Can Hemp-Derived Cannabis CBD Support Sleep in Dementia?

PostedMarch 10, 2026

UpdatedMarch 12, 2026

ByMy Patient Advice

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

Sleep disturbances are common in individuals with dementia, contributing to behavioural issues and a lower quality of life. In recent years, hemp-derived CBD has been proposed as a potential remedy to improve sleep in dementia patients. But does the evidence support this claim?

What The Research Shows

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, has gained popularity for its potential to promote relaxation and improve sleep. Some studies suggest that CBD may help alleviate sleep disturbances in patients with dementia, though the results are far from conclusive.

A 2021 randomised controlled trial in Frontiers in Pharmacology investigated CBD oil for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that CBD improved sleep quality and reduced agitation, suggesting it could be a safe option for managing sleep problems. However, the study also highlighted that more research is needed to confirm these results, as the trial was small and short-term.

Other studies, such as one published in Current Alzheimer Research in 2019, have examined CBD’s effects on anxiety and sleep in dementia. While there was a reduction in anxiety and modest improvements in sleep, results were variable, and many of the studies were not large enough to draw definitive conclusions. Furthermore, hemp-derived CBD is often marketed in various forms and dosages, making standardisation a challenge.

What The Guidelines Say

According to NICE guidance NG144 (updated 2025), CBD is not currently recommended for treating dementia symptoms, including sleep disturbances. The guidance also highlights that there is insufficient evidence to support the widespread use of CBD-based products for dementia care.

The NHS advises that cannabis-derived products, including CBD, are not licensed for use in dementia in the UK. The NHS only recommends specific cannabis-based treatments, such as Sativex, for certain medical conditions, like multiple sclerosis, but not for dementia-related issues like sleep disturbance.

Expert Commentary

The Alzheimer’s Society states that while CBD may have some benefits, it is still an experimental treatment for dementia-related symptoms. More robust, long-term studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy. Additionally, the Royal College of Psychiatrists emphasises that any cannabis-based treatments should be used under close medical supervision.

Clinical Bottom Line

CBD has shown some promise in improving sleep and reducing agitation in dementia, but the evidence is inconsistent.

Current studies are small, and long-term effects are not well understood.

NICE and NHS do not recommend CBD for sleep problems in dementia outside of clinical research.

Standardised dosages and formulations of CBD are needed for better comparison across studies.

Future research may clarify whether CBD can be a useful tool for managing dementia-related sleep issues.

About AlleviMed

If you are considering whether medical cannabis could be appropriate for a loved one with Dementia, AlleviMed offers private eligibility consultations across the UK. The service connects families with GMC-registered specialists for safe, compliant advice on evidence-based cannabis treatments. You can learn more at allevimed.co.uk once the site is live.

Takeaway

While CBD shows some promise in improving sleep in dementia, the evidence remains inconclusive. The existing studies are small, and the long-term safety of hemp-derived CBD for dementia patients is not well understood. Both NICE and the NHS recommend that CBD should not be used outside of clinical trials until further evidence supports its use for sleep disturbances 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.