Sleep apnea (AP-ne-ah) is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. This type of sleep apnea is associated with obesity. With central sleep apnea, the airway is open, not blocked, but the brain fails to tell the muscles to breathe. Mixed sleep apnea is when a person suffers from both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
With each apnea episode, the brain usually arouses the person with sleep apnea in order for them to start breathing again. But this type of pattern results in disrupted sleep that is of poor quality.
Central sleep apnea can occur in anyone. However, it's more common in people who have certain medical conditions or use certain medicines.
Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. Doctors usually can't detect the condition during routine office visits. Also, there are no blood tests for the condition. Most people who have sleep apnea don't know they have it because it only occurs during sleep. A family member and/or bed partner may first notice the signs of sleep apnea.
One preclinical study is cited in the scientific literature investigating the role of medical marijuana on sleep-related apnea. Writing in the June 2002 issue of the journal of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, researchers at the University of Illinois (at Chicago) Department of Medicine reported “potent suppression” of sleep-related apnea in rats administered either exogenous or endogenous cannabinoids. Investigators reported that doses of delta-9-THC and the endocannabinoid oleamide each stabilized respiration during sleep, and blocked serotonin-induced exacerbation of sleep apnea in a statistically significant manner. No follow up investigations have taken place assessing the use of marijuana to treat this indication. However, several recent preclinical and clinical trials have reported on the use of THC, natural cannabis extracts, and endocannabinoids to induce sleep and/or improve sleep quality.
Thanks for the links. They are all for the same study so I think I'll email the principle investigator and ask if they continued the project. It is interesting and I'll make sure the topic isn't just dismissed in the future.
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