People with sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea should refrain from using cannabis as a relief, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine says in a statement.
According to the AASM, there is limited scientific evidence citing the effectiveness of synthetic medical cannabis and its extracts in the relief of respiratory function for obstructive sleep disorders. The organization recommends the exclusion of obstructive sleep disorders from the list of qualified conditions for state medical cannabis programs.
The position statement published April 15 in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine is in line with Minnesota State Department of Health's decision in November 2017 to qualify obstructive sleep apnea in its cannabis program.
Patient-Clinician Relationship
The MDH's decision to include obstructive sleep apnea in the list of medical cannabis program prompted the AASM Board of Directors to issue the statement.
The professional society highlighted the effects of the use of medical cannabis in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
"Medical cannabis and/or its synthetic extracts should not be used for the treatment of OSA due to unreliable delivery methods and insufficient evidence of effectiveness, tolerability, and safety," wrote AASM in their study.
"Because of the potential for misuse and increased costs, the lack of evidence on beneficial effects, and risk of side effects including increased daytime sleepiness, which might lead to more harm than benefit, the AASM takes the position that medical cannabis should not be used for the treatment of OSA at this time."
Lead author Kannan Ramar, a professor of medicine at Center for Sleep Medicine Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has urged patients to discuss treatment methods for sleep apnea with a licensed medical practitioner at an accredited sleep facility.
Scott Smith, the MDH public information officer, said that the decision to use medical cannabis in the treatment of sleep apnea should rely on the clinician's best judgment.
"The decision to use medical cannabis is one that must be made within the context of an ongoing patient-provider relationship," Smith said.
However, he urged clinicians to review AASM's statement to ensure that they come up with treatment decisions based on the best available information.
Urgent Health Priority
About 30 million adults are reported to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. The AASM regards it as an urgent health priority that needs immediate detection and treatment.
Ramar said there are no medications currently available to treat obstructive sleep apnea, although positive airway pressure therapy remains the best option available.
Lifestyle and heredity are factors in developing obstructive sleep apnea. People, whose relatives have a history of sleep apnea or snoring, are at risk of acquiring the disease.
The condition is common among males and about 2 percent of middle-aged women in the United States, according to a study cited by Harvard Medical School.
Hypothyroidism, acromegaly or the production of high levels of growth hormones, and large tonsils contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnea. Individuals who drink alcohol at bedtime may also be at risk.
