Clinical Trial Shows Remarkable Results
If you struggle with insomnia, you know the frustration of lying awake night after night. A new clinical trial published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine offers compelling evidence that CBD combined with terpenes may provide the relief you’ve been seeking.
The Gold Standard Study Design
This wasn’t just an observational study – researchers used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized design, considered the gold standard in medical research. The study included 125 individuals diagnosed with insomnia who received treatment over 4 weeks.
Participants were given either an oral CBD formulation (300mg) combined with eight specific terpenes (linalool, myrcene, phytol, limonene, α-terpinene, α-terpineol, α-pinene, and β-caryophyllene) or an identical-looking placebo. Importantly, the formula contained no THC.
Measuring Sleep Quality Objectively
Rather than relying solely on subjective reports, researchers used wrist-worn sleep-tracking devices to measure actual sleep architecture. They focused specifically on slow-wave sleep (SWS) and REM sleep – the most restorative sleep stages.
The Results Were Significant
The CBD-terpene treatment increased the mean nightly percentage of time participants spent in combined SWS and REM sleep by 1.3% compared to placebo. While this might sound modest, the effects were much more dramatic for certain groups:
- Participants with very poor baseline sleep quality saw robust improvements
- Day sleepers (people who work night shifts) experienced particularly strong benefits
- Some individuals gained an average of 48 additional minutes of deep, restorative sleep per night
Why This Matters
Deep sleep and REM sleep are when your body performs critical functions:
- Physical recovery and muscle repair
- Memory consolidation and learning
- Immune system strengthening
- Emotional regulation
Getting more of these sleep stages doesn’t just mean sleeping longer – it means sleeping better.
Safety Profile
The treatment showed no adverse events. Additionally, it had no effect on total sleep time, resting heart rate, or heart rate variability, suggesting it works by improving sleep quality rather than simply sedating users.
A Natural Alternative
The researchers concluded that CBD-terpene ratios may provide “a safe and efficacious alternative to over-the-counter sleep aids and commonly prescribed sleep medications”. This is significant news for the millions seeking non-pharmaceutical sleep solutions.
About the Original Study
Title: Effects of a cannabidiol/terpene formulation on sleep in individuals with insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study
Published: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2025; 21(1):69–80
Authors: M. Wang, M. Faust, S. Abbott, V. Patel, E. Colonna, J.I. Colonna, N. Singh, P.J. Mediano
Study Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05233761
Link to Study: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
Contributing Expert
Alan first discovered CBD while recovering from a sports injury — and he’s been a believer ever since. Over the years, he’s used CBD for sleep, skincare, easing anxiety, and even helping his family pet stay calm. With more than 20 years of experience running a marketing business, Alan now enjoys sharing scientific studies and personal experience with customers at Flourish + Live Well.