Cannabis may be an effective treatment for restless leg syndrome, according to the findings of a systematic review of existing studies conducted by researchers at All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
“Cannabinoids—particularly CBD—may hold therapeutic promise in RLS through multi-system neurobiological effects,” the authors of the study wrote, Marijuana Moment reported.
The researchers conducted a comprehensive review of studies investigating cannabis and restless leg syndrome (RLS). They included seven existing studies in the review, which was recently published in the Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology.
What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Restless leg syndrome is a neurological condition marked by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually paired with uncomfortable sensations that worsen during rest and interfere with sleep. Clinicians often start by correcting low iron, since that can drive symptoms. When medication is needed, gabapentin and pregabalin are common choices with solid effectiveness for many patients, while dopamine agonists can help but often lose reliability over time because they can make symptoms intensify.
Even with treatment, many people continue to struggle with sleep disruption and daytime fatigue. RLS is widespread, affecting an estimated 7% of adults worldwide according to a 2024 global analysis.
Researchers Conclude Cannabis Improves Symptoms of RLS
The authors of the new review concluded that cannabis cannabis can be an effective treatment for patients with restless leg syndrome.
“Current evidence indicates that cannabis, in various forms, may alleviate or prevent symptoms of RLS through multiple mechanisms,” they wrote, while cautioning that existing studies are “limited to case reports, cross-sectional surveys, and post hoc analyses.”
In one of the studies reviewed, every patient experienced “complete relief in their symptoms.” Another study found that “all patients, except one, reported complete or near-complete improvement in symptoms of RLS with marijuana smoking.”
A third study found that half of patients who also had end-stage renal disease reported complete relief from RLS symptoms with medical cannabis.
“Topical application of CBD improved RLS significantly after two weeks, and smoked marijuana had better relief in symptoms of RLS compared to medical cannabis,” the researchers of that study wrote.
The authors of the new study concluded that their “scoping review shows that use of illicit or medical cannabis can either prevent or improve symptoms of RLS, including refractory RLS,” although they added that the existing evidence base is of “low quality” due to the lack of randomized controlled trials.
“Despite these limitations, existing evidence indicates a potential role for cannabis in the management of RLS, primarily when available therapies do not provide optimal relief, lose efficacy over time, or have some disabling adverse effects,” they said, adding that the results of their review “invite cautious optimism regarding the role of cannabis and cannabinoids in RLS.”
“The current evidence positions cannabis and cannabinoids as a potential adjunct rather than a replacement for established therapies. They may be worth considering in carefully selected patients—particularly those with refractory symptoms or intolerance to standard treatments—but only with a clear understanding of the uncertainties involved.”
Conclusions Mirror Previous Research
The study’s findings are consistent with a separate study of 18 patients with RLS that concluded that those with the condition could find “significant” long-term relief with cannabis treatment. That research found that a cannabis product containing 2.7mg THC and 2.5mg CBD “was effective in reducing RLS severity” among patients with multiple sclerosis and “associated idiopathic RLS.”
“Improvements were observed after 1 and 3 months of treatment and were maintained after 1 year among patients who continued therapy,” the researchers wrote. Among participants who remained on treatment after one year, 67% “continued to show sustained improvement.”
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