Cannabis Effects on Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Light Sensitivity in Young Adults

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Cannabis Use; Sleep; Circadian Rhythm

• Registration Number: NCT06743373
• Lead Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to learn how cannabis use and discontinuation affect sleep, circadian rhythms, and sensitivity to light. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does cannabis use and discontinuation impact sleep drive?

2. Does cannabis use and discontinuation impact light sensitivity and circadian phase?

Detailed Description

Researchers will compare sleep, circadian phase, and light sensitivity within regular cannabis users before, during, and after a cannabis discontinuation protocol; researchers will also compare sleep, circadian phase, and light sensitivity between regular cannabis users and control non-cannabis users.

Participants will:

1. Participate in a 1-week baseline period consisting of at-home monitoring (sleep diaries, actigraphy, EEG headband).

2. Participate in a 2-night lab visit consisting of circadian phase and light sensitivity assessment.

3. Participate in a 4-week cannabis discontinuation protocol (cannabis users only).

4. Participate in a second 2-night lab visit after the discontinuation protocol (cannabis users only).

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-12-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-12-15
• Study First Posted: 2024-12-19
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study Start: 2025-03-13
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-10-02
• Last Update Posted: 2025-10-07
• Primary Completion: 2029-01-31
• Study Completion: 2029-04-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 180

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Homeostatic Sleep Drive	Baseline, 1 week	Rate of slow wave activity dissipation, assessed by at-home EEG headband. Compared within person (cannabis-using days vs. non using days), between groups (Cannabis-Using, Control) at Baseline, and within-group (Cannabis-Using) between Baseline and Post-discontinuation.
Circadian Photosensitivity	Discontinuation, 4 weeks	Light-Induced Melatonin Suppression. Melatonin levels on during a 60-minute light exposure will be compared to melatonin levels on a prior night under dim light conditions (when the dim light melatonin onset was assessed). The primary outcome will be % reduction in melatonin levels. Will be compared between groups (Cannabis-Using, Control) at Baseline and within-group (Cannabis-Using) between Baseline and Post-discontinuation.
Retinal Responsivity	End of discontinuation, 4 weeks	Retinal responsivity assessed via pupillometry (specifically the Post-Illumination Pupil Response; PIPR). Will be compared between groups (Cannabis-Using, Control) at Baseline and within group (Cannabis-Using.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Circadian phase	End of discontinuation, 4 weeks	Dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). Compared between groups (Cannabis-Using, Control) at Baseline, and within-group (Cannabis-Using) between Baseline and Post-discontinuation.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Western Psychiatric Hospital (Thomas Detre Hall); 🇺🇸 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States