10 Cannabis Varieties that Can Help You Sleep

Many cannabis consumers who have issues with sleep find that the plant can help us get a good night’s rest. But what are the best varieties of cannabis for sleep? We discuss our top ten picks here in this article. Additionally, there’s some important scientific evidence we mention in regards to cannabis for sleep.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, more than 50 million Americans suffered from some kind of sleep disorder, while 20 to 30 experienced intermittent sleep problems yearly, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. Dealing with sleep disorders can lead to a decline in cognitive function, lack of focus, and general irritability. What’s worse, continued sleep disorders can lead to serious health problems like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Problems sleeping have been exacerbated during the coronavirus lockdowns. These problems are due to the anxiety related to people worried about themselves or a loved one contracting or dealing with the virus, and especially because of financial stress. With dispensaries being deemed essential during the lockdowns, interest in cannabis as a sleep aid is as common as ever.

Can Cannabis Help With Sleep?

So, can cannabis help you sleep? Short answer, yes. The longer, science-based answer is a bit more complicated. There are studies that show THC has sedative effects on the majority of consumers, and that cannabis shortens the amount of time it takes people to fall asleep by about 30 minutes. Studies dating back to the 1970s indicate that medical cannabis can help treat insomnia. It is clear that THC can help some people with sleep.

It is less clear at this time as to whether CBD helps with sleep. There is preliminary evidence that indicates CBD, even in hemp-derived form, helps with pain relief and reduces inflammation, which can help some people sleep. However, other studies indicate that CBD activates neurons that wake us up, and that the cannabinoid has properties that make us alert.

On the surface, the conclusion of these studies means that cannabis can help put you to sleep. However, we always aim to give you the whole story: fact-based, data-driven, and science-minded. Studies show that consuming cannabis heavily a few times per week can alter REM sleep, which will lead to fewer dreams, and a reduction in a deep sleep. To some, this can be good, especially those with PTSD who have frequent nightmares and are up several times throughout the night anyway. As we always say, it all depends on the individual. For some of us that experience insomnia, cannabis can help us fall asleep, but not necessarily stay asleep.

Best Cannabis for Sleep

As with anything else we consume, it’s important to not use it as a crutch. The same holds true as to whether melatonin is safe to take every single night. It’s best to fall asleep naturally - limiting caffeine and alcohol, and turning off screens 30-60 minutes before bed, meditating, exercise, or music instead of a substance. However, those of us with insomnia or other sleep issues know these things don’t always work. This is where cannabis can help. The school of thought amongst cannabis consumers has been that the more sedating indica properties present in a cultivar, the better it can be for sleep. As we touch upon in our Indica VS Sativa article, this isn’t necessarily accurate and again, depends on the individual. With this in mind read on for our top ten picks for the best cultivars to help you sleep.

1. Northern Lights One of the most popular cannabis cultivars of all time, this indica dominant Northern Lights has been putting people to sleep since the 1980s thanks to its sedative properties. Named after the beautiful, natural light display in the sky seen in high-latitude areas, this cultivar can also be effective for pain relief and full-body relaxation. This is thanks to its THC content of between 15-21%. An offspring of the Afghani landrace cultivars, Northern Lights has an aroma that is sweet and spicy and an earthy flavor. Be sure to keep some water around when consuming NL, because it’s been known to cause cottonmouth.

2. Gorilla Glue Gorilla Glue is a popular hybrid that has a lineage of the classic cultivars Sour Diesel and Chemdawg. Named after the strong adhesive, this variety gets its name from the remarkable amount of resin that collects while trimming. Even though Gorilla Glue is a sativa-dominant variety, many consumers say it helps them sleep because of its record-high THC content. You might find some dispensaries selling Gorilla Glue with as high as 32% THC! Gorilla Glue has a diesel flavor and aroma, but there are hints of mocha on the after taste. Highly recommended for nighttime consumption, this is one of our favorites! However, definitely not one for newbies.

3. GG4 Most purple varieties of cannabis will have sedative effects, but GG4 is our choice of purples that is best for sleep. It also happens to be one of the best-known purple cultivars. This cultivar has a lineage of Purple Urkle and Big Bud. It gets its purple color from Urkle and dense, thick flower from Big Bud. This cultivar can reach up to 25% THC, so it’s another one that we don’t recommend for newbies. The relaxing buzz you get from GG4 is smooth on both body and mind.

4. White Widow Another sativa dominant hybrid that can help with sleep, White Widow has been a popular cultivar since the 1990s and has a lineage that is debated. This cultivar has herbal, peppery, and piney flavors and is highly calming and relaxing. It is best to try this one out before relying on it for sleep purposes because some consumers report that it makes them feel uplifted.

5. 9 lb Hammer This cultivar hits you hard, exactly as its name implies, as very few consumers report anything other than feeling relaxed and sleepy from this one. 9 lb Hammer is abundant in the pinene terpene, giving it a piney flavor, but its myrcene content also gives it flavors of grape and citrus. This cultivar is a hybrid of Hells OG, Gooberry, and Jack the Ripper, with a THC content of up to 21%.

6. Blue Cheese Blue Cheese is an indica-dominant cultivar that comes from a Blueberry male and a UK Cheese female. The female has its lineage in old school skunk varieties. The original cheese strains are smooth and creamy, and blueberry is savory and sweet - and Blue Cheese combines both. Blue cheese effects can be heavy, even though its THC content tends to be under 20%. The vast majority of consumers report feelings of happiness and relaxation from Blue Cheese, making it a great choice for stress relief, pain management, and of course - sleep.

7. Grape Ape Very similar to its relative GG4, Grape Ape is another excellent choice for helping put you to sleep. There has been some speculation that these two cultivars are actually the same. However, true Grape Ape has a delicious grape flavor, which is where it gets its name.

8. God’s Gift The abundance of the terpene myrcene gives the God’s Gift cultivar an herbal flavor and aroma, with some fruity and hashy aftertastes. This bliss-inducing cultivar’s lineage is Grandaddy Purple and OG Kush.

9. Tahoe OG The most abundant terp in this couch-lock indica-dominant cultivar is limonene, giving it a delicious, citrus flavor and aroma. It can get up to 23% THC and its effects are very relaxing, calming, and happy. This is definitely not one that you’ll want to wake and bake with, because you might end up being lazy the rest of the day.

10. Remedy This cultivar has a low THC content, usually under 14%. However, this CBD-rich variety can help some consumers sleep. A cross between Cannatonic and Afghan Skunk, this flowery tasting variety is good for patients who don’t want the heavy-hitting body highs of the rest of the cultivars on our list.

Disclaimer:

The content on this page is provided by HashDash for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for professional healthcare advice. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat any medical condition or ailment on your own. Always consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about treatment. The information and products mentioned herein have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.

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