Study: Cannabis Improves Sleep for Insomnia Patients

Cannabis consumption can help insomnia patients fall asleep faster and get improved sleep overall, according to a recent study out of the UK. A recent study investigating the relationship between medical cannabis and insomnia found that people with insomnia reported better sleep after consuming cannabis, Healthline reports.

The study, published on August 27 in the journal PLOS Mental Health, was conducted over 18 months with input from 124 participants. The UK-based researchers recruited people who had been diagnosed with insomnia and who were registered with the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.

“The findings indicate a promising association between cannabis-based medicinal product treatment and improvements in sleep-specific outcomes,” the study authors noted. “However, it is crucial to acknowledge that these findings must be interpreted with consideration of the limitations in the study’s design, and there is a need for high-quality [trials] to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of cannabis-based medicinal product for primary insomnia.”

Eliana Bonaguro, a licensed mental health counselor based in NYC and Florida, told Healthline that “cannabis can quiet racing thoughts,” and that, “Many people with anxiety and depression have trouble falling asleep because of racing thoughts, so that’s where cannabis helps in the short term.”

The study authors noted that while cannabis might not be a good long-term solution for insomnia patients due to the likelihood that repeated consumption will eventually lead to higher tolerance for the medication, its initial success as an insomnia treatment makes further research worthwhile.