In this episode of Mayo Clinic Sleep Medicine Podcasts, Dr. Bhanu Kolla, a Mayo Clinic specialist in sleep medicine and addiction medicine, joins host Dr. Michael Silber to discuss cannabinoids and their relationship to sleep.

The conversation explores the body's endocannabinoid system and how compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) may influence sleep. The experts review current evidence on cannabis and sleep architecture, including its potential effects on different stages of sleep.

The discussion also examines the available research on cannabis and several sleep disorders, including insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and REM sleep behavior disorder. Additional topics include potential risks and side effects of cannabis use, medication considerations, cannabis withdrawal, and how long cannabis may remain detectable in urine testing.

Finally, the episode addresses an important question for both patients and healthcare professionals: Does current scientific evidence support the use of cannabis or cannabinoid-based products in the treatment of sleep disorders?

Since our last podcast on restless legs 2 years ago, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published new clinical guidelines and the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation has revised their management algorithm.  These three podcasts update us on the changes in treatment of this common and distressing condition.  In the third podcast, we discuss management of dopamine augmentation, perioperative management of restless legs and management of restless legs in end-stage renal failure.

Since our last podcast on restless legs 2 years ago, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published new clinical guidelines and the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation has revised their management algorithm.  These three podcasts update us on the changes in treatment of this common and distressing condition.  In the second podcast, we discuss opioids, the control of ascites regarding dopaminergic therapy, and peroneal nerve stimulation.

Since our last podcast on restless legs 2 years ago, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published new clinical guidelines and the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation has revised their management algorithm.  These three podcasts update us on the changes in treatment of this common and distressing condition.  In the first podcast, we discuss iron and gabapentin opioid therapy.

A recent article suggested that obstructive sleep apnea was a possible risk factor for Parkinson's disease.  In this podcast, we discuss this important study and its implications, as well as the more general assessment of increasingly available similar studies based on large population data bases.

Autoimmune encephalopathies, although rare, can mimic other more common sleep disorders and most are highly treatable.  Therefore it is important for sleep medicine practitioners to be aware of these conditions, which may present first to a sleep clinic.  This podcast describes how these disorders may present with important insights for sleep specialists.

Autoimmune encephalopathies, although rare, can mimic other more common sleep disorders and most are highly treatable.  Therefore it is important for sleep medicine practitioners to be aware of these conditions, which may present first to a sleep clinic.  This podcast describes how these disorders may present with important insights for sleep specialists.

Epileptic seizures, especially in certain epileptic syndromes, are more common during sleep.  Conversely, seizures can disturb sleep, affecting daytime alertness.  Nocturnal seizures may also mimic the parasomnias that are more familiar to sleep medicine practitioners.  This podcast discusses practical aspects of these relationships.

While less common than its cousin, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy is commonly associated with severe sleep disturbances, at least one of which may be life threatening. In this podcast we discuss how to identify these disorders, their significance and management.

Hallucinations at night may be frightening and distressing.  Some may indeed indicate serious disease but most are harmless.  In this podcast we discussed different types of nocturnal hallucinations, their causes and the conditions with which they may be confused.