14 million+
people may be living with undiagnosed or untreated insomnia and other sleep disorders.
6.1%
of 1,669 respondents to the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted reported being prescribed the medication for sleep disorders, including insomnia.
80%
improvement in sleep quality after medical cannabis treatments reported in one randomised crossover double-blind placebo-controlled 6-week trial with 29 participants.
3.01
increase in sleep quality scores (increase from 2.66 to 5.67, on average) reported by patients after one month of medical cannabis treatments, according to an insomnia analysis performed using the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain
Disturbed sleep (frequently waking up)
Feeling tired
Having memory issues
Increased anxiety
Increased irritability
Trouble concentrating
Trouble getting to sleep
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you may have insomnia. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
To treat short term insomnia, typically over the counter sleeping aids, lifestyle adaptations, or natural, holistic remedies like lavender are recommended. In the UK, doctors can prescribe sedatives to those struggling with long-term insomnia, although this is rare and often only considered as a last resort. Typically, your GP will try to find out what's causing the insomnia and treat that first, to see if the insomnia improves, or refer patients to a sleep clinic for further investigation and treatment.
Antihistamines
Benzodiazepine
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Melatonin
Relaxation therapy
Zopiclone
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
Condition Insomnia
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Condition Peripheral Neuropathy
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Condition Anxiety & Depression
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Condition Depression
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Condition Chronic Pain
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Condition Restless Legs Syndrome
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Condition Depression
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Condition CRPS
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Condition Adjunctive Cancer Care
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Condition Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
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Condition Insomnia & Chronic Pain
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Condition ADHD
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Condition Endometriosis
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Condition Endometriosis
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Condition PTSD
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Condition Fibromyalgia
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"Insomnia, the inability to sleep, affects overall health. Medicinal cannabis may help by interacting with the endocannabinoid system to promote sleep and reduce anxiety, with some patients experiencing improved sleep patterns and better quality rest."
Dr Michal Modestowicz
Neurology
03. 08. 2023
We all have trouble sleeping from time to time. Restless nights are at least a semi-common occurrence for most people, but if you find yourself battling through weeks or months-long issues surrounding sleep, there may be more at play.
03. 08. 2023
13. 07. 2023
We all have trouble sleeping from time to time. Restless nights are at least a semi-common occurrence for most people, but if you find yourself battling through weeks or months-long issues surrounding sleep, there may be more at play.
13. 07. 2023
11. 08. 2023
Sleep is an absolutely vital component of our mental and physical health. But the unfortunate truth is that many of us are simply not getting enough of it. While many of us experience the odd sleepless night due to the daily stresses of modern-day life, one too many cappuccinos at work, or an oppressively hot and muggy summer evening, an ongoing loss of sleep could be categorised as insomnia.
11. 08. 2023
In some cases, medical cannabis for insomnia could help promote relaxation and a better night's sleep. Where someone has struggled to find relief with conventional treatments, or if they want to augment an existing treatment plan, insomnia cannabis treatments could offer an alternative approach.
Research suggests that the medication may offer some therapeutic benefits for sleep, with one 2022 systematic review of studies appearing to suggest that cannabis treatments offer improvements in sleep quality versus a placebo. Medical cannabis may also help address some of the symptoms that can lead to troubled sleep, such as pain and anxiety, in certain cases.
For insomnia, medical cannabis treatments in the UK have been legal since 2018, when prescribed and monitored by an expert medical professional.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can have many complex causes, and may be linked to other conditions, such as depression or pain. Medical cannabis for insomnia may be effective for some people because of the medication’s potentially beneficial impact on sleep quality. But for other people, it may help ease symptoms that either cause insomnia or are caused by it.
Here are some examples, backed up by research:
|
Insomnia-related symptom |
How symptom presents |
Medical cannabis for insomnia: How it might help |
|
Sleeplessness |
The defining symptom of insomnia is an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for a full night. People with insomnia may wake frequently in the night or wake up early still feeling tired. They may be unable to nap, even if they feel exhausted. |
Some research suggests that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a major role to play in the onset of sleep, which is highly dysregulated in someone with insomnia. Medical cannabis is rich in cannabinoids, which may alter the way the ECS regulates sleep. One 2025 systematic review of evidence suggested that cannabinoids may improve sleep quality, and recommended further research. |
|
Depression (persistent low mood) and insomnia have a complicated relationship. Poor sleep can lead to dysregulated mood, and depression can exacerbate sleeping problems. Without addressing both sets of symptoms, many people will find that both their sleeplessness and depression could worsen. Both depression and insomnia may also be related to PTSD. |
There is plenty of research that appears to suggest that cannabinoids could help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression. Data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry showed that depression questionnaire scores for 129 patients were reduced by 50%, on average, after just one month of cannabis-based treatment. |
|
|
Anxiety is a frequent cause of insomnia. Worries about work, personal life, or money can often keep people up at night. Where anxiety is a more long-term, clinical concern, the persistent feelings of being on edge or feeling like something dreadful might happen can cause sleeplessness, frequent waking, and even night terrors. |
A review of research from 2025 concludes that 70% of studies based on cannabis and anxiety appear to show that CBD and/or THC could help with improved symptom management. |
|
|
Fatigue and brain fog |
Not sleeping inevitably leads to feeling tired, but when you’re tired all the time, this becomes fatigue, which can cause concentration issues, memory problems, and irritability. |
Medications that improve sleep may reduce fatigue levels and support returning concentration to usual levels. |
|
Pain from a multitude of conditions can lead to insomnia. Back pain, stomach pain, or neuropathic pain can all contribute to sleepless nights. |
Medical cannabis’s effect on the ECS may alter the perception of pain, helping to promote a better night’s sleep, for some people. |
Some insomnia is not caused by “illness” at all, but by major physiological changes like menopause. Fluctuating hormones can cause pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness, leading to unpleasant fatigue and concentration issues.
When considering cannabis for insomnia, two of the compounds that are discussed the most are THC and CBD. Both are phytocannabinoids, which means plant-based compounds that appear to mimic the effects of some endocannabinoids in the human body.
THC is the psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant. Research suggests that THC binds to receptors in the ECS, potentially impacting aspects of wellness such as pain, sleep onset, and even the nausea response.
CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t bind directly to these receptors, as far as we know. Instead, it may alter how the ECS responds to THC and other cannabinoids, offering a potentially supportive effect that may help promote homeostasis, a term for a more balanced internal environment.
Research is mixed on the effectiveness of each cannabinoid for treating insomnia. A 2025 systematic review of studies looked at 1077 people over six different trials. The review concluded that “Cannabinoids significantly improved sleep quality compared to a placebo…” but noted that CBD-only formulations were the least effective. This may support the application of medical cannabis for insomnia, as it contains multiple potentially beneficial compounds, including other types of chemicals called terpenes.
Some research suggests that the combination of compounds in medical cannabis creates what is known as the entourage effect, whereby the combined effect is greater than any single compound on its own.
It’s possible. Like all medications, medical cannabis affects everyone slightly differently. The evidence is limited on whether regular cannabis treatments can worsen sleep, but previously mentioned research does suggest that someone may build up a tolerance to the medication over time, rendering it less effective.
Other potential problems include a sedative effect that can, for some people, continue into the next day. This may affect someone’s ability to drive or operate machinery. If you drive early in the morning, discuss the implications of this with your consultant. Medical cannabis may not be the right choice for you.
Suddenly stopping taking the medication could make insomnia worse, or lead to nighttime disturbances such as vivid dreams. Proper supervision via an expert clinic is essential to minimise these risks.
Insomnia is frequently caused by depression, anxiety, pain, and can even be a side effect of certain medications. When you know this is the case, tell your consultant. They will need to know any other medications you’re taking and what type of treatment plans you’re on, to ensure there are no potential interactions.
In some cases, you may be prescribed medical cannabis for insomnia and other conditions as well, where the medication shows promise as a potential relief for multiple symptoms.
For insomnia, medical cannabis in the UK is usually prescribed as part of a holistic approach for treatment, not as a first-line attempt to curb insomnia. NICE recommendations start with discussing improved sleep hygiene, considering short-term hypnotics (sleeping pills), and offering CBT-I or CBTi, which is cognitive behavioural therapy specifically for insomnia.
Medical cannabis is not a replacement for these treatments and therapies, but it may be an addition to your sleep toolbox that supports overall sleep hygiene, wellness, and symptom management.
Many people may seek out alternative treatments, such as cannabis for insomnia, when conventional treatments have failed to offer meaningful relief. Some people develop a tolerance for sleeping tablets, and may need a higher dose to get the same effect, which may come with increased side effects. Medications such as zopiclone can have a lasting sedative effect and, in rare cases, lead to further nighttime disturbances, such as sleepwalking.
Medical cannabis doesn’t replace conventional treatments, but it may offer an additional approach to help some people with chronic insomnia take back some control over their nights.
To find out if you’re eligible for medical cannabis for insomnia, fill out the 30-second form on the Releaf website.
How Releaf works: If you find out that you could be eligible for insomnia medical cannabis treatments, you can book a consultation with a specialist. Releaf’s world-class clinical team includes more than 50 specialists, many of whom have extensive experience with the challenges of insomnia.
If your consultant determines that medical cannabis may be a good next step for you to try, you can pay for each prescription individually or opt for Releaf+. Releaf+ is a pay-monthly service that offers discounts on medication and other unique benefits, including legal advice via Releaf Protect.
If you want to learn more about insomnia medical cannabis treatments in the UK, contact our team or fill out the medical cannabis eligibility checker to get started.
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