Systematic review found insufficient evidence for cannabinoids as sleep treatments, but promising leads for several disorders
A systematic review of 14 preclinical and 12 clinical studies found insufficient evidence to support routine use of cannabinoids for sleep disorders, but identified promising preliminary evidence for sleep apnea, insomnia, and PTSD-related nightmares.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Across 26 studies (14 preclinical, 12 clinical), evidence was insufficient for routine clinical use of cannabinoids for any sleep disorder due to limited research and moderate-to-high risk of bias. However, promising preliminary evidence was identified for sleep apnea, insomnia, PTSD-related nightmares, restless legs syndrome, REM sleep behavior disorder, and narcolepsy.
Key Numbers
14 preclinical + 12 clinical studies met criteria; insufficient evidence for all sleep disorders; moderate-to-high bias risk in most studies; promising leads for 6 specific conditions.
How They Did This
Systematic review searching PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycInfo for preclinical and clinical studies of cannabinoid therapies for sleep disorders.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis is one of the most commonly cited reasons people use for sleep improvement, but this systematic review shows the clinical evidence does not yet support this popular use. The gap between public perception and evidence is stark.
The Bigger Picture
The disconnect between widespread cannabis-for-sleep use and minimal clinical evidence mirrors the CBD market broadly. Millions use cannabinoids for sleep based on anecdotal reports while rigorous trials remain scarce.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Limited number of studies meeting criteria; heterogeneous cannabinoid types, doses, and study designs; most studies had moderate-to-high bias risk; cannot draw condition-specific conclusions from few studies per disorder.
Questions This Raises
- ?Which cannabinoid (THC, CBD, or combination) is most effective for each sleep disorder?
- ?Do cannabinoids improve objective sleep metrics or just subjective perception?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Insufficient evidence for routine use; promising leads for 6 sleep disorders
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: comprehensive systematic review, but underlying evidence is sparse and mostly biased.
- Study Age:
- Published 2020.
- Original Title:
- Cannabinoid therapies in the management of sleep disorders: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies.
- Published In:
- Sleep medicine reviews, 53, 101339 (2020)
- Authors:
- Suraev, Anastasia S(4), Marshall, Nathaniel S(4), Vandrey, Ryan(49), McCartney, Danielle, Benson, Melissa J, McGregor, Iain S, Grunstein, Ronald R, Hoyos, Camilla M
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02865
Evidence Hierarchy
Analyzes all available research on a topic using a structured method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis help with sleep?
The evidence is surprisingly thin. This systematic review of 26 studies found insufficient evidence to recommend cannabinoids for any sleep disorder. However, promising preliminary findings exist for sleep apnea, insomnia, PTSD nightmares, restless legs syndrome, REM sleep behavior disorder, and narcolepsy.
Should I use CBD for insomnia?
Not based on current evidence. While many people report subjective sleep improvement, the clinical evidence does not yet support routine use. The authors call for larger, better-designed trials before recommendations can be made.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02865APA
Suraev, Anastasia S; Marshall, Nathaniel S; Vandrey, Ryan; McCartney, Danielle; Benson, Melissa J; McGregor, Iain S; Grunstein, Ronald R; Hoyos, Camilla M. (2020). Cannabinoid therapies in the management of sleep disorders: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies.. Sleep medicine reviews, 53, 101339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101339
MLA
Suraev, Anastasia S, et al. "Cannabinoid therapies in the management of sleep disorders: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies.." Sleep medicine reviews, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101339
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabinoid therapies in the management of sleep disorders: ..." RTHC-02865. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/suraev-2020-cannabinoid-therapies-in-the
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.