# Cannabinoid Clinical Trials: Insomnia Study with Sleep EEG > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-clinical-trials-insomnia-study-sleep-eeg/ > **Published:** 2026-03-15T14:05:00-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:07:20-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore cannabinoid clinical trials insomnia study focusing on THC and CBD effects on sleep architecture and EEG in patients with insomnia. --- #### 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. These findings suggest that at least in the short term, this cannabinoid combination did not improve objective sleep measures and may have disrupted normal sleep architecture. Patients using cannabis products for insomnia should be aware that clinical evidence does not yet consistently support improved sleep outcomes, and individualized medical guidance remains essential. ### #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 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 Why This Matters This pilot study provides the first high-density EEG evidence characterizing how a THC/CBD combination affects sleep architecture and cortical activity in patients with clinically diagnosed insomnia, filling a critical gap between widespread clinical use and limited objective neurophysiological data. The findings establish a methodological foundation for determining whether cannabinoid-induced sleep changes translate to meaningful improvements in sleep quality and next-day [cognitive function](https://cedclinic.com/reverse-cholesterol-transport-function-cannabis-users/), which are essential prerequisites for informed prescribing decisions in insomnia management. **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/. Clinical Perspective This pilot study adds valuable objective neurophysiological data to the cannabis-insomnia literature, showing that a single dose of THC/CBD combination altered sleep EEG patterns in patients with insomnia disorder, though the small sample size (n=20) and single-dose design limit our ability to draw firm conclusions about efficacy or optimal dosing. The use of high-density EEG provides mechanistic insight beyond subjective sleep reports, yet we should note that acute effects in a controlled research setting may not predict chronic use patterns, tolerance development, or individual variability in response based on genetics, prior cannabis exposure, and comorbid conditions. Important confounders including baseline sleep architecture severity, medication interactions, and differences in cannabinoid metabolism were likely not fully controlled in this pilot phase. Clinically, while this work supports the biological plausibility of cannabinoid effects on sleep neurophysiology, current evidence remains insufficient to recommend cannabis as a first-line insomnia treatment, and providers should continue emphasizing cognitive behavioral therapy  |   |  Further Reading CED Clinic Blog[Cannabis-Infused Beverages as Alcohol Alternatives: New York at Five Years](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-beverage-substitution-alcohol-new-york-five-years/) Research Digest[AM Policy Update: March 11, 2026](https://cedclinic.com/dea-rescheduling-marijuana-march-11-2026/) Cannabis Policy Wire[Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Bromazolam in Schedule I](https://cedclinic.com/temporary-scheduling-novel-benzodiazepines-bromazolam-update/) [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) [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 [Cannabinoid Clinical Trials for Insomnia: EEG Sleep Data](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-clinical-trials-eeg-insomnia-sleep-study/) Detailed analysis of EEG sleep data from cannabinoid [clinical trials](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-emotional-memory-ptsd-treatment/) focusing on insomnia patients. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-clinical-trials-eeg-insomnia-sleep-study/) [Cannabinoid Clinical Trials: Cannabis Dosing for Insomnia](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-clinical-trials-insomnia/) Explore dosing strategies and [clinical trial results](https://cedclinic.com/cannabidiol-liver-enzyme-elevation-healthy-adults/) for cannabis use in insomnia treatment. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-clinical-trials-insomnia/) [Oral Cannabinoids Improve Sleep Quality in Insomnia Patients: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial](https://cedclinic.com/oral-thc-cbd-insomnia-trial-sleep-quality-effects/) Clinical evidence supporting oral cannabinoids' impact on sleep quality in insomnia patients. [Discover Insights](https://cedclinic.com/oral-thc-cbd-insomnia-trial-sleep-quality-effects/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Cannabinoid%20Clinical%20Trials%3A%20Insomnia%20Study%20with%20Sleep%20EEG&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabinoid-clinical-trials-insomnia-study-sleep-eeg%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabinoid-clinical-trials-insomnia-study-sleep-eeg%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Cannabinoid%20Clinical%20Trials%3A%20Insomnia%20Study%20with%20Sleep%20EEG%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabinoid-clinical-trials-insomnia-study-sleep-eeg%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), 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).