Jen Walsh: Can cannabis help you sleep? Here's the science

Can cannabis help you sleep? Here's the science

Can cannabis actually treat insomnia? It's complicated, says sleep physiologist Jen Walsh. While the plant has been used across time and cultures, there's been little scientific research on how it impacts sleep disorders like insomnia. That's precisely where she and her team come in. Learn about the world's first study into the potential of medicinal cannabis as a safe, accessible treatment to help us all rest easy.

Cannabis has been used for thousands of years, but only recently have scientists begun to explore its effects on sleep disorders like insomnia. In a first-of-its-kind study, participants taking a cannabinoid medication slept an average of 33 minutes longer at home, though results in the lab were less clear. Despite popular use, particularly among those seeking better sleep, real scientific proof of cannabis as a reliable insomnia treatment is still lacking. Legal and health risks, individual variability, and the need for more research mean that recommendations must be cautious for now.