Cannabis-Based Medicines May Improve Sleep and Mental Health in Insomnia Patients: Study Finds - Video

Cannabis-based medical products may offer long-term relief for insomnia sufferers, according to a new study published in the open-access journal PLOS Mental Health. The research found that patients with insomnia who used medical cannabis reported improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety and depression, and overall better quality of life after up to 18 months of treatment.

Insomnia affects nearly one in three adults, with around 10% meeting clinical criteria for a disorder. Standard treatments are often difficult to access or come with risks of dependency. In this context, researchers sought to understand whether cannabis-based medicinal products could provide a viable alternative. The study observed 124 patients using these products and tracked their progress over time.

Participants self-reported their sleep quality, levels of anxiety and depression, pain, and overall quality of life between one and 18 months after beginning treatment. The findings showed sustained improvements in sleep and mental health symptoms throughout the treatment period. Pain levels also declined, adding to the evidence of broader benefits.

Although about 9% of participants experienced side effects such as fatigue, dry mouth, or even worsening insomnia, none of the adverse effects were life-threatening. The researchers emphasized that while these early results are promising, randomized controlled trials are necessary to fully confirm safety and efficacy.

“Over 18 months, our study showed that treatment for insomnia with cannabis-based medicinal products was associated with sustained improvements in subjective sleep quality and anxiety symptoms,” said co-author Dr. Simon Erridge, Research Director at Curaleaf Clinic. “These findings support the potential role of medical cannabis as a medical option where conventional treatments have proven ineffective, though further randomised trials are needed to confirm long-term efficacy.”

He further noted, “It was particularly interesting to observe signs of potential tolerance over time, which highlights the importance of continued monitoring and individualized treatment plans.”

The study adds to growing real-world evidence supporting the medical use of cannabis, particularly in cases where traditional therapies fall short.

Reference: Arushika Aggarwal, Simon Erridge, Isaac Cowley, Lilia Evans, Madhur Varadpande, Evonne Clarke, Katy McLachlan, Ross Coomber, James J. Rucker, Mark W. Weatherall, Mikael H. Sodergren. UK Medical Cannabis Registry: A clinical outcomes analysis for insomnia. PLOS Mental Health, 2025; 2 (8): e0000390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000390