How To Choose The Right Sleep Gummy
Best CBD Strains For Sleep
Turning to CBD as a sleep aid offers a natural and appealing alternative, boasting numerous advantages and fewer drawbacks compared to over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Here, we’ll introduce you to the sleepiest strains of 2023.
Exploring CBD for Better Sleep
As we explore various CBD websites in search of new strains freshly harvested in 2023, I find myself pondering an important question: What do first-time buyers make of all these strain names and complex lab results?
Is buying CBD really as complicated as it seems, and how can I discover the ideal CBD strain to address my sleep issues, anxiety, and more?
For many of us, CBD serves as a remedy for specific challenges in our lives, whether it’s physical pain, anxiety, or stress. However, one common thread that unites many users is the desire for improved sleep.
We often want to steer clear of prescription or over-the-counter medications that might leave us feeling drowsy or lead to dependence. Instead, we yearn for a natural solution to our sleep troubles.
What to Expect
Discussing CBD can be a bit tricky because it’s challenging to pinpoint exactly what to expect. Everyone’s unique, and their response to CBD, especially when smoked, can vary significantly.
If you struggle with falling asleep at night, the key is to set the stage for rest effectively. It’s crucial to get your mind and body into a calm and relaxed state in preparation for sleep. Avoid the temptation to check your phone and instead focus on your breathing to help prevent your thoughts from racing.
Don’t Anticipate Cannabis-like Effects…
It’s essential to address those individuals who switch between THC and CBD, expecting similar outcomes.
We often receive emails and comments expressing disappointment with CBD, with some claiming it has no effect and that more potent cannabis from a local dispensary provides better results.
There’s a misconception within certain parts of the cannabis community that CBD is meant to rival THC, but that’s simply not the case.
Instead, consider CBD vs. THC in a similar way to how you view grape juice versus wine. They serve distinct purposes and yield entirely different effects. Wine may be enjoyable for its intoxicating effects, while grape juice is better suited for quenching your thirst on a scorching summer day.
Our top recommendation for individuals who consume cannabis and are intrigued by CBD is to explore your options creatively. Experiment with different ratios to see if the effects align more closely with your desired outcomes.
A Rapid Sleep Solution
Unlike CBD oils for sleep, which may take up to 30 minutes to take effect, CBD provides almost instant relaxation. This rapid onset is because tinctures must enter your bloodstream through the blood vessels under your tongue, and edibles need to pass through your liver before taking effect. If you choose to consume CBD gummies or capsules, it’s recommended to take them approximately an hour before bedtime to improve your sleep.
Low CBD Doses Might Boost Energy
Some studies suggest that low doses of CBD can actually increase alertness and energy levels rather than inducing sleepiness. So, if you’re considering using CBD as a sleep aid, you might find better results by diving right in rather than starting with a low dose.
The good news is that a single CBD pre-roll should suffice to put you in a relaxed and calm state, unless you’re sharing it among more than two people.
Possibly the Most Effective Natural Sleep Aid
While there are over-the-counter and prescription sleep medications that may be more effective, the concern often lies in the composition of these medications. There is also a lack of known risk of overdosing, minimal side effects, and no prolonged dizziness associated with CBD, unlike prescription drugs.
Choosing the Right CBD Strain for Sleep
Selecting a suitable CBD strain for sleep can be overwhelming, especially when even the best CBD vendors often fail to provide clear information about the effects of each strain.
While they might mention whether it’s an Indica or Sativa strain or provide details about dominant terpenes in each strain, this information might not be entirely meaningful to the average consumer. It leaves us wondering which strain will boost energy and which will induce sleep.
To make informed choices about your CB, it’s beneficial to learn about CBD percentage, total cannabinoid percentage, and terpene profiles.
CBD Percentage
It’s easy to become fixated on the CBD percentage, similar to how we do when purchasing CBD oils or gummies, assuming that the CBD percentage alone dictates the effects. However, this is a common misconception when buying CBD.
While the CBD percentage indicates the strain’s potency, it doesn’t reveal how CBD interacts with other cannabinoids in the plant. These additional cannabinoids are not factored into the CBD percentage.
Understanding Total Cannabinoids
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the cannabinoid content, it’s essential to examine the strain’s total cannabinoid percentage. This figure encompasses a variety of cannabinoids, such as CBG, CBN, CBC, THC-a, THC-v, and more.
The interaction between all these cannabinoids, along with terpenes and flavonoids, contributes to what’s known as the entourage effect. The entourage effect is the most meaningful way to gauge the potency of CBD.
Exploring Terpene Profiles
Each hemp strain boasts a unique blend of terpenes, collectively referred to as the strain’s terpene profile. While hundreds of terpenes exist in the hemp plant, typically, the most prominent and therapeutic ones are condensed to around 13.
Among these 13 primary terpenes, some have mood-enhancing and energizing properties, while others are known for their sedative and calming effects.
Here’s a list of the 13 key terpenes, with the sleep-inducing and relaxing terpenes pointed out:
- Bisabolol
- Borneol
- Beta-caryophyllene (SLEEPY)
- Farnesene
- Geraniol
- Humulene
- Limonene
- Linalool (SLEEPY)
- Myrcene (SLEEPY)
- Ocimene
- Pinene
- Terpineol (SLEEPY)
- Valencene
When seeking a CBD strain for promoting sleep, it’s advisable to scrutinize the terpene breakdown to ensure it aligns with your requirements.
Best CBD Strains for Insomnia
For those without access to terpene profiles and lab results, certain strain names and characteristics can serve as a helpful guide.
Typically, strains with “Kush” in their name tend to be very relaxing and conducive to sleep. Conversely, it’s wise to steer clear of strains with “Haze” in their name, as these strains are often uplifting and energizing in nature.