New study demonstrates safety and effectiveness of cannabinoids in supporting sleep quality
In the study, conducted by Radicle Science, in partnership with Open Book Extracts, 1793 adults experiencing symptoms of sleep disturbance were randomly assigned to receive a four-week supply of either 15 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) or 5 mg of melatonin, alone or in combination with other cannabinoids.
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A recent study published in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association1 found that cannabinoids are safe and effective to support sleep quality, with effectiveness similar to that of melatonin. In the study, 1793 adults experiencing symptoms of sleep disturbance were randomly assigned to receive a four-week supply of either 15 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) or 5 mg of melatonin, alone or in combination with other cannabinoids.
These combinations include 15 mg of CBD with 15 mg of cannabinol (CBN) and 5 mg of melatonin, 15 mg of CBD with 15 mg of CBN, 15 mg of full spectrum CBD with 15 mg of CBN, and 15 mg of CBD with 15 mg of CBN and 5 mg of cannabichromene (CBC). Sleep disturbance was assessed over five weeks (one week for baseline, and four weeks taking the product) using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sleep Disturbance SF 8A, which was administered through weekly online surveys.
Results showed that all the formulations had a favorable safety profile and subjects taking them experienced significant improvements to their sleep disturbance. Only 12% reported adverse events and these were deemed not serious, with the most common symptoms being fatigue/grogginess, insomnia/sleep disturbance, headache, upset stomach, dry mouth, and nausea/vomiting. Across all formulations, 67% of participants experience minimal clinically important difference (MCID). There were no statistically significant differences in effect between the different formulations.
The study was conducted by Radicle Science which recruited subjects from across the U.S. through social media, its electronic mailing list, and a third-party consumer network. It was entirely virtual, and researchers collected data via online surveys, and communication with participants occurred through email or SMS text message. All the products used in the study were provided by Open Book Extracts (Roxboro, NC).
Reference
- Saleska, J.L.; Bryant, C.; Kolobaric, A.; D’Adamo, C.R.; Colwell, C.S.; Loewy, D.; Chen, J.; Pauli, E.K. The Safety and Comparative Effectiveness of Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoid Formulations for the Improvement of Sleep: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. JANA. 2023. Article ASAP. DOI: 10.1080/27697061.2023.2203221
