Why Does Indica Make You Sleepy?

Indica plants originated on the Indian subcontinent and were first brought to the United States in the 1970s. They can be visually identified because they grow short and wide relative to sativa (more “stubby” looking). They result in a very relaxing and strong body high that helps support a healthy response to stress, helps with temporary pain caused by exercise, and supports quality sleep.

Seasoned cannabis enthusiasts know that indica tends to make you sleepy, sometimes even causing “couch-lock” – making it your best friend for any (Netflix) Marathon Sunday. But why is this the case? In this article, we dive into strains and terpenes and the different effects they have on your body.

What is Indica?

Today, with the proliferation of plant geneticists, there are thousands of strains. These are generally classified into indica, sativa, and hybrids of the two.

What makes a strain unique? While "it's complicated," the two main factors that dictate this are:

Its cannabinoid profile (how much THC, CBD, CBN, etc. are in the plant)
The terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic oils that are secreted by the same glands that produce THC and CBD. Over 100 terpenes have been identified, and every strain has a unique blend of them.

Benefits of Indica

Relieves temporary pain caused by exercise or a strenuous activity
Helps with muscle pain due to exercise
Promotes natural sleep
May ease discomfort from headaches
Supports a healthier response to stress

So Why Does Indica Make Me Tired?

First – terpenes. Myrcene is one of the most common terpenes found in indica plants and has sedative and motor relaxant effects. In a 2002 study, researchers found that mice treated with 200 mg/kg of myrcene slept an average of 2.6 times longer than untreated mice. Some evidence also suggests that myrcene may also boost THC's potency by helping it cross the blood-brain barrier more easily.

Linalool, a terpene with a lavender, floral scent, also has been shown to produce relaxing and anti-anxiety effects. The third most common terpene in indica strains that cause sedation is Terpinolene, a piney, herbal smelling terpene.

Second – CBN. CBN is another cannabinoid (such as THC and CBD) present in the plant. While CBN induces little to no psychoactive effects, its characterizing attribute is its sedative effect.

According to Steep Hill Labs, 5mg of CBN is as effective as 10mg dose of diazepam, a mild pharmaceutical sedative. There is not a lot of CBN in dried flower – where THC contents can hit a high watermark of over 30%, CBN rarely exceeds 1% in dried flower – which is fine because a little bit goes a long way. One indica strain with an exceptionally high level of CBN is Ace of Spades.

So if you find a strain that is high in THC, CBN, and sleepy terpenes, prepare for the best night of sleep you've ever had. Try our Live Resin CBN gummies for the best results.

Indica Vapes That Aid In Sleep

There are different strains that have different effects on your body. If you’re trying to get a great night of sleep through the use of an all-natural CBD or Delta 8 vape without any MCT oils or added chemicals, here are a few recommendations:

Northern Lights: this strain is among the most famous, as it’s a pure indica well known for relaxing the mind and body. This strain is very smooth and is the perfect way to wind down your day.
- Terpenes: Terpinolene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
- Feelings & Benefits: Makes you feel relaxed and euphoric. Perfect for stress, insomnia, and pain.
Zkittlez: this is an indica “candy” flavored strain bred from a mix of Grape Ape and Grapefruit. The tropical blend of fruity and floral terpenes are calming, allowing consumers to unwind any time of day, feeling relaxed and happy.
- Terpenes: Beta Caryophyllene, Humulene, Linalool
- Feelings & Benefits: Relaxed, calm, happy
The Remedy: this popular high-CBD is a cross between Cannatonic and Afghan Skunk. With its floral and earthy flavor profile, it can help melt away anxiety – perfect as a sleep aid!
- Terpenes: Limonene, Beta-Caryophyllene, Myrcene
- Feelings & Benefits: Makes you feel relaxed and happy. Great for sleep, pain, anxiety, and headaches.
Sweet & Sour Widow: a 70/30 indica-dominant strain that is derived from White Widow. With a sweet and sour flavor profile, it’s a great CBD vape oil to wind down with.
- Terpenes: Limonene, Beta-Caryophyllene, Myrcene
- Feelings & Benefits: Makes you feel happy and relaxed. Perfect for stress, pain, and insomnia.
Granddaddy Purp: Granddaddy Purp is a famous indica, loved for its relaxing effects and sweet berry taste. This staple for your evening wind down routine will leave your thoughts in a dreamy buzz while you melt into the couch.
- Terpenes: Humulene, Alpha-Pinene, Caryophyllene
- Feelings & Benefits: Makes you feel sleept and relaxed. Perfect for anxiety, pain and falling asleep.

For a helpful breakdown of what the terpenes listed above are, click here.

You may also wonder about sativa strains, and whether they make you sleepy. While they tend to be on the more energizing spectrum, some effects may differ from person to person.

Does Sativa Also Make You Sleepy?

As counterintuitive as it may sound, some people find that sativas makes them sleepy and tired as well! There are a few reasons for this.

First of all, both CBD and THC can relax people, so while a sativa may have energizing terpenes, that doesn’t mean they’ll outweigh the effects the cannabinoids have on your body.

Second, everyone’s endocannabinoid system is unique and different! One thing may make one person hyper while it makes another person fall asleep – this is why it’s best to try things in small quantities while you’re still learning your body’s relationship with the plant.

Third, some sativa strains DO have overlapping terpenes with indica strains. For example, Durban Poison is a sativa that is actually high in myrcene – plant genetics are quite complicated. So if a sativa makes you sleep, there’s no need to fear!

Now that we know the best CBD vapes for sleep and a little about sativa, let’s discuss how the CBD is affecting your body.

What Is CBD and How Does CBD Work?

Many people have been exploring CBD-based products and their more psychoactive counterpart, THC, trying to find the best fit for their needs.

The medical benefits of CBD, such as managing chronic pain and inflammation, have been popularized. The usage has increased, but some questions have arisen about its other effects, particularly when it comes to sleep.

Like most substances, CBD oil and other CBD products have a few side effects, such as appetite changes and fatigue. The possibility of CBD causing drowsiness is an exciting benefit for those battling insomnia and anxiety.

Still, others are worried about dozing off if they use any CBD product during the day. If you belong to either of these groups, the question on your mind is, does CBD make you sleepy? And if so, why?

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol is commonly known as CBD, and it is one of over a hundred naturally-occurring active compounds from cannabis and hemp plants. CBD is an extract from the leaves, stalks, or stems of these plants, making up 40% of their entire component.

Another popular component of cannabis is Tetrahydrocannabinol, aka THC, a psychoactive plant element. Since CBD oils contain little to no THC, there are lower chances of cultivating dependency. In simpler terms, CBD does not get you ‘high,’ but it does have a chemical effect on the brain and body. So, how does it work?

How Does CBD Work?

The human body naturally produces molecules known as endocannabinoids. These molecules bind to the cannabinoid receptors in your brain and body to activate the release of chemical messengers, aka neurotransmitters, which transmit communication between your cells.

This system in which these processes occur is known as the endocannabinoid system or ECS. Experts have determined that the ECS plays a role in your pain perception, sleep, stress, appetite, anxiety, and inflammation levels.

The chemical structure of the CBD component is similar to the endocannabinoids that are naturally-occurring in your body. Therefore, it can interact with the receptors and activate the endocannabinoid system.

In other words, it can affect your stress and anxiety levels by influencing wakefulness and sleepiness. This effect of CBD has led to it being one of the most researched cannabis compounds.

Ingestion of CBD oil and other CBD products is through oral consumption, inhalation, and absorption. When CBD gets into the body, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system to provide relief for several medical symptoms and conditions. And that brings us back to the main question.

Does CBD Make You Sleepy?

The short answer is; not really.

But there’s a lot more to it, so keep reading.

Like most drugs and substances, CBD has different effects on different people. While CBD can aid in sleep by helping you get a more intense feeling of calm, there is a fine line between feeling calm and relaxed versus feeling drowsy.

In our everyday lives, we experience a great deal of stress and anxiety. Even the slightest semblance of calm may seem like a side effect of CBD. Since it can be easy to mix up these feelings, some people might mistake their state of relaxation for fatigue and avoid using CBD products during any time they don’t want to sleep.

Therefore, if you don’t want to risk dozing off during a meeting after ingesting CBD, you don’t have to worry. In fact, it can actually help you regulate your wake/sleep cycle so that you are more awake during the day.

On the other hand, if you need a little help falling asleep and you don’t want to develop a dependence on sleeping pills, CBD might be the appropriate solution for you. Although CBD doesn’t necessarily put you to sleep, it can help alleviate insomnia symptoms by reducing your body’s anxiety and stress levels. But how?

Does CBD Make You Sleepy?

The short answer is; not really.

But there’s a lot more to it, so keep reading.

How CBD Helps With Sleep

Our every day stressors can have a big impact on our body’s systems that can wreak havoc on our sleep. CBD supports a healthy response to stress, can relieve everyday nervousness, and works with our endocannabinoid system to support a healthy mood and feeling of calm.

As such, the simple act of relaxing can go a long way in making you feel calmer. It reduces your muscles’ tension and helps you achieve that state of equilibrium where sleep is not so much of a struggle.

The effects of CBD on sleep have also gone through scientific research. In 2019, renowned psychiatrist Scott Shannon conducted a study on ‘Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep.’

In the study, 72 subjects received CBD pills with 25mg doses, where 25 had sleep difficulties, and the other 47 had anxiety. Within the first month of using the 25mg CBD pill, it was observed in the results that 79.2% of the subjects experienced alleviated anxiety levels, and 69.7% got better sleep.

While it does not make you feel sedated, CBD definitely aids the process of falling asleep with a little nudge in the right direction, which is relaxation. When ingested through any method, CBD can help you ease your stress levels when they are high, which in turn helps with your sleep pattern. It also improves your cognitive function, so not only do you feel relaxed, but you also have better brain function.

Prescribed medications for sleep can have very adverse side effects, and their production does not usually include natural components. On the contrary, CBD oils and products are natural, and side effects tend to be more limited.

However, you should make sure to consult with a physician if you would like to begin using CBD for a diagnosed medical condition.

Above all, there is no definitive answer to the question of whether CBD makes you sleepy. Several factors play into the experience you have when using any strain of CBD oil and CBD products.

These factors include your body’s unique reaction to substances, the amount consumed, your tolerance level, and the type of strain. So, does CBD make you sleepy? No, it doesn’t, but it can help you relax at night to aid in sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Indica, and what effects does it have on the body?

Indica is a variation of Cannabis sativa that is renowned for producing a calming and soothing effect on the body. This is why it is often used to manage stress, anxiety, and pain.

The primary reason for Indica’s sedative effect is its high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce therapeutic benefits. CBD is known for its relaxing properties, while THC is the cause of the “high” commonly associated with cannabis use.

Indica strains help promote sleep and relaxation and manage various medical conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, muscle spasms, seizures, and more. They are also often used to treat anxiety and depression and manage multiple sclerosis symptoms and other neurological issues.

When consumed, Indica strains produce a strong body high that is often described as relaxing and sleep-inducing. This can result in feelings of euphoria, an improved sense of well-being, reduced muscle tension and pain, increased appetite, and reduced nausea.

While Indica strains are typically safe and well-tolerated, it is vital to use them cautiously and in moderation. Overuse can lead to adverse side effects such as dry mouth, dry eyes, dizziness, and coordination difficulties. It is also essential to be aware of any potential interactions with other medications and to consult a doctor before using Indica strains for medical purposes.

What causes Indica to make a person feel sleepy?

The reputation of Indica strains of Cannabis sativa is based on their ability to induce relaxation and sedation, often leading to sleepiness. This is due to the presence of CBD and THC, two primary compounds found in Indica strains.

CBD is known for its calming and soothing properties, which is why it is frequently used to relieve anxiety, stress, and pain. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system when ingested, which regulates mood, sleep, and pain perception. This interaction creates a relaxing and calming effect, increasing feelings of well-being and reducing stress and anxiety.

THC, on the other hand, is the compound that causes the “high” experienced with cannabis use. It is a psychoactive substance that attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, leading to euphoria and relaxation. Although THC can produce a sedative effect, the most effective way of promoting sleep and relaxation is through THC and CBD.

When taken, Indica strains result in a potent body high that is often described as relaxing and sedative. This can result in euphoria, reduced muscle tension and pain, increased appetite, and decreased nausea. These effects collectively contribute to the feeling of sleepiness that many users report after consuming Indica strains.

It is important to consider that the effects of Indica strains can vary significantly based on factors such as the specific strain, dose, and individual tolerance.

Is Indica the only strain of cannabis that causes sleepiness?

Contrary to popular belief, Indica is not the only type of cannabis that can result in drowsiness. While Indica is recognized for its calming and sleep-inducing effects, other strains of cannabis can also have similar effects.

Cannabis strains are usually divided into three main categories: Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid. Indica is known for its sedating effects, while Sativa is associated with its energetic and uplifting effects. Hybrid strains, as the name suggests, combine Indica and Sativa and can have effects that fall somewhere in between.

The effects of a particular strain of cannabis are determined by its chemical composition, particularly the ratio of CBD to THC. CBD is recognized for its calming properties, while THC is responsible for the psychoactive “high” effect. Cannabis strains with higher levels of CBD tend to have more sedating effects, while strains with higher levels of THC tend to be more euphoric and energetic.

For instance, some Sativa strains can have high CBD and low THC levels, resulting in relaxing effects similar to Indica strains. On the other hand, some Indica strains can have low CBD and high THC levels, leading to more energetic and invigorating effects.

Can Indica be used to treat insomnia and sleep disorders?

Indica strains of Cannabis sativa have a reputation for promoting relaxation and inducing sleep, making them a potential option for treating insomnia and sleep disorders. However, the effectiveness of Indica for such purposes remains a subject of ongoing scientific study and debate.

Limited evidence indicates that cannabis use may help alleviate sleep problems in specific populations, such as those with chronic pain or post-traumatic stress disorder. However, more research is needed to see the impact of Indica and other cannabis strains on sleep.

Moreover, the suitability of cannabis use may vary, particularly for individuals with a history of substance abuse or mental health conditions. Additionally, the potency and quality of cannabis can significantly impact its effectiveness as a sleep aid, and the method of consumption (such as smoking, edibles, or tinctures) can affect the timing and duration of its effects.

Are there any potential negative side effects of using Indica before bedtime?

There are potential drawbacks to using Indica strains of cannabis before bedtime. While Indica is recognized for its relaxing and sedative effects, improper use or overuse may result in unwanted side effects.

Dry mouth is a common issue experienced by people who use Indica before bedtime. Cannabis can dehydrate the mouth, making it difficult to sleep. Drinking fluids can alleviate this before and during use.

Dry eyes is another potential adverse side effect. Cannabis use can cause the eyes to become dry and red, impacting sleep quality. This can be mitigated by using eye moisturizing products or artificial tears.

Using Indica before bedtime can also result in dizziness, impaired coordination, and memory problems, which can be particularly dangerous for those engaged in activities that require focus and coordination, such as driving or operating machinery.

Additionally, Indica use can interfere with the normal sleep-wake cycle, resulting in feelings of fatigue and drowsiness the following day. This can negatively impact users with morning obligations, such as work.

Does CBG make you sleepy?

CBG (Cannabigerol) is a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and cannabis plants, and its effects on the body can vary. Some people have reported feeling drowsy or experiencing sedative effects after using products containing CBG, while others have reported feeling alert and awake. The effects of CBG can also depend on the dose and method of consumption. As with any substance, individual reactions can vary, and it is always recommended to start with a small dose and gradually increase to determine how it affects you personally. If you experience drowsiness after using CBG, it is best to avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.

You can read more about CBG here. The Ultimate Guide to CBG (Cannabigerol)