Mice Showed Sleep Disruption After Stopping Cannabinoid Treatment | Research

The takeaway

Mice that received a cannabinoid receptor agonist showed reduced total sleep time during light periods after the drug was stopped, providing an animal model for the sleep disturbances reported in human cannabis withdrawal.

Researchers studying cannabis withdrawal and people experiencing sleep problems after stopping cannabis

Sleep reduced after cessation only

What the researchers found

During cannabinoid administration, there was no difference in sleep/wake patterns between treated and control mice. However, after cessation, treated mice showed decreased total sleep time during the light period (when mice normally sleep), along with increased rearing behavior. This mirrors sleep disturbance symptoms reported in human cannabis withdrawal.

Why it matters

Sleep disturbance is one of the most common and distressing symptoms of cannabis withdrawal, often driving relapse. Having an animal model to study this phenomenon enables testing of potential treatments.

The numbers in context

EEG/EMG recorded for 3 days post-cessation; decreased total sleep during light period in ACPA mice; increased rearing behavior; no sleep differences during active ACPA administration

How the study worked

Mice were administered ACPA (a CB1 receptor agonist) or saline. EEG and EMG recordings were measured for 3 days after cessation. Behavioral changes (rearing, rubbing) were also assessed.

What this study cannot tell us

Mouse sleep patterns differ from human sleep. ACPA is a synthetic agonist, not THC or whole cannabis. Short observation period of 3 days after cessation. Small sample size. Cannot directly translate timing or severity to human withdrawal.

How to read the evidence

Controlled animal study with objective EEG/EMG measures, but limited translatability to human cannabis withdrawal

When this study was published

2023 study

The bigger picture

Cannabis withdrawal syndrome is now recognized as a clinical condition, but treatments are limited. Animal models like this one allow researchers to test medications that might alleviate withdrawal sleep disruption and potentially reduce relapse.

Questions still open

How long do sleep disturbances persist after cessation? Would sleep medications reduce other withdrawal symptoms? Does the type of cannabinoid used affect withdrawal sleep patterns?

Common questions

Does stopping cannabis cause sleep problems?

This mouse study supports what humans report: sleep disturbance after stopping cannabinoid use. Treated mice showed reduced sleep during their normal rest period after the drug was stopped.

Did the cannabinoid improve sleep while it was being taken?

No. There was no difference in sleep patterns between treated and control mice during active cannabinoid administration. The sleep disruption appeared only after the drug was stopped.

Read the original research

Sleep disturbance after cessation of cannabis administration in mice.

Neuropsychopharmacology reports, 43(4), 505-512

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Asano, Takashi; Takemoto, Hiroki; Horita, Tomoya; Tokutake, Tomohiro; Izuo, Naotaka; Mochizuki, Takatoshi; Nitta, Atsumi. (2023). Sleep disturbance after cessation of cannabis administration in mice.. Neuropsychopharmacology reports, 43(4), 505-512. https://doi.org/10.1002/npr2.12329