Best Weed Strain for Sleep

This is our guide to the five best Indica strains for sleep in Canada this 2022. We also provide science-backed explanations about everything that makes a weed product the best strain for sleep today. You’ll learn about the strong correlation between similar weed products like the top 5 strains for sleep that we tested just for you and the potential of these products to help induce more restful sleep, as indicated by the results of the clinical trials mentioned in the reports discussed below.

 

A lot of Canadians today continue to use cannabis products to help themselves sleep, no matter if it’s for medical use or recreational purposes. According to this report by the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, at least 70% of individuals who casually use a variety of cannabis products mentioned that they do it as a way to help them sleep. Meanwhile, half of them, long-term consumers (referring to those who have been using cannabis products for more than ten years or so, use these to improve their sleep further.

 

And for individuals who use these cannabis products for medical purposes, such as for potentially gaining relief from arthritis and sore muscles, at least 85% say these products also improve the quality of their sleep. This shows that marijuana and hemp products could potentially help you relieve insomnia when you use them occasionally.

 

Does Weed Help Insomnia?

Studies in the report mentioned above indicate that certain products derived from marijuana and hemp could potentially help with insomnia and improve the quality of your sleep. Participants of these clinical tests for medical marijuana use, all of whom suffer from mild to moderate insomnia and restlessness, experienced minimal, non-serious side effects and even woke up feeling more energized. They also show signs of being well-rested, with fewer symptoms of stress and fatigue. And they were also able to function in social settings without issues. 

 

According to the same scientific research study, any cannabis product formulation that includes specific amounts of THC (calibrated for the particular consumer) could perhaps be the most effective way to get to sleep. But if the marijuana-infused product or strain also includes CBD, the report mentioned above claims this could also lessen anxiety.

 

What’s the Best Strain for Sleep?

Before purchasing the best strain for sleep, always remember that weed affects everyone differently. It is very personalized, so you have to try different strains out for yourself, so you can get the best shot at improving your sleep. 

 

Sleeping disorders are quite a common problem among plenty of individuals. As mentioned in this report from the Canadian Sleep Society, around 50 to 70% of adult Canadians are afflicted with certain sleeping disorders. And, 37% of Canadians aged 20 to 39 and 40% of 40 to 59-year-olds report shorter than usual sleep per day. Meanwhile, 35.3% of adults say they’re only getting less than the recommended 7–8 hours of sleep in an entire 24-hour period.

 

Marijuana could be an effective sleeping aid because it assists in restoring the natural sleep-wake cycles of your body, according to the clinical trial results and scientific research studies mentioned in the same reports. Many individuals struggle a bit to maintain this cycle because of nurturing healthy professional careers and social relationships.

 

Does Marijuana Help You Sleep?

Based on the results of the clinical trials and scientific research studies covered by the reports mentioned earlier, marijuana could potentially improve your sleep quality in certain situations. And suppose you suffer from chronic pains, multiple sclerosis and mental conditions such as PTSD and anxiety. In that case, marijuana could help you fall asleep much faster, without waking up in the middle of the night due to physical discomfort.

 

Plus, according to this study by Schlaf & Atmung’s Sleep and Breathing, marijuana could also potentially relieve any symptoms for individuals who have RLS or Restless Leg Syndrome. So with the results of these studies and clinical tests, more Canadians are starting to use marijuana as a way to possibly treat pain, anxiety and insomnia – Whether it’s been prescribed by a doctor or if they chose to self-medicate.

 

With regular users, the effectiveness of using marijuana for sleep purposes is more ambivalent. This is all credited to the clinical trials and research studies mentioned earlier, among similar others. And many of these were performed with individuals who suffer from varying levels of insomnia. Plus, it was discovered that a significant majority of these participants experienced relief from their symptoms while under the influence of marijuana.

 

Why Does Weed Make You Sleepy?

Have you ever wondered why certain weed strains can make you feel sleepy and tired? It’s because of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a naturally occurring compound in marijuana plants. THC is also known to cause psychoactive effects when consumed.

 

Can THC Help You Sleep?

According to the studies mentioned earlier, THC could potentially be a powerful sleep aid. That’s because it activates after it binds itself to your brain’s CB1 cannabinoid receptors. To a certain extent, all of these CB1 receptors deal with modulating the sleep-wake cycles in the body.

 

Meanwhile, this study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information of the U.S. government shows that THC can also increase melatonin production in the body or even copy its effects. Melatonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps relax and go to sleep. 

 

This means that whenever THC begins to activate your brain’s cannabinoid receptors, these receptors will deliver the signals to certain parts of your brain that help induce sleep. This promotes more extended, more restful sleep in most cases.

 

What Type of Marijuana is the Best Weed Strain for Sleep?

Today, there are different kinds of marijuana-derived and infused products in the Canadian cannabis market. Each one of them can produce different effects on the body and mind. And this also depends on the individual’s current physiological health and other pre-existing conditions.

 

Two of the most common strains are cannabis Sativa and cannabis Indica. Indica, in particular, is said to be the more calming one of the two. That’s because it’s known to potentially help your body give off feelings of sleepiness and relaxation. And this is also a primary reason why marijuana consumers who have insomnia usually take Indica strains for relaxation, pain management, and sleeping aid. 

 

Meanwhile, the other strain, cannabis Sativa, is more stimulating. Consuming is known to possibly help you feel more energized, among other euphoric effects. Some Canadians also use cannabis Sativa strains to acquire a substantial energy boost that keeps them going throughout the day.

 

Because of its relaxing effects on the body, cannabis Indica is considered the best strain for sleep. But here’s something interesting – If you’re a person who has PTSD and wants to avoid nightmares, then you might want to give sativa a try. Hybrid strains, a combination of both, could cause different effects. It all depends on the specific makeup in the strain’s cannabinoids and a combination of other ingredients. 

 

Indica vs Sativa — Which is Better for Sleep?

Plenty of the differences associated with consuming Sativa strains versus the effect of indica strains are all based on the subjective experience of marijuana consumers. Several sources claim that the difference between Sativa and Indica strains isn’t even that relevant when counting the THC content in each strain, along with other ingredients in marijuana-infused products.

 

Sativa is also known as the best strain for creativity and focus. That’s primarily because of its energy-inducing effects on the body and mind.

 

What Makes Cannabis Indica Different?

Which strains of weed give you a body high? Compared to cannabis Sativa, Indica strains are more known for producing a body high than a head high. They also happen to be more effective in helping promote relaxation, sleepiness, increased appetite, and potential pain relief than Sativa strains. And because of this, some cannabis Indica strains are much more favored over Sativa strains, especially for individuals looking for an all-natural sleep aid.

 

What is the Best Indica Strain for Sleep?

Like dieting and exercising, sleep is essential to maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle. The average individual should always focus on getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night, as the Canadian Sleep Society mentioned once again. However, some adults still have difficulties finding proper sleep, no matter what the situation is. Perhaps they have a difficult time falling asleep. Or maybe they have a hard time staying asleep. 

 

Even though there’s always the age-old suggestion of getting proper exercise, limiting caffeine intake in the late afternoon or evening, or keeping your phone or tablets away from your bed during nighttime, they aren’t always enough. And this is the reason why many Canadians are now beginning to explore the potential of marijuana strains for sleep.

 

But are they always effective? And which indica strains for sleep are the best for you? Here are some of the best cannabis strains for sleep and insomnia and what experts can tell you about marijuana use and sleep. 

 

Cheese – A UK-based strain that found its way onto Canadian shores, Cheese is a cannabis Indica strain that includes over 18 percent THC. The strain gets its name because it possesses a powerful and sour aroma and a yellow hue that resembles cheddar cheese. This strain is also known for helping you feel relaxed and brings an uplift when it comes to your mood. It also goes by Cognitiva and Exodus Cheese and is a phenotype of the Skunk 1 strain.

 

Those who originally grew this strain in the U.K. mentioned that Cheese includes dense nuggets, which are light green and are decorated with orange hairs. British farmers in the 1990s initially cultivated it.

 

Smoking this strain often causes specific euphoric effects that allow pure mental relaxation without feeling sedated. In places like Canada and the U.K., this strain is used by doctors to relieve inflammation, insomnia and chronic pain potentially.

 

Gorilla Glue – Also known as GG4, Original Glue, and Gorilla Glue #4, this strain is an Indica-dominant hybrid that includes over 24.6% THC. It’s pretty popular among marijuana consumers for providing relaxing and euphoric effects at the same time. It’s also got a very sour, earthy aroma inherited from its parent strains, namely Chem’s Sister, Sour Dubb, and Chocolate Diesel. Its effects will leave you feeling glued to your bed or couch, hence the name.

 

The buds of this strain are also chunky and filled with resin. Gorilla Glue has been around for a very long time. It acquired first place in both the Los Angeles and Michigan Cannabis Cups in 2014, along with the 2014 High Times World Cup held in Jamaica. This is why this strain’s supremacy is no longer a well-kept secret among marijuana smokers. Many marijuana enthusiasts will go far and wide to get their hands on this award-winning strain.

 

Afghani – Afghani is also a hybrid strain but mostly Indica-dominant. It’s got a high amount of THC levels, going for 17.8 percent. Afghani has its own earthy and sweet aroma and is known for its sedating, relaxing, and deep euphoric properties. It gets its name from the region where it came from, where the first strains of cannabis plants were initially grown. It is also a very potent strain.

 

More medical marijuana consumers in Canada are starting to turn to this strain a couple of times to treat their stress disorders and fight physical pain and insomnia. Those who regularly grow this strain have since come to treasure it, as the Afghan strain has produced high amounts of resin.

 

Dominion Skunk – Dominion Skunk is another cannabis Indica-dominant hybrid strain, with over 15.7% THC. It’s commonly associated with robust and powerful relaxation effects on the body. And it has a robust earthy aroma, combined with a hint of strong jasmine.

 

It was initially grown by the Dominion Seed Company and is a cross between the Chemdawg strain with the Skunk #1 strain. That strain was later crossed with a hybrid of the Skelly Hashplant strain and another Skunk #1 strain.

 

It isn’t shocking that this strain is very intense. However, it is also known to taste very sweet, like a combination of wood, earth and sweet fruits.

 

G-13 Genius – G-13 Genius is an Indica-dominant strain with over 16.7% THC content. It’s a combination of the Genius and G-13 strains. It also went by the name Airborne Genius and was grown by the Brothers Grimm company.

 

The source of this strain is the G13/Hashplant from Neville’s Seed Bank, while the pollen originated from Silver-Thiosulfate’s reversal of the MrSoul Hammer Strain, which goes by the name Genius. When Genius and Airborne G-13 were combined, the G-13 Genius strain was produced.

 

It’s got a very incredible sweet and sour flavor, which gives off a hint of lemon and lime aromas. It also has a fantastic terpene profile and is very easy to grow indoors and outdoors.

 

Tips for Using Marijuana Strains for Sleep

If you intend to try marijuana strains as a sleep aid, then a cultivator or a budtender at your local dispensary can guide you. They will look at the best cannabis strains for sleep and insomnia that you can use, depending on what you need as well as your medical history. But it’s still good to understand the many available strains for you. 

 

Marijuana can be vaporized, smoked or even eaten. THC-based oils can be placed sublingually or beneath your tongue. Each format of ingesting marijuana does have its drawbacks and benefits. But if you’re concerned about the effects of smoking or vaping on your lungs, then you should try out edibles instead. 

 

Different kinds of marijuana strains will provide you with various levels when it comes to bioavailability. This is how much of the active THC you could expect to enter your bloodstream. When ingested, marijuana has a high amount of bioavailability on the body, especially if it enters directly into your system. 

 

According to the book “Drug Bioavailability” by Gary Price and Deven A. Patel, compared to ingesting marijuana through smoking, edibles tend to lose a significant amount of THC because it passes through a person’s digestive system. Meanwhile, smoking marijuana can have a bioavailability rate of as high as 56%. This is compared to only four up to 20% for orally-ingested marijuana. 

 

With this, when choosing the best strain for sleep, it’s important to remember that each variant can take different amounts of time for its effects to kick in. And when you smoke or vape it, you’ll start feeling its effects right away. Meanwhile, THC-laced edibles can take a while to affect the body, as they still need to work through your digestive system first.