Are you suffering from sleep-related issues or insomnia? Have you tried everything, and nothing has worked? Perhaps you are curious whether CBD can help with your sleep issues? If so, you are in the right place.
In our guide to CBD strains for sleep, we will inform you on just how CBD helps those that have sleep issues. As well as the best CBD strains that will help you improve your sleep schedule in no time!
How Does CBD Help With Improving Your Sleep Schedule?
There have been many studies performed that show CBD may in fact assist you if you are having sleep-related issues or suffer from anxiety.1
The properties of the cannabinoid CBD have been proven to assist with stress relief, which, as you might expect, can lead to a serious improvement in your sleep schedule. Stress is something that can affect sleep negatively, because of the increased levels of cortisol, which elevates your heart rate and makes you more alert and awake, which your body produces in response to a stressor.
By reducing the effects of stress with CBD, cortisol will no longer be produced at quite the same rate, and you’re much more likely to fall asleep when you want – rather than out of exhaustion.
In fact, CBD can work to act similarly to a sedative due to its effect on cortisol levels. There are elements of CBD that are known for making consumers drowsy. Whether you have issues falling asleep, staying asleep, or entering deep sleep, you may find that CBD will help you.
Indica vs Sativa vs Hybrid
As with the classic ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ book series, when it comes to purchasing CBD flower you have the choice of Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid. Unlike most, if not all CBD products that aren’t either CBD flower or CBD pre-rolls, you don’t really have the choice of what strain of hemp plant you’ll be consuming to assist with getting a good night’s sleep.
Indica Strains
Strains that are of the Indica variety are thought to be the strains that keep you on the couch, zoned out or in, depending on your vibe, and relaxed. The plant itself has a wider leaf and is a more stout, shorter plant than Sativa strains.
Indica strains tend to have more CBD than a Sativa strain, but the THC level isn’t necessarily affected by this fact.
Sativa Strains
Sativa strains grow to be taller than their Indica cousins and have thinner leaves, and strains of this variety tend to give you more of a get-out and do-something vibe. Looking to hit a yoga class or be more active than strains that are Sativa is what you would want to look for.
As for the dose of CBD to THC ratio, these plants tend to have a higher THC and lower CBD percentage.
Hybrid Strains
As the name suggests, Hybrid strains are a mix of Indica and Sativa strains. Every Hybrid strain is a blend between two different strains so the CBD and THC content percentages are different depending on how the strain was created.
Due to the fact that each Hybrid strain is a cross between different strains, each strain could have a different feeling, or effect, on the body.
CBD Strains For Sleep
Now that you know which strain would be better for the latter part of the day when you’re looking to wind down and count some sheep, we will point you in the right direction of what strains to purchase.
Bubba Kush
There are two key elements that Budda Kush has become known for. The first is its unique flavors, which are delicious chocolate and coffee. The other element is that many opt for Budda Kush, due to its muscle-relaxing properties.
Many will compare consuming Budda Kush to feeling like your body is melting away into relaxation. Our brand partner Green Unicorn Farms sells some of the tastiest CBD flowers on the market, and their Bubba Kush flower has 17.1% CBD. If you are looking to get a quality night’s rest, look no further.
Northern Lights
Northern Lights is actually a cross between Afghani and Thai. If you are interested in taking the edge off after a stress-filled day, while also looking to lift your mood a bit, the Northern Lights strain could be your go-to. Usually containing a high level of CBD, we’re talking 20% or more, this strain has some very mellow qualities that will assist you in relaxing, and in-turn dosing off for a proper night’s rest.
Another brand we adore, Cheef Botanicals offers their Northern Lights from as little as 4g all the way up to an entire pound!
Secret OG
If you love to stare at your buds and gain some satisfaction from a visual standpoint, while also getting some very rewarding relaxation and sleepiness effects, Secret OG could be what you’re in the market for. The buds have a beautiful mix of purple and silver, with plenty of frosting, while also having a hint of earthy lemon scent. With 17% CBD, you will receive a nice amount of CBD, which is what you’re looking for.
Secret Nature sells 100% organic Secret OG, and you can pick yourself up between an eighth to an ounce of this wonderful-looking and tasting CBD flower.
OG Kush
One of the original strains, OG Kush, is many people’s go-to when it comes to receiving some therapeutic CBD effects. With a high CBDa profile, OG Kush, delivers the goods of a relaxing, sleepy feeling, along with bringing the aroma that will have your nose wanting more!
Discover: Cannaflower CBD Products
Cannaflower offers some high-quality CBD flowers and pre-rolls, including OG Kush that you will love.
Remedy
Another homerun that Cannaflower offers is the Remedy strain which is a popular option for those that suffer from insomnia. The strain is popular due to containing high levels of caryophyllene and myrcene. Remedy is a blend of Cannatonic and Afghan Skunk, which work together to help reduce any chronic pain or inflammation that you may be dealing with. So, if chronic pain is a reason you are having restless nights Remedy may be the CBD strain for you.
Side Effects of Using CBD
To take a deeper dive on possible CBD side effects check this article out
As with many new regimines that you may decide to try for possible help with falling asleep better, there may be some side effects when consuming CBD. The key ones that we would like to direct you to are:
- If you pregnant or breastfeeding you should know that while there have been many studies about CBD, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has given the green light to CBD being safe, there has been an insufficient amount of research done to ensure the fetus isn’t affected in a negative way from the mother consuming CBD.
Also, since most, if not all CBD products that are produced, do not clarify what type of strain is used in the product, the only real way to know you are consuming an Indica strain is to smoke either CBD flower or CBD pre-rolls that identify the strain.
- If you are new to consuming CBD you should be aware that CBD can have a sleepy affect, which should be obvious considering the article is about CBD strains for sleep. With that said you should understand the affect CBD has on you prior to operating a vehicle or operating any machinery.
- General long-term risks. Similar to the pregnancy and breastfeeding risk, there has been an overall limit on the amount of research conducted on the long-term side effects of consuming CBD. This mostly relates to whether you are planning on incorporating CBD into your diet and lifestyle for a long period of time.
Conclusion
There are some great takeaways from finding the right CBD strain for sleep for you. We’ve listed just five CBD strains that should be on your radar. There are so many more too, and that number is only growing! As mentioned, CBD product labeling doesn’t usually list the CBD strain that was used, so the only way to try a specific CBD strain is to consume either CBD flower or CBD cigarettes, not many ways around that fact. The CBD industry is just getting started so who knows, maybe in the future brands will start producing products around specific strains and you can consume a strain you want in a CBD gummy!
references
1Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente journal, 23, 18–041. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041