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Insomnia severity decreased in a placebo-controlled medicinal cannabis oil trial. SLEEP, Oxford Academic
Of participants reported improved sleep quality in the same medicinal cannabis oil trial. SLEEP, Oxford Academic
Regular sleep problems lasting this long are described as long-term insomnia. NHS
Is the amount of sleep most adults need, though quality matters as much as quantity. NHS
Could treatment be suitable?
A specialist may assess you if:
- You have a diagnosed condition or an established clinical history.
- Standard treatments have not helped enough or were unsuitable.
- You are 18 or over and live in the UK.
- Your records allow a doctor to review previous care and current medicines.
Understanding the condition
When poor sleep becomes persistent
Almost everyone has the odd bad night, but insomnia is when sleep problems happen regularly and start to affect how you feel and function during the day. It can mean trouble getting to sleep, waking through the night, or waking too early and being unable to drop off again.
Insomnia often has an underlying cause, such as stress, anxiety, pain, or another health condition, and addressing that cause is an important part of treatment.
Persistent insomnia can affect mood, concentration and relationships, so finding an approach that helps you sleep better is worthwhile.
Recognising the impact
Common insomnia symptoms
Insomnia affects both nights and days. Common features include:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking repeatedly during the night
- Waking very early and not getting back to sleep
- Feeling tired and unrefreshed during the day
- Difficulty concentrating or low mood
- Irritability and reduced performance
Conventional treatments
Conventional treatment options
Insomnia is usually treated with recognised sleep techniques before medicines. Recognised options include:
- Improving sleep habits and routine (sleep hygiene)
- Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
- Relaxation therapy
- Melatonin in some cases, especially for older adults
- Short-term sleeping tablets such as zopiclone or a benzodiazepine
- Antihistamines for short-term use in some cases
Although these options help many people, they are not enough for everyone. If insomnia symptoms still affect daily life, a specialist assessment can help you understand whether another route may be suitable.
Specialist-led care
Can medical cannabis help with insomnia?
Recognised sleep treatments, especially CBT for insomnia, are used first. Where sleep problems persist, a specialist may review whether medical cannabis could support sleep as part of a wider plan.
Where sleep problems persist after approaches such as good sleep habits and CBT-I have been tried, a GMC-registered specialist can review your history and consider whether medical cannabis may help improve your sleep.
Where insomnia persists despite these measures, a specialist may consider whether prescription medical cannabis could play a role, particularly where it is linked to another condition such as chronic pain or anxiety. Response varies from person to person, so review and monitoring are important.
At CannaRelief, a GMC-registered specialist reviews your sleep history, any underlying causes and current medicines before deciding whether a trial of treatment is appropriate, and monitors how you respond.
Effects can vary from person to person, which is why a GMC-registered specialist reviews your symptoms, goals, medicines and records before deciding whether treatment may be appropriate.
1
Eligibility screening
Tell us about your diagnosis, symptoms and treatments already tried. No GP referral is needed.
2
Specialist consultation
A GMC-registered specialist reviews your records, goals, current medicines and relevant risks by online video.
3
Decision and follow-up
When treatment is appropriate, outcomes and side effects are monitored and the plan is reviewed.
Evidence
What does the evidence say?
Developing evidence (sleep)
Some trials report improvements in sleep, but evidence is still developing and CBT for insomnia (CBT-I) remains the recommended first-line treatment.
- CBT for insomnia (CBT-I) and good sleep habits are recommended first.
- Sleeping tablets are usually short-term only.
- Trial evidence for sleep is developing; benefit is not guaranteed.
Related support
Explore related insomnia support
These pages may help if symptoms overlap or you want to understand the wider specialist assessment pathway.
Safety
Possible side effects
Medical cannabis is prescribed under specialist supervision, and patient experience can vary. Your clinician will explain what to watch for and adjust your plan if needed.
- Decreased appetite or feeling sick
- Diarrhoea or weakness
- Dizziness or feeling very tired
- Behavioural or mood changes
They’ll usually ease on their own, but speak to your clinician if they don’t improve over time.
Questions
Insomnia FAQs
Clear answers on eligibility, suitability and legal prescribing in the UK.
Is medical cannabis legal for insomnia in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been legal to prescribe in the UK since November 2018, but only a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe it, and only when it is clinically appropriate. Eligibility does not guarantee a prescription.
Is medical cannabis a first-line treatment for insomnia?
No. Good sleep habits, CBT-I and treating any underlying cause are recommended first. A specialist may only consider medical cannabis where insomnia has persisted despite these, and after a full assessment.
Do I need a GP referral to be assessed?
No GP referral is needed. You can complete a short online eligibility check yourself, and we will keep your GP informed where you would like us to.
Is an online assessment as reliable as in person?
Yes. Our structured video assessments follow the same recognised diagnostic standards used in face-to-face appointments, with the added convenience of being seen from home.
Will medical cannabis be prescribed if I am eligible?
Not necessarily. Passing the eligibility check means a specialist can assess you. A prescribing decision is only made after a full clinical consultation, and treatment is not suitable for everyone.
Find out whether a specialist assessment may be suitable
Complete a short eligibility check. A prescribing decision can only be made after a full clinical assessment by a GMC-registered specialist.