Dronabinol reduces PTSD nightmares trial

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial led by Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin evaluated the efficacy and safety of dronabinol, a prescription THC formulation, for treating nightmares in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study, published in Nature Medicine on August 5, 2026, enrolled 171 adults with PTSD and recurrent nightmares. Participants received either dronabinol (2.5-15 mg) or placebo nightly for 10 weeks. Results showed a significantly greater reduction in nightmare burden in the dronabinol group (average decrease of 3.7 points on an 8-point scale) compared to placebo (2.2 points). More than a third of dronabinol-treated patients reported complete cessation of nightmares, and an additional 21% experienced at least a 50% reduction. The treatment specifically targeted nightmares and sleep disruption without significantly altering overall PTSD severity or depressive symptoms. No severe adverse events or withdrawal symptoms were observed, though mild-to-moderate side effects like dizziness, headache, and increased appetite were more common. The study was supported by Bionorica SE and involved researchers from several German institutions. Further research is planned to assess long-term efficacy and safety.