A Cannabis Oil With THC and CBD Improved Sleep in 60% of Insomnia Patients in a Placebo-Controlled Trial

60% of participants no longer classified as clinical insomniacs after 2 weeks of cannabis oil. Midnight melatonin levels increased 30% in the active group vs. a 20% decline in placebo (P=0.035). Light sleep increased by 21 minutes per night compared to placebo (P=0.041). Overall sleep quality improved by up to 80% (P=0.003).

Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial over 6 weeks (2-week intervention, 1-week washout, crossover). 29 participants with self-reported clinical insomnia. Active oil: 10mg/ml THC + 15mg/ml CBD, titrated 0.2-1.5 ml/day.

This is one of few placebo-controlled RCTs of cannabis for insomnia. The melatonin finding is particularly interesting because it suggests cannabis may work through the body's natural sleep-signaling pathway rather than just sedation.

Insomnia affects up to 30% of the general population, and many people already use cannabis for sleep without clinical evidence to support it. This small but well-designed trial adds controlled evidence, though the period effect and loss of blinding in Phase 2 complicate interpretation.

Small sample (N=29). Short 2-week intervention period. Self-reported insomnia (not polysomnography-diagnosed). Period effect with more pronounced Phase 2 results. Loss of blinding noted by authors. Fitbit tracker has limitations compared to polysomnography.