Focused research review
Does CBD help with sleep?
CBD may help some people sleep better, especially by improving sleep quality or sleep efficiency. But studies do not consistently show that it helps people fall asleep faster, stay asleep, sleep longer, or reduce overall insomnia.
The short answer
What is the bottom line?
CBD may help some people sleep better, with the clearest positive signals appearing in sleep quality and sleep efficiency. But the evidence is not consistent enough to say that CBD reliably helps people fall asleep faster, stay asleep, sleep longer, or reduce overall insomnia. 1 2 3 4
The positive evidence is real but uneven. A small 1981 trial reported more sleep after 160 mg CBD. 2 A 30-person pilot found better wrist-measured sleep efficiency after 150 mg nightly CBD, even though most self-reported sleep outcomes did not improve. 1 A small 50 mg study reported better questionnaire-rated sleep quality but no increase in sleep quantity, while a large 15 mg study improved from baseline without a placebo group. 3 5
Combination products often produced more positive results, but those studies tested CBD with THC, CBN, terpenes, or other ingredients, so the benefit cannot be credited to CBD alone. 6 8 Reviews also disagree: one randomized-trial meta-analysis found no significant CBD-only effect, while a newer broader insomnia review reached a more favorable conclusion. 11 12
What this means: If your question is whether CBD can improve how restful or efficient sleep feels, there is a meaningful positive signal worth taking seriously. If your question is whether CBD reliably makes you fall asleep faster or sleep longer, the current answer is still no clear proof. 1 11
How to read this answer: Research has examined CBD and sleep. This page brings together 21 human-study sources and 8 research reviews. It includes 41 specific study findings from 24 sources. Human research is included, although its design and scope vary. The studies do not all test the same product, dose, group of people, or outcome, so they cannot be reduced to one answer for every person or product. 1
Key takeaways
What to know first
- 1
Research on CBD and sleep covers Sleep, Acute sleep-wake cycle measures in healthy adults, and Advantage over CBN-, CBC-, or melatonin-containing active products; those areas should not be combined into one claim. 1
- 2
Human research is included, although its design and scope vary. 2
- 3
Dose, formulation, route, study population, and outcome can change how closely a study applies to a real-world question. 3
Choose your question
What part of sleep do you care about?
Sleep studies measure different things. Start with the outcome closest to your question instead of treating “better sleep” as one result.
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01 Sleep questionExplore this outcome
Falling asleep
Explore sleep-onset latency: how long it takes to move from trying to sleep into sleep.
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02 Sleep questionExplore this outcome
Staying asleep
Explore wake after sleep onset: time spent awake after sleep has already begun.
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03 Sleep questionExplore this outcome
Sleeping longer
Explore total sleep time separately from sleep quality or time spent in particular sleep stages.
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04 Sleep questionExplore this outcome
Sleep quality
Compare subjective sleep quality with objective measurements such as sleep efficiency.
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05 Sleep questionExplore this outcome
The next morning
Explore next-day sleepiness separately from attention, memory, coordination, and driving performance.
Research areas
What researchers studied about CBD and sleep
These are the main questions represented in the current literature. Each link opens a source used to build the overview.
Human research included
Sleep
This part of the literature focuses on Sleep. Studies may use different compounds, formulations, doses, routes, groups of people, and outcomes, so the details of each source matter. 1
Human research included
Acute sleep-wake cycle measures in healthy adults
This part of the literature focuses on Acute sleep-wake cycle measures in healthy adults. Studies may use different compounds, formulations, doses, routes, groups of people, and outcomes, so the details of each source matter.
Human research included
Advantage over CBN-, CBC-, or melatonin-containing active products
This part of the literature focuses on Advantage over CBN-, CBC-, or melatonin-containing active products. Studies may use different compounds, formulations, doses, routes, groups of people, and outcomes, so the details of each source matter. 5
Human research included
Augmentation of CBN sleep effects
This part of the literature focuses on Augmentation of CBN sleep effects. Studies may use different compounds, formulations, doses, routes, groups of people, and outcomes, so the details of each source matter.
Human research included
Clinical-insomnia classification after THC-CBD oil
This part of the literature focuses on Clinical-insomnia classification after THC-CBD oil. Studies may use different compounds, formulations, doses, routes, groups of people, and outcomes, so the details of each source matter. 7
Question-by-question results
What did the CBD sleep studies report?
Start with the sleep question. Each study appears once, with its measured outcomes, formulation, dose, duration, comparator, and PubMed source kept together.
Study details
150 mg nightly CBD pilot
PubMed 38174873- Formulation
- sublingual CBD
- Dose
- 150 mg nightly
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
No difference detected
self-reported sleep-onset latency
No between-treatment difference was detected throughout the trial (P>0.05). 1
Keep in mind: This was a pilot trial with 30 participants. The randomized dosing period lasted two weeks. The trial studied one 150 mg nightly dose in adults with primary insomnia.
Does CBD help people stay asleep?
Isolated CBD has not reliably helped people stay asleep. The 150 mg insomnia pilot found no difference in waking after sleep onset. One open-label THC-CBD study reported less nighttime wake time, but it had no placebo group and studied restless legs syndrome rather than ordinary insomnia. 1 source
Study details
150 mg nightly CBD pilot
PubMed 38174873- Formulation
- sublingual CBD
- Dose
- 150 mg nightly
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
No difference detected
wake after sleep onset
No between-treatment difference was detected throughout the trial (P>0.05). 1
Keep in mind: This was a pilot trial with 30 participants. The randomized dosing period lasted two weeks. The trial studied one 150 mg nightly dose in adults with primary insomnia.
Does CBD improve sleep quality or sleep efficiency?
Sleep quality and sleep efficiency are where the most credible positive signals appear. Small studies have reported better wrist-measured efficiency or questionnaire-rated quality, but other placebo comparisons were null and one large low-dose study had no placebo arm. 1 6 3 5 4
Study details
150 mg nightly CBD pilot
PubMed 38174873- Formulation
- sublingual CBD
- Dose
- 150 mg nightly
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
No difference detected
self-reported sleep efficiency
No between-treatment difference was detected throughout the trial (P>0.05). 1
Keep in mind: This was a pilot trial with 30 participants. The randomized dosing period lasted two weeks. The trial studied one 150 mg nightly dose in adults with primary insomnia.
Study details
CBD-terpene crossover trial
PubMed 39167421- Formulation
- THC-free CBD-terpene formulation
- Dose
- 300 mg CBD plus 1 mg each of eight terpenes per administration
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
Increase reported
combined slow-wave and REM sleep percentage
Mean difference 1.3 percentage points (SE 0.60; 95% CI 0.1 to 2.5; P=0.03). 6
Keep in mind: The intervention combined CBD with eight terpenes, so the result should not be treated as isolated-CBD evidence. Sleep stages were estimated with a wrist-worn sleep-tracking device rather than laboratory polysomnography. The mean increase in combined slow-wave and REM sleep was 1.3 percentage points.
Study details
CBD-terpene crossover trial
PubMed 39167421- Formulation
- THC-free CBD-terpene formulation
- Dose
- 300 mg CBD plus 1 mg each of eight terpenes per administration
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
No difference detected
total sleep time
The abstract reports no detected effect on total sleep time. 6
Keep in mind: The intervention combined CBD with eight terpenes, so the result should not be treated as isolated-CBD evidence. Sleep stages were estimated with a wrist-worn sleep-tracking device rather than laboratory polysomnography. The mean increase in combined slow-wave and REM sleep was 1.3 percentage points.
Study details
Next-day cognition follow-up
PubMed 39153080- Formulation
- sublingual CBD
- Dose
- 150 mg nightly
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
No difference detected
daytime cognitive performance
No detected effect on cognitive performance (all P>0.05).
Increase reported
self-reported calmness
Greater change from baseline than placebo (P<0.05).
Increase reported
self-reported clear-headedness
Greater change from baseline than placebo (P<0.05).
Increase reported
self-reported coordination
Greater change from baseline than placebo (P<0.05).
Keep in mind: This was a pilot trial with 30 participants. The randomized dosing period lasted two weeks. Daytime cognition and subjective state were secondary to the insomnia treatment context.
What about overall insomnia and side effects?
Overall insomnia severity did not improve in the 150 mg pilot. Some real-world and combination-product studies reported broader improvement, but those designs cannot show that isolated CBD caused it. Dry mouth appeared more often in the 150 mg pilot. 1 source 6 source 7 8 10
Study details
150 mg nightly CBD pilot
PubMed 38174873- Formulation
- sublingual CBD
- Dose
- 150 mg nightly
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
No difference detected
insomnia severity
No between-treatment difference was detected throughout the trial (P>0.05). 1
Keep in mind: This was a pilot trial with 30 participants. The randomized dosing period lasted two weeks. The trial studied one 150 mg nightly dose in adults with primary insomnia.
Study details
Next-day cognition follow-up
PubMed 39153080- Formulation
- sublingual CBD
- Dose
- 150 mg nightly
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
Increase reported
dry-mouth reporting
Dry mouth was reported more often relative to placebo (P<0.05).
Keep in mind: This was a pilot trial with 30 participants. The randomized dosing period lasted two weeks. Daytime cognition and subjective state were secondary to the insomnia treatment context.
Study details
CBD-terpene crossover trial
PubMed 39167421- Formulation
- THC-free CBD-terpene formulation
- Dose
- 300 mg CBD plus 1 mg each of eight terpenes per administration
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
No difference detected
resting heart rate
The abstract reports no detected effect on resting heart rate. 6
No difference detected
heart rate variability
The abstract reports no detected effect on heart rate variability. 6
Keep in mind: The intervention combined CBD with eight terpenes, so the result should not be treated as isolated-CBD evidence. Sleep stages were estimated with a wrist-worn sleep-tracking device rather than laboratory polysomnography. The mean increase in combined slow-wave and REM sleep was 1.3 percentage points.
The wider evidence
Why do some CBD sleep studies sound more positive than others?
The answer changes when studies test different products, measure different parts of sleep, or include evidence without a placebo group. Keeping those lanes separate makes the overall picture easier to understand.
Most direct evidence
Isolated CBD studies are mixed
Small controlled studies provide real positive signals for sleep quality or efficiency, but they do not consistently improve sleep onset, sleep duration, awakenings, or overall insomnia. 1 2 3 4
Different product question
Combination products often look more positive
Several positive studies used CBD with THC, CBN, terpenes, or other ingredients. Those results matter, but they cannot tell us that CBD alone produced the benefit. 6 7 8 9
Useful clues, weaker proof
Real-world and specialized studies add context
Observational programs and reports involving cancer, Parkinson disease, hypertension, RBD, or restless legs syndrome sometimes look encouraging. They answer narrower questions and may not apply to ordinary insomnia. 10 source source source
Different review rules
Systematic reviews do not all include the same evidence
A randomized-trial meta-analysis found no significant CBD-only effect, while broader reviews that included more formulations and study designs reached more favorable conclusions. The disagreement reflects different inclusion rules, not a reason to hide either result. source 11 source 12
How strong is the research?
Not every study answers the same question
This page separates research in people, research reviews, and earlier-stage biology before interpreting the larger question.
Human studies
Research involving people is closest to everyday health questions. The product, dose, population, and outcome still determine what each study can show.
Reviews and evidence summaries
Reviews can compare several studies at once. Their conclusion is only as strong and as relevant as the studies they include.
Lab, animal, and mechanism research
Early-stage research can explain biological interest. It cannot, by itself, show that the same effect happens in people.
What these studies actually looked at
The research on CBD and sleep is not one kind of study. This source set includes 14 clinical studies in people, 6 systematic reviews or meta-analyses, 2 narrative or expert reviews, and 1 case series. 3
The recorded populations or models include people or patients (13 sources), 1,793 adults experiencing sleep disturbance (1 source), and 125 people with insomnia (1 source). A result from one group or model should not be assumed to apply to another. 4
The most common recorded outcome focus is sleep-related outcomes (12 sources), 8-hour polysomnography plus next-morning cognitive and subjective measures (1 source), and actigraphy and diary total sleep time, sleep-onset latency, and awakenings (1 source). Closely related outcome names can still describe different measurements. 5
Some source records specify doses including not stated in the PubMed abstract (3 sources), 150 mg nightly (2 sources), and varied across included studies (2 sources). These are descriptions of what researchers tested, not personal dosing instructions. 6
The CBD and sleep source set also contains findings or reviews that remain too limited, indirect, or mixed for a broad answer. That uncertainty is part of the result, not an empty space to fill with assumptions. 7
Examples from the literature
What did the studies actually look at?
Each example names the research question and the study details recorded for that source.
clinical study in people
Cannabidiol for moderate-severe insomnia: a randomized controlled pilot trial of 150 mg of nightly dosing.
On this page, this source examines CBD and sleep, CBD and insomnia severity, and CBD and self-reported sleep-onset latency and other related questions. 1
- Study type
- clinical study in people
- Population or model
- 30 adults with primary moderate-to-severe insomnia
- Outcome focus
- sleep-related outcomes and insomnia severity and other recorded details
- Dose recorded
- 150 mg nightly
- Evidence stage
- human research
small placebo- and active-comparator clinical trial summarized in a review article
Hypnotic and antiepileptic effects of cannabidiol.
On this page, this source examines CBD and self-reported sleep duration in a historical insomnia trial. 2
- Study type
- small placebo- and active-comparator clinical trial summarized in a review article
- Population or model
- 15 volunteers with insomnia
- Outcome focus
- participant-reported amount slept
- Dose recorded
- 40 mg, 80 mg, or 160 mg
- Evidence stage
- human research
clinical study in people
Eight Weeks of Daily Cannabidiol Supplementation Improves Sleep Quality and Immune Cell Cytotoxicity.
On this page, this source examines CBD and within-group questionnaire-rated sleep quality in healthy young adults and CBD and sleep quantity in healthy young adults. 3
- Study type
- clinical study in people
- Population or model
- 28 healthy college-aged adults
- Outcome focus
- sleep questionnaire score and sleep quantity
- Dose recorded
- 50 mg daily
- Evidence stage
- human research
clinical study in people
The effects of cannabidiol on sleep disturbances within a sample of high trait worriers: A double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial.
On this page, this source examines CBD and sleep disturbance versus placebo in high trait worriers. 4
- Study type
- clinical study in people
- Population or model
- 63 adults with elevated trait worry
- Outcome focus
- sleep disturbance and sleep quality
- Dose recorded
- 300 mg daily
- Evidence stage
- human research
clinical study in people
The Safety and Comparative Effectiveness of Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoid Formulations for the Improvement of Sleep: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.
On this page, this source examines CBD and within-group sleep disturbance during low-dose CBD isolate use and CBD and advantage over CBN-, CBC-, or melatonin-containing active products. 5
- Study type
- clinical study in people
- Population or model
- 1,793 adults experiencing sleep disturbance
- Outcome focus
- pROMIS Sleep Disturbance SF 8A and change in PROMIS sleep disturbance
- Dose recorded
- 15 mg nightly
- Evidence stage
- human research
Safety and limits
What should readers keep in mind?
Research on CBD and sleep should be read beside safety. A compound can be non-intoxicating or naturally occurring and still have pharmacologic effects, side effects, interactions, or product-quality concerns. 2
Research doses are descriptions of what a study tested. They are not personal dosing instructions. Questions involving medications, pregnancy, children, driving, liver health, heart health, or serious symptoms deserve professional medical guidance.
Common questions
Questions people ask
What evidence connects CBD with sleep-related outcomes?
Relevant research is collected here. Human research is included, although its design and scope vary. 7
Why is there not always a yes-or-no answer?
The sources may test different products, doses, people, and outcomes, so a single conclusion can hide important differences. 8
Where can I read the original studies?
Use the numbered citations and the source list at the bottom of the page to open PubMed or DOI records. 9
Sources
Read the research
The numbered sources below support the main overview. Links open the PubMed record or DOI in a new tab.
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1
Cannabidiol for moderate-severe insomnia: a randomized controlled pilot trial of 150 mg of nightly dosing. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 38174873 DOI 10.5664/jcsm.10998
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2
Hypnotic and antiepileptic effects of cannabidiol. small placebo- and active-comparator clinical trial summarized in a review article; human research PubMed 7028792 DOI 10.1002/j.1552-4604.1981.tb02622.x
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3
Eight Weeks of Daily Cannabidiol Supplementation Improves Sleep Quality and Immune Cell Cytotoxicity. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 37836465 DOI 10.3390/nu15194173
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4
The effects of cannabidiol on sleep disturbances within a sample of high trait worriers: A double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 41678223 DOI 10.1037/pha0000832
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5
The Safety and Comparative Effectiveness of Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoid Formulations for the Improvement of Sleep: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 37162192 DOI 10.1080/27697061.2023.2203221
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6
Effects of a cannabidiol/terpene formulation on sleep in individuals with insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 39167421 DOI 10.5664/jcsm.11324
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7
Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 36539991 DOI 10.1111/jsr.13793
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8
Effectiveness of a Cannabinoids Supplement on Sleep and Mood in Adults With Subthreshold Insomnia: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Trial. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 39980821 DOI 10.1002/hsr2.70481
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9
Acute Effects of Oral Cannabinoids on Sleep and High-Density EEG in Insomnia: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 40631525 DOI 10.1111/jsr.70124
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10
The effects of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on sleep in cancer patients. observational study in people; human research PubMed 41120744 DOI 10.1007/s12094-025-04069-8
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11
Effectiveness of cannabinoids on subjective sleep quality in people with and without insomnia or poor sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised studies. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited; systematic review PubMed 40929927 DOI 10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102156
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12
Medical cannabis for treatment of insomnia in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. systematic review or meta-analysis; systematic review PubMed 42207928 DOI 10.1097/jxx.0000000000001289
See all 29 research sources
This complete source list is the deeper research layer for the page. Study type and evidence context are shown when they are available in the current record.
- Cannabidiol for moderate-severe insomnia: a randomized controlled pilot trial of 150 mg of nightly dosing. clinical study in people; human research / 7 linked research notes PubMed 38174873
- Effectiveness of a Cannabinoids Supplement on Sleep and Mood in Adults With Subthreshold Insomnia: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Trial. clinical study in people; human research / 2 linked research notes PubMed 39980821
- Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. clinical study in people; human research / 2 linked research notes PubMed 36539991
- Effects of a cannabidiol/terpene formulation on sleep in individuals with insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study. clinical study in people; human research / 5 linked research notes PubMed 39167421
- The effect of nightly use of 150 mg cannabidiol on daytime neurocognitive performance in primary insomnia: a randomized controlled pilot trial. clinical study in people; human research / 6 linked research notes PubMed 39153080
- The Effects of Cannabinoids on Sleep. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 35459406
- Acute Effects of Oral Cannabinoids on Sleep and High-Density EEG in Insomnia: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. clinical study in people; human research / 3 linked research notes PubMed 40631525
- Effectiveness of cannabinoids on subjective sleep quality in people with and without insomnia or poor sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised studies. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited; systematic review / 2 linked research notes PubMed 40929927
- The efficacy and safety of cannabinoids for the treatment of mental disorders and substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 41856154
- Should Oncologists Recommend Cannabis? narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 31161270
- Cannabis dosing and administration for sleep: a systematic review. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 36107800
- Evaluating possible 'next day' impairment in insomnia patients administered an oral medicinal cannabis product by night: a pilot randomized controlled trial. clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 38758300
- Hypnotic and antiepileptic effects of cannabidiol. small placebo- and active-comparator clinical trial summarized in a review article; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 7028792
- Cannabidiol can improve complex sleep-related behaviours associated with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in Parkinson's disease patients: a case series. case series; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 24845114
- No Acute Effects of Cannabidiol on the Sleep-Wake Cycle of Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study. clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 29674967
- Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. retrospective chart-review case series; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 30624194
- The Safety and Comparative Effectiveness of Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoid Formulations for the Improvement of Sleep: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. clinical study in people; human research / 2 linked research notes PubMed 37162192
- Eight Weeks of Daily Cannabidiol Supplementation Improves Sleep Quality and Immune Cell Cytotoxicity. clinical study in people; human research / 2 linked research notes PubMed 37836465
- The effects of cannabidiol on sleep disturbances within a sample of high trait worriers: A double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial. clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 41678223
- The effects of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on sleep in cancer patients. observational study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 41120744
- The Use of Cannabinoids for Insomnia in Daily Life: Naturalistic Study. retrospective naturalistic app-based study; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 34704957
- A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the safety and effects of CBN with and without CBD on sleep quality clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 37796540
- Same-Day Sedative and Night-Time Sleep Effects Following Combined Cannabinoid Formulations: A Randomised-Controlled Trial. clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 40542913
- Chronic Cannabidiol Administration Mitigates Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Fatigue in Patients with Primary Hypertension: Insights from a Randomized Crossover Trial. clinical study in people; human research / 2 linked research notes PubMed 39187263
- The use of cannabinoid therapy in treatment-refractory isolated REM sleep behavior disorder: a case report. single case report; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 40130438
- Tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol in the treatment of restless legs syndrome. exploratory prospective open-label trial; human research / 2 linked research notes PubMed 42387200
- Use of Cannabidiol in the Management of Insomnia: A Systematic Review. systematic review or meta-analysis; systematic review / 1 linked research note PubMed 36149724
- Cannabis and sleep architecture: A systematic review and meta-analysis. systematic review or meta-analysis; systematic review / 1 linked research note PubMed 40967124
- Medical cannabis for treatment of insomnia in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. systematic review or meta-analysis; systematic review / 1 linked research note PubMed 42207928