The best cannabis strains for insomnia

Cannabis may help with insomnia by promoting sleep, relieving anxiety, and easing chronic pain. Certain cannabis strains may be particularly helpful, especially those with higher amounts of cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN), as well as calming terpenes like myrcene and linalool. 

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The best cannabis strains for insomnia

Each cannabis strain has a unique composition of cannabinoids and terpenes. This is why different strains produce different effects.

Some strains may enhance sleep because their cannabinoids and terpenes have sedating properties.

Still, a cannabis strain that works well for one person may not work for you. Your experience will depend on personal factors like body chemistry and tolerance to the different compounds in cannabis. 

If you’re not sure where to get started, cannabis users say these strains help them the most with insomnia.

Blackberry Kush

Blackberry Kush is an indica-dominant hybrid that’s popular with medical marijuana cardholders because of its calming and euphoric effects. It also offers pain-relieving effects, which might help you relax if you have chronic pain.

The most prominent compounds in Blackberry Kush are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), beta-caryophyllene, and myrcene, all of which can produce drowsy effects that may help you fall asleep.

ACDC

ACDC is a high-CBD strain that can produce relaxing, sleep-inducing effects without a powerful high. This strain is best for those who prefer CBD over THC for sleep. THC’s intoxicating properties can cause anxiety in some people, which counteracts the relaxing benefits.

Lavender

Lavender is an indica-dominant strain frequently recommended for people with anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. Its dominant terpene is linalool, which is also found in the lavender plant.

Studies suggest that linalool may help reduce anxiety and relieve stress, making it easier to sleep.

Grape Ape

Grape Ape is rich in myrcene, and has a moderately high THC level. Due to Grape Ape’s relaxing effects, it’s a popular nighttime strain, helping people wind down after a long, stressful day. Many medical marijuana cardholders use this strain for insomnia.

Bubba Kush

Bubba Kush is another high-myrcene variety, and is one of the most popular indica strains on the medical cannabis market. Why? Its sedative effects can be strong, which can help with sleep disorders. Not to mention, it may also help alleviate chronic pain and stress, which can, in turn, promote sleep.

Northern Lights

Northern Lights is dominant in the terpenes myrcene and pinene, both of which can deliver a sense of calm. It’s an indica strain that’s ideal for managing stress, anxiety, and pain, and it’s a popular choice for overcoming insomnia.

Granddaddy Purple

Granddaddy Purple is a high-THC strain that also has ample amounts of myrcene, pinene, and beta-caryophyllene. It’s a popular choice for improving sleep, but its high THC level may be counterproductive for some.

Harlequin

Harlequin has almost equal parts CBD and THC, which balance each other out while promoting a sense of calm. It’s not a powerfully intoxicating strain, and it can relax the body and mind to improve sleep.

How cannabis affects insomnia

Cannabinoids in cannabis, including THC and CBD, may help alleviate insomnia as well as other issues that can make it hard to sleep, like anxiety and chronic pain.

Cannabinoids interact with your body’s receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This system balances bodily processes like: 

• Mood
• Sleep
• Pain
• Stress response
• Inflammation  

THC may shorten the time it takes you to fall asleep. It can also relieve stress and pain that may otherwise interfere with sleep. Although high THC levels help some people fall asleep faster, for others, it can trigger anxiety and make falling asleep more difficult. Starting with a low dose — about 1 to 5 milligrams (mg) — and working your way up as needed is ideal.

CBD is non-intoxicating, which is appealing to people who are sensitive to the  “high” from THC. The relaxing properties of CBD might aid sleep. However, doses below 50 mg may be energizing, while higher doses are usually more sedating.  

Whether CBD or THC helps you more with sleep depends on factors such as: 

• Your body chemistry 
• Your dosage 
• Which cannabis strain you choose 

You may find that a specific ratio of CBD to THC, such as a 1:1 ratio, is the most effective. 

Cannabis terpenes also play a role in sleep. Strains with above-average levels of myrcene, pinene, and linalool might be particularly effective for insomnia due to their calming effects.

How to use cannabis for insomnia

To take advantage of the sleep-enhancing effects of cannabis, it’s best to consume it shortly before bedtime. 

It’s generally recommended to start with around 2.5 to 3 mg THC if you’re a beginner. You can increase it in 2.5 mg increments as you develop a tolerance to its effects.

When deciding the best time to take cannabis, consider that each delivery method has a different onset time and duration of effects. 

The effects of edibles can take up to 2 hours to set in and last for about 8 hours. This might help you sleep through the night. Edibles tend to produce stronger effects than other product types, so stick to the recommended dose.

Tinctures start to work in about 30 minutes, and the effects can last 4 to 6 hours.

Inhalable products like vaporizers and flower work within minutes. However, the effects are short-lived, lasting about 2 or 3 hours.

The bottom line: Experiment to find the right strain that works for your insomnia

When picking out a cannabis strain to promote sleep, it’s important to pay attention to the different cannabinoid and terpene profiles. While some strains are more popular for sleep than others, everyone’s experience with cannabis is unique. It’s helpful to experiment with a variety of strains until you find what works for you.

You can experience the potential benefits of medical cannabis for insomnia (or other health conditions) with your own medical marijuana card. Connect with a Leafwell doctor today to apply for a medical marijuana card from the comfort of your own home.

Resources

• Antidepressant-like effect induced by cannabidiol is dependent on brain serotonin levels. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278584618301167
• Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: A large case series. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6326553/
• Cannabidiol in humans-the quest for therapeutic targets. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24281562/
• Cannabis or cannabinoids for the treatment of insomnia: An evidence-based review, conclusions and recommendations of the Utah cannabis research review board. https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/975391.pdf
• Cannabis use is associated with greater total sleep time in middle-aged and older adults with and without HIV: A preliminary report utilizing digital health technologies. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7470214/
• Linalool as a therapeutic and medicinal tool in depression treatment: A review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9886818/
• Potential effects of cannabidiol as a wake-promoting agent. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4023456/
• The “entourage effect”: Terpenes coupled with cannabinoids for the treatment of mood disorders and anxiety disorders. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7324885/
• Therapeutic and medicinal uses of terpenes. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7120914/

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