SLEEP: tHE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Below are a list of scientific research studies which have looked at the efficacy of CBD for treatment of sleep disorders. Click on the title to be redirected to the full research article.
1. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series
To determine whether CBD helps improve sleep and/or anxiety in a clinical population.
A large retrospective case series at a psychiatric clinic involving clinical application of CBD for anxiety and sleep complaints as an adjunct to usual treatment. The retrospective chart review included monthly documentation of anxiety and sleep quality in 103 adult patients.
Sleep and anxiety scores, using validated instruments, at baseline and after CBD treatment.
The final sample consisted of 72 adults presenting with primary concerns of anxiety (n = 47) or poor sleep (n = 25). Anxiety scores decreased within the first month in 57 patients (79.2%) and remained decreased during the study duration. Sleep scores improved within the first month in 48 patients (66.7%) but fluctuated over time. In this chart review, CBD was well tolerated in all but 3 patients.
The doses used in this study (25 mg/d to 175 mg/d) were much lower than those reported in some of the clinical literature (300 mg/d to 600 mg/d)12–14,17 for 2 reasons. The first is that in our experience lower doses appear to elicit an adequate clinical response. Second, the current retail cost of CBD would make the use of 600 mg/d cost prohibitive.
Cannabidiol may hold benefit for anxiety-related disorders. Controlled clinical studies are needed.
2. Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature
Preliminary research into cannabis and insomnia suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia.
CBD may hold promise for REM sleep behavior disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness, while nabilone may reduce nightmares associated with PTSD and may improve sleep among patients with chronic pain.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the main non-psychotropic component of the Cannabis sativa plant. REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by the loss of muscle atonia during REM sleep associated with nightmares and active behaviour during dreaming. We have described the effects of CBD in RBD symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Cases summary: Four patients treated with CBD had prompt and substantial reduction in the frequency of RBD-related events without side effects. What is new and conclusion: This case series indicates that CBD is able to control the symptoms of RBD.
We have described the beneficial effects of treatment with CBD in the reduction of symptoms highly suggestive of RBD in PD. In this case series, the four patients treated with CBD had prompt, substantial and persistent reduction in the frequency of RBD-related events. Regarding symptoms after drug discontinuation, RBD complex movements returned with the same frequency and intensity of baseline after the treatment was interrupted. All patients were referred to the local specialized sleep outpatient clinic. The mechanism of therapeutic action at present can only be speculated upon.
What is known and objective: Cannabidiol (CBD) is the main non-psychotropic component of the Cannabis sativa plant. REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by the loss of muscle atonia during REM sleep associated with nightmares and active behaviour during dreaming. We have described the effects of CBD in RBD symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Cases summary: Four patients treated with CBD had prompt and substantial reduction in the frequency of RBD-related events without side effects.
What is new and conclusion: This case series indicates that CBD is able to control the symptoms of RBD.