Cannabis for Sleep: Why It Works and What to Choose

Like cannabis, insomnia comes in many forms: struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get back to sleep if you wake up too early. Consumers often report that cannabis may help with these challenges, including if anxiety or discomfort is a main culprit. Keep reading to learn which cannabis products and cultivars may support sleep and how they deliver their effects.

Cannabinoids and sleep

Cannabis is full of naturally occurring plant compounds called phytocannabinoids (or just “cannabinoids”) that bring on effects by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). They do so by mimicking how endocannabinoids, which your body produces naturally, interact with your ECS’s cannabinoid receptors. The phytocannabinoids often associated with sleep include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN).

Cannabinoid	Will it make you feel “high”?	Natural abundance in cannabis	Potential effects
THC	Yes	High	Drowsiness; less anxiety, stress, and discomfort; reduction in night terrors
CBD	No	Trace	Less anxiety, stress, and discomfort
CBN	No	Trace in fresh flower; moderate in aging flower	Drowsiness

In short:

You may prefer high-THC products if you’re seeking heady effects or fewer night terrors. THC has been shown to lessen REM sleep, the phase of sleep associated with dreaming.

You may prefer high-CBD products with little to no THC if stress or discomfort keeps you up at night, but you don’t want any heady effects.

Products that contain CBN are typically formulated specifically for sleep.

Can cannabis for sleep contain more than one cannabinoid?

Many sleep-friendly products contain more than one of the above cannabinoids, in which case it is helpful to understand “cannabinoid ratios.” This ratio compares how much of one cannabinoid is in a product compared to the others. For example, an edible with 10 mg of CBD and 5 mg of THC has a 2:1 CBD-to-THC ratio. A different edible with 10 mg THC, 5 mg CBN, and 5 mg CBD has a 2:1:1 THC:CBN: CBD ratio.

High ratios of CBD to THC may dampen the latter cannabinoid’s most intense effects while still supporting sleep, whereas high ratios of THC to CBD may feel more intoxicating. High ratios of CBN to THC may feel especially sedative, though even low-CBN products may have sedative effects.

Terpenes and sleep

When you consume cannabis, your product’s cannabinoids don’t act in a vacuum. Terpenes, another set of plant compounds that occur naturally in cannabis, are widely believed to play a role too. They and cannabinoids may work together synergistically via a phenomenon called the entourage effect.

Among the terpenes most abundant in cannabis, the two most associated with promoting sleep are myrcene and linalool. Another two, beta-caryophyllene and terpinolene, may support relaxation and lessen anxiety, so they too may help with sleep.

If at least one of these terpenes ranks among the three most present in your product, it may be sleep-friendly. That’s especially true if the item in question also contains any combination of THC, CBD, and CBN.

Compound profiles and how to choose cannabis products

The full list of the cannabinoids and terpenes contained within a cannabis product is known as its “compound profile,” and it’s an effective tool in choosing cannabis products for sleep (or any other purpose). When you know which cannabinoids and terpenes support a restful night’s sleep for you, look for them in combination in a product’s compound profile.

A product’s compound profile is a far more reliable predictor of effects than relying on whether a strain is an indica or sativa. Despite the popular saying that “indica means ‘in the couch,’” indica and sativa designations tell you more about the plant’s physical appearance than your experience. That’s even more commonly the case today since most strains on the market are hybrids, meaning they include genetics from both sativa and indica plants.

A better way to choose cannabis products is to check a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) to see which terpenes and cannabinoids it contains. A COA confirms that the item has undergone state-mandated third-party lab testing, so you can trust the information contained within it. At licensed dispensaries, an item’s packaging often contains a QR code that directs you to the COA. If not, check the manufacturer’s website—if it’s sold at a licensed New York dispensary, it has undergone the mandated testing and includes a COA to verify it.

How product types may affect your sleep

Classic cannabis flower isn’t the only product available at licensed New York dispensaries, where you can also find ingestible items such as edibles and tinctures. Whether you ingest or inhale sleep-friendly cannabis may affect how your night goes, since inhaled products’ onset time (how long it takes for effects to kick in) and effects duration differ from ingested products.

Here’s what to know:

Product type	Onset time	Effects duration	Best for
Flower and pre-rolls	15 minutes	1 to 3 hours	Falling asleep
Vapes	15 minutes	1 to 3 hours	Falling asleep
Edibles	30 minutes to 2 hours	4 to 8 hours or longer	Staying asleep
Tinctures	Up to 45 minutes	2 to 5 hours	Staying asleep

You can also choose more than one product type. Enjoying a few pulls from a vape, then taking a gummy, means you may get quick effects from the vape, then longer-lasting sleep support from the gummy. Experimenting and seeing what works can be well worth the reward of blissful rest and energized mornings. (And for the well-traveled, extra-potent cannabis concentrates are always an option.)

Cannabis strains that may promote sleep

Some of our favorite cannabis strains we find helpful with sleep include Animal Face, Wedding Cake, Granddaddy Purple, and Northern Lights. Visit The Travel Agency for more cultivar recommendations from our knowledgeable, friendly budtenders who tailor their advice to your exact goals.

Animal Face

This cultivar may bring mental euphoria and eliminate negative thoughts before deep, soothing relaxation takes over the body. You may find the sweet, nutty, earthy aromas and flavors just as comforting. Enjoy this cultivar via RYTHM’s Animal Face flower shortly before bed, or choose RYTHM’s Animal Face live resin if you’re more experienced.

Wedding Cake

The Wedding Cake cultivar contains high amounts of myrcene and beta-caryophyllene, as well as the less common terpene nerolidiol that’s also known to make consumers feel sleepy. Expect to feel mellow and blissful with this strain, which also tastes like vanilla, cream, and berries — the perfect bedtime dessert. Choose Jaunty’s Wedding Cake vape cart to potentially make your nighttime routine newly conducive to sleep.

Granddaddy Purple

Abundant in myrcene and caryophyllene, the Granddaddy Purple cultivar is associated with feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and sleepiness. You’ll notice berry and grape notes on the inhale (and maybe clove-like notes too), making for a calming nighttime bouquet. If you’ve already got a vape battery, pair it with Jaunty’s Granddaddy Purple vape cart to begin your journey, or go the all-in-one route with Ruby’s Granddaddy Purple starter kit.

Northern Lights

Another strain known for high myrcene and caryophyllene content, the Northern Lights cultivar may bring out the munchies and your sleepy side alike. Its strongly relaxing effects and earthy flavors may bring zen to your evening whether you choose &Shine’s Northern Lights all-in-one vape or Pax’s Northern Lights pod that fits your PAX ERA Go.

Other cannabis products that may help with sleep

Not all cannabis goods state their strain outright, and with our recommendations for the best gummies and tinctures for sleep, you can skip knowing the cultivar. Our recommendations include Camino’s Midnight Blueberry gummies, incredibles’ snoozzzeberry chocolates, Papa & Barkley’s Sleep Releaf Tincture, and Harney Brothers Cannabis’ Nighttime Tincture.

Camino Midnight Blueberry Gummies

The Camino Midnight Blueberry Gummies contain 5 mg THC and 1 mg CBN (5:1 THC:CBN) per piece alongside beta-caryophyllene, myrcene, and linalool. From the cannabinoid and terpene profiles to the delightful blueberry flavor, kicking back and dozing off may be a breeze.

incredibles Snoozzzeberry Gummies

Choose incredibles’ Snoozzzeberry gummies, which contain 10 mg THC and 2 mg CBN (also 5:1 THC:CBN, just with more THC than Camino) per piece. The tart blueberry flavor and fun, chewy texture are as wonderful as the sleep you may get.

Papa & Barkley Sleep Releaf Tincture

With a 1:1:1 ratio of THC, CBD, and CBN, Papa & Barkley’s Sleep Releaf Tincture is formulated to potentially aid with both falling and staying asleep. Drop a half-milliliter serving under your tongue and hold it there briefly for 8.3 mg of each cannabinoid (and potentially better slumber).

Harney Brothers Cannabis Nighttime Tincture

Each serving of the Harney Brothers Cannabis Nighttime Tincture contains 10 mg CBN alongside 5 mg each of THC and CBD. With its 2:1:1 CBN:CBD:THC ratio, the effects of CBN may shine and help you feel sedated and ready for bed — and keep you sleeping a while.

Final cannabis tips for sleep

When consuming cannabis for sleep, it’s important to pace yourself, stick to a routine, and make changes as needed.

Start low and go slow. This classic advice means to consume less than you think you can handle at first. Then, if you want stronger effects, wait for the onset time to pass before taking more. It’s better to be cautious than to overshoot and feel overwhelmed.

Improve your bedtime routine beyond cannabis. Minimize screen time, keep the lights low, and use your bed for as little else besides sleep as possible. These and other healthy sleep habits may increase the chances that cannabis improves your rest.

Track how you feel. Keep a cannabis journal and write how you feel every time you try a product. As you go back over your notes, you’ll see pretty clearly which cannabis goods best support your sleep. Prioritize these on your next dispensary visit.

Shop for sleep-friendly cannabis at The Travel Agency

Visit The Travel Agency in Manhattan and Brooklyn to browse our hundreds of cannabis items, including numerous sleep-friendly options. Our welcoming, non-judgmental budtenders are here to match your exact needs with the best options from our menu, though if you’re well-traveled, there’s another option. Choose same-day cannabis delivery to order your goods from the very same couch you might get “locked” into. From there, great sleep is that much more likely.