# No Acute Effects of Cannabidiol on the Sleep-Wake Cycle of Healthy Subjects > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabidiol-sleep-wake-cycle-study-no-acute-effects/ > **Published:** 2022-01-11T15:51:33-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:16:48-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the cannabidiol sleep-wake cycle study showing no acute effects of CBD on healthy subjects' sleep quality or cognitive function. --- Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component of the plant cannabis with various [therapeutic benefits](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) including antidepressant and anxiolytic (anxiety-relieving). Despite being a known regulator of brain functions (hence its benefits against the above neuropsychiatric conditions), not much is known about the possible interference of CBD on the sleep-wake cycle. For its [medical applications](https://cedclinic.com/medicinal-cannabis-endometriosis-pain-relief/) to be safe, understanding such potential effects is crucial. To evaluate how CBD influences the sleep-wake cycle of healthy adults, researchers at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and [Mental Health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-psychiatric-research-findings-depression-anxiety/), Australia conducted a study on 27 healthy volunteers. The volunteers were allocated to receive either CBD or placebo in the first night; in the second night, the same procedure was performed using the substance that had not been administered in the previous session. During both nights, following the administration of CBD or placebo, a sleep study which records one’s brain waves, blood oxygen level, heart rate and breathing, eye and leg movements was conducted on the sleeping volunteers. The next morning, immediately after the sleep study, cognitive and subjective measures were also performed to assess possible residual effects of CBD. Data from this study suggested that CBD neither altered any indexes of sleeping quality nor interfere with different phases of the normal sleep cycle significantly. Furthermore, CBD did not leave any negative impacts on the cognitive or motor functions of the participants the following morning. This is starkly different from common anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs such as benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are known to have adverse [side effects](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-intoxication-memory-disruption/) on sleep. [More access here](https://cedclinic.com/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [The effects of cannabidiol on sleep disturbances within a sample of high trait worriers: A double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial.](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-sleep-placebo-trial-results/) This clinical trial investigates cannabidiol's effects on sleep disturbances in individuals with high anxiety traits, providing insights into CBD's sleep-related benefits. [Read the full trial results](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-sleep-placebo-trial-results/) [Cannabidiol Effects on Cortical Excitability: Evidence from a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-anti-seizure-activity-cortical-excitability-trial/) Explore how cannabidiol influences brain cortical excitability, shedding light on its neurological effects in controlled clinical settings. [Explore the study details](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-anti-seizure-activity-cortical-excitability-trial/) [First Human Clinical Trial: CBG Reduces Anxiety and Stress Without Intoxication](https://cedclinic.com/cbg-clinical-trial-anxiety-stress-relief/) Learn about the first human trial showing cannabigerol (CBG) reduces anxiety and stress, highlighting non-intoxicating cannabinoid benefits. [Discover the clinical findings](https://cedclinic.com/cbg-clinical-trial-anxiety-stress-relief/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=No%20Acute%20Effects%20of%20Cannabidiol%20on%20the%20Sleep-Wake%20Cycle%20of%20Healthy%20Subjects&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabidiol-sleep-wake-cycle-study-no-acute-effects%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabidiol-sleep-wake-cycle-study-no-acute-effects%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=No%20Acute%20Effects%20of%20Cannabidiol%20on%20the%20Sleep-Wake%20Cycle%20of%20Healthy%20Subjects%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabidiol-sleep-wake-cycle-study-no-acute-effects%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), 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).