Can’t sleep? Not for long. Insomnia can be the worst, but it’s weed to the rescue once again. Cannabis has been shown to be an effective sleep aid, and if you’ve spent some time around the plant before, you know that some strains will make you sleepy whether you like it or not.
That’s not nearly all, though; Cannabis can help relieve anxiety and slow racing thoughts, dissolve pain, relax muscles, and help your brain to produce the chemicals that help you fall asleep.
Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do to improve your physical and mental health, so if you struggle with insomnia, then check out some of the following strains. This list should help give you a short list of strains to look for during your next dispensary visit, but finding the right strain for you is a personalized endeavor and often requires a little trial and error.
Take it easy, take it slow, and before long, you’ll have the perfect strain that helps you drift off effortlessly. Sweet dreams!
Tahoe OG Kush
Primary terpenes:Limonene, Caryophyllene, Myrcene
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. – Bailey Rahn
Afghani
Primary terpenes:Terpinoline, Myrcene, Pinene
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Showing you stores nearAfghani is one of the oldest strains on the market, an ur-strain that has formed the backbone of some of the first cultivars to come to prominence, and it’s still one of the best for turning out the lights. Respect the OG. – Morgan Rosendale
Granddaddy Purple
Primary terpenes:Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
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. –Bailey Rahn
God’s Gift
Primary terpenes:Myrcene, Pinene, Caryophyllene
God’s Gift is indeed a gift to insomnia sufferers, as all that stress keeping you up at night feels suddenly overpowered by a sure-footed sense of peace. Releasing the exhale with notes of berry and citrus, you’re sure to feel your mood lift as your body sinks. – Bailey Rahn
Northern Lights
Primary terpenes:Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
Imagine yourself on a cold winter night, wrapped in a warm blanket as green lights dance above you. This isn’t altogether unlike the experience provided by Northern Lights, an old-school strain that has been lulling minds to sleep since its inception in the mid-1980s. Commanding sleep with a heavy hand, Northern Lights uses its high-THC content to annihilate pain and insomnia. – Bailey Rahn
Skywalker
Primary terpenes:Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
With its rich, earthy flavor and moderate THC percentage, Skywalker has a well-earned reputation as a perfect last smoke of the night. It’ll help you destress so you can free your unconscious mind to dance in the starlight. -Morgan Rosendale
Mendo Breath
Primary terpenes:Caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene
If you’re the type who loves to indulge your sweet tooth before turning in for the night, then Mendo Breath will help you dream deliciously. Its sweet vanilla flavor and aroma keep up with the best from the freezer aisle, and it will help to relieve any aches and pains to boot.
Ogre
Primary terpenes:Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
The sleep-inducing hybrid Ogre stomps out insomnia with ease. Sweet citrus flavors dance over the palate on the inhale, giving your senses something to delight in as the sedative effects kick in. – Bailey Rahn
9 Pound Hammer
Primary terpenes:Myrcene, Pinene, Caryophyllene
Crushing insomnia like a war hammer, this no-nonsense strain is perfect for insomniacs who can’t escape the prison of their mind while lying in bed. The mild fruity flavors of ripe berry and grapes are just another reason to love this insomnia-crusher appropriately named 9 Pound Hammer. – Bailey Rahn
King Louis
Primary terpenes:Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene
A famously potent and pungent strain, King Louis has long been a strain that insomniacs turn to when the warm milk just isn’t working. It’s a heavily piney strain along with a hearty jolt of dankness that wears its OG Kush heritage proudly on its sleeve. Word to the wise: when meeting the king, make sure to have supplies for a little bit of midnight snacking. – Morgan Rosendale
Remedy
Primary terpenes:Myrcene, Pinene, Caryophyllene
With virtually no THC in its chemical makeup, Remedy is meant for consumers who are shy about the high. You’re really not looking to get stoned, and that’s okay. CBD-dominant strains like Remedy can help you sleep by relieving pain, anxiety, stress, and other symptoms that fuel insomnia. – Bailey Rahn
More sleepy strains:
Notes on using cannabis for sleep
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. Here are 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 anxiety is 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.
