Sleep is a common reason cited for cannabis consumption, but is it really as simple as a nighttime toke or edible to put you off to dreamland? The mechanisms of cannabis and sleep are a bit more complex than that, but that’s not to say the plant can’t help. Here’s what you need to know before trying cannabis to help you sleep.
Does cannabis help you sleep?
Can cannabis help you get a better night’s sleep? The short answer is “possibly, and it depends,” while the long answer is, well, longer.
The sedative properties of THC are responsible for more than one high-induced nap, but if you’re looking for cannabis products to help you sleep better on a regular basis, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The effectiveness of cannabis as a sleep aid is deeply personal. The right dose and combination of cannabinoids may be helpful in getting into the right frame of mind for sleep. If you suffer from chronic pain or an anxious brain that keeps you awake at night, cannabis products may be able to help with that. If daily stressors are keeping you up well into the night, certain cannabis products may be able to help you find a calmer state of mind more conducive to falling asleep
If you have night terrors disrupting your sleep, then cannabis may also be able to help because cannabis affects your sleep cycles: THC can suppress the REM sleep cycle where dreaming happens. However, suppressing sleep cycles isn’t something you want to do long-term.
Remember: cannabis is not a sleep-inducing miracle. If you have significant sleep issues, a sleep disorder, or medical conditions such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea, it’s best to seek medical help.
10 cannabis strains and products that may support a good night’s rest
Wedding Cake
Type: flower
With high amounts of THC and dominant in caryophyllene and myrcene, a toke or two of Wedding Cake can help you drift away from an anxious mind filled with worries and to-dos and into la-la-land.
Butterstuff
Type: flower
This strain is not for beginners: Butterstuff boasts extremely high levels of THC, often closing in on 30%. This strain is dominant in caryophyllene, and the combination of this terpene and high levels of THC is a one-way train to sedation station. Butterstuff works best for experienced cannabis consumers; if you’re new to cannabis, you may find Butterstuff’s effects too intense and lingering into the next morning.
Garlicane
Type: flower
A combination of high THC levels, myrcene, and linalool lead the way to relaxation with Garlicane. This aromatic strain is known for helping people relax – whether or not they intended to – making it perfect for a pre-bedtime toke.
Kushberry
Type: flower
Kushberry was bred for potency. With iconic parent lines of Blueberry and OG Kush, this skunky heavy hitter is dominant in myrcene, a relaxing terpene, and has high levels of THC, which can be sedating.
LA Kush Cake
Type: flower
With Wedding Cake as a parent strain, LA Kush Cake was always bound to be potent and powerful. This gassy strain has high levels of THC and caryophyllene, and a slow creeping effect that is the perfect way to start your bedtime routine.
Incredibles Snoozzzeberry gummies
Type: edible
Made with a 5:1 ratio of THC and CBN, these incredibles were made to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night long. Each little chew has 2mg of CBN and 10mg of THC, a potent combination that is best taken 20 to 40 minutes before bedtime for maximum brain relaxation.
Ozone Grape Night
Type: edible
If you need a higher ratio of CBN to THC, reach for these edibles by Ozone to get a “grape night” of sleep. Each gummy has 10mg of THC and 5mg of CBN for a cannabinoid ratio of 2:1. Take these 20 to 40 minutes before bed to get the best effects.
Bits Pomegranate R&R
Type: edible
These little bites blend a small dose of THC (5mg) with other herbal supplements believed to help with relaxation, like ashwagandha, lemon balm, and a little bit of melatonin, so you easily drift off into dreamland.
Wana Optimal Stay Asleep
Type: edible
Wana is a fan-favorite edibles brand that’s been helping people take advantage of the benefits of cannabis since 2010. They have a few options for sleep, but this one has a blend of four cannabinoids, with 10mg THC, 20mg CBD, 5mg CBN, and 5mg CBG per serving. These also have a blend of terpenes formulated to help you relax and drift off.
Gron Blackberry Lemonade Pearls
Type; edible
These little pearls are made with an equal blend of three cannabinoids: CBN, CBD, and THC. 10mg of each delivers a balanced cannabinoid experience that can help calm your anxious mind, still your body, and drift away into a restful slumber.
Does CBN matter when choosing a cannabis product for sleep?
Novel cannabinoids like CBN get a lot of attention for purported benefits, but what the science actually says is limited.
Early studies on CBN that involved animals had mixed and inconclusive results on CBN facilitating better sleep. But anecdotal evidence from consumers suggests that CBN can help with sleep, especially when paired with THC. Our understanding of cannabinoids is still limited and the body of research is growing every year, so we still have a lot to learn about the benefits of CBN based on what the research shows and consumer feedback.
Choosing the right cannabis product type for sleep
Each type of cannabis product has its own potential benefits, depending on what type of sleep problems you’re having and what your sleep goals are. Here’s how to know what’s right for your situation.
- Inhalable products, like flower and vapes, work quickly. This rapid onset makes them most helpful for falling asleep or going back to sleep after waking up.
- Edibles have a much longer onset time and may be most helpful for staying asleep throughout the night.
- Tinctures have a rapid onset through sublingual absorption and a slower onset through the digestive system, which means they may be able to help you fall back asleep and stay asleep.
- Topical products help relieve pain at the site of application. If chronic pain is keeping you up but you don’t want to consume before bed, opt for a topical to help relieve the pain. This method is best paired with an ingestible or inhaled method for best results.
Pair cannabis with these healthy sleeping habits
Cannabis may help you fall asleep and stay asleep, but it’s not a substitute for healthy sleep habits. Outside of consuming the plant, there are many things you can do to help your circadian rhythm (your sleep and wake cycle) improve.
- No blue light before bed. This means no TVs, cell phones, iPads, computers, or any other screens at night – at least an hour before you go to bed, but preferably two hours. Blue light is disruptive to your sleep cycle, and scrolling on your phone never helps anyone’s mind quiet down for the night.
- Have a bedtime routine. If sleep is a struggle for you, develop a routine to help your brain know when the day is over and it’s time to wind down. This can look like whatever you want: turning off the lights in your house, making a caffeine-free beverage, doing your skincare routine, journaling, picking your outfit for tomorrow, or taking the dogs for a walk. Whatever it is, make it screen-free and keep it consistent.
- Rely on other herbs. Cannabis isn’t the only plant purported to help with sleep. Reach for a cup of caffeine-free chamomile tea or a bedtime blend with lavender, lemon balm, valerian root, or ginger. Try this about an hour before turning in.
- Keep your room dark and quiet. If noise or light is keeping you up, consider investing in blackout curtains and some white noise. Darkness and white noise are conducive to helping you fall and stay asleep. You don’t have to buy a fancy machine — there are plenty of free apps you can use on your phone. Just set it up before you log off for the night!
- Make it cold. Did you know people sleep better in cool environments? Turn your heat down at night or use a rotating fan to keep cool air circulating.
- Beds are for bedtime. Working, watching TV, or eating in bed can confuse your brain and make it associate wakeful activities with a restful place. Keep your bed for sleeping only if you’re having trouble falling asleep.
Hit snooze with Queen City
If you’re looking for a quick solution for a restless night, cannabis may help you get your eight hours of shut-eye. However, while cannabis may be able to help you fall or stay asleep, it’s no substitute for healthy sleep habits. Queen City is here to help with the assist, with strains and products that can help return your body and mind to slumber.
