Grant: Cat Grant: Cannabis Research in Urgent Priority Areas-Cannabis and Mental Health

Sufficient sleep plays a substantial role in an individual's physical and psychological well-being. As such, sleep problems are currently recognized as a public health concern that can significantly affect individuals' functioning. Insomnia, defined by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or having a non-restorative sleep, is a frequent problem that affects 13% of Canadians. Many studies have established that insomnia often co-occurs with depression, with symptoms of insomnia reported by up to 80-90% of individuals suffering from a depressive episode. As such, the treatment of insomnia symptoms has become a major target for individuals with depression. In recent studies, it has been suggested that medicinal cannabis may be a promising treatment option for insomnia; however, research on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for sleep remains lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate whether cannabinoid treatments can improve insomnia in individuals with depression. The study will also evaluate possible side effects of medicinal cannabinoids in these individuals. A better understanding of the role of the cannabinoids in sleep problems will help the development of novel treatments. A rigorous assessment of benefits and harms of use of cannabinoids for insomnia will greatly help informing treatment guidelines and policy.