Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an unpleasant tickling or twitching sensation in the leg muscles when sitting or lying down, relieved only by moving the legs. That may not sound like a serious condition to people who have never suffered from it, but if you do suffer from RLS, then you know firsthand how frustrating it can be to deal with and the negative impact that it can have on your life.

The condition is annoying any time of the day that it occurs, but it can be particularly harmful when it hinders people’s ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Poor sleep can weaken a person’s immune system, increase blood pressure, disrupt blood sugar control, and alter hunger hormones. That, in turn, increases the risk of someone developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, anxiety, and depression.

International health researchers estimate that over 356 million people suffer from restless legs syndrome worldwide. The European continent has the highest prevalence of RLS, and Africa has the lowest prevalence, according to researchers. Various treatments exist for restless legs syndrome, although there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatment. What works for one person may not work for the next.

Medical cannabis is a form of treatment that an increasing number of RLS patients are exploring. RLS and cannabis were the focus of a recent study conducted in Spain by researchers associated with the Universidad Europea de Madrid and the Hospital Universitario de Getafe. The study’s findings were published in the Journal of Neurology.

“Dopamine agonists were previously considered the first-line treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS); however, α2δ ligands are now recommended to prevent augmentation. As cannabinoids inhibit glutamate release in the striatum, they may represent an effective therapeutic option for RLS.” the researchers wrote.

The Spanish researchers provided study participants who suffer from RLS with an oral spray containing 2.7 mg of plant-derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 2.5 mg of plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD). The participants self-administered the spray on a daily basis, with subjects’ RLS symptoms being assessed at baseline, at one month, three months, and at one year.

“At baseline, patients exhibited low daytime sleepiness (ESS: 10.63 ± 3.46) and severe RLS (IRLS: 22.44 ± 8.77). Mean sleep efficiency (SE) was 83.64 ± 6.03%, sleep latency (SL) was 26.71 ± 18.64 min, and wake after sleep onset (WASO) was 40.29 ± 10.03 min. IRLS scores improved significantly after both 1 month and 3 months of treatment (p < 0.001). WASO was significantly reduced (p = 0.015), whereas no significant changes were observed in SL or SE. After 1 year, 66.66% of patients remained on treatment and continued to show sustained improvement in IRLS scores (p = 0.000).” the researchers found.

“In this exploratory open-label study, treatment with 2.7 mg THC/2.5 mg CBD was effective in reducing RLS severity, as measured by the IRLS scale, in patients with MS 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 concluded.

According to market analysts at Mordor Intelligence, “the restless legs syndrome market size is estimated at USD 727.58 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 937.92 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.21% during the forecast period (2025-2030).”