8 Best Strains That Can Help You Get Good Night’s Sleep

Cannabis can be medicinally used to treat poor sleep, dream-disturbed sleep, restlessness during the night, lack of sleep because of pain or other health conditions, anxiety and much more. A lot of cannabis strains produce a calming effect on the central nervous system and promote brain inhibitors that enable a deep sleep cycle during the night. Whether you are wondering which are some of the best cannabis strains for sleep, we’ve prepared a list below where you can hopefully find your new favorite bedtime medicine. 

Insomnia Remedies: Cannabis Strains That Improve Sleep 

Here are some of the best cannabis strains that can help you get a good night’s sleep when you hit the sack. 

1. Hindu Kush

THC potency: between 15% and 20%
Medicinal uses: poor sleep, pain relief, neuropathic pain, stress, anxiety and nausea

One of the best weed strains to help with sleep issues is Hindu Kush, a pure Indica strain originally from the mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan. While Hindu Kush THC levels typically range between 15% and 20%, in rare cases, the most potent plants may show as much as 30% in lab screening. The great medicinal effect of this strain also owes to the small amounts of CBD, as the combination of the two is thought to facilitate better sleep. 

Users can also explore other strains in the kush lineage as all kush buds have similar properties, therefore can be used for various medical reasons, including sleeplessness and pain that doesn’t go away. Master Kush, Afghan Kush and Pink Kush are all capable of putting users to lull. A variant such as Pure Kush has THC levels around 16%, so that’s a good one for those who don't have as much experience with weed but want to try it to improve their sleep. Kush types of weed are generally a good choice for full body relaxation, releasing stress or pain, or just taking a good nighttime meditation watching big whales on Discovery Channel. 

2. Harlequin 

THC potency: between 8% and 15%
CBD potency: around 9%
Medicinal uses: optimal for pain-related sleep issues 

Not everyone might be a huge fan of THC. Fortunately, there are so many different and balanced strains which makes it nearly impossible not to find the right strain for the health problem you’re trying to treat. 

The Harlequin cultivar is one of those strains that should work just right for people who are new to cannabis or who are generally less tolerant to THC. Harlequin cannabis has almost equal levels of THC and CBD, which makes it a great medicinal choice of strain for those experiencing poor sleep or struggle with pain conditions that affect their ability to get a good night’s sleep. 

3. Gelato 

THC potency: between 18% and 25%
Medicinal uses: for good sleep, against depression, pain and stress

This strain is one of the all-time favorites among so many marijuana users. It’s also known as Larry Bird or Gelato42. The Gelato strain medicinal uses are not limited only for delivering a good night’s sleep. It’s a strain that also works well for pain and depression management, and some use it for nausea and poor appetite. 

A balanced hybrid, which is 50/50 Indica and Sativa, Gelato borrows its powerful therapeutic effects from parent strains Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, both of which can be great pot remedies for sleep as well. Gelato also has trace amounts of CBD, and it’s suitable for home use, meditative relaxation and getting a decent amount of sleep. Get some cultivation tips here on how to grow your own Gelato at home. 

4. Sunset Sherbet 

THC potency: between 18% and 24%
Medicinal uses: promotes good sleep, relaxation and pain relief, improves mood

When looking for sleep medicines, you can always check out Gelato’s parent strain, Sunset Sherbet. This Indica-dominant hybrid has exciting genetics itself, which go back to the Kush family. It can be used as a social weed, just like Gelato, and it can also be used as a medication - the Sherbet strain can help calm the mind to sleep in the evening. 

That cool name that screams sweetness is not out of nowhere. The strain is further noted for its rich aromatic profile that carries hints of berry flavors in combination with pungent earthy scents. It’s initially felt in the eyeballs and forehead, before it delivers throughout the rest of the body. 

Unlike Gelato, Sunset Sherbet has a slower takeoff. It puts users into a hazy state of mind that is suitable for being lazy but also when you want to engage in various creative activities. The drowse effect sets in later on, which makes it the perfect choice of strain to first freshen up the mind a little bit and then get a good night’s rest. 

5. Girl Scout Cookies aka GSC Cannabis

THC potency: 27% on average
Medicinal uses: sleep problems, pain and inflammation, muscle tension, cramps, poor appetite 

This strain can also be found as Berner’s Cookies, and it’s a perfect pick for experienced stoners eyeing a potent inhale for sleep. It’s another Indica-dominant hybrid, borrowing genetics from OG Kush and Durban Poison, which explains where those higher levels of THC come from. 

Girl Scout Cookies also have small amounts of CBD, plus is armed with caryophyllene, a terpene associated with promoting sleep. All of these properties make this strain a fabulous take-a-nap medicine. 

Girl Scout Cookies is noted for the mental stimulation it gives, the lovely cerebral high, and the sweet earthy aroma it releases upon smoking. Those struggling with eating disorders can also use it, as GSC almost always causes munchies. It’s a powerful sedative and can help you sign out for the night the moment you touch the pillow. 

6. Grape Ape 

THC potency: between 15% and 25%
Medicinal uses: for insomnia, pain in the body, sore muscles, exhaustion after gym training 

Several breeders produce Grape Ape, which can explain the significant 10% margin in THC content between the most potent and less potent seeds. Nevertheless, this cannabis strain comes packed with up to 1% CBD and a lot of myrcene, and can be of perfect help for getting a good night’s sleep.

Grape Ape initially punches in the arms and legs, and you can target sour muscles with it. Its superior relaxation effect eventually spreads throughout the entire body, thus it’s a fantastic medicine for various body pains, or after you do hard training such as heavy weightlifting and bodybuilding. See the pros and cons of working out high here and how to use weed safely for the gym. 

7. Gorilla Glue #4 

THC potency: between 24% and 30%
Medicinal uses: insomnia and headaches 

Gorilla Glue can work amazing for those who want to target both headaches and insomnia at the same time. It’s a strain with a powerful kick, again providing a full-body stone. With a more pronounced high than most other strains, this might not be the best choice for novice users, however. 

Gorilla Glue cannabis also comes with a rich profile of terpenes, including caryophyllene, the sleep terpene. You can treat bad sleep and migraines with it, but those sticky pungent buds are also good for reducing stress, improving mood, and numbing other body pains. You can read more here about Gorilla Glue weed and get some tips on how you can grow it at home. 

8. Northern Lights

THC potency: between 16% and 21% on average, but could be more
Medicinal uses: wide range 

Last but not least, Northern Lights is the universal medicinal strain. And the universal recreational strain, too. There’s no going wrong with it. Northern Lights, or shortened “NL,” is an Indica type of weed, and a genetic match made in heaven: between Afghani and Thai landraces. The NL cannabis strain’s medicinal effects include its ability to send users to a good night’s sleep. Its therapeutic potential is suited also for anxiety, stress, pain, depression, poor appetite and more. Using it produces the familiar feeling of euphoria in the beginning, after which the more calming effect follows. 

One of the most famous strains in the world - NL, just has to be good for sleep. And the same can be said for other terrific strains for recreational and therapeutic use where NL has passed its genetics. So, don’t miss Super Silver Haze or Shiva Skunk if you find them at some point. These hybrids are perfect for daydreaming and stargazing as much as they’re for calling it a night. 

Hope these best of the best cannabis strains help you get a good night’s sleep and wake up fresh in the morning!

Also read on Soft Secrets: 

- What Are All the Effects of Marijuana on Your Sleep? 

- CBD Is Effective for Anxiety, Depression and Poor Sleep

- 5 of the Best Cannabis Strains for the Season