--- title: "Pot: An Alternative Treatment for Sleep Apnea?" description: With an estimated 20 million Americans with sleep apnea, can marijuana be used as an alternative to CPAP therapy? image: https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/medical%20marijuana%20for%20sleep%20apnea.jpg --- **[![ASMS_logo_shadow_round](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png?width=200&name=ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png "ASMS_logo_shadow_round")](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/)** **Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc.** The Sleep Experts`®` (877) 775-3377 ## Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ### *We believe that education is the first step to finding better sleep. Our articles educate people on sleep news, sleep disorders, and sleep care to help them achieve better health and live better lives. * *Thanks for joining the conversation.* ## [Pot: An Alternative Treatment for Sleep Apnea?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/pot-an-alternative-treatment-for-sleep-apnea) Posted by [Julia Steele Rodriguez](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/author/julia-steele-rodriguez) Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/julia.steele818) [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasteele) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/juliasteelerod) Nov 7, 2016 8:25:00 AM ![medical marijuana for sleep apnea.jpg](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/medical%20marijuana%20for%20sleep%20apnea.jpg?width=439&name=medical%20marijuana%20for%20sleep%20apnea.jpg)Sleep apnea affects approximately 20 million Americans—nearly one out of every 16 people—and estimates show that sleep disorders affect over 40 million people in the United States alone. Sufferers are unable to achieve restful sleep, no matter how long they spend in bed. As a result, people with sleep apnea suffer from many negative health effects and conditions as a result of the strain on their body and mind. When left untreated, sleep apnea can significantly reduce a person’s health and quality of life. There are effective treatments for sleep apnea that are FDA approved and easily available; however, these therapies are challenging to use or prohibitively expensive. As a result, there are many alternative therapies that are gaining popularity as new research and technology are making them more effective. One such potential therapy is derived from a controversial substance: marijuana. # Marijuana and insomnia The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep is called insomnia. Insomnia, in its chronic form, can last for weeks, months, or even years. It may be related to worry, anxiety, depression, medical/psychiatric problems, or substance abuse (learn more about insomnia [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/insomnia-causes-symptoms-treatment)).  Marijuana is commonly known as a treatment for insomnia and can even be legally prescribed in states that have not otherwise decriminalized marijuana. It has been shown to reduce the onset of sleep and increase the overall duration without causing excessive grogginess the next day- a common side-effect of many pharmaceutical insomnia drugs.    # Can marijuana be used to treat sleep apnea? A 2013 proof of concept trial by the University of Illinois Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology and Biobehavioral Health Science, conducted sleep studies on 17 adults with moderate and above sleep apnea. They examined the safety, tolerability and efficacy of dranabinol, an exogenouse cannabinoid type 1 and type 2 receptor agonist in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. They concluded: *Dronabinol treatment is safe and well-tolerated in OSA patients at doses of 2.5–10 mg daily and significantly reduces AHI in the short-term. These findings should be confirmed in a larger study in order to identify sub-populations with OSA that may benefit from cannabimimetic pharmacologic therapy.* More research is needed. The lead author of the University of Illinois study received a $5 million grant from the National Institute of Health to investigate the results in a phase 2 clinical trail. Until there is more information, most patients will rely on conventional treatment methods, each with their own obstacles.   # Current therapy for sleep apnea is challenging Positive Airway Pressure devices, called PAP, deliver pressurized ambient air through a delivery system (tubing and mask), to eliminate apnea events during sleep. PAP, including CPAP, BIPAP, Auto-PAP, and ASV-PAP, is the most effective treatment for [obstructive sleep apnea](http://www.sleepdr.com/learn-about-sleep-apnea) and can potentially improve the patient’s sleep overnight, dramatically improving the quality of life for individuals afflicted with sleep apnea (learn more about PAP [here](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/what-is-a-pap-machine-cpap-apap-bipap-asv)). CPAP is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea and can potentially improve the patient’s sleep overnight, dramatically improving the quality of life for individuals afflicted with sleep apnea. PAP treatment is nearly 100% effective at eliminating the negative effects of sleep apnea; however, there are challenges with compliance for many patients. Several studies show that less than 50% of patients prescribed PAP therapy use the device more than four hours per night (learn more about insurance company requirements for compliance [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/compliance-before-resupply)). Currently available and widely accepted alternatives to CPAP include sleep apnea surgery and dental devices (click [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleep-apnea-treatment-options) to learn more about these options). These treatments vary in their effectiveness for patients depending on adherence and severity of sleep apnea. Insurance coverage for alternative therapies is also limiting, while CPAP therapy is typically covered (learn more about that [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/will-my-insurance-cover-cpap-frequently-asked-questions-about-coverage)). While awareness of sleep apnea increases, more attention will be paid to developing effective treatments.   ### To find out if you suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness that may indicate an undiagnosed sleep disorder, like sleep apnea, take this quiz: [![Sleepiness quiz](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/299691/841d7abd-e39e-4be3-8485-3b934d9a8041.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/299691/841d7abd-e39e-4be3-8485-3b934d9a8041)   **Sources: ** [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23346060 https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleepless-in-america/201211/cannabis-and-sleep  https://www.coloradopotguide.com/colorado-marijuana-blog/2015/march/02/how-cannabis-affects-sleep-patterns/ ](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23346060)   **Other posts you may find interesting:** - I[s CPAP Forever? The Future of Sleep Apnea Treatment](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/is-cpap-forever-the-future-of-sleep-apnea-treatment) - [Does CPAP Save Lives?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/does-cpap-save-lives) - [What is Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Sleep Apnea? ](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/what-is-hypoglossal-nerve-stimulation-therapy-for-sleep-apnea) - [What are the Side Effects of CPAP?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/side-effects-of-using-cpap) - [How Often Should You Replace Your CPAP Supplies?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/cpap-supplies) - [How Does Sleep Apnea Impact the Brain?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/how-does-sleep-apnea-impact-the-brain) ***Editor's Note: This post was originally published in November 2013 and has been edited and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.***  Topics: [Sleep Apnea](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-apnea), [Treating Sleep Apnea](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/treating-sleep-apnea), [Sleep and Society](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-society) ## Share this blog post: [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fpot-an-alternative-treatment-for-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fpot-an-alternative-treatment-for-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fpot-an-alternative-treatment-for-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fpot-an-alternative-treatment-for-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Pot%3A%20An%20Alternative%20Treatment%20for%20Sleep%20Apnea%3F) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fpot-an-alternative-treatment-for-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fpot-an-alternative-treatment-for-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fpot-an-alternative-treatment-for-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - 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Corporate Office 17835 Ventura Blvd. Suite 300 Encino, CA 91316 Phone (877) 775-3377 Fax (877) 855-6227  [info@sleepdr.com](mailto:info@sleepdr.com) ## **Top Links:** [Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/frequently-asked-questions)[Download Service Request Form (Rx) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/service_request_form)[Request medical records ](http://www.sleepdr.com/request-medical-records)[See a complete list of locations ](http://www.sleepdr.com/locations)[Schedule an appointment ](http://www.sleepdr.com/schedule)[Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ](http://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog)[Contact us](http://www.sleepdr.com/contact) **About Us:** Our mission is to empower sufferers of sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, to lead more fulfilling lives by improving their sleep. We believe that by caring for and educating our patients and diagnosing and treating their sleep disorders we can help them achieve better health. With 20 locations across California, we are the leading provider of in-center and in-home (HST) sleep studies, PAP therapeutic devices, and replacement PAP supplies. We are contracted with more than 300 medical groups and commercial health plans. We partner with independent physicians who are at the forefront of the field of sleep medicine and together we provide high-quality, affordable, result-oriented and patient-centric diagnostic and therapeutic sleep medicine services. We strive to make all our interactions with patients, referring physicians, coworkers, and others courteous, caring and professional and we consider each interaction with our patients as an opportunity to live up to our commitment to the highest standards of patient care.  ### Subscribe to our blog: [![Twitter link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/twitter-865437-edited.png "Twitter link")](https://twitter.com/mysleepdr)[![Facebook link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/facebook-square-750598-edited.png "Facebook link")](https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedSleepMedicine)[![LinkedIn link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/linkedin-815276-edited.png "LinkedIn link")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-sleep-medicine-services-inc) ## Original photos by Francisco Crow [www.fc-images.net](http://www.fc-images.net) All rights reserved. Our administrative offices AND sleep centers will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2016 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.