A study published today by PLOS Mental Health finds that medical marijuana may provide relief for people struggling with chronic insomnia, improving both sleep quality and related symptoms like anxiety.
The analysis, conducted by researchers at Imperial College London, examined data from 124 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry who were prescribed cannabis-based medicines specifically for insomnia. Participants reported significant improvements in sleep quality scores within the first month of treatment, with benefits continuing—though less pronounced—through 18 months. Measures of anxiety and quality of life also showed improvements over the same period.
By one month, patients’ sleep quality scores nearly doubled, rising from an average of 2.66 to 5.67. Anxiety scores also dropped sharply, and gains were observed in dimensions such as pain, discomfort, and daily functioning. However, the magnitude of improvement decreased over time, suggesting possible tolerance or diminished effect with long-term use.
Adverse events were reported by fewer than 9% of participants, with the most common being fatigue, dry mouth, and ongoing insomnia. None were considered disabling or life-threatening.
The findings add to growing evidence that cannabis-based medicines may help treat insomnia, though researchers caution that larger randomized controlled trials are still needed to confirm safety and effectiveness. The authors note that while registry data offers valuable real-world insights, limitations such as reliance on self-reported measures and lack of a placebo group mean the results should be interpreted with caution.
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