Best Cannabis Strains for Sleeping

Insomnia or a lack of quality sleep is something that affects many of us. Whether you´re not able to get enough hours, or whether you just can´t switch off at night, poor sleeping patterns can prove to be extremely detrimental to our long term well being. 

While over-the-counter treatments can prove effective, they also come with some potentially serious long-term side-effects. Thankfully, cannabis can provide a natural alternative to prescribed medications for sleep deprivation.

While anecdotal evidence of cannabis ability to induce sleep is long-established, thanks to increased scientific research, we now know that cannabis can offer genuine relief in an often overlooked area of our health.

How Can Cannabis Help?

Cannabis can help with insomnia in one of two ways; firstly, through the workings of the Cannabinoid CBD. This compound acts on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) by increasing the concentration of anandamide (a cannabinoid naturally produced by our body). This process, in turn, helps to regulate our natural sleep cycle.

THC is also known to have to relax and offer sleep-promoting effects, by binding to the CB-1 receptors of the ECS, however, in high doses and long-term use, THC may (on its own) have adverse effects on our sleep cycle. The terpenes linalool and myrcene also have sedative effects and aid the working of CBD and THC through the Entourage Effect.

Secondly, both THC, CBD and the terpenes linalool and myrcene have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce the reasons why you might experience an imbalance in your sleep cycle.

With cannabis becoming both more accessible thanks to a wave of increased legality, there are now a huge variety of cannabis strains available for the consumer today. While many strains are famed for their energising and uplifting effects, others can prove to highly effective when used as a relaxant or indeed, to help induce a better quality of deep sleep. 

But why does cannabis have such a variety of different effects?

While you might be familiar with the broad definitions of indica and sativa strains, thanks to modern science and our growing understanding of the cannabis plant, we now know that marijuana´s remarkable versatility is caused by its chemical make-up. 

While it might be true that most indica-dominant strains will typically cause more relaxing effects, with sativa-dominant strains typically offering energising, euphoric effects, it is not always the case with cannabis effects dependent on much more than an indica or sativa broad strokes approach taken by most cannabis consumers. 

Thanks to the unique blend of cannabinoids and terpenes found in an individual strain, effects can vary quite dramatically. Cannabinoids like CBD and THC along with terpenes act in synergy and depending on the balances of each, determine the effect it has on the human body. This effect is commonly known as the Entourage Effect. 

Different concentrations of these compounds mean certain strains can prove to be more effective at combating certain types of conditions. For example, we know that the terpenes linalool and myrcene offer soothing effects and are thought to synergise effectively with the therapeutic qualities of both THC and CBD. Therefore, it is fair to say that cannabis strains boasting high concentrations of these terpenes could be potentially effective as a treatment for insomnia thanks mainly to their impressive sedating effects.

Finding the Best Strains for Sleeping

It is generally said that high in THC strains can prove effective for sleep. While this can be the case for many, some find the effects of high THC strains to be quite intense and can cause side-effects like anxiety which might not be especially conducive to a better night’s sleep. 

A small dose of THC can help you to drift off into a peaceful sleep, but larger doses can cause anxiety or an overactive mind. However, if you find that high THC strains do not provide those kinds of unwanted effects, these types of cannabis cultivars can prove particularly effective as sleeping aids. 

However, finding a strain that offers a nice blend of CBD cannabidiol and THC content could prove most effective at helping you to get a good night’s rest, particularly if you are sensitive to the fast-acting effects of high THC content strains. 

As such, all of our marijuana strains carry detailed product descriptions which offer details on each seed’s THC levels and CBD content, primary terpenes and effects, helping you to determine which strain could prove most effective as a natural sleep aid.