A study entitled "Medicinal Cannabis Improves Sleep in Adults with Insomnia: A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Crossover Study" that was published in the Journal of Sleep Research aimed to "assess the tolerability and effectiveness of...medicinal cannabis oil on sleep in adults with insomnia."
The study explained that insomnia is characterized by "a difficulty to fall asleep or stay asleep, even if the opportunity presents itself, such as lying in bed awake." It reported that insomnia is common and affects 10-30 percent of adults, increasing with age and other conditions. The scientists noted that insomnia can produce a "significant impact" on daily living, including reductions in energy levels and concentration and poor mood and overall physical well-being.
The report noted that the cannabis botanical species produces more than 100 different cannabinoids and 400 non-cannabinoids, with the two main cannabinoids being THC and CBD. "Sleep laboratory studies suggest THC as having a sedative effect, and low-dose CBD an activating effect," reported the researchers.
They noted that stronger doses of CBD are more sedative. Due to the psychoactive properties of THC—which sometimes produce undesired outcomes such as confusion, disorientation, paranoia, and even panic attacks—they recommended a CBD:THC ratio that is higher in CBD in the treatment of insomnia.
The study's authors provided the following conclusion for their research.
"In summary, our short-term trial suggests Entoura 10:15 medicinal cannabis oil, containing THC:CBD 10:15 and lesser amounts of other cannabinoids and naturally occurring terpenes, to be well tolerated and effective in significantly improving sleep quality and duration, midnight melatonin levels, quality of life, and mood within 2-weeks in adults with insomnia.
"To our knowledge, our trial is the first to include midnight melatonin levels to assess the effect of medicinal cannabis oil on sleep quality in adults with insomnia, which provided a useful objective outcome measure to be included in any future trials assessing the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis on sleep.
"Future research is warranted to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of alternative medicinal cannabis formulas without THC (CBD only), as these might be more acceptable and practical, if found to be effective and tolerable.
"Furthermore, long-term studies are needed to assess whether chronic medicinal cannabis intake can restore natural circadian rhythm without the need for ongoing cannabis intake."
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