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Insomnia is a sleeping condition, but more commonly, insomnia presents as a symptom of another health condition, such as chronic pain or PTSD. However, recently in the UK, increasing numbers of people who have been unable to manage their sleeping issues with conventional medications have found solace in prescribed cannabis insomnia treatments.
Am I eligible?improvement was noted in quality of sleep when medical cannabis oil was administered during a placebo-controlled trial
decrease in insomnia severity scores after medical cannabis recorded in a recent Australian placebo-controlled study
“The Releaf+ subscription simplifies the entire process of my medical cannabis treatment.“
Nigel, Releaf Patient
October 2023
Articles on Insomnia
View all03. 08. 2023
We all have trouble sleeping from time to time. Restless nights are at least a semi-common occurrence for most people, but if you find yourself battling through weeks or months-long issues surrounding sleep, there may be more at play.
03. 08. 2023
13. 07. 2023
We all have trouble sleeping from time to time. Restless nights are at least a semi-common occurrence for most people, but if you find yourself battling through weeks or months-long issues surrounding sleep, there may be more at play.
13. 07. 2023
11. 08. 2023
Sleep is an absolutely vital component of our mental and physical health. But the unfortunate truth is that many of us are simply not getting enough of it. While many of us experience the odd sleepless night due to the daily stresses of modern-day life, one too many cappuccinos at work, or an oppressively hot and muggy summer evening, an ongoing loss of sleep could be categorised as insomnia.
11. 08. 2023
Abdominal pain
Disturbed sleep (frequently waking up)
Feeling tired
Having memory issues
Increased anxiety
Increased irritability
Trouble concentrating
Trouble getting to sleep
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you may have insomnia. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
To treat short term insomnia, typically over the counter sleeping aids, lifestyle adaptations, or natural, holistic remedies like lavender are recommended. In the UK, doctors can prescribe sedatives to those struggling with long-term insomnia, although this is rare and often only considered as a last resort. Typically, your GP will try to find out what's causing the insomnia and treat that first, to see if the insomnia improves, or refer patients to a sleep clinic for further investigation and treatment.
Antihistamines
Benzodiazepine
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Melatonin
Relaxation therapy
Zopiclone
Clinic Director
Getting sufficient sleep and good rest is integral to our overall health and wellbeing, and so, insomnia can have a devastating effect on a person’s life, and ability to perform their everyday activities and routines. Evidence suggests that the two major compounds in medical cannabis, CBD and THC, can both have beneficial effects on insomnia when used appropriately.
This is because THC can have sedative effects, which can decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, and increase the feeling of sleepiness when THC is taken. On the other hand, cannabis’ other major component, CBD, may help to prevent insomnia, as CBD can relieve stress, anxiety and depression, which are all common causes of sleeping disorders.
Although robust clinical evidence in this field is limited, largely due to years of cannabis prohibition, better sleep is one of the first notable changes medical cannabis patients typically experience when they start treatment, which holds great promise for patients with insomnia.
Our specialist doctors can legally prescribe cannabis-based insomnia treatments to UK-based patients who have been struggling to manage their symptoms with a number of conventional medicines or treatments that have been previously prescribed. To find out if this course of treatment could be suitable for you, fill out our free online eligibility checker today.
