These five pot stems can help you get a good night’s sleep

Do you have trouble sleeping at night? You’re not alone. Up to 40 million Americans suffer from insomnia each year, and researchers have found that chronic insomnia can cause additional health problems and increase the risk of work or road accidents.

Doctors often prescribe pharmaceutical sleeping pills to treat insomnia, but many of these pills have serious side effects, including addiction risks. To avoid these risks, many insomniacs have chosen safe, natural sleep aids such as valerian, melatonin, and cannabis.

Current research on weeds and insomnia is far from conclusive thanks to federal laws making it difficult for researchers to get access to high quality cannabis. A 2017 study found that a significant number of cannabis users experience insomnia on a daily basis. However, a recent study reports that occasional pot use can actually help chronic pain sufferers get a good night’s sleep.

Although the exact science is unclear, people have used weeds to relax and sleep for centuries. Traditionally, indica strains are considered ideal choices for relaxation, while sativas are recommended for energy boosts. However, recent research has found that the specific balance of cannabinoids and terpenes found in each individual weed strain is a more important consideration.

THC, the uplifting compound in cannabis, is known to be relaxing and calming, but it can also increase mental energy, inspiration, or even anxiety. Scientists now believe that this range of reactions is caused by the “entourage effect” that occurs when THC interacts with other cannabinoids or terpenes. On the flip side, CBD is valued for its ability to lower the edge of a THC high, and CBN is also believed to have sedative effects when mixed with THC. The individual terpenes in each strain also play an important role in these interactions.

These guidelines can help you find your personal favorite. To make your life easier, we’ve made a list of five cannabis strains that will help you sleep well.

Northern lights

Northern Lights is one of the most popular strains sold at medical marijuana dispensaries, and for good reason. This old-school hybrid, a cross between Afghani Indica and Thai Sativa, is often recommended to patients to help with insomnia, stress, loss of appetite, muscle stiffness, and anxiety. The sedative effects of this popular strain are likely due to its medium to high levels of THC, as well as high concentrations of myrcene and pinene, two terpenes known to promote relaxation.

Tahoe OG Kush

There are many different types of Kush strains on the market, but Tahoe OG Kush may be the best of these strains to help you sleep. Tahoe OG is rich in limonene and contains THC levels of up to 18 percent. It’s often recommended to help manage chronic pain, loss of appetite, and – you guessed it – insomnia. The couch-lock vibe of this strain is so strong, in fact, that most budtenders recommend waiting until bed before taking a drag.

God’s gift

An indica-dominated cross of Granddaddy Purple and OG Kush, this fast-acting strain definitely seems like God’s gift to the insomniac. As with Tahoe OG and other Kush varieties, the knockout vibe of this strain is so strong that it is only recommended for people who want to stay at home and get some rest. The THC levels for this particular strain can reach as high as 27 percent. If this is the first time trying this, take it low and slow.

9 pound hammer

Ready to Fight Insomnia Once and For All? Try 9 Pound Hammer, a dense indica with THC levels that often reach 17 to 21 percent. People struggling with anxiety are often discouraged from using high-THC strains, but fans of this particular strain have reported that it can actually help silence racing thoughts. Like other indices, 9 Pound Hammer is filled with myrcene, pinene, caryophyllene, and other terpenes that can help you catch some Z’s.

Sweet and sour widow

THC-dominant cannabis strains are the most popular weeds for sleep, but for some people, THC creates frenzied, spiraling thoughts that make sleep even more of a challenge. In these cases, a strain that balances THC with CBD is often recommended. Sweet and Sour Widow is an ideal example of a balanced strain with a 1: 1 CBD-THC ratio and lots of myrcene. The low THC content of this strain means that it has minimal psychoactive effects. This is great for anyone just starting out using cannabis as a sleep aid.