Exploring how sleep affects withdrawal from cannabis and alcohol use disorders
Official title: Understanding the Mechanistic Interrelationship between Sleep, Co-Occurring Cannabis and Alcohol Use Disorder, and Neurocircuit Dysfunction during Early Abstinence
Funded at Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · NIH-10698188 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sleep problems might affect feelings and brain activity in people who are trying to quit using both cannabis and alcohol, and it will involve tracking 40 adults over a month to better understand these connections and help improve treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $379,827 |
| NIH project number | 5R61DA056535-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10698188 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing withdrawal from both cannabis and alcohol.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not withdrawing from cannabis or alcohol, or those under 21 years of age, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between sleep disturbances and withdrawal symptoms in individuals with co-occurring cannabis and alcohol use disorders. It aims to understand how changes in sleep patterns, particularly slow-wave sleep, relate to brain function and negative emotions during early abstinence. The study will involve monitoring 40 adults over a 28-day period to gather objective data on their sleep, brain activity, and withdrawal symptoms. By identifying these connections, the research seeks to uncover potential mechanisms that could inform treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment approaches for individuals struggling with cannabis and alcohol use disorders by addressing sleep-related issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that addressing sleep disturbances can positively impact withdrawal symptoms, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Padula, Claudia B. — Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
- Study coordinator: Padula, Claudia B.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.