Cannabis improves performance during simulated night shift work

Stephen Goldner
Jul 24, 2017 · 1 min read

A study of 10 experienced cannabis smokers with moderate cannabis use, showed some of negative consequences of night shift work were reversed, according to scientists at Columbia University, N. Y., USA. Study subjects participated in a 23-day study, smoking a single cannabis cigarette (0, 1.9 or 3.56% THC) one hour after waking for three consecutive days under two shift conditions: day shift and night shift. Shifts alternated three times during the study, and shift conditions were separated by an ‘off’ day.

When participants smoked placebo cigarettes, psychomotor performance and subjective-effect ratings were altered during the night shift. Cannabis attenuated some performance, mood, and sleep disruptions: participants performed better on vigilance tasks, reported being less tired and sleep longer. The authors concluded: ‘Smoked marijuana containing low to moderate Δ(9)-THC concentrations can offset some of [the adverse effects of abrupt shift changes, such as work performance, mood, and sleep decrements during night shift work, in frequent marijuana smokers.’

Specifically: “participants performed better on vigilance tasks, reported being less tired and slept longer”.

Stephen Goldner

Written by

CEO of C³ Cannabis Consulting, drug inventor, FDA lawyer, President of Regulatory Affairs Associates

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