No Acute Effects of Cannabidiol on the Sleep-Wake Cycle of Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component of Cannabis sativa that has a broad spectrum of potential therapeutic effects in neuropsychiatric and other disorders. However, few studies have investigated the possible interference of CBD on the sleep-wake cycle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a clinically anxiolytic dose of CBD on the sleep-wake cycle of healthy subjects in a crossover, double-blind design. Twenty-seven healthy volunteers that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were selected and allocated to receive either CBD (300 mg) or placebo in the first night in a double-blind randomized design (one volunteer withdrew from the study). In the second night, the same procedure was performed using the substance that had not been administered in the previous occasion. CBD or placebo were administered 30 min before the start of polysomnography recordings that lasted 8 h. Cognitive and subjective measures were performed immediately after polysomnography to assess possible residual effects of CBD. The drug did not induce any significant effect (p > 0.05). Different from anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs such as benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, acute administration of an anxiolytic dose of CBD does not seem to interfere with the sleep cycle of healthy volunteers. The present findings support the proposal that CBD do not alter normal sleep architecture. Future studies should address the effects of CBD on the sleep-wake cycle of patient populations as well as in clinical trials with larger samples and chronic use of different doses of CBD. Such studies are desirable and opportune.

Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for psychosis

“…86 However, other studies have shown that CBD counteracts the sedative effects of THC, 87 and a recent study investigating the effects of 300 mg CBD ( versus placebo) on the sleep-wake cycle reported no effects on sedation, albeit this was in healthy individuals. 88 A review concluded that this effect is dose-based, with lower doses having a stimulating effect on the sleep–wake cycle, but higher doses having a sedative effect. 89 Given the aforementioned evidence that higher doses of CBD are likely needed to produce antipsychotic effects, particularly in patients with psychotic disorders (e.g.…”

Cannabidiol and Sports Performance: a Narrative Review of Relevant Evidence and Recommendations for Future Research

“…While CBD seems unlikely to directly influence sleep in healthy humans [115] (and may be "sleep-promoting" in those with certain comorbid conditions) [26,32,157], a small number of rodent studies suggest that the cannabinoid could actually be "wake-inducing" [128,132,204]. One placebo-controlled, double-blinded (single-dose) crossover trial of healthy individuals (n = 8) [137] also found that low-dose CBD (15 mg) counteracted some of the sedative effects of co-administered Δ 9 -THC (15 mg), i.e.…”

“…Several studies have investigated the effect of CBD on sleep in humans [26,32,115,157]. The first placebocontrolled, double-blinded (single-dose) crossover trial [26] found that 160 mg CBD (but not 40 or 80 mg) increased self-reported sleep duration in individuals with insomnia (n = 15); although time to sleep onset, number of sleep interruptions, and likelihood of experiencing "good sleep" were unchanged.…”

“…anxiety, PTSD). Indeed, a recent placebo-controlled, double-blinded (single-dose) crossover trial [115] found no effect of CBD (300 mg) on sleep architecture measured via polysomnography in healthy adults (n = 27).…”

Cannabidiol: A budding industry!

“…It has been widely suggested that CBD can help with sleep disturbances, although the findings to date from human studies are limited. In a recent study investigating the effects of CBD on the sleep-wake cycle of 27 healthy volunteers, participants were given 300 mg of either CBD or placebo on two consecutive nights in a double-blinded crossover design (Linares et al 2018). During an 8-hour polysomnography examination, which measures brain waves, pulse, eye and muscle movements, and is used to diagnose sleep disorders, no differences were found between the CBD and placebo groups.…”