Insomnia and Medical Cannabis: The Facts
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People in the UK experience short-term insomnia each year, and around 15% report ongoing sleep difficulties. [1]
40%
of people with insomnia also experience symptoms of conditions such as anxiety or ADHD [2]
Insomnia and Medical Cannabis: The Facts
Most people have trouble sleeping from time to time. However, insomnia is more than just the occasional restless night.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder where you regularly have trouble:
- Falling asleep
- Staying asleep
- Waking up too early
- Feeling refreshed after sleep
There are two main types of insomnia:
- Short-term (acute) insomnia: Often linked to stress, illness, travel, or major life events.
- Chronic insomnia: Sleep problems that happen at least three times a week for three months or more.
Chronic insomnia can affect many areas of daily life, including work, relationships, and overall wellbeing.
What Causes Insomnia?
Insomnia can develop for many different reasons. It is often linked to physical health, mental health, medication, or lifestyle factors.
Common causes include:
- Medication: Some medications such as beta-blockers and antidepressants may affect sleep as a side effect.
- Mental Health Conditions: Conditions such as ADHD and anxiety are commonly linked to insomnia. Poor sleep can also worsen these symptoms.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal shifts during pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause can disrupt sleep patterns.
- Restless Leg Syndrome: Also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, this condition causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs that often worsen at night and can make it difficult to sleep.
- External Factors: Noise, light, temperature, or an uncomfortable mattress can all interfere with sleep.
For some people, no clear cause can be identified. This is sometimes referred to as primary insomnia.
What are the Symptoms of Insomnia?
The symptoms of insomnia can vary from person to person. They may be short-term or ongoing.
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up frequently during the night
- Waking too early and not being able to return to sleep
- Feeling tired or unrefreshed after sleep
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability or low mood
If these symptoms occur at least three times a week for three months or more and begin to affect daily life, this may be diagnosed as chronic insomnia.
How are the Symptoms of Insomnia Categorised?
The symptoms of insomnia are typically categorised into two different groups:
- Sleep-onset insomnia is more common in younger adults and is characterised by an inability to fall asleep. Most people suffer from symptoms at night, but symptoms can also make daytime naps a challenge. The insomnia results in side effects such as a lack of concentration and exhaustion which can significantly impair cognitive functions.
- Sleep-maintenance insomnia is the inability to remain asleep, characterised by waking up at least once in the night for periods of 20 minutes or more. This can last days, weeks or even years and is commonly improved through a change in sleeping habits.
How are the Symptoms of Insomnia Categorised?
There is no single test used to diagnose insomnia. Instead, a diagnosis is usually based on your symptoms, how long they have been present, and how they are affecting your daily life.
The NHS provides an online sleep self-assessment questionnaire, which can help you understand whether your sleep difficulties may require further support. If your score suggests ongoing problems, you should speak to your GP.
Your GP may ask about:
- Your sleep routine
- Your lifestyle and stress levels
- Any physical or mental health conditions
- Medications you are currently taking
In some cases, if the cause of insomnia is unclear or symptoms are severe, you may be referred to a specialist sleep clinic for further assessment.
Treatment Options for Insomnia
Treatment for insomnia usually begins by identifying the factors that may be disrupting sleep. This can involve making practical changes such as:
- Improving sleep hygiene (for example, limiting screen time before bed)
- Establishing a consistent sleep schedule
- Reducing caffeine or alcohol intake
- Making adjustments to the sleep environment
For people with chronic insomnia, additional treatment may be recommended.
The first-line treatment is typically Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). This structured therapy helps identify and change thoughts and behaviours that interfere with sleep. CBT-I is widely recommended because it addresses the underlying causes of insomnia rather than only the symptoms.
Can you Be Prescribed Medication for Insomnia?
Sleeping tablets may sometimes be prescribed for short-term use. However, they are generally recommended only for brief periods and under medical supervision, as they can lead to dependence or reduced effectiveness over time.
Because of this, healthcare professionals usually prioritise CBT-I or other behavioural approaches for long-term management.
If symptoms persist despite appropriate first-line treatments, some patients may explore alternative options through a specialist clinic. In certain cases, medical cannabis may be considered following a full clinical assessment.
How does Insomnia Affect People?
Insomnia can affect much more than just your sleep. Ongoing sleep difficulties can influence how you feel, think, and function during the day.
Poor sleep may lead to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and reduced performance at work or education. It can also place strain on relationships and everyday responsibilities. Over time, disrupted sleep is linked with an increased risk of mental health difficulties, including anxiety and depression. In some cases, it may also affect physical health by influencing appetite, activity levels, and overall wellbeing.
For some people, improving sleep habits and making practical lifestyle changes may help manage symptoms. However, if sleep problems continue despite appropriate first-line treatments, further medical support may be required.
Living with insomnia can feel isolating. Hearing from others who have faced similar challenges can help patients better understand what seeking treatment may involve.
You can hear from more Curaleaf Clinic patients over on our testimonial page.
"Life with social anxiety and insomnia is horrendous. But my experience at Curaleaf Clinic has been amazing, they have been very understanding, a life saver.”
When medical cannabis is prescribed for patients experiencing sleep difficulties, it is used as part of a broader, individualised treatment plan.
Prescribing decisions are based on a patient’s full medical history, current symptoms, previous treatments, and any co-existing conditions. Sleep disruption often occurs alongside conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, or PTSD. In these situations, the overall clinical picture is carefully assessed, particularly where associated symptoms may be contributing to ongoing insomnia.
People often hear terms like “indica” and “sativa” when discussing cannabis and sleep. These labels describe general plant categories rather than medically proven sleep effects. A product’s impact depends on its specific cannabinoid and terpene profile, which varies between formulations.
For a clearer explanation of what “indica” and “sativa” mean – and how these terms relate to treatment selection – see our guide on the differences between indica and sativa.
The choice of product, cannabinoid profile, and dosage is determined following a full specialist assessment and adjusted gradually based on clinical response.
As with any prescribed medication, responses to medical cannabis vary between individuals. Treatment is initiated and reviewed under specialist supervision, with regular follow-up appointments to monitor tolerability and ensure it remains clinically appropriate.
Research Regarding Medical Cannabis and Insomnia
Clinical evidence specifically examining medical cannabis for insomnia remains limited, and high-quality randomised controlled trials are still needed. However, real-world data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry is helping to build understanding of how medical cannabis is being used and what outcomes patients are reporting.
The latest study from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry published in PLOS Mental Health analysed outcomes for 124 adults with diagnosed insomnia who were prescribed medical cannabis. Patients enrolled in the registry reported changes in sleep quality and related measures over follow-up periods of up to 18 months. Side effects were recorded and were generally mild or moderate, with no disabling or life-threatening reactions reported. [2]
While observational studies like this provide valuable information about real-world usage, they cannot establish cause and effect. Patient groups vary in symptom severity, co-existing conditions, and prescribed product types, and no control group is included. Further randomised controlled trials are needed to evaluate efficacy and safety conclusively.
In addition to research on medical cannabis specifically, scientific reviews of insomnia highlight the complex relationship between sleep disruption and mental health conditions. Neurobiological research shows that insomnia frequently co-occurs with anxiety and mood disturbances, and understanding these links may help inform future research into how cannabinoids interact with the sleep–wake cycle. [3]
Overall, current evidence includes both observational studies and early clinical trials examining cannabinoids and sleep. While further research will continue to refine understanding, existing data has supported its use in specialist clinical practice for selected patients.
Can I be Prescribed Medical Cannabis for Insomnia?
Medical cannabis may be considered for insomnia where appropriate treatments have not provided sufficient relief or have caused unwanted side effects. Access through the NHS for insomnia alone is currently very limited, and most patients who are prescribed medical cannabis for sleep-related symptoms do so through private specialist clinics.
In the UK, only doctors listed on the GMC’s Specialist Register are permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products.
If you are exploring whether medical cannabis could be suitable for you, you can complete an initial eligibility assessment online with Curaleaf Clinic. The team will review your medical history and previous treatments and, where appropriate, arrange a consultation with a specialist to determine whether medical cannabis is an appropriate next step.
References
[1] The Sleep Charity (2023). Insomnia. Available at: https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/information-support/adults/sleep-disorders/insomnia/
[2] Aggarwal A, Erridge S, Cowley I, Evans L, Varadpande M, Clarke E, et al. (2025) UK Medical Cannabis Registry: A clinical outcomes analysis for insomnia. PLOS Ment Health 2(8): e0000390. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000390
[3] Fornaro M, Caiazza C, De Simone G, Rossano F, de Bartolomeis A. Insomnia and related mental health conditions: Essential neurobiological underpinnings towards reduced polypharmacy utilization rates. Sleep Med. 2024 Jan;113:198-214. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.11.033. Epub 2023 Nov 29. PMID: 38043331.