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?
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 Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
180
Cannabis-using participants will participate in an orientation session with a clinician and asked to abstain from cannabis use for four weeks, using established procedures for abstinence monitoring and reinforcement.
Western Psychiatric Hospital (Thomas Detre Hall)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
RECRUITINGHomeostatic Sleep Drive
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.
Time frame: Baseline, 1 week
Circadian Photosensitivity
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.
Time frame: Discontinuation, 4 weeks
Retinal Responsivity
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.
Time frame: End of discontinuation, 4 weeks
Circadian phase
Dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). Compared between groups (Cannabis-Using, Control) at Baseline, and within-group (Cannabis-Using) between Baseline and Post-discontinuation.
Time frame: End of discontinuation, 4 weeks
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