Integrative therapies for chronic insomnia: A randomized controlled trial of a traditional Thai Herbal Remedy and Cannabis sativa oil

Summary & key facts

Researchers randomly put 60 adults with chronic insomnia into three groups and gave each group one four-week treatment: a traditional Thai herbal mix called Suk-Sai-Yat, Cannabis sativa oil (Deja formula), or the benzodiazepine drug lorazepam. They measured sleep using a standard sleep questionnaire and measured quality of life. All three treatments led to clear improvements in sleep after four weeks, and the herbal and cannabis groups showed bigger boosts in quality of life than the lorazepam group. Only mild side effects were reported. The trial was small and only lasted four weeks, so we do not know if the results hold over longer times or in larger groups.

Key facts:

• Sixty adults with chronic insomnia were randomly assigned to one of three treatments for four weeks: Suk-Sai-Yat herbal remedy, Cannabis sativa oil, or lorazepam.
• Sleep scores improved a lot in every group. Sleep questionnaire scores moved from about 12 to 7 with Suk-Sai-Yat, about 14 to 4 with Cannabis oil, and about 14 to 6 with lorazepam.
• Those improvements in sleep were unlikely to be due to chance, according to the study's analysis.
• Quality-of-life measures improved more in the herbal and cannabis groups than in the lorazepam group.
• Only mild adverse events were reported across all three treatment groups, and no serious safety problems were reported in the four-week trial.
• The study was small and short—60 people for four weeks—so we do not know whether the same effects would appear in larger groups or over longer periods.

Abstract

This study compared the efficacy and safety of integrative and conventional therapies for chronic insomnia. To evaluate the effects of the Suk-Sai-Yat traditional Thai herbal remedy, Cannabis sativa oil (Deja formula) and lorazepam on sleep quality and quality of life in patients with chronic insomnia. In a randomized controlled parallel-group trial, 60 adults with chronic insomnia received Suk-Sai-Yat, Cannabis sativa oil, or lorazepam for four weeks. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh leep Quality Index (PSQI) and quality of life was evaluated using EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS. Safety was monitored throughout the study. After four weeks, PSQI scores significantly improved in all groups: Suk-Sai-Yat (12.3–6.6), Cannabis sativa oil (13.6–3.68) and lorazepam (14.4–5.8) (all p < 0.001), with no significant differences between groups. Quality-of-life scores improved significantly in the integrative therapy groups. Only mild adverse events were reported. Suk-Sai-Yat and Cannabis sativa oil demonstrated comparable efficacy to lorazepam with favorable safety profiles, supporting their role as integrative, non-benzodiazepine options for chronic insomnia management. • Suk-Sai-Yat and Cannabis sativa oil significantly improved chronic insomnia symptoms • Herbal and cannabis treatments showed efficacy comparable to lorazepam in an RCT • Quality of life improved more with Suk-Sai-Yat and cannabis oil than lorazepam • Only mild adverse events were observed across all treatment groups • Supports traditional herbal and cannabinoid therapies as safe insomnia alternatives

Topics

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Natural Compound Pharmacology Studies Sleep and related disorders

Categories

Experimental and Cognitive Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Acupuncture Alternative medicine Cannabis Cannabis sativa Clinical trial Effects of cannabis Insomnia Intensive care medicine Lorazepam Medicine MEDLINE Physical therapy Phytotherapy Randomized controlled trial Traditional medicine

Substances

Cannabis

Conditions & symptoms

Sleep disorder Poor sleep