People with insomnia get better sleep when taking cannabis-based medical products, research has shown.
Around one in three people have difficulty sleeping, with approximately 10% suffering from insomnia disorder.
Current treatments for the condition can lead to dependence, while obtaining medication in the first place can be difficult.
New research set out to examine how effective cannabis-based medical products can be in the treatment of insomnia. The research team monitored 124 people with the condition who took medical cannabis products, looking at sleep quality and anxiety and depression symptoms, over a period of between one and 18 months of treatment.
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The group reported better sleep that lasted over the 18 months of treatment, along with improvements in anxiety, depression and pain.
The authors of the study say that the findings demonstrate that this type of treatment could help people with insomnia, while further trials are needed to test the products’ safety and effectiveness.
Around 9% of the group reported negative effects, including fatigue, insomnia, or dry mouth.
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Co-author Dr Simon Erridge said: “Over an 18-month period, our study showed that treatment for insomnia with cannabis-based medicinal products was associated with sustained improvements in subjective sleep quality and anxiety symptoms.
“These findings support the potential role of medical cannabis as a medical option where conventional treatments have proven ineffective, though further randomised trials are needed to confirm long-term efficacy.
“Conducting this long-term study provided valuable real-world evidence on patient outcomes that go beyond what we typically see in short-term trials. It was particularly interesting to observe signs of potential tolerance over time, which highlights the importance of continued monitoring and individualised treatment plans.”
Read more in PLOS Mental Health
