Wellington, New Zealand: The administration of oral cannabinoid products holds promise in the treatment of insomnia disorder, according to the findings of a systematic review of the relevant literature published in the journal CNS Drugs.
A team of New Zealand researchers identified five studies involving 219 total subjects. Participants in the studies were administered doses of oral cannabinoids, typically THC. In the majority of the studies assessed, subjects reported improvements in their sleep quality index scores for periods of eight weeks or longer.
Authors concluded: “This review is, to our knowledge, the first systematic review of the literature to examine the impact of cannabinoids on insomnia disorder. … This review highlights the potential promise of cannabis-based products in the treatment of insomnia disorder. However, the evidence remains in its infancy. … Further research in the form of high-quality RCTs [randomized controlled trials] is required before drawing any firm conclusions about the efficacy of cannabinoids in the treatment of insomnia disorder.”
Full text of the study, “Cannabinoids in the treatment of insomnia disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” appears in CNS Drugs.