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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Not being able to fall and stay asleep can be worse than a nightmare. Unfortunately, as much as 22% to 50% of the adult population deal with insomnia symptoms from time to time while chronic insomnia disorder causes distress or impairment affecting 10% to 15%. Now, a recent study has new data on cannabis improving sleep quality.
Can cannabis help?
A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research reveals that marijuana can be an effective treatment for this disorder. Assessing the tolerability and effectiveness of medicinal cannabis oil on sleep in adults with insomnia, the study was conducted between May 2020 and May 2021 at the National Institute of Integrative Medicine in Melbourne, Australia.
RELATED: Medical Cannabis & Sleep Disorders: What Do We Really Know?
Research Highlights
- 29 individuals with self-reported clinical insomnia took part in the study;
- Participants were randomly allocated to receive a placebo or active oil with 10mg THC and 15mg CBD per milliliter over two weeks;
- They took oil in the evening with food, increasing their doses by 0.1ml increments each day;
- Effectiveness was assessed by saliva midnight melanin levels, verified questionnaires, and the Fitbit activity/sleep wrist tracker.
- The study concluded that Entoura-10:15 medicinal cannabis oil was effective in improving sleep, with as many as 60% of participants no longer classified as clinical insomniacs at the end of the 2-week trial;
- Midnight melatonin levels notably improved in the group that used marijuana by 30%, while in the placebo group these levels dropped by 20%;
- Overall, the quality of sleep improved by up to 80% in participants using cannabis;
- As many as 83% of participants experienced non-serious side effects such as dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea, and vertigo; 14% reported no side effects while two participants experienced more serious side effects like tachycardia and extreme dizziness – both relieved with lower doses.
- 96% of participants confirmed that marijuana oil was an acceptable treatment for insomnia.
“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,” researchers concluded.
“Long-term studies are needed to assess whether chronic medicinal cannabis intake can restore natural circadian rhythm without the need for ongoing cannabis intake.”
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.
