Slumber in the grass: What weed before bed actually does to your sleep - New York Post

What the report says

The New York Post reported that cannabis is increasingly being used as a bedtime aid, citing National Sleep Foundation figures estimating that 22 million U.S. adults use some form of weed to help them sleep and 45 million more have tried it for that purpose. The article said many users believe cannabis improves rest, but researchers remain uncertain whether it truly improves sleep quality or mainly changes sleep patterns.

According to the Post, THC, the main intoxicating compound in marijuana, acts on the body’s endocannabinoid system and may help some people fall asleep more quickly. CBD, which is not intoxicating in the same way, may also help certain users indirectly by reducing anxiety or pain. But the article emphasized that faster sleep onset does not necessarily mean more restorative sleep.

The report focused on evidence that THC can reduce REM sleep, the stage linked to vivid dreaming, learning, memory and emotional processing. It cited a 2025 review finding that cannabis did not reliably improve sleep length or how refreshed people felt, and noted other research associating chronic daily use with more nighttime wakefulness and poorer sleep quality. The Post also discussed research suggesting reduced REM sleep may explain why some users dream less, while stopping cannabis can bring “REM rebound,” or unusually intense dreams.

The Post reported that tolerance may develop with regular THC use, potentially leading users to higher doses or stronger products to get the same sleep effect. Researchers quoted in the article cautioned that occasional use may help some people sleep, while heavy or daily use has been linked with insomnia, shorter sleep and lower sleep quality, making the overall health impact still unsettled.