Top Cannabis Strains for Better Sleep: Discover the Best Cannabis Varieties to Help You Rest

People use cannabis for a variety of reasons, whether it's for recreational or medicinal purposes. Although weed is typically associated with narcotic effects, it has been used for centuries as a medicine. Not only does it help you relax your body but it also eases the mind. 

But, if we had to name one purpose why cannabis was popular in the past, our mind immediately thinks about a good night’s rest. Yes, cannabis was used as a medicine but it was primarily used as a sleep aid, thanks to its narcotic effects. 

Today, strains are available for every occasion. From helping you socialize to overcoming anxiety to increasing energy and creativity, there's something for everyone. However, restful sleep is often overlooked. 

So, if you're someone who's constantly tossing and turning on the bed, you're not alone; way too many people suffer from insomnia. But, you can manage this problem with a few remedies. Melatonin supplements have become popular for this very reason. Even CBD gummies are now infused with melatonin to lull you into sleep. 

Cannabis has many cannabinoids that can help too. CBD is super popular but it's actually THC that can help you sleep well. But, if you can't use THC for some reason, you can use CBD too. 

And, if you want to take the traditional route and rely on cannabis, this article is for you. In this article, we will go over the strains you can try for a good night’s sleep. Fortunately, you won't feel groggy the next day; instead, you'll wake up looking forward to tackling the day. 

So, let's begin. 

Indica or Sativa Cannabis Strains for Sleep?

Indica strains are typically considered "night-time" strains and have been used for issues related to sleep for a long time. They are super famous for the “couch-lock” effect they produce because as the name implies, it hits you with a force that makes your entire body relax. Sativa strains are excellent, but they offer more of an uplifting and energetic high that's perfect for daytime use. 

Also, indica strains contain lots of terpenes out of which Myrcene is particularly helpful in enhancing the strain's sedative effects. Although terpenes don't make you high on their own, they complement the strain's effects. Myrcene also enhances the strain's ability to relax your muscles. 

So, without further ado, let's discuss the strains that can help you get a good night's rest. 

Top Cannabis Strains for Restful Sleep

• Granddaddy Purple

Granddaddy Purple is one of the most famous Indica strains for sleep. A cross between Purple Urkle & Big Bud, this California-bred strain has gained massive popularity for its deep purple coloring, sweet grape smell, and its strong indica high. 

So, what makes Granddaddy Purple so good for sleep? Well, one good puff of this strain starts with intense sedative effects. 

She brings out the couch lock, both in your mind and body. Want a strain that helps you escape reality and just stay still, even if it's for a short time? Granddaddy Purple helps you do that! 

You can just lie down and feel its effects that offer a sweet full-body high, leaving you very sleepy. You'll see that it takes some effort to even open your eyes. Strangely, you can feel even cerebral effects as your thoughts calm down and you begin thinking about… nothing. As your body relaxes, you can slowly feel your anxiety ebb away, helping you fall into a deep sleep. 

Most importantly, GDP not only puts you to sleep but also helps you stay asleep longer and minimizes the time spent awake throughout the night, allowing for a deeper, more restful slumber. 

Naturally, you shouldn't try this strain during the daytime, especially if you have work to do. Also, please don't use this strain and drive as it can be dangerous. 

Coming to its potency, GDP offers almost 25% THC but it can go higher if you purchase from reputed dispensaries or breeders to grow your own. 

Although CBD levels are typically low, the high THC content allows for a strong relaxation accompanied by sleepiness. 

GDP also contains lots of Myrcene, which is the primary terpene, so you can expect it to possess sedative characteristics. Additional terpenes like pinene and caryophyllene give the strain an earthy, slightly sweet scent that further amplifies its relaxing effects.

Finally, coming to its aroma and flavor, Granddaddy Purple has a super sweet and fruity flavor of berries and grapes with just a hint of earthiness. It also smells a bit spicy, thanks to caryophyllene. 

So, in a nutshell, Granddaddy Purple is a classic that helps you relax naturally, sans the side effects that come with sleeping pills. It has a spicy but sweet flavor and is undoubtedly one of the best strains you must try if you're having trouble sleeping. Just make sure that you consume it at night a little while before you head to bed. 

• Northern Lights

Northern Lights is, by far, one of the most iconic Indica strains that offers strong effects enough to help you sleep peacefully. Thought to be the offspring of Afghan and Thai landrace strains, Northern Lights has cemented itself as a favorite among many due to its calming, sedative qualities that help you relax and let your muscles loose. 

Northern Lights contains at least 20% THC with little to no CBD. The high is super strong but not something that triggers anxiety. The strain boasts a terpene profile high in myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene. Myrcene enhances the relaxing sedative effects of the strain, whereas caryophyllene provides its characteristic spicy, earthy taste and aroma and pinene gives the hint of pine. Taken together, these terpenes all work in unison to produce the strain's relaxing effects that are perfect for bedtime.

Coming to the effects, Northern Lights induces typical Indica effects: deeply relaxing and super sedative. Despite a euphoric cerebral high initially, a soothing full-body relaxation quickly follows — both of which can translate into couch lock and sleepiness. It provides an entirely unique blend of sensations that take away the tension, quietens racing thoughts, and melts you into a peaceful relaxation. You drift away into a still calmness until it’s time to face a new day again. 

If you have trouble sleeping at night or wake up for no reason and don't fall asleep again, Northern Lights is a game changer. 

What makes this strain delectable is her pungent aroma mingled with an earthy, pine scent and a sweet aftertaste. Flavor-wise, she has a wonderful combination of wood and citrus. Overall, you'll have a great time consuming this strain. 

It's safe to say that Northern Lights is a natural choice for anyone who struggles to get to sleep. And, considering the beautiful flavor, aroma, and effects she produces, you simply have to try this classic once in your life if you haven't done so already. 

• Afgoo

Afgoo (also called Afgooey) is a potent, predominantly Indica strain that's well-known for its long-lasting sedation and sleep-inducing characteristics, which allows it to provide relief for people who struggle with falling asleep on a regular basis. This indica-dominant hybrid is a cross between the Afghan landrace (which is said to be highly sedative) and Maui Haze, giving you the perfect balance of a slightly psychoactive high followed by an immobilizing body stone that knocks you out.

With about 18-25% THC, it's no wonder that Afgoo produces strong sedative effects, which is why it's a good idea to smoke up only in the evenings when you're done with all your work and just want to relax. 

Once you take a deep puff, it brings a euphoric uplift accompanied by a little mental clarity because of its Sativa parentage. However, the Indica quickly asserts its dominance and takes over, making you feel a heavy relaxation that drains away tension, deploys a calming peace over your stressed-out mind, and prepares you for sleep. Because of this particular sedatory nature, Afgoo is actually ideal if you're stressed too. 

Afgoo is a strong indica strain and tends to make you drowsy, so it's best to do it only during the evening or night or you're going to be stuck to the couch all day long. 

Favor and aroma-wise, Afgoo smells a bit earthy with little bits of sweet and pine scents. It has a woodsy or herbal flavor profile with some light citrus undertones, which makes it very flavorful and enjoyable to smoke. And, then, it offers a soft and smooth finish, making it a good fit for fans of bold, clean natural tastes.

In addition, some users report that this beautiful strain helps with chronic pain, so it might be worth looking at if your muscle spasms or pain keeps you up at night. 

In summary, try this strain if you're a fan of heavy hitters that knock you out fast. It just might be all you need for a good night's sleep as it deeply relaxes both the body and mind and may help with pain too. 

• Purple Urkle

Purple Urkle is super popular as an indica-dominant strain that offers sweet dreams. Thanks to its characteristics that help you relax and enjoy a deep sleep, Purple Urkle is the go-to for those who have trouble with their sleep patterns. 

Originally from California, Purple Urkle is an offspring of Mendocino Purps and Granddaddy Purple — two iconic strains that make it hard to take your eyes off them with their dense buds and potent properties. Purple Urkle has inherited many of these characteristics, cementing its position as one of the best strains to improve sleep. As a pure indica, it boasts short, rounded leaves with incredibly dense purple-grayish buds that you can immediately distinguish from most other marijuana strains. 

With about 18-21% levels of THC, this strain packs a punch. Although CBD levels are pretty low, you'll be able to experience sedative effects that blow your mind. 

And, like most indica strains that have sedative properties, Purple Urkle has lots of Myrcene, Pinene, and Caryophyllene that give it a spicy scent and taste. But, these terpenes aren't present just for the taste and aroma (although they influence your palate) because they also enhance the strain's ability to relieve stress. Suffice it to say that this hefty combination of terpenes and cannabinoids helps the strain induce a powerful sedative-like sedative that can help you calm down in minutes. 

The best time to smoke Purple Urkle is during the evenings when all you want to do is watch a movie before going to bed. Many people mix cannabis with alcohol, but it's not a good idea, considering that it can make you extremely drowsy, and not in a good way. You want something that helps you sleep better, but not something that makes you feel groggy the next day too. Therefore, ditch the drinks and stick to the herb for a long night of beautiful dreams. 

The effects of Purple Urkle start with a mild calming sensation where you can feel your tension slowly leaving your body. As the high gets more and more intense, you might experience a heavy body high that translates to a nice couch lock. 

But, how does Purple Urkle smell and taste, you ask? Well, the terpene profile is pungent and robust with grape, berry, and skunky notes. It also has a wonderful taste that is both sweet and fruity on the inhale, with a slight hint of earthiness, and spice on the exhale. Sure, Purple Urkle is a bit heavy on the sweet side as it has a dessert-like flavor, which can be a bit too much for those who like savory stuff. However, you kinda get used to the taste as if it were meant just for you. 

So, the takeaway is that Purple Urkle is for you if you need a bit of a break from things. This potent knockout has a lot to offer, but do not underestimate its strength or you'll be sorry. 

• Bubba Kush

An Indica strain with strong sedative effects and relaxation, Bubba Kush is also known as a stress buster that helps with sleep. People say that it originated somewhere in the 1990s as an offspring of OG Kush crossed with an unknown Indica. OG Kush, as you probably already know, is one of the most famous strains whether you're a beginner or a veteran and you can only imagine how Bubba Kush will perform. 

Bubba Kush generally has a moderate THC content with average levels between 15% and 22% which allows for a more intense high without the risk of becoming too overwhelming for most people. It contains a low amount of CBD, but since THC is good for inducing sleep, this strain will work. 

Coming to its effects, Bubba Kush is one of the most common strains for sleep as many cannabis users have realized that this strain offers a wonderful full-body relief. The effects also start with a light cerebral feel, soothing your mind and reducing mental stress and anxiety. The high is followed by a long-lasting body buzz that can be described as extremely sedating, leaving your body almost entirely catatonic in small enough doses. 

Bubba Kush also has a reputation for helping curb pain while relaxing your muscles and helping you sleep without interruptions. 

One interesting thing about Bubba Kush is the kind of flavor it has, which is a combination of chocolate, coffee, and hashy earthiness. Even the scent is pretty complex and deep. The best part is that you'll like this strain even if you don't like sweet strains as it has many bold savory flavors. 

In conclusion, Bubba Kush is teeming with therapeutic properties as it hits powerfully in terms of sedative effects and offers calming mental as well as physical relief — perfect for people who have sleep issues. 

• God's Gift

God’s Gift is a cross between OG Kush and Grandaddy Purple — need we say anything more? 

As the name implies, this strain truly is a gift as it has amazing characteristics. A potent union of cerebral euphoria and bodily sedation, God's Gift is perfect for those seeking to unwind after a long day. The high starts off with a beautiful calmness that slowly shifts to an overwhelming euphoria. And, then, just like that, you'll feel a strong body high coursing through your veins as you relax and let it take over. Some users say that this strain helps with meditation and if you fall asleep while doing so, nobody can blame you. 

God's Gift also helps you reduce the aimless chatter in your mind, allowing you to take a deep breath and collect your thoughts. This strain has the best characteristics of both its parents: an uplifting but peaceful high that is exceptional for bedtime. Because it is fast-acting in alleviating insomnia and stress, many users turn to God's Gift as a go-to strain to induce sleep naturally. 

God's Gift is also known for high levels of THC at 18-25% which are responsible for its powerful effects. The strain is almost entirely free of any CBD and thus uses its THC-driven effects to induce relaxation and sleep.

The strain's terpene profile is similar to other grand-daddy strains, with a lot of myrcene for increased sedative effects and caryophyllene for the uplifting effects. 

God's Gift is super aromatic and mixes earthy tones with grape and citrus overtones as well as a slightly pine scent. Its sweet and fruity flavor is boosted by tones of grape and berry — a product of Granddaddy Purple being one of its parents — while the slight spice and herbal tinges left at the end speak of OG Kush as another parent. With its smooth, sweet flavor, it becomes an easy strain to end the evening with.

This Indica strain is ideal for people looking for a heavenly solution for deep restorative sleep. You'll fall in love hard as God's Gift is one of the best strains for anyone who enjoys Kush strains.

The euphoric, yet deeply relaxing effects as well as the sweet grape flavor make it an ideal option to wind down at night and slide into a peaceful slumber. 

Summary: Top Indica Strains for Better Sleep: Discover the Best Cannabis Varieties to Help You Rest

Finding good strains to help you relax and have a peaceful night of sleep can make a great difference for those suffering from multiple issues related to sleep. Typically, the root of these problems is something else and it may help you understand and fix the problem if you fix it first. For instance, people suffering from chronic pain can't sleep easily and the same goes for those suffering from anxiety. 

If you have any of these issues, it's best to consult a physician who will work with you to find out if cannabis can help. Cannabis is not a taboo topic and many doctors are willing to help patients eliminate the root cause of their problems rather than just treating the symptoms. 

And, when you're searching for cannabis strains to help you sleep better, look for indica strains as they help you alleviate stress, which is one of the main reasons why people can't fall asleep. Sativa strains are great, but they help you in different ways by inducing creativity and productivity as opposed to Indicas which give you a couch-lock feeling. 

Some of the best strains for sleep are Granddaddy Purple, Northern Lights, Afgoo, Bubba Kush, God's Gift, and Purple Urkle due to their sedating effects that help with body relaxation and ease stress. Make sure you also take a look at the terpene profile as terpenes like myrcene, caryophyllene, and linalool help with restful sleep.