FRANKFURT, Germany –
According to a new survey, consumers consider medical cannabis more effective in treating sleep disorders compared to prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping pills.
The findings come from a survey conducted by Bloomwell Group GmbH of 1,086 patients who have used medical cannabis to treat their sleep disorders since 2023. This is the largest survey to date in Europe on the effectiveness of medical cannabis at treating sleep disorders.
Many patients report being able to reduce their use of other medications by using medical cannabis, which is associated with relatively mild side effects – if any side effects at all.
Key Stats on the Severity of Sleep Disorders
The survey also revealed 95% of respondents say sleep disorders place a significant burden on their daily life and work. As a result, almost 93% have tried OTC sleeping pills such as valerian or melatonin, and around 83.5% have used prescription sleeping pills.
When compared to other medical sleep aids, nearly 70% of respondents reported medical cannabis is more effective in improving sleep quality than with other prescription medications, and almost 70% noted fewer side effects. Compared to OTC sleeping pills, 91.2% considered medical cannabis to be the more effective option, with only 1.7% disagreeing.
The survey also found that 95% of patients believe medical cannabis is highly effective in treating their sleep disorders. Almost 86% reported an improved quality of life, while 80% experienced reduced symptoms. Only 5.8% of respondents reported no health improvements. Additionally, almost 42% were able to stop taking other medications.
Dr. Julian Wichmann, M.D., Managing Director of Bloomwell GmbH, said, “The data paints a very different picture than some critics who publicly question cannabis treatments prescribed via telemedicine platforms or dismiss sleep disorders as a ‘mild’ condition. People with sleep disorders suffer greatly, often having tried numerous over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids over the years. Medical cannabis has proven to be far more effective in many cases, with fewer side effects. Rather than discrediting patients who choose medical cannabis as a treatment option, we should celebrate the fact that they finally have a real alternative with minimal or no side effects. After years of unsuccessful treatments and countless sleepless nights, patients now have an option that truly helps. This is especially important given the high abuse potential and dependence risk of commonly prescribed sleeping pills and sedatives like benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. In many cases, patients can now discontinue these medications.”
The report also indicates a stabilization in the market for medical cannabis flower. Despite continued strong demand in the first quarter of 2025, the average prices (between €8 and €9 per gram) have remained relatively stable and affordable since the end of last year.
Niklas Kouparanis, Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomwell Group, said, “In 2024, the German medical cannabis industry gained global attention due to rapid growth that immediately followed the landmark reclassification of medical cannabis as a non-narcotic, which went into effect on April 1, 2024. This progressive policy update made medical cannabis therapy, including through telehealth services, more accessible to hundreds of thousands of patients. At the same time, costs along the entire value chain have dropped significantly. The industry has been able to pass these savings on to patients, so despite high demand, prices have stabilized to be very inexpensive by global standards. This democratization of therapy now allows the general public to access cannabis treatment without overburdening the healthcare system in terms of capacity or costs. As a result, Germany is on track to become the largest market for medical cannabis in the world, potentially surpassing one million patients this year. Innovative telemedicine is key to ensuring safe, effective medical care for those who have previously relied on unlicensed sources, despite the risks involved.”
Methodology
For this report, Bloomwell Group GmbH analyzed anonymized responses from 1,086 cannabis patients who have used medical cannabis to treat their sleep disorders since 2023. The survey was conducted between December 2024 and March 2025. Additionally, Bloomwell evaluated a six-figure amount of prescriptions submitted by self-paying cannabis patients through partner pharmacies via Bloomwell.
The full report can be viewed here: https://blog.bloomwell.de/cannabis-barometer-schlaf
About Bloomwell Group GmbH
Bloomwell Group, based in Frankfurt, Germany, is one of Europe’s leading medical cannabis companies. Founded in 2020, it has become a central hub in the emerging cannabis ecosystem, covering the entire value chain, excluding cultivation. Through innovation and the digitalization of therapy processes, Bloomwell ensures an effective and reliable supply of medical cannabis to patients and contributes to the de-stigmatization of cannabis in medicine through data-driven research. Bloomwell is a pioneer in Europe in developing telemedicine services, digital payment integrations, and personalized e-prescription solutions for medical cannabis. Every month, Bloomwell provides tens of thousands of cannabis patients, pharmacies, doctors, and wholesalers with a central digital infrastructure. If desired, patients can receive an individual e-prescription with a qualified remote signature from D-Trust, a Bundesdruckerei company, via the Bloomwell platform.
