Does Sativa Make You Sleepy or Tired?

As the world of cannabis continues to evolve, enthusiasts and newcomers alike are often intrigued by the distinctive effects associated with different weed strains. There are two main strains associated with cannabis – cannabis indica and sativa. While one has a higher percentage of CBD, the other is the complete opposite, housing more THC. This has a significant impact on the effect they have on you.

One of the effects associated with cannabis is sleepiness and relaxation – but which cannabis strain does that? That’s what we will be talking about in this article.

THC vs CBD

First things first, we need to talk about the difference between cannabis sativa and indica, as those are the two main types of cannabis plants, and understanding them will help you understand the connection between cannabis and sleepiness.

As mentioned, cannabis can either have more THC or CBD – those are the two main compounds that can be found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis sativa, which is the one most people think about when hearing cannabis, contains a higher percentage of THC, which leads to you getting high every time you consume it. Cannabis indica, on the other hand, contains more CBD, which is why its effect on the person consuming it is significantly different.

Visually, sativa plants are recognized by their tall and slender structure, with narrow leaves that are light green in colour. They tend to thrive in warm climates and can reach impressive heights, often exceeding 12 feet when grown outdoors. Cannabis indica plants, on the other hand, are typically shorter and bushier with broader leaves. They are also better adapted to cold climates compared to sativa strains.

So, how exactly do the two differ in terms of the effect they have on the user? Well, cannabis sativa has psychedelic properties, which is why every time you consume it, you feel high. You might also experience energy bursts or feel giggly or laugh, which is why sativa strains are typically recommended to be taken during the day. 

Cannabis indica, on the other hand, is associated with more relaxing properties. That’s why it is generally a better choice for when you need to wind down. 

Does Sativa Make You Tired?

As mentioned, it’s been known for quite some time now that cannabis indica makes you more relaxed. However, the question arose if cannabis sativa can have a similar effect on the body.

The truth is that, yes, in some cases, cannabis sativa can, in fact, make you feel tired – this usually happens when you take too much of it due to cannabis’s biphasic properties. What exactly does it mean? Essentially, it means that a low dose of cannabis and a high dose of cannabis can have two completely different effects, even if we’re talking about the same strain.

If, for example, a specific strain of cannabis is making you feel hungry after consuming it (you’re experiencing the so-called munchies), it is very much possible that when you take a larger dose, you won’t be hungry at all. A similar thing might happen with sativa strains that typically make you feel energized – if you take too much of it, you might find yourself drifting off and feeling tired.

Remember, however, that it is not possible to know right away how a specific strain of cannabis will affect you. Every individual experiences strains of cannabis in a different way, so always start with a lower dose when testing out a new cannabis sativa strain. 

Does Sativa Make You Sleep? 

A similar thing can be said about whether sativa makes you sleepy. While sativa strains are generally considered to be more energizing, everyone’s response to cannabis can be unique. Some individuals may find certain sativa strains to be more relaxing or even experience a calming effect – that’s not something that can be predicted. 

Another thing that can affect whether a cannabis sativa strain makes you sleepy is its content. While THC is one thing, cannabis sativa strains are actually complex substances that contain dozens, if not hundreds, of ingredients with contents different from one strain to another.

One of such elements that can be found in cannabis sativa are terpenes – specifically, myrcene. Myrcene is probably the most common terpene present in cannabis, but it is also present in a number of other things, specifically fruits and herbs such as mango, theme, or lemongrass. Interestingly enough, it can be found in both THC and CBD strains of cannabis, contrary to, for example, terpinolene, which is usually found in sativa strains.

Why are we mentioning myrcene? Well, because strains that contain higher amounts of it might make you sleepy and more relaxed, even if they’re a cannabis sativa strain. Once again, however, we have to highlight that a lot depends on your body and your individual reaction to a specific cannabis strain.

The final thing that should be mentioned here is that cannabis sativa might also make you sleepy if you consume weed that has been improperly stored or that has been stored for too long – although this has yet to be confirmed by science, so you should take it with a grain of salt.

Why would someone come to this conclusion, however? When cannabis with THC is left alone for a prolonged period of time, THC breaks down into CBN (not to be confused with CBD). CBN, which stands for cannabinol, has yet to be researched, but there is an ongoing belief that that’s specifically what causes sleepiness associated with consuming old weed. 

Can Cannabis Sativa Make You Sleepy – The Bottom Line 

With cannabis becoming more legalized around the world, many people have started to look more into its potential effects – and one of the questions that arose in the meantime, especially considering the growing popularity of CBD products, was whether cannabis sativa can make you feel tired or more relaxed, just like CBD does. Does sativa help you sleep?

So, can it?

Truthfully, not really. While there are some instances where you might feel sleepy or tired after consuming cannabis sativa, generally, it is not a common effect. If you are looking for cannabis that will help you wind down after a hard day, then cannabis indica is a better choice.