Struggling to sleep properly every other night? Well, you’re not alone. Millions of people all across the globe go to bed every night and wake up all cranky and agitated the next day. Insomnia, restlessness, and frequently waking up in between sleep cycles are more common than you think and yet remain a not-so-widely discussed topic.
If you feel the same, then it’s time to give CBD gummies for sleeping a shot. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant that can calm your nerves, ease your anxiety, block pain signaling pathways, and help you sleep better.
It interacts with your body’s natural endocannabinoid system to improve balance and promote calmness. However, all CBD products are not equal, and this article is here to help you find out the best CBD strain to improve your sleep quality.
Let’s understand CBD first
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the 110+ therapeutic compounds (cannabinoids) found in cannabis plants. It’s a major cannabinoid, meaning it’s present in much higher concentrations, often up to 40% in a fully grown plant.
However, as per the 2018 farm bill, CBD products are to be made from industrial hemp plants only, not marijuana. Why? Because marijuana has higher concentrations of THC, which is a highly intoxicating cannabinoid.
As per this farm bill, CBD products can not have more than 0.3% THC in them; hence, hemp plants are used as they naturally have very low THC concentrations. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive and nonintoxicating, meaning it can make you feel better without creating a “high” or euphoric effect. This makes it perfect for everyday use, with no risk of addiction and misbehavior by a consumer under the influence.
Usually, people consume CBD in the form of gummies or oils, but some prefer to smoke CBD flowers directly. CBD flowers work much faster because the CBD-rich smoke mixes in your blood after getting absorbed by the lungs very quickly.
You may experience a calming wave overtaking you in just a few puffs or 1-10 minutes. If you want to sleep better, then it’s essential to figure out the right strain.
Is CBD effective for sleep?
Yes, CBD is effective for sleep, and there’s plenty of anecdotal data as well as scientific trial data to back this claim. There’s no doubt that more long-term research is needed, but so far the results are quite positive. Experts say that CBD calms your nerves and reduces overstimulation in the brain, which in turn allows your body to gently slide into a deep, restful sleep.
It has strong pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, which dulls down discomfort and lets you rest gently. A recent study found that 66% of participants saw improvement within a month of using CBD, and it helped them to fall asleep faster, reduced the number of times they woke up, and made them feel refreshed and restored in the morning without any grogginess.
Another recent study indicates that cannabinoids like CBN in combination increase the duration of both REM and non-REM sleep, increasing the overall time you stay asleep in bed. You’ll be able to enjoy it in both full and broad-spectrum options as they retain all cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients.
What to look for when choosing a CBD strain for sleep?
Ok, so the first thing you should look for in a strain is its CBD-to-THC ratio. Try to go with CBD-dominant strains, as too much THC can make you panic and ruin your sleep. If you want to avoid THC altogether, then it’s best to go with a broad-spectrum strain. Next, look at which main terpenes are present.
They are aromatic compounds and have healing effects; they complement cannabinoids and increase overall calming effects. Try to opt for strains that have Myrcene (sedative effects), Linalool (reduces stress), and Caryophyllene (brings down tension).
You can confirm all these things by going over the lab test report and ensuring that it’s from the latest batch. Ok, with this simple process clear, let’s take a look at some of the best CBD strains available in the market right now.
Best CBD Strains for Sleep
There are plenty of options, but let’s start with Indica Dominant Strains, as they are known for creating a deeper, full-body relaxing effect.
- Granddaddy Purple: This strain is rich in myrcene and helps in relaxing muscles and clearing your anxious thoughts.
- Northern Lights: A well-loved strain by those who have insomnia, it calms you and helps you wake up without grogginess.
- Afghan Kush: Perfect for those who have trouble falling asleep due to chronic pain and stress.
Next in the list, we have CBD-dominant strains with a low amount of THC, mainly targeted at people who find THC overstimulating.
- ADCD: This has a 20:1 CBD to THC ratio, and users report a significant reduction in anxiety and stress.
- Harlequin: This has a 5:2 CBD to THC ratio and creates a balanced and ever-so-slightly mild euphoric calming effect.
- Cannatonic: This has 9% THC and 4% THC and is well known for its pain, stress, and anxiety-curbing effects.
Lastly, we have specific terpenes dominant strains, which have become quite popular in the last few years for specific targeted effects:
- Blue Dream: A sativa-indica hybrid with myrcene for mental calmness.
- OG Kush: Contains caryophyllene to ease physical discomfort.
Our Thoughts
To sum it up, the right CBD strain can do wonders for your sleep quality. However, due to so many options out there, it’s a tedious task to find one, especially if you are a beginner. A strain that works best for you may not be that effective for your buddy.
So, it’s a very individual thing, and you should do a sort of trial-and-error method to figure out the one that works best for you. Indica strains like Granddaddy Purple or high-CBD options like ACDC are great starting points.
Never compromise on quality; always check the lab test report to understand the exact concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes. If you want non-smoking options, go for products like Deep Sleep Gummies offered by popular brand Colorado Botanicals.
