Insomnia is one of the most difficult sleep disorders to deal with, affecting approximately 1 in 5 adults worldwide. It is beyond doubt that cannabis has become popular among medical users due to its medicinal properties that can not only help you fall asleep but also have a good restful night’s sleep. Studies suggest that it’s not only Indica or Sativa, or THC levels that provide these properties, but the ability to put you to sleep comes down to a particular mix of cannabinoids and terpenes in a strain. Keep in mind that CBD strains, even those that combine low-THC with high-CBD may not induce sleep directly but can reduce anxiety and stress, leading to better sleep. Strains rich in linalool and myrcene, such as lavender strains, are known for their sedative properties. However, finding the best strains for sleep requires trial and error. So if you want to find the best medicine for insomnia, make sure to check the list below which was created based on medical users' reports.
Best weed strains for insomnia and sleep
About the best strains for sleep and insomnia
If you find yourself up at night counting sheep instead of getting sleep, you’re definitely not alone. Sleep issues affect millions of people around the world. Sleep deprivation in the US has been dubbed a public health epidemic — and less than 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis. Here’s where weed comes in. Cannabis has been used for centuries as a sleep aid — with some strains known to be better than others for supporting sleep. The best strains for sleep and insomnia deliver a soothing head and body high with relaxing, sedative-like effects. Whether you’re looking for the best strains for sleep or want to grow your own sleepy weed, check out the strains below that are all known for their unparalleled potential for supporting a good night’s sleep.
The Best Strains for Sleep
If you’re interested in getting a good night’s rest, these sleepy strains should definitely help you catch some zs.
Watermelon
With a super calming head and body high, Watermelon is said to be perfect for getting a good night’s sleep. This sweet berry and grape flavored bud with a subtle skunky tropical twist that makes it taste just like hash delivers a soothing cerebral euphoria before a relaxed, sleepy body high sets in. It won’t knock you out like some other heavy indicas, but it is said to be one of the best strains for sleep for anyone interested in a peaceful mellow high that helps with stress and insomnia.
Grease Monkey
Grease Monkey is a potent indica-dominant hybrid packed with a powerful 25-27% THC that’s perfect for anyone interested in the best strains with sedative-like effects. Don’t let the slow-building onset of gentle euphoria of this nutty, earthy flavored strain with sweet vanilla notes fool you — this soothing, tranquil head high makes itself known when the full effects kick in. The heavy body high that follows will make you sleepy before serious sedation sets in. This is one of the best strains for sleep — not only does it make you tired, it’s known to relieve stress, anxiety, and pain that make it hard to get to sleep.
LA Kush Cake
LA Kush Cake is an infamous Cali bred balanced hybrid with a buttery smooth, creamy sweet vanilla flavor and minty citrus flavor that delivers a super-sedating high with the powerfully euphoric effects Cali weed is famous for. After exhaling your first hit of this popular strain with a spicy diesel finish, you’ll be filled with a feeling of flying euphoria full of cannabis-inspired creativity. As this soaring head high settles in, a powerful wave of heavy relaxation spreads throughout the body that makes you feel calm, sleepy, and contentedly couch-locked. With a moderate 16% THC, LA Kush Cake is ideal for occasional and experienced consumers, with medical benefits said to support anxiety, stress, and insomnia.
RS11
RS11, aka Rainbow Sherbet #11, is a perfectly balanced hybrid with an extraordinary earthy, diesel flavor and long-lasting effects that uplift the mind before lulling you into a sweet state of sleep. This strain is said to be one of the best for insomnia for consumers that appreciate the balanced effects of hybrids who are looking for a strain that helps them sleep. By perfectly combining the cerebral euphoria sativas are famous for with indica’s relaxed effects, RS11 is famous on the West Coast weed scene among rec and medical consumers alike. It’s commonly used to relieve pain, stress, and insomnia.
Forbidden Fruit
Forbidden Fruit is a heavy leaning indica hybrid with a fresh fruity flavor and blissfully sedating effects that will leave you heavily stoned blissfully euphoric for hours. This Tangie x Cherry Pie cross delivers a long-lasting happy head and body high — first delighting the mind with delightfully euphoric cerebral effects that slowly becomes a heavy, relaxed body high that will have you couch-locked and sleepy. It’s considered one of the best strains for sleep and insomnia, as well as managing pain and stress.
Blackberry Kush
Blackberry Kush is one of the best strains for sleep that’s easy to grow, making it popular with growers interested in cultivating strains that deliver a late night high that leaves you lethargic and sedated. It contains a classic Kush taste — delivering a pungent and sweet earthy diesel flavor with subtle berry notes. It only takes a hit or two of this indica-dominant hybrid to feel its heavy head and body high, leaving you happily stoned with a super sluggish, sleepy and sedating high. When you need to get to sleep fast, this is one of the best strains for sleep you could ask for. It’s also said to support anxiety, stress, and symptoms of PTSD.
Afghani
Afghani, aka Afghan Kush, is a legendary cannabis strain with super sleepy effects and a history that spans centuries. This highly resinous, nearly pure indica (95% indica / 5% sativa) is the parent to countless cultivars and the original strain used to create classic hash. It contains a rich spicy herbal, earthy flavor with subtle sweet notes and delivers strongly euphoric cerebral effects that will leave you blissfully happy, relaxed, and sleepy. This classic has been considered one of the best strains for sleep and insomnia for decades, and is also commonly used for stress support and pain relief.
Cream Caramel
Cream Caramel is a potent indica-dominant hybrid with long-lasting effects perfect for nighttime use thanks to its relaxing, sedative-like effects. It has a somewhat spicy flavor blended with notes of sweet honey and nuts, and delivers a hard-hitting high that immediately lifts you into a heightened state of focused cerebral euphoria with deeply relaxing effects. As the effects of this strain settle in, a heavy full-body high sets in, where you’ll find yourself comfortably sleepy and hungry, in a heavily sedated state that can make it feel impossible to move. One of the best weed strains for insomnia and sleep that produces a long-lasting, stress-free high, it also contains appetite stimulating properties that make it a popular medical strain for treating anorexia.
Venom OG
Venom OG is one of the best strains for sleep and insomnia for anyone interested in rare cannabis cultivars. This balanced hybrid is known for an initial tingly sensation that makes its way through the body and mind that gently guides you into a state of blissful relaxation. As the effects go on, you’ll find yourself content and sleepy ready to ease into a deep night of restful sleep. Venom OG contains a distinct piney diesel and lemon taste and delivers a super calming head and body high that’s known to help soothe stress and anxiety, alleviating any worries that might cause insomnia and other sleep issues.
Purple Punch
Purple Punch is a euphoric and sedating indica-dominant hybrid with a gorgeous dessert-like taste that blends sweet grapes and pungent, creamy vanilla flavors. This largely leaning indica hybrid has a potently powerful punch that will instantly knock you out — delivering a dazzling euphoric head high that leaves you feeling full of bliss and pure joy, before a strong relaxing sensation settles over the body. You’ll soon find yourself super sedated before drifting into a deep, restful sleep. It’s a common medical strain used for treating stress, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain.
Are indicas or sativas the best strains for sleep?
The best weed strains for sleep support are indicas all the way. Thanks to their blend of cannabinoids and various sleepy terpenes, indica strains are known for their relaxing, often sedative-like effects. Sativa strains are totally different. They’re known for energetic, uplifting effects that can increase motivation and focus, making them much more ideal for daytime use than sleep.
Why do some weed strains make you tired?
The soothing, sedative-like effects of the best weed strains for sleep make you tired because of the unique cannabis compounds they contain. Sleepy weed strains tend to contain high concentrations of the terpene myrcene, which research shows contains sedating properties that contribute to the couch-lock effect many indica strains are known for. Strains commonly sought out for sleep also help make you tired by relieving things that can keep you up at night, such as stress, anxiety, and pain.