The cannabis derivative cannabinol (CBN) reduced the time needed to fall asleep in a small sample of individuals with insomnia but didn’t significantly reduce time spent awake after initial sleep onset, according to a
study issued by the
Journal of Sleep Research.
Why It’s Relevant
CBN is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid formed when delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oxidizes over time. Although CBN is increasingly marketed as a sleep aid, there has been no objective scientific study of its efficacy for insomnia disorders.
By the Numbers
- Two hours prior to their bedtime, 20 adults (ages 25 to 65, 85% female) with a diagnosed insomnia disorder received liquid formulations of CBN 30mg, CBN 300mg, and placebo in a random order—spaced about two weeks apart. Participants were then given eight hours to sleep in a monitored sleep lab.
- CBN 300mg and 30mg reduced wake after sleep onset by six and four minutes, respectively, but researchers said neither change was statistically or clinically significant.
- CBN 300mg halved average sleep onset time from 14 minutes to seven—a meaningful reduction similar to those reported in studies of melatonin or prescription sleep aids. Improvements were particularly strong among individuals with clinically elevated sleep-onset times.
- CBN 300mg also increased time spent in N2 sleep (the transition from light sleep to deep sleep) and increased participants’ subjective sleep quality.
- CBN 30mg produced no significant sleep changes relative to placebo.
- Researchers noted modest intoxicating effects with CBN 300mg, in contrast to previous studies. Side effects overall were mild, and there were no serious adverse events.
The Other Side
The study’s limitations include its small sample size and single-night design, which couldn’t capture night-to-night variability in insomnia and precluded an evaluation of longer-term safety. Further, individuals with past-year psychiatric disorders, except clinically managed mild depression or anxiety, were excluded.
Takeaway Message
“This trial does not provide direct evidence that cannabinol is effective for insomnia in routine clinical care,” the researchers wrote. “This study provides impetus for larger repeated dosing trials to investigate the efficacy of CBN in treating insomnia disorder, particularly sleep onset insomnia.”
Related Information
Source
Isobel G. Lavender, et al. Cannabinol for acute treatment of insomnia disorder in a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial.
Journal of Sleep Research. Published February 16, 2026.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.70284
(Image: Getty Images/iStock/urbazon)