Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia
Published on: February 17, 2023
Medical cannabis for treatment of insomnia in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Katrina Begazo1, Karen Laing1, Angela Mineo1
1College of Nursing, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Background:
Insomnia affects over one third of adults and is associated with worse health outcomes and greater health care costs. Traditional pharmacologic treatments for insomnia have side effects and limited long-term efficacy. Patients may self-medicate with alternative therapies including medical cannabis, but there are few resources to guide clinicians in evaluating the potential impact of such self-care.
Objectives:
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, dosing strategies, administration routes, and monitoring practices associated with medical cannabis use in adults with insomnia.
Data Sources:
Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Ultimate, and PsycINFO.
Conclusions:
Cannabinoid formulations included cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), alone or in combination, administered by oral capsules, oils, or sublingual solutions. Monitoring practices varied but frequently included sleep diaries, actigraphy, and validated scales such as the Insomnia Severity Index and PROMIS Sleep Disturbance. Medical cannabis may decrease sleep disturbance and daytime sleepiness while increasing total sleep time, with a favorable safety profile and minor adverse effects when dosed and monitored appropriately.
Implications For Practice:
CBD doses of 50-300 mg and CBN doses of 20-100 mg were found to be safe and effective for improving sleep. Doses of CBD <50 mg were only effective with the addition of CBN. Formulations with THC did not show significant improvement in sleep and had higher reports of adverse effects. Clinicians should advise patients self-treating with cannabis to avoid THC and start with a low dose of CBN or a combination of CBN/CBD.
Related Concept Videos
Management of Insomnia
Insomnia
Multiple factors contribute...
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

