Rationale: People report that cannabis helps with sleep; therefore, more people are using cannabis for medical conditions, such as insomnia. (de Bode et. al 2025). Insomnia is characterized by persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep despite having the opportunity to rest. This sleep disorder causes significant distress or impairment in social, work, and/or other important areas of functioning. A recent study investigated the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on insomnia, where CBD is not psychoactive and may have medical benefits. (Narayan, 2024) Frequent use of cannabis is linked to an increased risk for some mental health disorders.

Method: Thirty people between the ages of 18 and 45 who had insomnia took part in the study. Sleep quality was assessed in two groups: one received the placebo, and the other received 150mg of CBD over two weeks. This study was conducted as a double-blind study, so neither the participants nor the researchers knew who received which treatment. Researchers tracked sleep daily using wrist devices and sleep diaries. Each week, participants came to the lab to report on their sleep quality and overall well-being. (Narayan, 2024)

Results: There were no differences between the CBD and placebo groups in how long it took to fall asleep, sleep disruptions, time spent awake, insomnia severity, or total sleep time.

Meaning: CBD is not an effective treatment for sleep disorders.