Getting quality sleep for enough hours per night is essential for mental and physical health. Unfortunately, we all suffer from insomnia and lack of sleep at some point. Sleep deficiency is directly linked to health problems such as heart and kidney diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, and depression.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), the average adult should get between six and eight hours of sleep every night. If you find yourself continuously getting less or even staying up the whole night, you may need to take something for it.
Rather than get a subscription pill, medical professionals highly recommend that you treat your sleep deficiency with a natural solution. Marijuana has been proven to be an effective long-term solution to a myriad of sleep problems. However, not all strains of marijuana are the same, and some work better to help with sleep than others.
If you are considering using marijuana to treat insomnia and sleep disorders, this post lists the top seven strains you should consider.
How Does Marijuana Help You Sleep?
People have used marijuana to treat various health conditions ranging from post-traumatic stress disorder to chronic pain. Patients often found that marijuana helps them feel better, fall asleep faster and get better quality sleep. It wasn’t until just a few decades ago that scientific research found evidence that the THC and THC derivatives in marijuana works by reducing sleep onset latency.
A study conducted to verify the effectiveness of marijuana for treating sleep disorders had some interesting findings. The researchers found that many participants prefer marijuana over prescription and over-the-counter sleep and insomnia medications because they have no side effects.
Clinicians believe that the cannabinoids in marijuana promote sleep due to how they bind with receptors in the brain. When cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors, they send messages to the brain to increase adenosine levels, a brain chemical that promotes sleep. They also help the person sleep faster and for longer by suppressing the arousal system in the brain.
Indica vs. Sativa: Does It Really Matter?
The most popular strains of marijuana can be broadly categorized into indica, sativa, and hybrids of the two strain categories. Each strain category produces different effects and at varying levels.
Indica strains typically produce a calming effect, feelings of relaxation, and sleepiness. Most people prefer indica strains for relaxation, pain management, and treating sleep disorders, including insomnia.
Sativa strains, on the other hand, often cause more stimulating and euphoria effects among most users. For this reason, the strains in this category are preferable when looking for an energy boost or increased excitement.
While indica is the go-to strain for people battling sleep disorders and insomnia, sativa is often a better treatment for people battling nightmares and night terrors. Hybrid strains with a mix of the compounds of indica and sativa strains may be ideal for some users looking for subjective sleep experiences.
Here are top ten of the best marijuana strains you may try to treat sleep disorders
1. Northern Lights
Popularly referred to as NL, Northern Lights is one of the most popular indica strains, a hybrid of Thai and Afghani. It is considered one of the best marijuana strains to treat insomnia and sleep disorders because of its high THC content.
Northern Lights is a potent strain with rich amounts of Myrcene and Pinene terpenes, which make it a great remedy for sleep disorders. These elements produce psychoactive euphoric effects that leave a settling and relaxing effect on all muscles in the body as well as ease the mind.
Even regular users whose bodies resist other strains will find a few puffs of Northern Lights highly potent in dealing with sleep disorders. However, considering how strong the effects of Northern Lights can be, it is not recommended for first-time users. If you are a first-time user, be sure to read this guide to help you along.
2. Wedding Cake
Wedding cake is another great strain that you can use to treat sleep disorders and the symptoms of various illnesses. Also known as triangle mints, Wedding Cake is a potent indica dominant hybrid strain made by crossing Animal Mints and Triangle Kush strains. You can recognize it from its alluring fuzzy white appearance and a sweet vanilla scent, hence the name.
Wedding cake has generous amounts of caryophyllene, myrcene, and limonene terpenes. It is from this composition that it gets its powerful therapeutic high. With THC levels above 20%, it is a quite potent strain engineered to help users get quality night sleep and overcome anxiety, pain, and insomnia.
3. Hindu Kush
Hindu Kush is a pure indica strain of marijuana that can have varying amounts of THC in it. If you are a beginner or a moderate user looking to treat your insomnia and sleep disorders fast, this strain may be what you need. It is popularly known for its lulling effect and a terpene composition that causes the user to fall into a deep slumber.
Hindu Kush originated in the 500-mile mountain range between Afghanistan and Pakistan, hence its name. The harsh climate of those ranges conditioned this strain to have a thick and protective coat of crystal trichomes. It has a sweet but subtle earthy sandalwood-like aroma easily recognizable by people who use it to induce a deep sense of calmness.
4. Granddaddy Purple
Even if you have never heard the name Granddaddy Purple before, there is a good chance you know this strain because it comes with so many names. Granddaddy Purps, Purple Kush, and GDP are just a some of the most popular. This is a strong indica strain with high THC and low CBD content.
What makes Granddaddy Purple ideal for treating sleep disorders is its generous amounts of myrcene terpene, which can bind the user to the couch. This strain’s muscle-relaxant and sedative effects, and considering that it is one of the newest strains today, make it one of the best treatments for insomnia and sleep disorders.
5. Gelato
Gelato, or Larry Bird, is a popular hybrid marijuana strain that became popular for its perfectly balanced indica and sativa effects. Many people love to smoke this strain when they want to chill with friends, take it easy after a hard day at work, or get a good night’s sleep. The most notable indica effects of this strain are a sense of calm and relaxation and the warm and comforting effects it brings to the user.
The Gelato strain has a sweet aroma that is tantalizing to the nose with a single whiff. It is a gentle indica hybrid with a beautiful creamy citrus flavor that is hard not to find appealing. The best part about this hybrid strain is the smooth smoke buzz that makes it ideal for a comfortable, relaxed smoke before bed.
6. The White
The White is an appropriately named weed strain that appears to have fine snow white trichomes sprinkled all over it. The White is a pure indica strain is also known as the bedtime bud because it has high amounts of THC and a distinct lack of flavor or odor. If you want to unwind and calm down fast before bedtime but do not want to enjoy the aroma or flavor of cannabis, this is the strain you should try.
The White strain has impressive mind-numbing characteristics that can put you to sleep even before you know it. It gives off a high that is best described as a whole body and head sensation that can lull the user to sleep in a matter of minutes. It is also used to relieve various conditions known to prevent sleep, such as anxiety, pain, and stress.
7. Mochi
Mochi is a hybrid marijuana strain most popular with medicinal users for its relaxing and sedating effects. The high THC content of this strain comes from its high amounts of pinene and myrcene terpenes. It is also one of the handful of strains on the planet with high amounts of both THC and CBD.
Mochi fits well in this list because it is a perfectly balanced hybrid strain. People battling anxiety, insomnia, sleep apnea, or pain that prevents them from getting a good night’s sleep can use Mochi before bed for immediate results. This strain has a sweet and fruity-creamy taste with tropical undertones – like a subtle mixture of lavender and peppermint.
Final Thoughts
There are many anecdotal reports of people using these strains to induce sleep and overcome sleep disorders such as insomnia. However, note that different strains have different compositions, and their content and effects may vary with brands.
If you are looking for the best cannabis to help you sleep, you may need to try various strains over time to find what works best for you. As a rule of thumb, it is highly recommended that you speak with the experts who help other people with the same problem all the time.
Are you ready to find a lasting solution to your sleep disorder? Go to https://mmjhealth.com/ today to talk to a medical marijuana doctor and get professional help in finding the right strain to help you get back a full night’s quality sleep every night.
