By Bailey Rahn
Insomniacs, this list of sleepy cannabis strains is for you. You’re tired, but your eyes just won’t close. You toss and turn until you’ve tried every humanly possible position. You wake up clouded, lethargic, and irritable. Insomnia is the worst, but luckily cannabis is shown to be an effective and safe sleep aid for many people. It can slow racing thoughts, dissolve pain, relax muscles, and deliver its own sleepy chemicals to help you fall and stay asleep. However, as many have testified, finding the right strain is key.
We put together a list of 10 particularly sedating strains to give you an idea of what to look out for on your next visit to the dispensary. But first, some tips to keep in mind:
- Indicas tend to treat insomnia most effectively. Sativa strains can have an “upper” effect on some, making it more difficult to sleep. Some theories say this is due to differences in chemical makeup.
- Edibles can help you stay asleep longer. Though inhaling cannabis yields faster effects, edibles last a lot longer.
- Aged cannabis can have sleepier effects than fresh flower. It may not sound as appetizing, but older cannabis is shown to contain higher levels of a sedating chemical called cannabinol (CBN).
- Go easy on the high-THC strains if it’s anxiety keeping you up. A light dose of these strains can float you to sleep, but larger doses can worsen anxiety in some. You may also want to try a strain with some CBD in it if you’re sensitive to THC, as it often eases its anxious side effects.
Keep in mind that no strain or product affects everyone the same, and finding the solution for you may require a little trial and error. The below strains were selected based on user-submitted reviews and data, but everyone’s experience is different. We’d love to hear about yours in a strain review or in the comments section below!
Tahoe OG Kush
With effects that tend to be heavier than your average OG Kush hybrid, Tahoe OG is a godsend for 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. Tahoe OG is also known to slow racing thoughts so you can float into sleep with a calm and peaceful mind.
“Outstanding for insomnia. Consistently puts me to sleep without a heavy hangover the next morning. A true replacement for prescription sleep meds.” – KookedFish
Granddaddy Purple
It would be a crime to leave this indica classic off any list touting the top sleepy strains. Not only is it fairly easy to find, Granddaddy Purple is shown to exhibit high levels of the sleepy terpene myrcene. A favorite among patients whose pain keeps them up at night, this indica analgesic carries strong flavors of berry and grape that only sweeten the deal.
“This strain is extremely relaxing/sedating. Felt the tension in my body melt away very fast. Back pain vanished into thin air after about 15 minutes. Relaxing, mellow, dreamy.” – Mochii
Skywalker
Skywalker is known to empower the mind with positive thoughts while letting tension free from your body. Multiple Leafly reviewers reported that Skywalker helped loosen the grip of panic and anxiety, allowing them to float restfully into a good night’s sleep. Take caution with its potency, however; a small amount of this high-THC strain may be all you need while large doses can exacerbate anxiety in unaccustomed users.
“A little bit helped put me to sleep even through a really nasty panic attack.” – adjoint
God’s Gift
God’s Gift is indeed a gift to insomnia sufferers. All that stress keeping you up at night feels suddenly overpowered by a surefooted sense of peace. Releasing the exhale with notes of berry and citrus still clinging to your tongue, you’re soon to feel your mood lift as your body sinks.
“I started my session pissed off, stressed, and had the usual insomnia. God’s Gift wiped away all those problems in one fell swoop. I was left feeling happy, euphoric and relaxed. I went to bed with no struggle with a clear mind. I feel great today with no care of what ailed me yesterday.” – Gr8Gage
Afghan Kush
Afghani indicas are famous for their heavy, body-focused effects. Afghan Kush, following in suit, is cherished for its ability to knock out pain, hush anxious thoughts, and anchor the body to one single goal: sleep.
“Imagine a very large, fluffy cloud enveloping your body. Then add weights to your eyelids. Be prepared to feel an undeniable need to eat anything you see…and then somehow find yourself in your bed paralyzed. Do not smoke this if you are not prepared to sleep.” – aschafke
Northern Lights
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 the Northern Lights indica, 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. Cannabis novices should approach this potent strain with extra caution, paying mind to dose low and slow.
“If you have pain that interferes with sleep Northern Lights is for you! Hadn’t slept even half right in a week. I can’t take any prescription pain killers because they cause skin rashes and [make it] hard to sleep. I had 2 hits from NL, a hot shower, and 1 aspirin. I slept 9 hours and felt better than I have felt in a month.” – mickfromkent
Ogre
The sleep-inducing hybrid Ogre stomps out insomnia with a force you’d expect from a pure indica. Sweet citrus flavors dance over the palate on the inhale, giving your senses something to delight in as the sedative effects kick in.
“Indicas usually don’t affect me too much, but this Ogre took about 3 minutes to take my body over and make me ready for a nice nap.” – boddie09
Querkle
A personal favorite nightcap of mine, Querkle seems to attack insomnia at its many sources. Anxiety calms, nausea dulls, and depression evaporates, leaving you in a meditative state as you gently coast into restful sleep. My budtender was surprised to hear this one was an effective sleep remedy for me, as some report uplifting effects from this strain. That being said, I’d say this strain may not be the one you rely on for forcing your brain into sleep; rather, it pre-conditions a tranquil mindset so sleep comes easier when it’s time to shut the lights out.
“Love this strain a couple of hours before bedtime. Very relaxing and euphoric feeling. Body sensations are heightened in a positive way and pain is greatly diminished…Eases you into a nice, deep sleep towards the end.” – razaross
Big Bud
Big Bud is an indica strain named for its megalithic flowers, but these buds are not only impressive in size, they’re also astonishingly potent. This is the strain you want if you’re looking to hit the hay right away – it’s like an “off” switch for the mind.
“I’ve been dealing with insomnia on and off my entire life and I now find myself getting excited to go to bed, and for the first time since I was in my early twenties I am now completely pill free due thanks to great strains like Big Bud.” – sourcheesiel29
9 Pound Hammer
Crushing insomnia like a hammer, this no-nonsense indica strain is perfect for insomniacs who can’t escape the prison of their mind while lying in bed. Its mild CBD content is just enough to pacify the mind and relax the body, like a counterweight to the mental speediness sometimes caused by THC. The loud fruity flavors of ripe berry and grapes are just another reason to love this insomnia-crusher appropriately named 9 Pound Hammer.
“One of my top “go-to” strains for insomnia. Keeps the anxiety away & helps lock me into a sleep pull I can’t think my way out of. Brilliant.” – Bunnyfu42
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