Sleep and insomnia

Understanding sleep and insomnia

Insomnia is trouble falling or staying asleep, or unrefreshing sleep, over a sustained period. It's often linked to pain, anxiety or stress, and the first approach targets sleep hygiene and underlying causes.

Medical cannabis and sleep and insomnia

Medical cannabis is sometimes considered for sleep when usual measures haven't been enough. Effects and tolerance vary, and supervised use matters. A practitioner assesses your situation, looks for treatable causes and determines whether this option is appropriate for you.

What the evidence shows

Available studies sometimes suggest subjective sleep improvement, especially when insomnia accompanies pain or another condition. However, trials focused directly on insomnia are few, generally short, and use differing products and doses.

What it does not establish

The evidence does not establish durable improvement in sleep architecture or superiority to first-line treatments. Tolerance, next-day drowsiness and rebound sleep problems after stopping are factors to monitor.

Points to discuss during the assessment

• How long the problem has lasted and the sleep schedule
• Pain, anxiety, sleep apnea or other possible causes
• Morning drowsiness and driving requirements
• Sleeping pills, alcohol and other sedating substances

Important precautions

• Adverse effects can include drowsiness, dizziness, impaired attention, anxiety or a faster heart rate.
• THC can impair driving and the operation of machinery; never drive while impaired.
• Particular caution is required during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with some heart conditions, or with a personal or family history of psychosis.
• Tell the practitioner about all current medications and supplements so possible interactions can be assessed.