Onset of regular cannabis use and young adult insomnia: an analysis of shared genetic liability. Issue 5 (2nd December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Winiger, Evan A; Huggett, Spencer B; Hatoum, Alexander S; Friedman, Naomi P; Drake, Christopher L; Wright, Kenneth P; Hewitt, John K
• Is Part Of: Sleep. Volume 43:Issue 5(2020)
• Publication Date: 2019-12-02
• Subjects: insomnia -- short sleep duration -- cannabis onset -- development -- twin studies; Sleep -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sleep disorders -- Periodicals; Sommeil -- Aspect physiologique -- Périodiques; Sommeil, Troubles du -- Périodiques; Sleep disorders; Sleep -- Physiological aspects; Sleep -- physiological aspects; Sleep Wake Disorders; Psychophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.8498
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-8105

Abstract

Abstract: Study Objectives: Estimate the genetic and environmental influences on the relationship between onset of regular cannabis use and young adult insomnia. Methods: In a population-based twin cohort of 1882 twins (56% female, mean age = 22.99, SD = 2.97) we explored the genetic/environmental etiology of the relationship between onset of regular cannabis use and insomnia-related outcomes via multivariate twin models. Results: Controlling for sex, current depression symptoms, and prior diagnosis of an anxiety or depression disorder, adult twins who reported early onset for regular cannabis use (age 17 or younger) were more likely to have insomnia ( β = 0.07, p = 0.024) and insomnia with short sleep on weekdays ( β = 0.08, p = 0.003) as young adults. We found significant genetic contributions for the onset of regular cannabis use ( a 2 = 76%, p < 0.001), insomnia ( a 2 = 44%, p < 0.001), and insomnia with short sleep on weekdays ( a 2 = 37%, p < 0.001). We found significant genetic correlations between onset of regular use and both insomnia ( r A = 0.20, p = 0.047) and insomnia with short sleep on weekdays ( r A = 0.25, p = 0.008) but no significant environmental associations between these traits. Conclusions: We found common genetic liabilities for early onset of regular cannabis use and insomnia, implying pleiotropic influences of genes on both traits.