Best Cannabis Strains For Sleep In 2024

A lot of us struggle with sleep from time to time, either finding ourselves tossing and turning with thoughts racing through our minds, or even waking up periodically throughout the night for seemingly no reason at all.  If you’re one of those people who is looking for a natural way to get to sleep more easily and peacefully each night, cannabis may be your new go-to.  The compounds in cannabis are renowned for their ability to improve our sleep, without causing groggy after-effects once we’re ready to start our days.

Today, we’re going to take a look at 5 of the best strains of cannabis for sleep.  These are the strains that are tried and true by the community, with reputations for calming the mind and body to the extent that dozing off is practically inevitable.

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How Important is Getting a Goodnight’s Sleep?

A good night’s sleep is essential for a variety reasons, impacting both physical and mental health in profound ways.  Think of it this way, quality sleep is as important as eating healthily and exercising, playing a critical role in physical health, cognitive function, emotional regulation, and disease prevention.

Reason #1: Physical Health

Sleep is involved in the healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels.  Consistent lack of sleep has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.

Reason #2: Mental Health

Sleep affects how your brain functions.  It can help improve learning, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.  Lack of sleep has been associated with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and emotional instability.

Reason #3: Emotional Well-being

Sleep helps to regulate the hormones that affect and control your appetite, stress, and mood.  Without enough sleep, your body may produce more stress hormones and less of the hormones that make you feel happy or calm.  Essentially, sleep influences neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are essential for mood regulation. Lack of sleep can lead to mood swings, irritability, and even depression.  Sleep deprivation, for instance, can impair emotional perception, making it difficult to recognize and respond appropriately to others’ emotions, leading to interpersonal difficulties.

Reason #4: Immune Function

Adequate sleep is a booster for your immune system.  It enhances your body’s ability to fight off infections and diseases.  During sleep, the body performs various functions that are essential for immune function, including:

• Immune Cell Production: Sleep helps in the production of cytokines, which are proteins that aid the immune system in fighting infections.  Certain types of cytokines are produced and released during sleep, helping to regulate immune responses.
• Immune Cell Activity: Adequate sleep enhances the function of immune cells such as T cells, which are critical in identifying and destroying pathogens (like viruses and bacteria) in the body.
• Inflammation Regulation: Sleep helps regulate inflammation in the body.  Chronic inflammation can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and diseases.
• Repair and Recovery: Sleep is a time for the body to repair and regenerate tissues, including those involved in immune responses.  It allows the body to recover from daily wear and tear, optimizing its ability to fight off illnesses.
• Memory Consolidation: Sleep has a role in consolidating memories, including those related to immune responses.  This can help the immune system to recognize and respond more effectively to pathogens encountered in the past.

Reason #5: Weight Management

Sleep affects the levels of the hormones ghrelin and leptin, which control feelings of hunger and fullness.  To get a bit more specific: 

• Regulation of Hunger Hormones: Sleep deprivation disrupts the balance of hunger hormones, ghrelin and leptin.  Ghrelin stimulates appetite, while leptin signals satiety. Lack of sleep increases ghrelin levels and decreases leptin levels, leading to increased hunger and cravings.  Good sleep can help maintain a healthy weight by regulating these hormones.
• Energy Balance: Poor sleep affects energy balance by altering the way the body processes and stores carbohydrates, leading to insulin resistance and higher blood sugar levels.  This can contribute to weight gain and difficulty in losing weight.
• Metabolism Regulation: Sleep deprivation can slow down metabolism, making it harder to burn calories efficiently.  This can lead to weight gain over time, even with the same caloric intake.
• Physical Activity and Exercise Performance: Sleep deprivation can lead to fatigue and decreased motivation for physical activity and exercise.  Regular exercise is essential for weight management, and poor sleep can hinder exercise performance and adherence to workout routines.
• Mindful Eating: Lack of sleep can impair cognitive function and decision-making abilities, leading to impulsive food choices and overeating.  Adequate sleep promotes better cognitive function, enabling individuals to make healthier food choices and practice mindful eating.

Reason #6: Productivity and Performance

Lack of sleep can lead to decreased concentration, reduced productivity, and lower performance in daily tasks or work activities.  It can impair cognitive function, which affects learning and memory.  Research even suggests that sleep enhances creativity and promotes innovative thinking. 

Getting enough sleep allows the brain to consolidate information and make novel connections, fostering creativity essential for problem-solving and innovation.  So, overall, quality sleep ensures optimal alertness and sustained focus throughout the day. Sleep deprivation can result in difficulty concentrating, making it harder to complete tasks efficiently.

Reason #7: Safety

Sleep deficiency significantly increases the risk of accidents.  It can lead to dangerous situations while driving or operating heavy machinery, as it affects your ability to make decisions and react quickly. 

Why Do Some People Have Trouble Sleeping?

Although a very broad question, identifying and addressing the below underlying culprits of sleep difficulties is important for improving sleep quality:

1. Stress and Anxiety: Stressful life events or anxiety can make it hard to fall asleep or cause you to wake up frequently during the night.
2. Poor Sleep Habits: Irregular sleep schedules, engaging in stimulating activities before bed, an uncomfortable sleep environment, and the use of electronics in the bedroom can interfere with sleep.
3. Caffeine and Alcohol: Consuming caffeine late in the day can interfere with falling asleep. Alcohol, while it may help induce sleep initially, can disrupt sleep later in the night as the body begins to process it.
4. Diet: Eating too much late in the evening can cause physical discomfort and may keep you up. Certain foods and drinks can also be disruptive right before sleep.
5. Physical Illnesses: Conditions like asthma, allergies, Parkinson’s disease, hyperthyroidism, acid reflux, kidney disease, and cancer can cause insomnia.
6. Mental Health Disorders: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health issues can interfere with sleep patterns.
7. Medications: Some prescription drugs can interfere with sleep, such as certain antidepressants and medications for asthma or blood pressure.
8. Sleep Disorders: Conditions like insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and circadian rhythm disorders can severely affect sleep quality and quantity.
9. Age: Changes in sleep patterns are a part of the aging process, which can make it harder for older adults to fall asleep and stay asleep.
10. Lifestyle: Shift work and irregular schedules can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythms, leading to sleep problems.
11. Electronic Devices: The use of screens emitting blue light before bedtime can interfere with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

What are the Different Types of Sleep Disorders and How are They Treated?

Sleep disorders are conditions that prevent a person from getting restful sleep and, as a result, can affect overall health and quality of life.  There are several types of sleep disorders, each with its own set of symptoms and treatments, as most common ones:

• Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia, sleep hygiene improvements, medications (short-term), and lifestyle changes can help with this.
• Sleep Apnea: Breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, common types are obstructive, central, and complex sleep apnea.  Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, lifestyle changes (e.g., weight loss), surgery (in severe cases), and dental appliances can help treat it.
• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): This is an overwhelming urge to move the legs, usually due to uncomfortable sensations.  Treatments such as medications (e.g., dopaminergic agents, benzodiazepines), lifestyle changes, and addressing underlying conditions if present are the way to go.
• Narcolepsy: Extreme daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep.  Taking Stimulants, antidepressants, sodium oxybate, and lifestyle modifications are usually done to treat it.
• Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders: Disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle, including delayed sleep phase disorder and jet lag.  If experiencing this, light therapy, melatonin supplements, lifestyle changes, and sleep hygiene practices are usually a course of action.
• Parasomnias: Abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, night terrors, and REM sleep behavior disorder.  Treating something like this depends on the specific disorder; but can include medications, safety measures, and treating any underlying conditions.
• Sleep Paralysis: A temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking.  Improving sleep habits, treating any underlying conditions (e.g., narcolepsy), and sometimes medication can be a solution.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): An extreme, unexplained fatigue that’s not improved by rest and worsened by physical or mental activity.  There’s no cure, but treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, graded exercise therapy, and medication to manage symptoms.

Addressing these issues often requires a multifaceted approach, including improving sleep habits, addressing any underlying medical or psychological issues, and sometimes seeking professional help through therapy or medication from your doctor or a sleep specialist.  In fact, they can provide the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan based on an individual’s specific condition and needs.

Can Too Much Sleep Be a Bad Thing Though?

Yes, too much sleep can be a bad thing for your health.  Oversleeping has been linked to several medical problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and increased risk of death. Studies suggest that sleeping too much can have negative effects on your health in a way similar to sleeping too little.  Some examples include:

• Sleeping too much can lead to weight gain and obesity, as it may be associated with lower physical activity levels and unhealthy dietary patterns.
• Long sleep durations have been linked with cognitive impairment, including memory issues, in some studies.
• Some research suggests that oversleeping can increase markers of inflammation in the body, which is a risk factor for many chronic diseases.
• While sleep disturbances are commonly associated with depression, oversleeping can also be a symptom of depression.  Several studies suggest a bidirectional relationship between sleep duration and depression.

The optimal amount of sleep can vary from person to person, but generally, most adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.  If you find yourself sleeping significantly more than this on a regular basis and feel fatigued during the day, again, consult with your doctor and/or a sleep specialist.

Are There Some Strains Available to Help Us Sleep Better?

Yes, some cannabis strains are known for their potential to help people sleep better due to their specific chemical compositions, particularly the presence of certain cannabinoids and terpenes. 

The main cannabinoids believed to influence sleep include:

1. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): This is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, known for inducing sleep.  High-THC strains may help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and may be beneficial for those struggling with insomnia. However, it’s important to keep in mind that excessive THC consumption can lead to less restful sleep over time.
2. Cannabidiol (CBD): Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive and is known for its calming effects. CBD can help reduce anxiety and stress, which are common culprits behind sleep disturbances.  Some people find that strains with a balanced ratio of CBD to THC offer a good mix of calmness and sedation that can facilitate better sleep.
3. Cannabinol (CBN): This cannabinoid is less common but is gaining attention for its potential sedative effects.  CBN is formed as THC ages and breaks down, and it’s believed to contribute to the sedative qualities of aged cannabis.

Terpenes, the aromatic compounds found in cannabis, also have a significant role in its effects, including sleep.  Some terpenes that may promote relaxation and sleep include:

• Myrcene: Believed to have sedative effects and is found in high levels in many cannabis strains that are known for inducing sleep.
• Linalool: Known for its stress-relieving and anti-anxiety properties, it may help improve sleep quality.
• Caryophyllene: May have anti-inflammatory and sedative effects.
• Terpinolene: Has been associated with sedative effects in some strains.

Strains known for their sleep-promoting properties often have a combination of these cannabinoids and terpenes.  For example, Indica strains are typically associated with relaxing and sedative effects, partly due to their chemical profiles, which may promote better sleep.  However, individual experiences with cannabis can vary widely, and what works for one person may not work for another.

Why the Strain is Such a Big Deal 

Many novice cannabis enthusiasts underestimate just how much the strain makes a difference in how you feel while you’re high.  Each strain (aka cultivar) has a unique composition of cannabinoids and terpenes, each carrying its own properties, whether they be anxiolytic, energizing, pain-relieving, etc.

What this means is that every strain really does give you a distinctive experience.  A sativa strain can make you feel stimulated, euphoric, and creatively minded, while an indica strain can make you feel sleepy, and produce a strong body high.  Of course, a hybrid strain is going to give you somewhere in the middle of the two.

What this essentially means is that when purchasing cannabis, you really want to pay close attention to the strain, especially if you have a specific goal in mind, like better sleep, stress relief, or improved focus.  For instance, if you’re looking for a boost in energy, a heavy indica is likely to give you the opposite result.  The good news is that there’s an abundance of information online that goes into great detail about what each strain is capable of.

Top 5 Cannabis Strain Picks for Sleep

Below, you will find some impressive strains that’re particularly exceptional when it comes to getting sleep each night.  Whichever  strain you decide on, enjoy the most benefits that pertain specifically to sleep, as these strains are frequently recommended on the medical market for exactly that purpose.

Sleep-Purpose Strain #5: Monster Cookies

First up, let’s talk about Monster Cookies, an 80% indica-dominant hybrid that’s quickly become a mainstay on the market.  It’s got about 21% THC, and it’s a cross between the ultra-popular Girl Scout Cookies and Grand Daddy Purp strains.  This is a strain that tastes unbelievable, with notes of juicy grapes and freshly baked sugar cookies, and that’s not surprising considering its parents.

Quickly, the high puts you into a dazed, hazy state, where you can’t really focus on anything, and your mind simply shuts off its activity – including those racing thoughts that can leave you awake when you should be sleeping.  A warm, tingling sensation spreads throughout the body, relieving every muscle of tension, and leaving you feeling totally stoned and sleepy. 

Try: Bloomz HHC Flower – Gold Line in Monster Cookies 

Sleep-Purpose Strain #4: Mule Fuel

Mule Fuel is a 90% indica-dominant hybrid that’s quite prestigious as far as strains are concerned, and it’s one of the most sought-after exotic strains you can find today. It’s a cross between GMO and Lurch, with a staggering 24-31% THC, meaning that the potency of its high is beyond belief.  The high makes you feel absolutely joyful and euphoric, knocking out negativity that can keep you up at night, and bringing you into a state of total calm.  At the same time, you’ll eventually find yourself in couchlock territory, glued to the couch and utterly tranquil.

Flavor-wise, Mule Fuel has an “old-school” taste that’s sweet, spicy, herbal, and skunky, with a good deal of pungency in its aroma.

Try: Bloomz THCA Flower – Gold Line in Mule Fuel

Sleep-Purpose Strain #3: Violet Fog 

If you’ve never heard of Violet Fog, there’s a reason for that.  This strain exemplifies “top-shelf” by being one of rarest and most prestigious strains in existence.  It’s outstandingly potent, with about 29% THC, and it’s an 80% indica-dominant hybrid that comes from combining Grape Gasoline and Khalifa Mints.  The flavor is tantalizing on a whole new level, with bold, sweet grapes, and richness that is contrasted by subtle hints of skunk.

Violet Fog’s high is everything you could ask for if you’re trying to sleep more easily at night, as the high delivers a feeling of bliss that’s hard to compare to anything else out there.  It’s a very cerebral strain that brings you into a dazed, relaxed state in which nothing can get you down.  You may find yourself with a case of ‘the giggles’, as your body gets heavier and heavier, and eventually makes you feel sleepy.

Try: Bloomz THCA Flower – Gold Line in Violet Fog

Sleep-Purpose Strain #2: Northern Lights

Northern Lights is one of the few 100% indica strains that can compete with the new wave of hybrids dominating the market, and it’s been an industry staple for generations.  It’s a direct descendent of Afghani landrace strains, with THC levels around 16-21%.  It has a sweet, citrusy, and earth flavor that longtime enthusiasts can recognize right away, and it delivers when it comes to the indica effects that so many people are seeking out to help them find a sense of peace and tranquility.

If you’re looking for a body high that can totally obliterate you, Northern Lights is a great choice.  You’ll feel incredibly relaxed from head to toe, while the mind remains in a state of calm euphoria.  It’s perfect for those who struggle with sleep due to a feeling of restlessness or tension in the body.

Try: Bloomz THC-P Flower in Northern Lights

Sleep-Purpose Strain #1: Grand Daddy Purp

Grand Daddy Purp gets its name from its bold purple buds, along with its intense grape flavor that never fails to hit the spot.  It contains about 27% THC, so it’s also one of the most potent strains in the world, pulling no punches.  It’s a cross between Purple Urkle and Big Bud, and it’s a strain that has enjoyed enduring popularity mostly because of its valuable effects for nighttime partaking.

Grand Daddy Purp is a super dreamy and hazy strain that can help tune out your surroundings and allow you to focus inward, experiencing the present moment without any fears or worries in your mind.  Its body high is intense, and it’ll almost certainly glue you to the bed as you feel like you’re cradled in a warm blanket.  Its ability to shut down both physical and mental activity gives it major value when it comes to sleeping.

Try: Bloomz Delta 8 THC Flower in Grand Daddy Purp 

Need Help with Sleep? Bloomz Has You Covered!

Bloomz has got your back with plenty of sleep-enhancing strains that highlight certain terpenes capable of easing you into dreamland.  You can explore these top performers as well as many other options in the form of our lab-tested, fresh hemp flower, and know that you’re going to experience some of the most glorious effects of cannabis in its pure and natural state.

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