Cannabis compound shows initial promise in reducing sleep disturbances

A recent study published in Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology has explored the potential of cannabinol (CBN) to improve sleep quality. The study provides preliminary evidence that a small dose of CBN can significantly reduce nighttime awakenings and overall sleep disturbances, marking the first placebo-controlled investigation into CBN’s effects on sleep.

Sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and experiencing daytime fatigue, are widespread. Traditional treatments, such as medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy, often come with limitations, including side effects and accessibility issues. Consequently, many people turn to over-the-counter sleep aids or intoxicating substances like alcohol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, these can also have undesirable side effects.

Cannabinol (CBN), a compound derived from THC, has gained attention for its potential to aid sleep without the intoxicating effects. Despite its growing popularity, scientific research on CBN’s effects on sleep, particularly in humans, remains limited. Previous studies have focused on CBN in combination with other cannabinoids, but rigorous, placebo-controlled studies specifically examining CBN alone were lacking. Researchers at the Canopy Growth Corporation, an Ontario-based cannabis company, aimed to fill that gap and provide a clearer understanding of CBN’s potential benefits for sleep.

This study was a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted from May to November 2022. It involved 321 participants, aged 18 to 55, who reported poor sleep quality. To ensure the reliability of the results, participants had to meet specific criteria, such as a body mass index within a certain range and no recent use of CBD or THC products. The trial was conducted remotely, with participants recruited through various means, including online and radio advertisements.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of five groups: a placebo group, a group receiving 20 mg of CBN, and three groups receiving 20 mg of CBN combined with different doses of cannabidiol (CBD) (10 mg, 20 mg, or 100 mg). Over a 10-day period, participants first underwent a 3-day baseline assessment, followed by a 7-day period of taking the assigned treatment. They recorded their sleep quality, the number of awakenings, sleep onset latency (the time it takes to fall asleep), and daytime fatigue using standardized questionnaires and sleep diaries.

Free daily newsletter

The primary finding of the study was that 20 mg of CBN alone did not significantly improve overall sleep quality compared to the placebo. However, it did reduce the number of nighttime awakenings and overall sleep disturbance. Specifically, participants in the CBN group experienced about 0.5 fewer awakenings per night and reported a 1.36-point lower score on the sleep disturbance scale.

Interestingly, the addition of CBD to CBN did not enhance the sleep-improving effects. In fact, none of the CBN and CBD combinations showed significant benefits over the placebo in terms of sleep quality, number of awakenings, or sleep onset latency. Moreover, none of the treatments, including CBN alone, significantly affected daytime fatigue, which suggests that the treatment did not cause next-day drowsiness — a common side effect of many sleep medications.

Despite the promising results, the study had several limitations. Firstly, only one dose of CBN was tested. Future research should explore different dosages to determine the optimal amount for improving sleep. Additionally, the study’s sample size was smaller than initially planned due to recruitment challenges, which might have affected the statistical significance of some findings.

The study also relied on subjective measures of sleep quality, such as self-reported diaries and questionnaires. Future studies should incorporate objective measures, like actigraphy or polysomnography, to validate these results. Another limitation was the short duration of the treatment period. Longer studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of CBN on sleep.

Moreover, the study did not examine the potential withdrawal effects of CBN, which is an important consideration given the known withdrawal symptoms associated with THC discontinuation. Future research should investigate whether CBN use could lead to similar issues.

This study is a significant step forward in understanding the potential of CBN as a treatment for sleep disturbances. While the results indicate that 20 mg of CBN can reduce nighttime awakenings and overall sleep disturbances, more research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and long-term effects. Additionally, the unexpected lack of benefit from combining CBN with CBD highlights the need for further investigation into how different cannabinoids interact to influence sleep.

“Notwithstanding the aforementioned limitations, the present study advances our understanding of the impact of CBN on sleep, providing important information that can be used both within the state-regulated cannabinoid industry and pharmaceutical development to create improved medicines to alleviate commonly occurring and often debilitating sleep difficulties,” the researchers concluded.

The study, “A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Safety and Effects of CBN With and Without CBD on Sleep Quality,” was authored by Marcel O. Bonn-Miller, Matthew T. Feldner, Teah M. Bynion, Graham M. L. Eglit, Megan Brunstetter, Maja Kalaba, Ivori Zvorsky, Erica N. Peters, and Mike Hennesy.