Grant: Team Grant: Cannabis Research in Priority Areas

Although a multitude of undocumented evidence suggests that marihuana (cannabis) promotes relaxation and sleep, there is a lack of systematic scientific studies showing this to be the case. Medically, cannabis may provide fundamental health benefits if it can promote the full spectrum of sleep and also if it has beneficial effects on breathing during sleep (unlike opioids). The purpose of this team grant is to systematically explore the effects of cannabis principal components on sleep dynamics and breathing in order to evaluate its potential therapeutic benefits and/or harms. In this way, we can explore how acute and chronic cannabis (or its components) use may impact both sleep and respiratory functions through development and in adulthood. We will use animal models of both sexes to strengthen the evidence base for this targeted approach and build pre-clinical scientific and health related knowledge for future development of a much needed treatment for both sleep and sleep disordered breathing.