Can Medicinal Cannabis Help You Sleep?

Sleep problems are extremely common, and insomnia can have a significant impact on your everyday life. Poor sleep can affect your energy, concentration, mood and overall quality of life. For some people, sleep problems are also connected to other conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety or other long-term health conditions.

At Medicann, we regularly hear from patients who have struggled with sleep despite trying traditional treatments. This has led many people to ask whether medicinal cannabis for insomnia could be an option.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep or wake feeling well-rested.

It can be short-term, lasting days or weeks, or become a longer-term problem. Long-term insomnia is generally defined as sleep difficulties occurring at least three nights a week for three months or more.

You may find yourself: taking a long time to fall asleep, waking repeatedly during the night, waking earlier than intended and being unable to get back to sleep, feeling unrefreshed when you wake, feeling tired during the daytime or having low energy, finding difficulty concentrating and feeling irritable.

Insomnia can have many different causes. Stress and anxiety, chronic pain, medications, hormonal changes, shift work and poor sleep habits can all contribute to sleep difficulties.

What does the research say about medicinal cannabis and insomnia?

There is some encouraging research specifically looking at people with insomnia. One randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study involved 29 adults with clinical insomnia. Participants received either a medicinal cannabis oil containing THC and CBD or placebo. The researchers reported improvements in several measures of sleep, including sleep quality and sleep duration, and the treatment was generally well tolerated during the study period. [1]

However, the study was relatively small and short, so it shouldn't be interpreted as proof that medicinal cannabis will treat insomnia for everyone.

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2020 also examined cannabinoids for insomnia disorder. The researchers highlighted the potential for cannabinoids to improve sleep, but noted that the available evidence was limited and that further high-quality research was needed. [2]

More recent evidence continues to develop. A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials reported improvements in insomnia severity, sleep quality, total sleep time and sleep efficiency among people receiving medicinal cannabis treatment compared with control treatments. [3]

So, can medicinal cannabis help you sleep?

The current evidence suggests that medicinal cannabis may improve sleep, but there is still more to learn about who is most likely to benefit, which formulations are most appropriate and the long-term effects of treatment.

That's why medicinal cannabis should be considered as part of an individual clinical assessment rather than as a general-purpose sleeping aid.

What types of medicinal cannabis can be prescribed for sleep?

There isn't one medicinal cannabis product that is right for everyone.

Depending on your individual circumstances, a Medicann doctor may consider different formulations, including: cannabis oils, cannabis capsules, pastilles or lozenges, suppositories and pessaries, vape cartridges or medical cannabis flower.

You will be advised on the appropriate formulation, dose and method of administration if medicinal cannabis is prescribed.

When it comes to sleep, there isn't a single solution that works for everyone. Two people can both experience insomnia but have completely different reasons for struggling with sleep.

At Medicann, our doctors consider your individual circumstances, previous treatments, symptoms and treatment goals before deciding whether medicinal cannabis is appropriate.

If you're struggling with persistent insomnia and traditional treatments haven't provided the relief you need, you may be able to explore medicinal cannabis treatment with Medicann.

Check your eligibility today to find out whether you may be suitable for treatment and take the first step towards speaking with a specialist Medicann doctor.

References

1. Ried K, Tamanna T, Matthews S, Sali A. Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. Sleep, 2022.

2. Bhaskar S, et al. Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Insomnia Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. CNS Drugs, 2020.

3. AminiLari M, et al. Medical cannabis and cannabinoids for impaired sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Sleep, 2022.