What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Sleep.

Where was this research published?

Published in Sleep health on August 24, 2026.

Sleep

Frequent cannabis use linked to signs of disrupted breathing

Q: What did this research study find?

*Cannabis* use was associated with **higher odds of witnessed apnea and loud snoring** in this U.S. adult sample.

Cannabis use and associated sleep-disordered breathing among US adults.

Sleep health • August 24, 2026 • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

This cross-sectional study examined whether cannabis use was associated with signs of sleep-disordered breathing in 14,485 U.S. adults surveyed in 2017–2018. Cannabis use was reported by 5.5% of participants, while 44.7% reported at least one sign—either witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep or loud snoring. Because the data came from telephone surveys and captured information at one point in time, the study identifies an association rather than proving that cannabis causes breathing problems during sleep.

The association was stronger among people who used cannabis more frequently. Compared with nonusers, non-regular users—those reporting use on 1–15 days in the previous month—had higher odds of witnessed apnea, loud snoring, or either sign. Regular users—those reporting use on 16–30 days—had still higher odds, and each additional day of use per month was linked with increased odds of these reported symptoms. The findings suggest that cannabis users who snore loudly or have witnessed breathing pauses should discuss these symptoms with a healthcare professional, while further research is needed to determine causality and whether the method of cannabis use matters.

💡 Key Findings

Cannabis use was associated with higher odds of witnessed apnea and loud snoring in this U.S. adult sample.

Good

75%

Regular use on 16–30 days per month was associated with stronger links to reported sleep-disordered breathing signs than non-regular use.

Good

75%

Each additional day of cannabis use per month was associated with increased odds of witnessed apnea, loud snoring, or either sign.

Good

75%

The cross-sectional design shows an association, not causation; further research is needed to assess causality and the role of the consumption method.

High

90%

📄 Original Abstract

As sleep-disordered breathing has become more prevalent, so has cannabis use due to legalization across many regions of the United States of America (USA). This study sought to determine if there is an association between cannabis use and signs of sleep-disordered breathing. This was a cross-sectional study of a sample of 14,485 US adults from the 2017 to 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Data from state-administered telephone surveys were used. We utilized survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression to investigate the association between self-reported frequency of cannabis use with witnessed apnea during sleep and reported loud snoring. Cannabis use and signs of sleep-disordered breathing were present in 5.5% and 44.7%, respectively, of the cohort. Compared to no cannabis use, non-regular use (1-15 days of use in last 30) was associated with witnessed apnea during sleep (OR 1.41; 95%CI 1.05, 1.86), loud snoring (1.26; 1.01, 1.57), and either sign (1.33; 1.07, 1.65). Regular use of cannabis (16-30 days of use) was associated with witnessed apnea during sleep (1.73; 1.27, 2.33), loud snoring (1.68; 1.32, 2.14), and either sign (1.82; 1.43, 2.33). Additionally, each additional day per month of cannabis use was associated with increased odds of reported witnessed apnea during sleep, reported loud snoring, and either sleep-disordered breathing sign. Cannabis use was associated with a greater odds of signs of sleep-disordered breathing. More research is required to examine the causality of this relationship and to determine if the potential effect is mediated by the method of cannabis use.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Sleep health
Published: August 24, 2026
PMID: 42637625
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2026.07.003

Authors (6)

Tyler J Gallagher Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. Electronic address: gallagher.tyler13@gmail.com.
Matthew E Lin Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Ian Kim Stanford University, Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, Palo Alto, California, USA.
Ziva D Cooper UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Los Angeles, California, USA; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Sebastian M Jara Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
+1 more authors