According to research, nearly one out of every three people suffers from insomnia. Conventional pharmaceutical drugs are powerful, but fraught with complicating and potentially dangerous side effects ranging from diarrhea and all kind of gastrointestinal distress to issues with balance, not to mention the complications that arise from dependency.
Cannabis, with its long, illustrious history of human use, is a natural and potentially safer alternative for calming your nervous system and helping you drift more easily into deep, restorative sleep.
Indicas Indicate Sleepytime
A general rule for strain selection is that a Sativa-dominant variety will be more “uppy” and energetic; it will stimulate your mind and give you an electric buzz. Indica-dominants, however, generally have a relaxing, sedative effect.
Indica-dominants tend to (although not always) have a broader spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, which can provide a more comprehensive range of biological benefit that what you might find in a strain with loads of THC but not much else.
Aged and Cured for Your Benefit
As cannabis is cured, some of the THC is oxidized and the “tetrahydro-” part of the name drops off, and it becomes cannabinol or CBN. CBN has 5x the sedative effect of THC, so for the insomniac in search of relief, this is a cannabinoid that may help.
So how do you judge an older dried flower?
It will be more brittle and crispy-looking. It may even be a cheaper variety and not stored in expensive, sophisticated packaging. Alternatively, you could buy it and just leave it out in a jar at home for a while, letting oxygen do its thing allowing you basically make your own medicine.
Best Cannabis Strains for Insomnia
Here are five of the most popular cannabis strains known for helping insomniacs find relief:
Grandaddy Purple is a long-time favorite among medical patients as it carries potent analgesic properties and a powerful punch. It also has high levels of the terpene myrcene, a compound found in basil, hops, and lemongrass that has analgesic and sedative properties.
OG Kush is another widely popular strain and ideal for unwinding at the end of the day. It is excellent for relieving you of the stress and anxiety that are often at the source of insomnia.
God’s Gift can be just that for those unable to just get their overactive mind to slow down and get some deep, restful sleep.
Afghan Kush is another longtime favorite of many medical cannabis users. This dreamy blend carries a strong body-oriented effect, providing relief from pain and deepening your relaxation.
9 Pound Hammer can knock you right out. This potent strain can slow everything down very quickly, body and mind, allowing you finally get the sleep you need.
Explore Leafly’s strain database for a more detailed look at the wide variety of the best cannabis strains for insomnia. Or better yet, come on in and talk to one of our knowledgeable budtenders who know our entire selection inside and out and will be happy to help you make the best choice to ease those sleep-deprived nights.
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