Medicinal Cannabis for Insomnia: A Positive Trial
What Researchers Found About Insomnia and Cannabis
The Study at a Glance
Published
Sleep, 2021
Researchers
University of Western Australia (Australia)
Study Type
Randomized Controlled TrialParticipants
24 patients · 2 weeks
Key Finding
In this controlled trial, a medicinal cannabinoid extract significantly improved chronic insomnia—patients slept over an hour longer and fell asleep 8 minutes faster. Insomnia severity scores improved by 5 points, and patients reported better sleep quality and feeling more rested upon waking.
Key Finding: In this controlled trial, a medicinal cannabinoid extract significantly improved chronic insomnia—patients slept over an hour longer and fell asleep 8 minutes faster. Insomnia severity scores improved by 5 points, and patients reported better sleep quality and feeling more rested upon waking.
What Researchers Studied About Insomnia and Cannabis
Chronic insomnia is exhausting and frustrating. When you've tried everything without success, cannabis often comes up as an option—but does it actually work?
This 2021 trial published in the journal Sleep tested a carefully formulated cannabinoid extract (ZTL-101) containing THC, CBD, and CBN in people with chronic insomnia lasting at least 3 months.
Unlike many cannabis sleep studies, this one used objective measurements (actigraphy, polysomnography) alongside self-reports.
How This Randomized Controlled Trial Was Conducted
Researchers conducted a rigorous crossover trial:
• 24 adults with chronic insomnia (symptoms for 3+ months) • Tested cannabinoid extract (ZTL-101) vs placebo • 2-week treatment periods with washout between • Sublingual administration before bed • Measured with sleep diaries, actigraphy, and polysomnography • Crossover design: each person was their own control
Insomnia Treatment Results
The Main Results:
- 1Insomnia Severity Index improved by 5.07 points (clinically meaningful)
- 2Total sleep time increased by 64.6 minutes (self-reported) and 33.4 minutes (objective)
- 3Time to fall asleep decreased by 8.45 minutes
- 4Wake after sleep onset decreased by 10.2 minutes (objective)
- 5Sleep efficiency improved by 2.9%
- 6Patients reported feeling significantly more rested
- 7No serious adverse events—36 mild events, most resolved quickly
By the Numbers
| Statistic | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 64.6 min | more sleep per night (self-reported) |
| 33.4 min | more sleep per night (objective actigraphy) |
| 5.07 points | improvement in Insomnia Severity Index |
| 8.45 min | faster time to fall asleep |
more sleep per night (self-reported)
more sleep per night (objective actigraphy)
improvement in Insomnia Severity Index
faster time to fall asleep
What This Means for Insomnia Patients
This is one of the more positive cannabis sleep trials available:
What improved: • Total sleep time: About an hour more per night • Time to fall asleep: 8+ minutes faster • Wake-ups: About 10 minutes less awake during the night • Quality: Better subjective sleep quality • Feeling rested: Significantly improved upon waking
Safety: • No serious adverse events • 36 mild side effects during cannabinoid treatment (vs 4 with placebo) • Most side effects resolved overnight or soon after waking
Important context: This used a specific cannabinoid extract (ZTL-101) containing THC, CBD, and CBN—not CBD alone. A separate 2024 trial of CBD alone (150mg) showed no significant benefit for most sleep measures. The combination of cannabinoids may be important.
Limitations to consider: • Small study (24 participants) • Short duration (2 weeks) • One specific product tested
Quick Answers: Insomnia and Cannabis
Direct answers based on the findings of this study:
Research Summary: Answers are based on published peer-reviewed studies and represent research findings, not medical recommendations. Individual results may vary. Always consult a healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.
Does marijuana help you sleep longer?
Yes, about an hour more. A 2021 clinical trial found patients slept over an hour longer per night using a THC+CBD+CBN extract. They also fell asleep faster and felt more rested (Walsh et al., Sleep journal).
Source: Walsh et al., Sleep, 2021 (PMID: 34115851)
What type of cannabis is best for sleep?
Full-spectrum products with THC+CBD work better than CBD alone. A 2021 trial using THC+CBD+CBN added 64+ minutes of sleep, while a 2024 trial of CBD alone showed no benefit. You likely need THC for sleep effects.
Source: Walsh et al., Sleep, 2021 (PMID: 34115851)
How much more sleep can I get with cannabis?
About an hour more per night. Patients slept 64.6 minutes longer (by self-report) and 33.4 minutes longer (by objective measurement) using a cannabinoid extract, also falling asleep 8 minutes faster.
Source: Walsh et al., Sleep, 2021 (PMID: 34115851)
This is educational content, not medical advice
The research summarized here is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and what works in studies may not work the same way for everyone. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment plan or starting medical cannabis therapy.
Important Limitations
This study has some caveats to keep in mind when interpreting the results:
- Small sample size (24 participants)
- Short treatment duration (2 weeks)
- Specific proprietary extract—may not apply to all cannabis products
- More side effects with active treatment
- Long-term effects unknown
The Bottom Line on Cannabis for Insomnia
This well-designed 2021 trial provides encouraging evidence that a medicinal cannabinoid extract can meaningfully improve chronic insomnia. Patients slept about an hour longer, fell asleep faster, woke less during the night, and felt more rested. Importantly, this used a combination of THC, CBD, and CBN—not CBD alone—suggesting that the full spectrum of cannabinoids may be needed for sleep benefits. While promising, larger and longer trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Do You Qualify for Medical Marijuana?
If you're living with Insomnia, you may qualify for a medical marijuana card. Our licensed physicians can evaluate you from home via telehealth.
Related Research & Resources
Related Research
- Does Cannabis Help or Hurt Your Sleep? What Research Shows
- Clinical Practice Guidelines: Cannabis for Chronic Pain & Co-Occurring Conditions (2024)
- Medical Cannabis for Cancer Patients: Real-World Results
- Can CBD Help With Anxiety? What 72 Patients Experienced
- CBD for Sleep: What the Latest Clinical Trial Found
Condition Research
Get Your Card
This condition qualifies for medical marijuana in:
Source
Walsh JH, Maddison KJ, Rankin T, et al. "Treating insomnia symptoms with medicinal cannabis: a randomized, crossover trial of the efficacy of a cannabinoid medicine compared with placebo" Sleep. 2021. DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsab149
Important Information
Not Medical Advice: This research summary is for educational purposes only. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any treatment.
Individual Variation: Research findings represent group averages. Your individual response to cannabis may differ based on genetics, other medications, underlying conditions, and many other factors.
Last reviewed: January 24, 2026
Important Notices
Research Summary Disclaimer
This content represents our interpretation of published scientific research for educational purposes. It should not be used to make treatment decisions without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results may vary from study findings.
FDA Notice
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Cannabis is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The FDA has not approved cannabis for any medical condition except specific prescription medications.
Copyright & Fair Use
Research summaries are provided under fair use (17 U.S.C. § 107) for educational purposes. We provide brief summaries with attribution, not full reproductions. All studies remain the intellectual property of their respective authors and publishers.
Data Sources
Study information sourced from PubMed®, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by NLM, NIH, or the federal government.
For complete information, see our Terms of Use and Research Content Policy.
FAQs: Cannabis for Insomnia
Does medical cannabis help insomnia?
Yes, according to this 2021 trial. A cannabinoid extract improved insomnia severity by 5 points, increased sleep by over an hour, and helped patients feel more rested. Note: this used THC+CBD+CBN, not CBD alone.
How much more sleep can cannabis provide?
About an hour longer in this trial. Patients slept 64.6 minutes longer per night (self-reported) and 33.4 minutes longer by objective measurement. They also fell asleep 8 minutes faster.
Is CBD alone effective for sleep?
Possibly not. While this trial showed benefit from a THC+CBD+CBN combination, a separate 2024 trial found CBD alone (150mg) was no better than placebo for most sleep measures. The combination may be important.