune problems
- Bone infections
- Certain medications
- Certain cancers
- HIV/AIDS
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Substance detox
Substance use is a factor in developing night sweats, so you may be wondering, “Can THC cause night sweats?”
If you’re concerned about night sweats, you should consider visiting a doctor. This is one of the best ways to address your concerns and get personalized recommendations. You could adjust some factors in your life to reduce night sweats.
Night Sweats Signs & Symptoms
You may have night sweats if you’re frequently experiencing intense sweating at night that is not due to environmental factors. It’s possible to go through periods of more severe night sweats and then have other times when it’s barely noticeable.
How Cannabis May Help Alleviate Night Sweats
Reducing night sweats can depend on a variety of factors. If you’re experiencing night sweats due to an underlying condition, treating that diagnosis will most likely help reduce your night sweats.
There has been some research that suggests cannabis may be able to reduce night sweats due to its ability to impact body temperature. For example, one study found that medical marijuana effectively reduced night sweats for cancer patients. This study had valuable results but isn’t generalizable to the general population.2
Another study from 2022 found that in patients with PTSD, cannabis use was associated with a reduction in symptoms such as night sweats.3
While it’s possible that cannabis could reduce night sweats, there is more to this discussion. For instance, detoxing from substance use is a common cause of night sweats. Detox night sweats can be severe. If you’re detoxing from heavy cannabis use, it is possible that you could experience night sweats.4 However, the night sweats will most likely resolve themselves after detox.
It’s possible that cannabis could be helpful for those with night sweats, but there isn’t yet enough research to know for sure. If you’ve found that cannabis has helped your night sweats, then it definitely could be a consideration for future episodes. However, if you’ve reacted negatively to cannabis, other remedies might be a better option.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers night sweats to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes night sweats or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 28 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,300,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Night Sweats
Is there anything I can do to reduce night sweats if I’m detoxing from cannabis?
You may be concerned about night sweats if you’re about to begin detoxing. Detoxing with the support of medical professionals is one of the best ways to ensure you’re safe throughout the process. Making sure that you’re staying hydrated, wearing cool clothes, and sleeping in a comfortable environment are all things that may help with night sweats.
I’m going through menopause and dealing with night sweats. Should I try cannabis?
Menopause can manifest itself in different ways. It’s possible that cannabis could help, but there’s no way to know definitely. If you’re dealing with extreme symptoms, consider speaking with your doctor about other solutions.
Is THC or CBD better for night sweats?
More research is needed to answer this question decisively. It will depend on your individual reaction and what goals you have.
Resources
- Mold JW, Woolley JH, Nagykaldi Z. Associations between night sweats and other sleep disturbances: An OKPRN study. Ann Fam Med. 2006;4(5):423-426. doi:10.1370/afm.554
- Carr C, Vertelney H, Fronk J, Trieu S. Dronabinol for the Treatment of Paraneoplastic Night Sweats in Cancer Patients: A Report of Five Cases. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2019;22(10):1221-1223. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2018.0551
- Monti JM, Pandi-Perumal SR. Clinical Management of Sleep and Sleep Disorders With Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Clinical Neuropharmacology. 2022;Publish Ahead of Print. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/wnf.0000000000000494
- Connor JP, Stjepanović D, Budney AJ, Le Foll B, Hall WD. Clinical Management of Cannabis Withdrawal. Addiction. 2021;117(7). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15743
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
