Approved cannabinoids for medical purposes-Comparative systematic review and meta-analysis for sleep and appetite

Background: Cannabinoids are used for numerous disease indications. However, cannabinoids can also produce adverse effects; for example, they can disturb physiological functions such as sleep and appetite. The medical use of cannabinoids refers to a wide variety of preparations and products. Approved cannabinoid products include dronabinol ((- )-trans-Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), nabilone (a THC analogue), and cannabidiol (CBD) that differ in their pharmacology and may thus have different adverse effects on sleep and appetite. Objectives: Here we ask if (i) cannabinoids decrease sleep and appetite in somatic patients or patients that suffer from mental illness and if (ii) there is a difference between THC products (nabilone, dronabinol), vs. CBD in disturbing these physiological functions. Methods: In order to answer these two questions, we performed a comparative systematic review (SR) for nabilone, dronabinol, and CBD. For the comparative SR we searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and extracted information for adverse side effects or outcomes reporting a negative impact on sleep and appetite. RCT evidence was calculated as odds ratios (ORs) via fixed effects metaanalyses. Evidence quality was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias and GRADE tools. This study is registered at PROSPERO (CRD42021229932). Findings: A total of 17 RCTs (n = 1479) and 15 RCTs (n = 1974) were included for sleep and appetite, respectively. Pharmaceutical THC (nabilone, dronabinol) does not affect sleep or appetite. In contrast, there is moderate evidence that CBD decreases appetite (OR = 2.46 [1.74:4.01] but has also no effect on sleep. Interpretations: Our comparative systematic study shows that approved cannabinoids can decrease appetite as a negative side effect - an effect that seems to be driven by CBD. Approved cannabinoid products do not negatively affect sleep in somatic and psychiatric patients. This article is part of the special Issue on Cannabinoids.

Automated summary

Cannabinoids are widely used for medical purposes, with different products having varying effects on sleep and appetite. A comparative systematic review showed that pharmaceutical THC products do not affect sleep or appetite, while CBD may decrease appetite but has no effect on sleep. Further research may be needed to fully understand the implications of these findings.