The Interplay Between Sleep, Psychiatric Disorders, and Substance Use

Sleep is a fundamental biological process intricately linked to mental health and emotional regulation. Disruptions in sleep—ranging from insomnia and circadian rhythm disturbances to sleep-disordered breathing and hypersomnolence—are increasingly recognized as both contributors to and consequences of psychiatric illness. Across the lifespan, sleep disturbances are associated with a wide range of psychiatric outcomes, including mood, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders, psychosis, substance use disorders, and impairments in cognitive and behavioral functioning. Despite growing recognition of these bidirectional relationships, critical gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms linking sleep and psychiatric disease, as well as the role of modifiable behavioral and environmental factors.One area of emerging and significant interest is the interaction between sleep and substance use, particularly the effects of cannabis (THC) on sleep architecture, sleep quality, and downstream mental health outcomes. While cannabis is widely used—both recreationally and therapeutically—its short- and long-term impacts on sleep and psychiatric functioning remain poorly understood, with existing data often limited, mixed, or methodologically constrained. This gap represents an important opportunity for advancing both research and clinical care.This special issue invites high-quality scholarship that advances scientific, clinical, and translational understanding of the relationships among sleep, psychiatric disorders, and substance use. We welcome submissions that explore these dynamics across developmental stages—from early childhood through older adulthood—and within diverse cultural, social, and clinical contexts. Papers may address neurobiological mechanisms, psychosocial influences, diagnostic challenges, or treatment outcomes. Work examining how sleep disturbances interact with substance use (including cannabis/THC, alcohol, and other substances), as well as chronic medical or neurodevelopmental conditions, is particularly encouraged.To capture the breadth of contemporary research, this special issue will consider a wide range of methodologies and study designs. We invite systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, pilot and feasibility studies, as well as qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research. Innovative approaches—such as digital health technologies, ecological momentary assessment, novel biomarkers, and interdisciplinary frameworks—are especially welcome. Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:• Bidirectional relationships between sleep disturbances and psychiatric disorders • The impact of sleep on emotional regulation, cognition, and daytime functioning • Effects of cannabis (THC) and other substances on sleep architecture and quality • Sleep as a mediator or moderator of substance use and psychiatric outcomes • Neurobiological and physiological mechanisms linking sleep and mental health • Clinical assessment and diagnostic innovations in sleep and psychiatry • Behavioral and pharmacological interventions targeting sleep in psychiatric populations • Longitudinal trajectories of sleep and mental health across the lifespan • Health disparities in sleep, psychiatric care, and substance use treatment • Lived experiences of individuals with co-occurring sleep disturbances and psychiatric or substance use disorders Through this collection, we aim to bring together multidisciplinary perspectives from sleep medicine, psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, addiction medicine, pediatrics, and related fields. By advancing understanding of how sleep interacts with psychiatric illness and substance use, this special issue seeks to inform clinical practice, guide policy, and catalyze future research. Ultimately, it aims to deepen insight into the complex, bidirectional relationships among sleep, brain function, and behavior—highlighting opportunities to improve mental health outcomes through targeted sleep interventions.Conflict of Interest: Topic Editor, Michael E. Yurcheshen, is the owner of stock shared of Voluware. Topic Editor, Matthew E. Layton, received financial support from private companies. Topic Coordinator, Poppy M. Gardiner, received financial support from SleepVibe(TM). The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject. Topic editors: Matthew E Layton, MD, PhD, Michael Yurcheshen, Keith Nagle Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77254/the-interplay-between-sleep-psychiatric-disorders-and-substance-use