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Can Cannabis for Sleep Apnoea Lead to Increased Snoring or REM Suppression? 

Posted
Updated
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Julia Sutton, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Clarissa Morton, PharmD

Cannabis use for sleep apnoea  has been explored for its potential to improve breathing and reduce apnoea events. However, concerns about cannabis for snoring or REM changes remain. Understanding these effects is important for patients and clinicians. 

Am I eligible for medical cannabis for pain relief?

Possible Effects on Sleep 

Cannabis can influence sleep architecture, sedation, and airway muscle tone. While some users report improvement in sleep quality, others may experience side effects that affect overall therapy outcomes. 

REM Sleep Alteration 

Cannabis may reduce REM sleep duration, which can contribute to REM suppression with cannabis. Changes in REM could affect cognitive restoration and overall sleep quality in OSA patients. 

Snoring Increase 

In certain cases, cannabinoids may relax airway muscles excessively, potentially worsening snoring. Monitoring snoring with cannabis use helps clinicians identify patients at risk of disrupted sleep despite apnoea treatment. 

Sedation and Sleep Depth 

While mild sedation can benefit OSA therapy by promoting sleep continuity, excessive cannabis use may exaggerate muscle relaxation and impact airway patency, influencing both cannabis for snoring and REM outcomes. 

Patients using cannabis for sleep apnoea should be monitored for REM suppression with cannabis and snoring with cannabis use. Clinicians can then adjust therapy plans to optimise benefits while minimising negative effects on sleep architecture and airway stability. 

If you’re exploring cannabis treatment options for obstructive sleep apnoea, visit providers like LeafEase for personalised consultations and guidance tailored to your needs. 

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Medical Cannabis and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea . 

Julia Sutton, MSc
Author

Julia Sutton is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and experience providing psychological assessment and therapy to adolescents and adults. Skilled in CBT, client-centered therapy, and evidence-based interventions, she has worked with conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and conversion disorder. She also has experience in child psychology, conducting psycho-educational evaluations and developing tailored treatment plans to improve learning and well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Clarissa Morton, PharmD
Reviewer

Dr. Clarissa Morton is a licensed pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and experience across hospital, community, and industrial pharmacy. She has worked in emergency, outpatient, and inpatient pharmacy settings, providing patient counseling, dispensing medications, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Alongside her pharmacy expertise, she has worked as a Support Plan & Risk Assessment (SPRA) officer and in medical coding, applying knowledge of medical terminology, EMIS, and SystmOne software to deliver accurate, compliant healthcare documentation. Her skills span medication safety, regulatory standards, healthcare data management, and statistical reporting.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewers's privacy. 

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