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 treat general anxiety, body pain, and sleeping disorders.
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.
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:
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.
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 vape without any MCT oils or added chemicals, here are a few recommendations:
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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?
When CBD activates the endocannabinoid system, as explained above, it helps your body get to a state of equilibrium, also known as 'calm.'
In this state, it is easy for the effects of CBD to decrease your feelings of anxiety and stress, essentially helping you to relax. Rather than depending on more psychoactive substances like THC or sleeping prescriptions, CBD has a less harmful approach.
CBD starts the process from the root of the problem, which is your stress and anxiety level. The average person's workload can cause periodic headaches, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and unhealthy habits that do not improve life quality.
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.
Myrcene
