In the dim glow of our smartphone screens, the generation that was told “just sleep it off” is now reaching for something else: cannabis. According to a fresh study, roughly 22 % of adults aged 19‑30 say they’ve used either alcohol or cannabis — or both — to help them drift into sleep. And here’s the kicker: about 18 % of that crowd specifically used cannabis, compared to a mere 7 % who reached for alcohol.
The pitch of relief
Hey — we get it. Falling asleep isn’t always easy. Whether it’s the pressure of the day, endless feed‑scrolling, or the next‑morning’s anxiety whispering, a growing number of young adults say they’re turning toward cannabis to “make the lights go off.” In a culture where meds and supplements abound, this feels like low‑key rebellion: a chewable, a wax, a vape—whatever ends the fight with the pillow.
But the red flags flare
Experts are waving yellow flags. Sure, cannabis may seem like a “low‑risk alternative” to hardcore sleep pills, but it can backfire. Even if you crash faster, you might wake up feeling like you never slept. And if you’re counting on that nightly ritual, you might be setting yourself up for dependency traps.
The backdrop: so many don’t sleep
We’re not talking slight restless nights here. Most adults ideally need 7–9 hours consistently. But shift work, screens, caffeinated late afternoons, heavy meals, stress — they all chip away at the good stuff. Restorative sleep is key for immunity, mood regulation, and metabolism. Yet instead of adjusting the bedroom, turning off the phone, or shifting habits, nearly one in five young adults are choosing a shortcut: “Let it be cannabis.”
A note on the cannabis angle
For some supporters, cannabis is positioned as a medical‑freed alternative: lower THC, higher CBD, a gentler “take me away” vibe. Some folks who used cannabis were able to reduce or stop prescription sleep meds entirely. But before you light up, you should know: dosage matters. CBD in low doses may stimulate. Higher doses may sedate. THC adds another layer of psycho effect.
Rolling it all together
So here’s the picture: young adults, slammed by stress, deadlines, feed‑scrolling, shift work, feeling beat — many are saying, “Forget counting sheep, I’ll count clouds.” Whether that decision is wise? The jury’s in motion. On one hand: you can fall asleep faster. On the other: you might wake up more tired, worse off in the long run, or trapped in a nightly reliance cycle.
Final riff
If you’re wondering whether to add cannabis to your sleep toolkit, ask yourself: Is it a band‑aid or a solution? Are you trading a habit for something better, or retreating into a nightly chemical quiet? Because in the end, sleep isn’t just about closing your eyes — it’s about waking up intact.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
