Cannabis for Sleep: How to Get a Better Night’s Sleep

A good night’s sleep. Too many of us seem to need one.

Research conducted by the Sleep Foundation found that 70% of casual Millennial and Gen Z cannabis consumers said they use it for sleep. Among those who use it for its medicinal benefits, around 85% reported that it improved their sleep. Can these percentages include you, too?

For newcomers to cannabis and sleep, the general rule of thumb is to start with an indica strain. Indicas are one of two main styles of cannabis, the other being sativas. First grown in the Hindu Kush region, stretching along Central and South Asia, indicas are generally associated with deeply relaxing effects, which in some strains can become downright sedative—hence the term “couch-lock.”

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However, the effects of any given strain—indica or sativa—are highly dependent on your personal physiology and the total THC and CBD content within the flower, along with its specific terpenes, flavonoids, and other chemical compounds that make up the strain. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main cannabinoid in weed and the one associated with its psychoactive effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most common cannabinoid that is non-intoxicating and most abundant in hemp flower.

Though CBD doesn’t produce the same effects as THC, when consumed in tandem with it, it can exert some real influence. CBD may help counterbalance the potential anxiety or mental confusion sometimes associated with THC while also promoting a sense of calm.

However, it’s not as straightforward as simply comparing THC and CBD levels alone. Some indica strains contain little or no CBD, while some sativa-leaning strains have plenty. This supports the theory that the terpenes—the fragrant “essential oils” that give different strains of cannabis their unique flavor and aroma—have a heavier hand in determining whether a given strain of cannabis can help you sleep.

Sleep and the endocannabinoid system.

Cannabis is a fantastically complex plant containing hundreds of different compounds that come together to produce the “entourage effect” or “ensemble effect,” a sort of cooperative synergy in which these compounds work together. No matter which specific cannabinoids we’re talking about here, in one regard, they’re all alike in that they all interface with our endocannabinoid system (ECS). This bodily network helps control such functions as sleep, immune response, memory, and more.

In a very real sense, this means that cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are “speaking the same language” as our own body’s regulatory network. But, in any case, the “good for sleep” label tends to follow indicas and indica-leaning hybrids across different strains and consumption methods.

How can edibles help you sleep?

Cannabis-infused edibles are a great way to access precise doses, especially if you’re into micro-dosing, which is when a small amount of cannabis is consumed to impart medical benefits with minimal psychoactivity. Edibles can be a great night-time option since they have longer-lasting effects than inhaled cannabis, potentially keeping you asleep for longer.

Why? When we ingest cannabis-infused edibles, the cannabinoids are processed through the stomach and liver—not the lungs. As a result, the THC contained in edibles tends to feel a good deal more powerful than it does from smoking or vaping cannabis due to a greater proportion of THC metabolizing into a form known as 11-hydroxy-THC. As studies suggest, the subjective effects of 11-hydroxy feel significantly more powerful than regular THC, which is a good reason to start with small doses and work your way up over time as needed.

Edibles also have a far longer onset time than smoked or inhaled cannabis, potentially taking as long as two hours to feel the effects, so timing when you eat them is an important consideration when using edibles for sleep. The effects also tend to last much longer than inhaled weed. You can find many sleep-friendly formulations on the market, with plenty of products containing both THC and minor cannabinoids and terpenes that are also thought to induce deeper sleep.

Does flower hold any sleep secrets?

Smoking flower is a wonderful night-time ritual for lots of cannabis fans and medical patients. The right strains can be a powerful sleep aid, either hours before bedtime or immediately before. The best way to know what works for you is to experiment.

Seek dark-colored indica strains with dank, earthy, and skunky aromas. These kinds of strains are more likely to contain sedative-leaning terpenes such as myrcene, which may be your best bet at hitting a terpene profile that’s perfectly formulated to help you sleep.

But there’s one secret to making flower extra-sleepy that many people don’t know: Let it age. According to time-honored cannabis lore, over-aged or “vintage” weed was believed by some to have a “sleepy” subjective effect. As researchers now know, when the cannabinoid THC breaks down over time, some of it transforms into the cannabinoid CBN, which has the potential to support better sleep.

CBN’s effect on sleep.

CBN has long been rumored to help induce sleepiness. However, evidence has been lacking—until recently. In 2024, a new study confirmed those sleepy rumors, demonstrating that CBN can indeed help people find deeper rest and stay asleep through the night.

Though we don’t recommend keeping flower for longer than it takes you to consume it normally, just know that if you forget about your stash somewhere, it will likely be richer in the deeply sedative CBN when you finally consume it. So, if you find an old jar in the cupboard and you just have to try it, maybe put on your pajamas and brush your teeth first.

Cannabis can be your all-natural sleep aid.

The global sleep-aid market is valued in the tens of billions and continues to grow. Is it any wonder? The pace and pressures of our modern lives are robbing us of sleep. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, in the US alone, between 50 and 70 million people suffer from sleeping disorders. However, some pharmaceutical sleeping aids can be habit-forming and lead to morning grogginess. Cannabis can be an alternative.

One area that many sleep studies focus on is the sleep stage, known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Since REM is the sleep stage in which people experience dreams, one theory suggests that fewer dreams may equate to more time in restorative “deep sleep.” What’s more, a reduction in REM sleep also means fewer nightmares, a major contributor to poor sleep and the reason why many who have PTSD reach for cannabis before bed.

To that end, one sleep study found that high-THC cannabis reduced the proportion of test subjects’ REM sleep, while another more recent study found that CBD may have a similar, complementary effect. So, if you’re interested in using cannabis for sleep and don’t want to feel high, CBD by itself is worth a try, especially since the risk of negative side effects is generally considered to be relatively low—even at high dosages.

With legalization expanding, ongoing research and growing consumer experience are shedding light on cannabis’s nuanced effects on sleep, including its impact on REM cycles and dreaming. So, whether you’re looking to avoid psychoactive effects or enjoy them fully, cannabis for sleep is well worth considering.

Head to our online menu and find a rotating list of CBD-dominant tinctures, THC-infused edibles, sleep-specific capsules, vape pens designed for relaxation, and even topical products formulated to promote restfulness—all this and more delivered right to your door! Whether you’re an experienced aficionado or new to medical cannabis, chances are, you’ll find exactly what you need for more quality Zzzz’s.