Sleep deprivation results in physical and mental exhaustion — to the point where your body and brain can’t function properly. Can CBD hemp flower help?
Although more research is needed, some cannabinoids and terpenes in hemp flower have shown potential in helping you ease your mind and body before sleep. If you want to try hemp flower buds for sleep, here is our best selection of strains that help you doze off.
Last Update: July 1, 2023
Article Summary
- Indica-dominant strains, rich in terpenes like myrcene, help induce relaxation and are popular for their sleep-enhancing properties.
- Unlike marijuana flower rich in THC, CBD flower doesn’t result in morning drowsiness due to low THC content.
- Among the preferred strains for sleep by Mr. Hemp Flower are Northern Lights, an indica-dominant hybrid with a calming aroma; Bubba Kush, known for its potent relaxing effects; and Purple Punch, a mildly potent hybrid with a CBD content of nearly 12% that induces relaxation and sleepiness.
- Additional strains recommended for sleep improvement by Mr. Hemp Flower include Afghani Maple with 18% total CBD content, Lava Cake known for its comforting effects and 11.9% CBD content, and Crunch Berries CBD flower, an indica-dominant strain known for tranquilizing effects with 13.61% CBD content.
- CBD, the primary cannabinoid in hemp, offers therapeutic benefits without intoxication. Several research studies suggest that CBD can help improve sleep quality without causing side effects like morning drowsiness.
- Terpenes play a vital role in sleep. Myrcene, in particular, is associated with sedative effects and can contribute to sleep improvement. Other terpenes like caryophyllene and pinene are also important.
Top Three CBD Flower Strains for Sleep and Insomnia
These are Mr. Hemp Flower’s top three CBD flower strains for sleep:
Northern Lights CBD Hemp Flower
Our best flower for sleep is an indica-dominant CBD hemp flower that promotes profound relaxation, helps soothe a stressed mind, and encourages appetite.
The Northern Lights CBD hemp flower is an indica-dominant hybrid that will relax your body and boost your mood. Its rich flavor and calming aroma are particularly beneficial for people struggling with sleep issues and insomnia.
This hemp flower boasts a CBD concentration of 12.74% and has less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Northern Lights CBD flower has an interesting terpene profile that includes myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene.
Myrcene and caryophyllene cause the calming sensation of this strain that helps users ease into a restful sleep.
If you’re looking for an excellent nighttime companion, the Northern Lights CBD flower is our best option.
Northern Lights CBD Flower
“Great for evening time. Good quality, good moisture and great effects. Northern Lights helped me get sleepy.”
Bubba Kush CBD Hemp Flower
Known as the “Indica Queen,” Bubba Kush CBD flower offers potent relaxing effects.
The Bubba Kush CBD hemp flower is a preferred choice for individuals dealing with sleep issues or insomnia. It contains 14% cannabidiol (CBD) and a THC concentration of less than 0.2%.
The special part about this strain is its fragrance and aroma. The Bubba Kush CBD strain combines a complex, earthy fragrance with a strong skunk aroma and hints of floral chamomile. This aroma combo creates a calming effect that’s beneficial for sleep.
The strain’s rich profile of flavors is reminiscent of sweet mint, chocolate, and coffee (without the alertness). Its dense, compact buds offer a soothing relaxation to the body and mind, making it an excellent choice for those seeking natural relief from stress and sleep disturbances.
Bubba Kush CBD Flower
“I really enjoyed the relaxing feeling I felt from smoking the Bubba Kush. I suffer from arthritis in my knee and it relaxed me to the point where I had a nice sleep.”
Purple Punch CBD Hemp Flower
This robust indica hybrid hemp flower offers soothing effects that are ideal for people dealing with sleep issues.
Purple Punch CBD hemp flower is the child of Grandaddy Purp and Larry OG and presents a rich grape flavor. A mildly potent hybrid, this strain induces relaxation, sleepiness, and stimulates appetite. Its effects are credited to a full spectrum cannabinoid profile that consists of CBD (nearly 12%) CBG, CBC, and less than 0.3% THC.
Its cannabinoid profile is perfectly upgraded with terpenes like myrcene, caryophyllene, humulene and limonene. This combination of cannabinoids and terpenes delivers a mild potency, but it’s excellent for those seeking a nightcap strain.
This hemp flower will make you feel comforted and provide some peace of mind without the THC intoxication and next-day drowsiness.
Purple Punch CBD Hemp Flower
“Smells great, tastes great and the effects are just what I need to relax. Great for de-stressing after work.”
More CBD Flower Strains for Sleep and Insomnia
Indica-dominant strains are rich in myrcene, which has sedative effects and allows you to relax and kick back before dozing off.
The best part about using indica CBD flower strains for sleep is that they won’t make you drowsy the next morning because they have low THC levels.
Want to try all the different indica-dominant strains we offer? Here’s more CBD flower for sleep and insomnia.
Afghani Maple CBD Hemp Flower
This strain is an excellent choice for those seeking to improve sleep quality and kick insomnia to the curb.
The Afghani Maple CBD flower provides a powerful body effect that promotes relaxation and is perfect for evening and nighttime use. This strain is a high-potency hybrid born from landrace Afghani Kush phenotypes. It’s known for its sweet, sugary taste and potent effects on comfort.
This hemp flower contains over 18% total CBD, which makes it one of our strains with the highest CBD content. Afghani Maple not only improves physical comfort but also ameliorates stress and mental fatigue. Its terpene profile includes myrcene, caryophyllene, and guaiol, which contribute to its relaxing and comforting effects.
Lava Cake CBD Hemp Flower
This hemp flower is a rare indica-dominant hybrid perfect for evening and nighttime use.
The Lava Cake CBD Hemp flower is another nightcap indica strain that delivers comforting, relaxing and relieving effects. Lava Cake is a boutique hemp flower strain resulting from a cross between Grape Pie and Thin Mint Cookies. It delivers a full-body effect without being overly sedating.
This CBD flower tests at 11.9% total CBD content with high levels of cannabichromene (CBC) and less than 0.3% THC. Its terpene profile is composed of pinene, caryophyllene, and geraniol, which contribute to its unique flavor and stress-relieving properties.
Thanks to its powerful relaxing effects, Lava Cake is an excellent choice for users seeking better sleep quality. Its sweet yet spicy flavor makes it a treat for those looking for an enjoyable CBD strain.
Crunch Berries CBD Hemp Flower
This hemp flower is known for its tranquilizing effects that harmonize the mind and body, resulting in a calming state of being.
Crunch Berries CBD flower is an indica-dominant strain that results from the cross between the renowned Blueberry and Triple OG. This hybrid hemp flower delivers a captivating blend of sweet, tart berry flavors with subtle undertones of skunk and herbal earthiness.
As the effects of this flower gently fade, users can expect a mellow relaxation, ideal for winding down at the end of the day. Its CBD content, clocking in at 13.61%, paired with minor amounts of THC and CBG, enhances its therapeutic appeal. Notably, its rich terpene profile, featuring myrcene, caryophyllene, humulene, and pinene, adds to the complexity of its effects.
Crunch Berries CBD flower invites you to a serene, restful slumber offering high-quality and freshness with every batch. A unique fusion of flavor and function, this CBD flower strain offers a comforting and rejuvenating experience.
Hemp Flower and Sleep: A Natural Alternative to Insomnia
CBD hemp flower is considered a natural alternative to calming the mind and the body because it’s abundant in cannabinoids and terpenes.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the primary cannabinoid in hemp that offers many therapeutic benefits without the intoxication. The levels of CBD in the hemp flower vary from strain to strain, with the highest average of 15-20% CBDa.
Some research studies show that CBD has the potential to help people improve their sleep quality without drowsiness the next morning.
CBD And the Endocannabinoid System for Sleep
Although more research is needed in this field, understanding the connection between CBD and the endocannabinoid system is key to understanding its potential effects on sleep.
The endocannabinoid system is a complex network of neurochemicals that regulates important functions in the body, including mood, pain, and sleep.
By interacting with the two main receptors of the ECS, the CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD may influence several processes regulated by them, including sleep.
Anecdotal evidence shows that in some people, CBD helps relax the body and chase away intrusive thoughts.
How Hemp Flower Combats Sleep According to Science
Hemp flower is made out of other cannabinoids and terpenes, which can play a greater role in affecting the mind and helping the person fall asleep that goes beyond CBD.
Let’s look at how terpenes and cannabinoids in CBD flower may combat sleep issues.
CBD And Other Cannabinoids for Sleep
Several human and animal studies have investigated the effects of CBD on sleep. The results so far are promising, but further research is needed.
CBD, Anxiety And Sleep
One 2019 large case series on “Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep” examined if CBD improves sleep and anxiety in a clinical population. The authors discovered sleep improvement in more than 66.7% of the patients within the first month [1].
One 2017 review on cannabinoids and sleep found that preliminary research “suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia.” In addition, “CBD may hold promise for REM sleep behavior disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness” [2].
CBD vs. THC for Sleep
One study found that CBD is more effective for symptoms of insomnia than delta 9 THC [3].
Tetrahydrocannabinol is the main intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis, found in trace amounts in the hemp plant. According to research, THC can help people fall asleep.
But the main issue with using THC for sleep is the appearance of next-day drowsiness as the most common side effect. Anecdotally, people with sleep issues avoid THC for sleep because it causes next-day lethargy and a very drowsy state of being.
Cannabidiol eases your body into sleep instead of knocking you out and making you feel drowsy the next day. CBD flower contains high amounts of CBD and less than 0.3% THC, which is not enough to influence your state of mind or cause sluggishness the following day.
With that said, if you do feel lethargic upon waking up and you’ve used CBD flower the previous night, you could be sensitive to some of the terpenes of the particular strain.
How Terpenes Benefit Sleep?
Don’t neglect the strain’s terpene profile when choosing a hemp flower for sleep. Some strains have more potent terpene profiles, which can be great for insomnia. You might need to do some trial and error before finding what works the best, but strains rich in myrcene tend to cause great effects.
Myrcene is the terpene that can help with sleep issues because it has sedative effects [4].
A review published in the British Journal of Pharmacology revealed that myrcene has analgesic properties, which means it is effective for pain. The same review revealed that myrcene, when combined with THC, may produce the popular “couch lock” phenomenon reported by cannabis users [5].
How to Use CBD Flower for Sleep
You can use CBD flower for sleep every night because CBD has a great safety profile so far. Here are a few simple steps to help you out.
Choose the Right Strain
The terpene and cannabinoid profile of a strain is important — especially in people using it for sleep. Indica-dominant strains are usually recommended for sleep due to their relaxing effects. Strains like the Crunch Berries CBD flower mentioned earlier may be a good choice.
Decide on Your Method of Consumption
You can smoke or vape CBD flower, make tea, or create your own oil or tincture. Smoking or vaping provides immediate effects, while oils and tinctures will take longer to take effect but will last longer.
Smoking or vaping provide the quickest effects — often within a few minutes — which makes them especially suitable for sleep problems. Also, the effects wear off faster, usually within an hour, so you probably won’t feel it in the morning.
If you’re not a smoker, you can decarboxylate your CBD flower (heat it in the oven to activate the CBD), then infuse it in a carrier oil like coconut oil. You can use the oil for baking and making delicious edibles. Edibles are the slowest to take effect, usually about 1-2 hours, but the effects can last up to 4 hours. It’s an excellent choice if you want a longer-lasting effect through the night.
Start with a Small Dose
Determining the right dosage of CBD flower for sleep can be a bit tricky due to a variety of factors. These factors include the individual’s body weight, metabolism, the specific strain of CBD flower, and the person’s unique body chemistry.
As a rule of thumb, start with a low dose and gradually increase it until you find the amount that works best for you.
According to research, it’s safe to take up to 300 mg oral doses of CBD for up to six months. Some studies show that a high dose of up to 1,500 mg of CBD daily is safe to use for four weeks without side effects [7, 8].
CBD Flower Dose For Sleep
- Low dose: If this is your first time smoking CBD flower, start with half a pre-roll or 0.5 grams or less.
- Moderate dose: If a low dose doesn’t give you the desired effects, increase the dose to 1-1.5 grams of flower.
- High dose: For seasoned users, 2 grams of CBD flower (or more) should produce the desired results.
With that said, if you’re using sleeping meds, consult your doctor before taking CBD flower. Some medications interact with CBD and may cause adverse effects and enhance or lower the activity of the medication.
FAQ on Best Hemp Flower for Sleep
Does hemp flower make you feel sleepy during the day?
Some hemp flower is high in terpenes like myrcene, which can make you very sleepy. Generally, most hemp flower will not make you as sleepy as it’s cousin, high THC cannabis, because there is only trace amounts of THC.
How can hemp flower help with sleep apnea?
So far, studies made on CBD and sleep are promising, but there is still room for more research. Hemp flower strains dominant in CBD may be beneficial for people with sleeping problems, but it is uncertain if it really helps sleep apnea.
How to best use hemp flower to help with sleep?
CBD-dominant hemp flower is best taken before going to sleep. Smoking or vaping CBD flower give faster results, in about 20-30 min. Compared to edibles, you don’t have to wait a couple of hours before the effects kick in.
