Best Strains for Sleep
Struggling with insomnia? These strains are favored by the community for their sedating, relaxing effects that promote deep, restful sleep.
Ranked from 11,517 strains tagged for sleep in the StrainCompass database.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Consult a healthcare professional before using cannabis medicinally.
What 11,517 sleep strains have in common
86% are indica, with an average listed THC of 20.2%. The most common terpenes are myrcene, caryophyllene and linalool.
Why these strains work
Sleep strains are overwhelmingly indica or indica-leaning hybrids. The common thread in their terpene profiles is myrcene, the earthy, musky terpene associated with couch-lock, often paired with linalool (the lavender terpene) and caryophyllene. THC in the high teens to mid-twenties is typical; more is not better for sleep, since very high doses can be racy for some people before they sedate.
Top 20 Strains for Sleep
Ranked by how strongly users report sleepy and relaxed effects, weighted by popularity. Strains verified by two or more sources rank first.
Blackberry Kush
Blackberry Kush is an easy-to-grow, 80% indica from Dutch Passion with 23% THC, offering sweet berry flavors and a relaxing body high.
LA Affie
LA Affie, an easy-to-grow indica, delivers relaxed and sleepy effects with earthy, diesel, and pine flavors, featuring up to 21% THC.
Wembley
Wembley is an easy-to-grow, 80% indica cross of AK-47 and Bubble Gum with up to 21% THC and 1% CBD.
Watermelon Zkittlez
Watermelon Zkittlez is an 80% indica hybrid from Big Head Seeds with earthy, sweet flavors and up to 25% THC.
California Hash Plant
California Hash Plant, an easy 100% indica from Dinafem, offers earthy pine flavor and eases pain and insomnia.
Pure Kush
Pure Kush is a moderate-grow indica with profoundly heavy, relaxing, and sleepy effects. It has sweet and earthy notes. Greenhouse Seed Co. offers this strain.
Hindu Kush
Hindu Kush is a 100% indica variety from Nirvana Seeds offering sweet, piney flavors and up to 25% THC for deep relaxation.
Bubba Kush
Bubba Kush from Barneys Farm Seeds is a heavy 80% indica with coffee-like flavors and high yields of up to 800 g/plant.
Northern Lights
Northern Lights is an easy-to-grow, 90% indica hybrid from Garden of Green Seeds that delivers relaxing, sleepy effects and sweet, earthy flavors.
Shark
Shark is an easy-to-grow, 80% indica strain from CBD Seeds that offers sweet diesel notes and a heavy, sleepy body high.
More strains for sleep
What to look for in a sleep strain
- Indica or indica-dominant hybrid with myrcene as the lead terpene
- Linalool in the top three terpenes for a calmer, less cerebral onset
- "Sleepy" reported as a primary effect, not just "Relaxed"
- Old-school kush and afghani lineage, which dominates the sedating end of the spectrum
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Sleep strain FAQ
Is indica or sativa better for sleep?›
Indica is the traditional pick, and the data backs it: of the strains in our database tagged for insomnia, roughly nine in ten are indica or indica-dominant. Strain type is a rough guide though. Terpenes matter more, so look for myrcene and linalool regardless of the label.
Does CBD help with sleep too?›
Users often report that a modest CBD component smooths out THC's edge, which helps people who get anxious before they get sleepy. Balanced 1:1 strains and high-CBD strains with a little THC both show up in sleep reviews. Pure CBD strains are less often described as sedating.
How long before bed should I use a sleep strain?›
Inhaled cannabis peaks within about 30 minutes, so most people use it 30 to 60 minutes before bed. Edibles take one to two hours to peak and last much longer, which suits people who wake in the night but can leave a next-morning haze.
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