# Cannabinoid Clinical Trials: EEG Insomnia Sleep RCT

> **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637)
> **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com)
> **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/acute-effects-oral-cannabinoids-sleep-eeg/
> **Published:** 2026-03-19T08:59:18-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:05:13-04:00
> **Clinical Summary:** Explore acute effects of oral cannabinoids on sleep EEG in insomnia patients from a pilot clinical trial with THC and CBD combination.

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#### Clinical Takeaway

In this small pilot trial of 20 adults with diagnosed insomnia, a single oral dose of 10 mg THC combined with 200 mg CBD reduced total sleep time compared to placebo. The findings suggest that this cannabinoid combination did not improve objective sleep outcomes in the short term, though the study was not powered to draw definitive conclusions. Patients considering cannabinoids for insomnia should discuss realistic expectations and potential trade-offs with their clinician before use.

### #9 Acute Effects of Oral Cannabinoids on Sleep and High-Density EEG in Insomnia: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.

**Citation:** Suraev Anastasia et al. *[Acute Effects](https://cedclinic.com/episodic-memory-cannabis-impairment-study/) of Oral Cannabinoids on Sleep and High-Density EEG in Insomnia: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.* Journal of sleep research. 2026. PMID: 40631525.

**Study type:** Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial  | 

**Topic area:** Cannabidiol  | 

**CED Score:** 11

Design: 5 Journal: 0 N: 0 Recency: 3 Pop: 2 Human: 1 Risk: 0

**Methodological Considerations:**
- Self-reported outcomes — recall and social-desirability bias risk

**Abstract:** Cannabinoids, particularly Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have gained popularity as alternative sleep aids; however, their effects on sleep architecture and next-day function remain poorly understood. Here, in a pilot trial, we examined the effects of a single oral dose containing 10 mg THC and 200 mg CBD (THC/CBD) on objective sleep outcomes and next-day alertness using 256-channel high-density EEG in 20 patients with DSM-5 diagnosed insomnia disorder (16 female; mean (SD) age, 46.1 (8.6) years). We showed that THC/CBD decreased total sleep time (-24.5 min, p = 0.05, d = -0.5) with no change in wake after sleep onset (+10.7 min, p > 0.05) compared to placebo. THC/CBD also significantly decreased time spent in REM sleep (-33.9 min, p < 0.001, d = -1.5) and increased latency to REM sleep (+65.6 min, p = 0.008, d = 0.7). High-density EEG analysis revealed regional decreases in gamma activity during N2 sleep, and in delta activity during N3 sleep, and a regional increase in beta and alpha activity during REM sleep. While there was no observed change in next-day objective alertness, a small but significant increase in self-reported sleepiness was noted with THC/CBD (+0.42 points, p = 0.02, d = 0.22). No changes in subjective sleep quality, cognitive performance, or simulated driving performance were observed. These findings suggest that a single dose of cannabinoids, particularly THC, may acutely influence sleep, primarily by suppressing REM sleep, without noticeable next-day impairment (≥ 9 h post-treatment). Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12619000714189) https://www.anzctr.org.au/.

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[View on PubMed ↗](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40631525/)[Full Text ↗](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12856102/)[DOI ↗](https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.70124)

 
 
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### Verification & Medical Governance

- **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD
- **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House).
- **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`).
- **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/).
- **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637).
- **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).