Can Cannabis Help with Sleep Disruptions and Insomnia in Dementia?

PostedMarch 12, 2026

UpdatedMarch 12, 2026

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Julia Sutton, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Clarissa Morton, PharmD

Sleep disruptions and insomnia are common in people with dementia, often worsening cognitive decline, increasing agitation, and reducing quality of life. Cannabis, particularly THC and CBD, has been studied for its potential to alleviate sleep disturbances. While early findings are promising, evidence remains limited, and cannabis is not recommended as a first-line treatment for sleep issues in dementia care.

Sleep Disruptions in Dementia

In dementia, sleep disturbances arise from changes in brain function, especially in areas that regulate the circadian rhythm. Factors such as anxiety, pain, and disorientation can exacerbate the problem. According to NHS dementia guidelines, managing sleep issues involves behavioural strategies, such as establishing regular routines and adjusting the sleep environment.

How Can Cannabis Help?

Cannabis compounds like THC and CBD influence the brain’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate sleep, stress, and mood.

THC, the psychoactive component, acts on CB1 receptors in the brain, promoting sleep by helping to reduce sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep) and increasing sleep duration.

CBD, non-psychoactive, interacts with serotonin (5-HT1A) receptors, which may reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, indirectly improving sleep quality.

A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that THC: CBD oils improved sleep quality and reduced disruptions in dementia patients (PubMed 36247984). Similarly, a 2024 review in Frontiers in Psychiatry (PubMed 38447959) suggested that cannabinoids could help stabilise sleep in dementia, but the evidence is still limited.

What Do the Guidelines Say?

Despite promising findings, NICE and NHS maintain a cautious stance on cannabis use for sleep disruptions in dementia. NICE NG97 and NICE NG144 highlight that cannabis is not recommended for treating sleep problems or other dementia-related symptoms. These guidelines stress non-pharmacological approaches, such as behavioural therapies and addressing underlying causes like pain and anxiety.

Clinical Bottom Line

THC may promote sleep by reducing sleep latency and increasing duration.

CBD may improve sleep by alleviating anxiety and promoting relaxation.

Evidence remains limited, with studies being small and inconclusive.

NICE and NHS do not support cannabis for sleep problems in dementia. Non-drug interventions remain the recommended approach.

Educational Context: AlleviMed

AlleviMed provides educational resources about the regulation and clinical use of cannabis-based medicinal products in the UK. These products are licensed for specific conditions such as chronic pain and epilepsy but are not approved for treating sleep problems in dementia.

Takeaway

Cannabis compounds like THC and CBD may improve sleep in dementia, but evidence remains inconclusive. According to NHS and NICE guidelines, non-drug approaches should remain the first-line treatment for sleep disruptions until more robust clinical evidence supports the use of cannabis. Further research is needed to determine its safety and efficacy for treating insomnia in dementia.

Julia Sutton, MSc

Author

Julia Sutton is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and experience providing psychological assessment and therapy to adolescents and adults. Skilled in CBT, client-centered therapy, and evidence-based interventions, she has worked with conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and conversion disorder. She also has experience in child psychology, conducting psycho-educational evaluations and developing tailored treatment plans to improve learning and well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Clarissa Morton, PharmD

Reviewer

Dr. Clarissa Morton is a licensed pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and experience across hospital, community, and industrial pharmacy. She has worked in emergency, outpatient, and inpatient pharmacy settings, providing patient counseling, dispensing medications, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Alongside her pharmacy expertise, she has worked as a Support Plan & Risk Assessment (SPRA) officer and in medical coding, applying knowledge of medical terminology, EMIS, and SystmOne software to deliver accurate, compliant healthcare documentation. Her skills span medication safety, regulatory standards, healthcare data management, and statistical reporting.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewers's privacy.