Fighting the battle to get a good night’s sleep can be exhausting in more ways than one. If you’re one of the millions of individuals dealing with sleepless nights, you’ve likely spent a considerable amount of time and effort searching for effective remedies to help you relax and sleep. And now, a growing number of consumers have reported that they’ve discovered what they believe is their key to a good night’s sleep: cannabis.

Finding the Best Cannabis Strains for Sleep

Whether you’re a seasoned cannabis consumer or new to the world of marijuana, the massive variety of cannabis strains available can easily become overwhelming. When you’re searching for the best cannabis strain for sleep, it’s important to understand that the strain, form, and cannabinoid content can have a major effect on your experience. 

By keeping a few key factors in mind, you can select an option that’s suited to your desired effects and personal preferences. Here is what you need to know about choosing a nighttime cannabis strain that aligns with your unique wants and needs.

THC and CBD may affect your sleep differently

One of the first things you learn as a cannabis consumer is that there are many different strains, and they are generally characterized by their cannabinoid content. THC and CBD are the two cannabinoids you’ll see referenced most frequently, and each one can play a markedly different role in helping you reach your sleep goals. 

Many individuals report that they prefer high-CBD strains for sleep, and a scientific survey found that about two-thirds of participants felt that CBD supported their improved sleep quality. But on the other end of the spectrum, some animal model studies made connections between CBD and increased alertness. 

So, what does this mean? Ultimately, the strain that’s well-matched to your preferences is a completely personal choice. You may consider starting with high-CBD strains, then transitioning to higher-THC options if you don’t feel that your sleeplessness improves. If you aren’t sure where to begin, our budtenders are always happy to help.

Consider edibles as your cannabis form of choice

For individuals hoping to switch up their bedtime routine with the addition of cannabis, edibles are becoming an increasingly popular choice. Most people report that the experience of consuming edibles is different than enjoying other forms of cannabis, including smoking or vaping. 

Recent studies have found that the effects of edibles may last between six and eight hours, and others state that effects generally kick in about 30 to 60 minutes after consumption. When you do the math, it makes sense that so many people say that cannabis edibles are a good match for their journey to better sleep.

Be open to experimenting with various strains

Everyone experiences cannabis differently, and it’s virtually impossible to predict exactly what to expect from a given strain. Your friend’s favorite strain for nighttime might end up being one that you dislike. For this reason, it’s very important that you remain open to trying various strains, using trial and error to determine one that fits your personal preferences. Our budtenders are here to help you weigh your options and land on the strain that’s ideal for you personally.

What are the Best Strains for Sleep?

It’s true that everyone’s idea of the perfect strain for sleep can vary considerably, but there are a handful of options that seem to be recommended more often than others. Here are some of the cannabis strains that our customers report loving for a good night’s sleep:

Star Killer

A popular go-to for people interested in relaxation, Star Killer is one of our customers’ first choice.

GG #4

Also known as Gorilla Glue, GG #4 is reported by many consumers to support pleasant sleepiness. 

Chem Penny

This high-CBD strain is another that we often hear our customers describe as a sleep-friendly fan favorite, and could be one to try if you prefer a CBD-centric experience.

Orange Juice Kush

Although the name of this strain might make you think of breakfast time, it’s actually one that’s commonly enjoyed before bed. Numerous customers have reported that Orange Juice Kush helps them feel calm and relaxed, so it’s understandable that they like it for evening use.

Find Top Strains for Insomnia at Options Cannabis Company

At our cannabis dispensaries in Boulder and Wheat Ridge, Options Cannabis Company offers a wide range of cannabis strains to choose from. Our dispensary menu features a diverse selection of strains, making it easy to shop for one that fulfills your individual goals. Our friendly, experienced budtenders are passionate about supporting customers in their cannabis journeys and are always here to help you choose your best-fit cannabis strains, edibles, or concentrates for sleep.

Browse our Boulder and Wheat Ridge dispensary menus online, or stop by to shop in person.

Many people love cannabis for its ability to help them feel less anxious, but there are also times people feel even more anxiety while on cannabis. How could that be? It’s been one of the most interesting mysteries in cannabis lore, and Canadian researchers have set out to solve it. Their study, published in late 2018, has provided some insights about why some strains are better than others for people with anxiety.

The Neuroscience Behind Cannabis and Anxiety

The team of Canadian neuroscientists took an ambitious step toward explaining why some strains affect us differently than others. To start, they partnered with a single dispensary and surveyed over 400 of their patients about their experiences with different strains. In addition to their surveys, they conducted multiple lab experiments on the different strains to get a closer look at their chemical composition.

Survey participants rated the strains on a scale from one to ten, saying how effective each one was at making them feel less anxious. The researchers compiled all of this data, then compared it to the lab results for the different strains. They were able to identify some patterns involving terpenes found in some of the most and least effective strains.

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are some of the organic compounds found in plants (in this case, cannabis). Each is associated with its own flavor, smell, and helps give the plant its specific aroma. To put it simply, you might compare them to the essential oils of a plant. This is relevant to the cannabis industry because of a phenomenon some people call the entourage effect.

The entourage effect is a theory that the terpenes in cannabis change the way the body processes THC and CBD. That’s a possible explanation for how two strains with the same levels of THC and CBD can hit people differently. In other words, terpenes may play a key role in how the active ingredients in cannabis make a person feel.

Best Terpenes for Reducing Anxiety

According to the study, strains with high THC levels and lots of the terpene trans-nerolidol were best for addressing anxiety. Some of the best strains also had their roots in a Central Asian kush landrace, giving them high levels of caryophyllene and limonene. Trans-nerolidol is also found in lemongrass, jasmine, and tea tree, so look for strains with fruity, floral aromas.

This study also exposed some trends about which terpenes may not be quite as good for people with anxiety. The study doesn’t prove that these are necessarily the worst terpenes for anxiety, but they might be worth watching for:

How to Find the Best Strain for Anxiety

Though the study mentioned is a great advancement in the right direction for the cannabis community, the scientists themselves caution that more research is necessary. One of the original neuroscientists from this study has said that since everyone is different, people would be best suited to try different strains until they discover which one is best for them.

Best Reported Cannabis Strains for Anxiety in Boulder and Wheat Ridge

We at Options Cannabis Company have a full dispensary menu with diverse flower offerings, and our experienced budtenders have some of the best product knowledge in the industry. Stop in to chat with us about the specific terpene profiles of our different strains and learn more about which ones have been best for our customers with anxiety. In the meantime, you can also contact us online with any questions.

As more states legalize cannabis for medical and recreational purposes, THC and CBD extracts are becoming a favorite way to partake. These extra-potent marijuana distillates can be vaped, eaten or rubbed onto the skin depending on the products you choose. Before heading to the dispensary near me, here’s what you need to know about cannabis extracts.

What’s a Dab? Understanding Extracts

When it comes to extracts, you can choose between several products:

Shatter and wax require a “dab rig,” a modified bong outfitted with a nail. You heat the nail with a torch, then place a small bit of the extract on the nail using a “dab tool” and inhale the resulting vapor.

How Are Cannabis Extracts Made?

With extraction, the active chemicals in cannabis are removed from the plant using a solvent such as butane or propane oil. These flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids can then be ingested in their purest form. The exact method used determines the potency, effects, and consistency of the finished product.

What Are the Benefits of Using Extracts?

Many long-time cannabis smokers appreciate the potency of extracts. With marijuana flower, the THC content is usually about 10 to 25 percent (however at Options, our flowers’ THC content is more often 17-32 percent). When it comes to extracts, you’ll find THC content ranging from 50 to over 90 percent.

Extracts also make it possible to fine-tune your dosage, which is especially important for medical cannabis users. Each oil extract is labeled with the amount of THC and CBD oil so you can effectively adjust based on the effects.

Because of the increased potency, extracts tend to cost more than cannabis flower. However, extract fans also appreciate the discretion, lack of smell and ease of use. Vaporizing cannabis or adding extracts to food also reduces the health risks of inhaling marijuana smoke.

Extracts are a versatile solution for most users. They even come in topical lotions and creams that can be rubbed into the skin as a pain reliever.

Shop For Premium Cannabis Extracts at Options Medical Center Today!

If you’re looking for a weed dispensary near me, consider Options Medical Center. We offer craft wax and shatter along with easy-to-use cannabis extract cartridges for vape pens. Choose from a variety of strains with high potency and purity. Contact our knowledgeable staff today to chat about your medical and recreational cannabis extract needs.

Wheat Ridge Location
9085 W. 44th Street,
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Call: 720-242-9452

Recreational Hours:
Mon - Fri: 9 AM - 9:30 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 8:30 PM
Sunday: 10 AM - 7:30 PM