- The benefits of cannabis for sleep could make it the perfect alternative for you to Big Pharma drugs.
- Cannabinoids—including THC, CBD, and CBN—play a role in helping you both fall asleep and stay asleep.
- There are a variety of ways you can take advantage of cannabis for sleep.
8-minute read
An All-Natural Alternative to Sleep Aids
Getting a good night’s sleep shouldn’t sound like a dream. Whether it’s difficulty falling asleep or trouble staying asleep, not getting enough rest can take a toll on your daily life. If you’re looking for a natural substitute for prescription medications or over-the-counter sleep aids, you might want to consider cannabis for sleep. Did you know people have been studying the use of cannabis for sleep since the 1800s? So, it’s not surprising that 11% of US consumers report that their primary motivation for using cannabis is for sleep, according to a 2023 study just released by New Frontier Data.
Does Using Cannabis for Sleep Really Work?
Pharmaceutical sleep aids have some pretty crummy side effects. In fact, 75% of adults who take these kinds of meds want to reduce their use of Big Pharma sleep drugs. Many consumers, including us, find that using cannabis for sleep can be a fantastic alternative. Cannabis has a sedative effect that can maximize relaxation and help us drift easily off to dreamland. It also can help with staying asleep throughout the night. But, maybe most importantly, the majority of people who consume cannabis for sleep report that it helps them get some zzz’s without leaving them hazy in the morning.
A Quick Recap of Our Sleep Cycles
It’s probably been a minute since you took high school biology. So, let’s start with a quick recap of our sleep cycles to better understand the benefits of using cannabis for sleep. Our bodies shift between rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep throughout the night. Non-REM sleep is divided into 3 stages: falling asleep, light sleep, and deep sleep. Regularly completing this cycle is most important for physical recovery and feeling well-rested. On the other hand, REM sleep, where we experience vivid dreams, is vital for processing emotions and promoting healthy brain development. Recent studies suggest that cannabis may increase the amount of time you spend in non-REM cycles.
THC for Sleep
While cannabis can impact both falling and staying asleep, each cannabinoid can affect your sleep cycle differently. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is probably the most recognizable cannabinoid, and it plays a big role in how cannabis improves your snooze. Of course, it’s also the compound that makes you feel high. But the sedative effects of THC are notable, too. When we use cannabis for sleep, THC aids the body’s transition from wakefulness to sleep and regulates sleep-wake cycles. Without getting overly technical, THC connects with CB1 receptors in the brain. Those receptors play a role in managing our sleep-wake states. Basically, THC nudges us into sleep and encourages a good night’s rest throughout the night.
CBD for Sleep
We understand that the psychoactive side of THC isn’t everyone’s thing. So, if you still want the mellowing effect of cannabis for sleep, CBD is another option. CBD is a popular cannabinoid that supports sleep without the high. That’s why CBD is much more widely available than THC products are. Most of us can even buy it online. (Check out our personally vetted CBD faves here.) Studies have shown that CBD can increase your total sleep time and contribute to helping you feel more awake during the day, too. It’s also linked to promoting generally more restful sleep—something all of us can benefit from!
CBN for Sleep
You’re probably thinking, “Ummm, what’s CBN?” CBN, or cannabinol, is just another cannabinoid. Similar to THC and CBD, it’s one of the many active compounds in cannabis. While it’s not as well-known, CBN was actually the first cannabinoid ever discovered—way back in 1899. As THC breaks down over time, it forms CBN. It’s been reported that, when used together, CBN and THC improve the overall quality of sleep. In fact, study participants found that, on average, they slept nearly 30 extra minutes per night! Added bonus? Like CBD, CBN is legally available for purchase in every state.
Should You Inhale Cannabis for Sleep?
The effectiveness of cannabis for sleep depends a lot on the type of cannabis you’re consuming and how you’re doing that. Smoking and vaping are the quickest ways to feel the effects. So, if your main issue is getting to sleep, inhalation could be the best option for you. We’ve all been there. When you wake up at 2:30 in the morning, the last thing you want to do is wait for a sleep aid to start working. Along the same lines, you might also choose to inhale if you can’t take a sleep aid until it’s already late and you have to get up early. That’s because the effects from inhalation also dissipate the fastest—normally, in a few hours. By inhaling, you’ll get to sleep quickly without risking waking up high.
Or Should You Ingest Cannabis for Sleep?
If smoking’s not your thing, edibles and tinctures are great alternatives to inhalation. In fact, as routine sleep aids, they can be better. First, there’s no potential for harm to your lungs. Second, your body metabolizes cannabis differently when you ingest it. Your digestive system actually multiplies the effects of THC when your liver processes it. That’s a bonus for your cannabis budget. But, ingesting also releases cannabinoids into your body more slowly for longer lasting effects. For those of us who struggle to stay asleep, that’s a big benefit. CBD-dominant and CBN isolate products (like oils, tinctures, and capsules) are perfect options if you want the benefits of cannabis for sleep without feeling high. Isolate involves the harvest of single cannabinoids—like CBD or CBN—from the cannabis plant. This process filters out other cannabinoids and plant compounds. So, you can pick and choose what’s right for you.
Which Cannabis Flower Works Best For Sleep?
Different cannabis strains can have a wide array of effects. And new science calls into question the old divide between sativa as cannabis A.M. and indica as cannabis P.M. So, if you want to use flower for sleep, here are a few things to remember. Research suggests that balancing a high dose of CBD with a low dose of THC maximizes the therapeutic effects of cannabis for sleep. Since CBN is often associated with THC, high-THC strains like Death Bubba, Platinum Kush and Bubblegum can contain CBN. But check the label to see what testing reveals about the levels in that specific cultivation. Also, if THC levels are too high in any strain, cannabis can produce a stimulating effect. So, if you want to take advantage of CBN, an isolate product with low THC could be the right way to go for you.
Our Fave Cannabis Products for Sleep
We’ve tried a ton of different products touting the benefits of cannabis for sleep. Here are some of our top contenders that you might want to try. They include a few of the permanent staples on our nightstands. Keep in mind that, in the US, legal cannabis has to be grown and processed in the state where it’s sold. So, the availability of these products will vary depending on where you live.
oHHo Blackberry & Chamomile Good Night Dots
If you’re in New York, oHHo’s Blackberry & Chamomile Good Night Dots are our gold standard. Enjoy this jammy blend of blackberry and chamomile enhanced by balanced 5mg doses of THC, CBD, and CBN.
Rose Los Angeles Rose Delights
If you’re in California, these Rose Delights and a few other states are a must! Formulated with a holistic approach, they don’t contain any isolates or additives. So, the flower’s natural flavor and terpenes are preserved for maximum effect. Added bonus: they taste just like really good Turkish Delight!
Wyld Elderberry CBN + Indica Enhanced Gummies
Wyld’s Elderberry CBN + Indica Enhanced Gummies provide a perfect blend of THC and CBN for a restful night without feeling hazy in the morning. Plus, they’re legally available in more states than any other THC product for sleep.
Potli Dream Honey
Dream Honey from Potli offers a different way to take advantage of cannabis for sleep. Mix it into your evening tea or drizzle it over your dessert and enjoy the way you glide into dreamland.
What Else do You Need to Know about Using Cannabis for Sleep?
While cannabis can offer benefits for sleep, it’s still important to know about any potential drawbacks. Research about cannabis for sleep is still fairly limited, and cannabis can affect individuals differently. So, finding the right dose and strain for you might take some trial and error. Also, regular use can build up your cannabis tolerance. So, you might need more over time to experience the same effects. If you’re new to cannabis, remember to always “start low and go slow” when it comes to dosing, especially with edibles.
Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These
Our dreams occur during REM sleep. Because THC can shorten the time spent in REM, regular cannabis users may remember fewer of their dreams. This can be especially therapeutic for people dealing with PTSD because it reduces nightmares and sleep disturbances.
Cannabis for Sleep in the Long Term
As with other medicines, consuming cannabis for sleep over the long term can have diminishing returns. And we do mean the long term. For some of us, the same 5mg gummies have been working for years. But, over time, you might discover that you need higher potencies than you’re comfortable with to get the same results. In that case, just take a tolerance break from cannabis for 4-6 weeks. We suggest that long because your body takes about 45 days to completely eliminate cannabis from your system. But, once it has, you should be able to start back up with a small dose to get a good night’s rest again.
Infuse Your Snooze With Cannabis for Sleep
Sleep and cannabis make a dreamy combination. When it comes to using cannabis for sleep, there’s a lot to be excited about. Cannabis can be wonderfully calming and help you luxuriate in deep, rejuvenating sleep. While there aren’t 1-size-fits-all solutions, cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and CBN offer tremendous promise for those seeking an alternative to traditional pharmaceutical sleep aids. So, if you’re looking for a natural approach to support your slumber, exploring the benefits of cannabis for sleep could be a game-changer.
