Does Weed Make You Tired?

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Weed is notoriously known for a lot of things: it can give you the munchies, it can give you the giggles, and it can make you super sleepy. But how many of these ‘stoner myths’ are actually true?

It turns out, they all are! Marijuana can help to stimulate appetite, which gives us what we obviously know in the stoner community as the munchies. Cannabis has also been known to elevate the mood of its users by stimulating feelings of euphoria, which can result in things like a serious case of the giggles. And yes, ingesting weed has the potential to make you very tired––but sometimes that’s the point!

We’re here to answer all of your questions about weed and its potentially sleepy effects. Does weed make you tired? Why does weed make you tired? Which weed makes you sleepy? Keep reading to learn all about how weed may influence your energy levels, as well as which weed strains to choose from depending on what kind of energy experience you’re looking for.

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Does Weed Make You Sleepy?

If you’ve been thinking, “hmm, I think weed makes me tired,” that’s because it probably does! While weed doesn’t always make you sleepy––as some strains like Sativas and some hybrids are known for actually offering feelings of increased energy––sleepiness or tiredness is a pretty common side effect of consuming cannabis. 

Consuming cannabis has the potential to offer many different feelings,* including: 

  • Feelings of relaxation or relief from anxiety and stress.

  • Feelings of happiness, euphoria, and an overall elevated mood.

  • Stimulation of appetite or feelings of the ‘munchies.’

  • Relief from stomach issues such as nausea, upset stomach, or indigestion.

  • Relief from pain, inflammation, and other bodily discomforts.

  • Psychoactive experiences or ‘highs.’

*Reminder: Delta Munchies is NOT providing medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the potential effects of cannabis or any of its components, please reach out to a trusted medical professional. See the disclaimer at the bottom of this page for more information.

It’s also important to remember that cannabis and its many different cannabinoids (such as THC, CBD, HHC, etc.) affect every single individual person differently. Depending on a wide variety of specific factors such as your cannabis tolerance, body physiology, and overall health, you may or may not experience certain feelings associated with weed that other people may have.

So now that you know weed can make you tired, you may be wondering “but why does weed make me tired?” Thankfully, we’re here to answer that too!

 

Why Does Weed Make You Sleepy?

If you’re less worried about the how and more concerned about the “why does weed make me sleepy?”, don’t worry, we’re here to explain that as well.

The chemicals within the cannabis plant that are responsible for delivering varying effects to the human body are called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids like THC, CBD, HHC, and delta 8 THC are ingested either by smoking them, vaping them, or eating them as edibles. The cannabinoids are then absorbed by the bloodstream, where the bloodstream then carries the cannabinoids to the brain and they make their way to your endocannabinoid system (or ECS).

The endocannabinoid system is a naturally-occurring system within the human body that reacts to the presence of different cannabinoids. The ECS contains two different types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1 (or cannabinoid receptor type 1), which can be found in the nervous system, and CB2 (or cannabinoid receptor type 2), which can be found in the immune system. Once the cannabinoids reach your endocannabinoid system, they react with your cannabinoid receptors to deliver the feelings and effects that we’ve come to associate with weed––and one of the most prevalent effects of marijuana is sleepiness or tiredness.

But why does weed make you sleepy? There are a couple of reasons.

The presence of terpenes. In addition to cannabinoids, the cannabis plant contains chemical compounds called terpenes. Terpenes are primarily fragrance producers, which means they’re responsible for the potent, skunky odor commonly associated with weed. But certain terpenes have also been found to be potentially beneficial for human health, and one terpene in particular––myrcene––is the terpene responsible for making people sleepy.

(Fun fact: known for its earthy smell and taste, myrcene isn’t exclusive to marijuana––it can also be found in many different foods, such as mangos, basil, hops, and lemongrass.)

The interaction with melatonin. Studies have shown that cannabis can enhance certain chemical aspects of melatonin, a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in the human body that helps to regulate sleep. (Melatonin can also be bought as over-the-counter supplements for those who have trouble sleeping.) Although research is still ongoing, there is evidence to support that THC in specific can help to amp up melatonin production in the brain, therefore making us feel tired.

The “wear-off” effect. If you’re a regular cannabis user, you’re probably very familiar with the wear-off effect. The wear-off effect happens a couple of hours after the peak of your high when the effects of the cannabinoids begin to wear off. It can feel like a “crash.” And this isn’t exclusive to Indicas or Hybrids––the wear-off effect can make you feel tired even if you consumed a potent Sativa strain.

 

Which Weed Makes You Sleepy?

Cannabis is not a one-size-fits-all plant. Marijuana comes in different forms called strains, which can determine the overall experience you have once you consume it. Weed strains are divided into three primary groups: Sativas, Indicas, and Hybrids.

(Fun fact: did you know that strains of weed are universal no matter which cannabinoid is being harnessed? There are CBD, HHC, and delta 8 Sativas, Indicas, and Hybrids, too!)

Sativas are strains of cannabis that are known for their uplifting and energetic effects. Sativas are the perfect strains of weed for getting up and getting motivated, a favorite of stoners who like to wake and bake. However, although some people love the energetic high that comes with Sativas, other people have said that Sativas are capable of triggering anxiety-like feelings. If that’s the case for you, you’ll probably prefer an Indica or a Hybrid.

Indicas are strains of weed that are known for their very calming and relaxing effects. Sometimes called ‘sleepy weed,’ Indica is commonly used by cannabis users to help them sleep if they have trouble sleeping on their own. (Or just simply relax after a stressful day.) Some people like to consider it a natural alternative to over-the-counter sleeping medicines or prescription pills that can come with some adverse side effects.

Hybrids strains are precisely that––a hybrid mix of Indica and Sativa strains of marijuana. Hybrids have a tendency to give the most balanced high, with most hybrids having a pretty even amount of both Indica and Sativa. But there are also Sativa-dominant and Indica-dominant hybrids, making it easy for you to find your own personal sweet spot in terms of strains.

So, if you’re looking for weed that’s going to make you sleepy, your best bet is to go with a nice Indica strain. However, if you don’t want to be too tired, you can also go for an Indica-dominant hybrid since the presence of other, more uplifting cannabinoids will help it be more of a relaxing experience than an “it’s time to go to bed immediately” type of experience. And that’s the beauty of cannabis! Because weed is so diversely harnessed, there are so many ways to tailor your cannabis experience to your exact mood and liking.

 

Can Weed Make You Tired the Next Day?

Not always, but yes! If you feel like you’re super groggy after having a sizeable sesh the day or night before, you’re not crazy––you have what’s called a weed hangover. Thankfully, a weed hangover is nothing like an alcohol hangover, and they’re pretty easy to shake off, too.

A couple of ways to beat the next-day sleepiness from marijuana include:

Hydrate. Water isn’t just for cottonmouth. If you’re feeling especially tired the day after consuming weed, you may be dehydrated. Make sure you’re drinking water even if you don’t feel like you need it (aka even if you don’t have a bad case of cottonmouth.)

Exercise and activity. Getting up and exercising may feel like the last thing you want to do when you’re fighting a super sleepy weed hangover, but sometimes it’s the best thing you can do. Exercise naturally produces endorphins and dopamine, both of which can help to put a little more pep in your step.

Try some caffeine. If all else fails, you can always try some caffeine. Coffee and energy drinks are great for a quick energy fix, but if those are a bit too much for you (some people are extra sensitive to caffeine), you can also try a soda or a mildly caffeinated tea.

(Disclaimer: All statements made by Delta Munchies regarding delta 8 and delta 9 THC, HHC, CBD, and other cannabinoids have not been evaluated by the FDA. No entity at Delta Munchies is a medical professional, nor is Delta Munchies giving any medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the effects of cannabis, please reach out to a trusted medical professional.)

Browse the Delta Munchies collection and enjoy hemp and cannabis the right way. Buy delta-8 and HHC online today! They carry a variety of items from Delta 8 gummies to delta 8 vapes to delta 8 carts to delta 8 tinctures and delta 8 prerolls.

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