Tired of counting sheep? We feel you.
Almost everyone experiences the occasional struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Whether it’s caused by anxiety, excitement or too much late-night doomscrolling, sometimes you need a little help getting your brain to “turn off” and drift away into dream land.
Fortunately, cannabis may be able to help.
Cannabis & Sleep
The stereotype of the sleepy stoner exists for a reason. The two main cannabinoids -- CBD and THC -- are both known to help people relax, both physically and mentally. Both compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system to produce their expected effects.
For most people, products that are high in CBD and low in THC tend to create an allover feeling of calm with a minimal psychoactive impact. On the other side of things, certain THC-forward products are likely to inspire a euphoric mental state along with physical relaxation. Whatever experience you prefer, that elusive night of restful sleep may be just a smoke, vape or drop away.
CBD
We know, we know, CBD can’t possibly be the answer for everything… or can it? As far as your sleep quality goes, CBD may be beneficial because of the way it interacts with your body. Unlike THC, CBD molecules don’t bond directly to cannabinoid receptors in your brain. Instead, CBD works indirectly with your entire endocannabinoid system to help ease physical inflammation & tension and soothe mental symptoms of anxiety & depression – all of which, left untreated, can negatively impact your sleep.
Indica Strains
While some may argue the exact plant science here, the general belief is that indica or indica-leaning strains are more inclined to leave you feeling deeply relaxed in both your mind & body. That’s because indica strains tend to be high in both THC & CBD, giving you a double dose of cannabinoid power, and packed with sleep-inducing terpenes like myrcene & linalool.
Terpenes
The tiny-but-powerful jewels on Mother Earth’s crown, terpenes are compounds found throughout the natural world. More than 200 terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant, with their wide variety of smells, flavors and potential therapeutic benefits giving cannabis strains their unique aroma and characteristic effects.
Because every terpene is different, some are better known than others for promoting restful sleep. Myrcene, perhaps the most common terpene in indica strains, is also found in traditional herbal medicines like chamomile & lemongrass. Caryophyllene, another well-known cannabis terpene, is believed to help relieve physical pain and calm mental distress. Linalool, the main terpene found in lavender, has been celebrated by traditional healers for its calming properties throughout recorded history.
If you find yourself chasing Zs instead of catching them, talk to your physician about a sleep-promoting cannabis product that might be right for you.
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