Insomnia medical cannabis treatment

Insomnia is a sleeping condition, but more commonly, insomnia presents as a symptom of another health condition, such as chronic pain or PTSD. However, recently in the UK, increasing numbers of people who have been unable to manage their sleeping issues with conventional medications have found solace in prescribed cannabis insomnia treatments.

Am I eligible?

80%

improvement was noted in quality of sleep when medical cannabis oil was administered during a placebo-controlled trial

26%

decrease in insomnia severity scores after medical cannabis recorded in a recent Australian placebo-controlled study

1 in 3

people are affected by insomnia in the UK, and it can affect all ages - but it is more common the older you get.

Only 18%

of adults are aware cannabis treatments can be prescribed for sleep disorders in the UK, according to our representative research

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

Find out if you may be eligible for insomnia medical cannabis treatments here
Am I eligible?

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Wojciech's Journey

Condition Insomnia

Subscriber 8 months

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Maxim’s Journey

Condition Chronic Pain

Subscriber 8 months

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Jess' Journey

Condition Fibromyalgia

Subscriber 8 months

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Chloe's Journey

Condition Endometriosis

Subscriber 7 months

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Daisy's Journey

Condition PTSD

Subscriber 8 months

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Daryl's Journey

Condition Anxiety & Depression

Subscriber 7 months

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Carla's Journey

Condition Endometriosis

Subscriber 9 months

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Brandon's Journey

Condition Anxiety & Depression

Subscriber 6 months

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Hollie's Journey

Condition Chronic Pain & Anxiety

Subscriber 8 months

A word from our specialist

"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

Find out if you may be eligible for insomnia medical cannabis treatments here
Am I eligible?

Articles on Insomnia

03. 08. 2023

How to take medicinal cannabis for insomnia

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

The potential of medical cannabis for insomnia

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.

11. 08. 2023

The five best terpenes for insomnia, and how they work

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.

Can medical cannabis relieve insomnia?

Getting sufficient sleep and good rest is integral to our overall health and wellbeing, and so, insomnia can have a devastating effect on a person’s life, and ability to perform their everyday activities and routines. Evidence suggests that the two major compounds in medical cannabis, CBD and THC, can both have beneficial effects on insomnia when used appropriately. 

This is because THC can have sedative effects, which can decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, and increase the feeling of sleepiness when THC is taken. On the other hand, cannabis’ other major component, CBD, may help to prevent insomnia, as CBD can relieve stress, anxiety and depression, which are all common causes of sleeping disorders. 

Although robust clinical evidence in this field is limited, largely due to years of cannabis prohibition, better sleep is one of the first notable changes medical cannabis patients typically experience when they start treatment, which holds great promise for patients with insomnia. 

Our specialist doctors can legally prescribe cannabis-based insomnia treatments to UK-based patients who have been struggling to manage their symptoms with a number of conventional medicines or treatments that have been previously prescribed. To find out if this course of treatment could be suitable for you, fill out our free online eligibility checker today. 

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