Cannabis-Based Medicine shows Promise for Long-Term Insomnia Relief
A new study published August 27th in PLOS Mental Health suggests that cannabis-based medical products may offer sustained improvements in sleep quality for insomnia sufferers. Researchers led by Arushika Aggarwal from Imperial College London, U.K., followed 124 patients using medical cannabis for insomnia for up to 18 months.
The study found that patients consistently reported better sleep throughout the treatment period. Improvements were also noted in anxiety and depression levels, as well as a reduction in pain. While approximately 9% of patients experienced mild side effects like fatigue, dry mouth, or, ironically, insomnia, none were serious.
Currently, roughly one-third of people experience sleep difficulties, and 10% meet the diagnostic criteria for insomnia. customary treatments can be hard to access and carry a risk of dependence. This research offers a potential alternative, though researchers emphasize the need for rigorous, randomized controlled trials to definitively confirm the safety and effectiveness of cannabis-based medicines.
“Our study showed that treatment for insomnia with cannabis-based medicinal products was associated with sustained improvements in subjective sleep quality and anxiety symptoms over an 18-month period,” explains Dr. Simon Erridge, Research Director at Curaleaf Clinic and a study co-author. “These findings support the potential role of medical cannabis when conventional treatments fail, but further research is crucial.”
Dr. erridge also highlighted the value of the long-term study design, noting that it revealed potential signs of tolerance developing over time, emphasizing the importance of personalized treatment and ongoing monitoring.
