What is the evidence for Cannabinol (CBN) or Cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of insomnia?

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Last updated: September 11, 2025 • View editorial policy

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Evidence for CBD and CBN in the Treatment of Insomnia

The evidence for cannabidiol (CBD) in treating insomnia is limited and mixed, with some small studies showing modest benefits, while cannabinol (CBN) lacks sufficient clinical evidence to recommend its use for insomnia at this time.

Current Evidence for CBD in Insomnia Treatment

Efficacy of CBD

  • A 2023 systematic review found that CBD alone or with equal quantities of THC may be beneficial in alleviating insomnia symptoms, but noted significant limitations in the available research 1

  • A recent 2024 randomized controlled trial using 150mg of CBD nightly found:

    • No significant difference between CBD and placebo in insomnia severity, self-reported sleep onset latency, or wake after sleep onset 2
    • CBD group showed superior objective sleep efficiency only after 2 weeks of treatment (mean difference = 6.85%) 2
    • Greater well-being scores were reported in the CBD group throughout the trial 2

  • A 2025 study examining a CBD (300mg) with terpenes formulation showed:

    • A marginal increase in slow-wave sleep (SWS) + REM sleep percentage compared to placebo (mean 1.3%) 3
    • More robust increases in participants with low baseline SWS + REM sleep and day sleepers 3
    • No effect on total sleep time, resting heart rate, or heart rate variability 3

Safety Profile of CBD

  • A 2025 study examining cognitive effects of nightly 150mg CBD use found:
    • Cognitive performance was unaffected by nightly CBD supplementation 4
    • CBD users reported greater feelings of calmness and clear-headedness 4
    • Dry mouth was the most commonly reported side effect 4

Evidence for CBN in Insomnia Treatment

  • Despite anecdotal reports suggesting CBN may help with sleep, there are currently no completed clinical trials evaluating its efficacy 5
  • A protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigating CBN (30mg and 300mg) for insomnia has been published, but results are not yet available 5

Comparison to Established Insomnia Treatments

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends several evidence-based treatments for insomnia that have stronger evidence than CBD or CBN 6:

Non-Pharmacological Approaches (First-Line)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) has high-strength evidence for managing insomnia 6
  • Brief Therapies for Insomnia (BTIs) are recommended as shorter versions of CBT-I 6
  • Relaxation training and lifestyle modifications can improve sleep quality 6

Pharmacological Options (When Needed)

  • For sleep maintenance insomnia:
    • Low-dose doxepin (3-6mg) is recommended as first-line pharmacological treatment 6
    • Eszopiclone (2-3mg) or suvorexant (10-20mg) are also effective options 6
  • For sleep onset insomnia:
    • Zolpidem (10mg adults, 5mg elderly), zaleplon (10mg), or ramelteon (8mg) 6

Clinical Implications and Recommendations

  • Current evidence does not support the routine use of CBD or CBN as first-line treatments for insomnia.
  • The most recent and highest quality studies show only modest benefits of CBD for some sleep parameters, with inconsistent results across studies.
  • For patients interested in trying CBD:
    • Doses of 150-300mg have been studied with minimal side effects
    • Effects may be more psychological (improved well-being, calmness) than directly sleep-promoting
    • Benefits may be more pronounced in specific subgroups (those with low baseline SWS+REM sleep)
  • CBN currently lacks sufficient clinical evidence to make any recommendations regarding its use.

Common Pitfalls and Caveats

  • Many CBD/CBN products available to consumers have not been tested in clinical trials
  • Dosage, purity, and composition of over-the-counter products may vary significantly
  • Most studies have short duration (2-4 weeks), so long-term effects remain unknown
  • Evidence-based treatments like CBT-I should be prioritized before considering CBD/CBN
  • Potential drug interactions with CBD should be considered, particularly with medications metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes

References

2
Research

Cannabidiol for moderate-severe insomnia: a randomized controlled pilot trial of 150 mg of nightly dosing.

Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2024

3
Research

Effects of a cannabidiol/terpene formulation on sleep in individuals with insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study.

Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2025

6
Guideline

Management of Early Sleep Awakening

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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