(Gillian Levine for Leafly)
Insomnia is the worst, but luckily cannabis can be an effective sleep aid for many. It can slow racing thoughts, dissolve pain, relax muscles, and deliver its own sleepy chemicals to help you fall and stay asleep.RelatedMarijuana & Sleep: 9 Things to Know About Your Herbal Nightcap
We put together a list of sedating strains to give you an idea of what to look out for on your next visit to the dispensary. But first, some tips to keep in mind:
- THC strains are typically the most effective for sleep. If THC agrees with your body and doesn’t cause unpleasant side effects like anxiety, a THC-dominant strain might be your most reliable source of sedating effects.
- Go easy on the high-THC strains if it’s anxiety keeping you up. A light dose of THC can float you to sleep, but larger doses can worsen anxiety in some consumers. You may want to try a strain higher in CBD if you’re sensitive to THC.
- Edibles can help you stay asleep longer. Though inhaling cannabis yields faster effects, edibles last a lot longer.
- Browse Leafly for sleepy strains. Find out which strains other Leafly users have described as “sleepy” here.
Finding the right strain for you is a personalized endeavor and often requires a little trial and error. The strains below offer a few starting points—take note of which ones you like or don’t like, and use those shapes (cannabinoids) and colors (terpenes) to guide you to other strains that are likely to help you achieve a good night’s sleep.
Tahoe OG Kush
Primary terpenes: Limonene, caryophyllene, myrcene
Cannabinoid profile: THC-dominant
With effects that tend to be heavier than your average OG Kush hybrid, Tahoe OG is a godsend for many insomniacs. Smoking or vaporizing this strain can yield fast-acting effects that let muscles relax, easing that need to roll around in your blankets all night.
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Granddaddy Purple
Primary terpenes: Myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene
Cannabinoid profile: THC-dominant
It would be a crime to leave this classic off any list touting top sleepy strains. Not only is it fairly easy to find, Granddaddy Purple is shown to exhibit high levels of myrcene, a terpene that is commonly believed to provide relaxing effects. A favorite among those who use cannabis for pain or anxiety, GDP carries strong flavors of berry and grape to sweeten the deal.
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God’s Gift
Primary terpenes: Myrcene, pinene, caryophyllene
Cannabinoid profile: THC-dominant
God’s Gift is indeed a gift to insomnia sufferers, as all that stress keeping you up at night feels suddenly overpowered by a surefooted sense of peace. Releasing the exhale with notes of berry and citrus, you’re sure to feel your mood lift as your body sinks.
