If you notice that weed makes you tired, you’re not alone. Many cannabis enthusiasts complain about feeling tired after a smoke sesh. Some notice feeling sluggish after quitting. But does weed make you tired, or is there another unrelated reason? Here’s what we know.
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Why Does Weed Make Me Tired?
It is possible to feel tired after smoking weed for many reasons.
First, let’s look at the unrelated reasons. For example, if you’re not getting enough sleep, suffer from depression, and constantly opt for foods that don’t give you the nutrients you need, then you may feel tired.
In addition, not exercising could also be the reason you’re feeling tired.
If any of these are why you may be tired, make changes and see if you feel more energized. Speaking to a medical professional could also be a huge help.
However, if you notice you’re feeling tired only after you use weed, then we think it may have something to do with the strain, CBD, terpenes, or maybe its impact on REM sleep.
Let’s discuss.
Strain
Even though there is a difference of opinion on whether or not weed should be segmented into strains, many cannabis enthusiasts swear that they feel a difference between Indica and Sativa strains.
Sativa strains such as Sour Diesel help you stay focused, alert, and awake.
That is why Sativa strains are usually considered better for daytime consumption.
Therefore, you may feel tired in the morning due to lack of sleep.
On the other hand, reaching for Indica strains, such as Purple Kush, may make you sleepy or tired.
Indica strains are commonly used as a downer and promote relaxation and sleep. If you consume these strains in the middle of the day, you may feel tired and not very energized. However, using them at night may help you get a good night’s sleep and feel more rested.
Since everyone experiences weed differently and categorizing weed into Sativas or Indica is not a perfect science, you may have a different experience than what we outlined here.
Our advice is to find specific strains that work for you.
CBD
One reason why weed may make you feel tired is because the strain you’re using has a higher concentration of cannabidiol (CBD).
According to the Mayo Clinic, CBD may cause drowsiness and fatigue.
Healthline says CBD-heavy strains include:
- Lifter
- ACDC
- Cherry Wine
- Charlotte’s Web
- Remedy
Therefore, you can ask your dispensary for strains lower in CBD if you realize CBD-heavy strains are making you tired.
Terpenes
Terpenes are chemicals in weeds and other plants most popularly known for their smell.
If you love the smell of lavender, you can thank terpenes for that.
Besides smell, terpenes may have other properties that can change your weed experience.
As a matter of fact, some experts think classifying weed into Sativa vs Indica is counterproductive and that we should be looking at their terpene content to predict their effects better.
For example, Dr. Ethan Russo, MD, a board-certified neurologist, psychopharmacology researcher, and Medical Director of PHYTECS said in a 2016 interview that sedation attributed to Indica strains or CBD content should be attributed to mycrene, a terpene.
“The sedation of the so-called indica strains is falsely attributed to CBD content when, in fact, CBD is stimulating in low and moderate doses! Rather, sedation in most common Cannabis strains is attributable to their myrcene content, a monoterpene with a strongly sedative couch-lock effect that resembles a narcotic.”
Therefore, if you’re feeling tired after smoking weed, maybe opt for strains lower in mycerene.
Linalool, another terpene, is said to have sedating effects. So, if you’re feeling tired after smoking weed, it may be due to using a linalool-heavy strain such as Granddaddy Purple or Lavender.
If you’re looking for terpenes that won’t make you tired or sleepy, you can look for limonene-heavy strains.
Russo says that limonene can cause an uplifting mood.
Examples of limonene-heavy strains include:
- Sour Diesel
- Super Lemon Haze
- Wedding Cake
- Purple Punch
- Strawberry Banana
REM Sleep
It’s no secret that weed makes some people sleepy.
While many people claim that smoking weed gets rid of their insomnia or dulls their pain enough for them to get some shut-eye, long-term consumption of weed may harm your Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.
Healthline states REM Sleep is “necessary for good health and proper functioning.”
We usually slip into REM sleep around 90 minutes after we fall asleep, and the Sleep Foundation says we need at least 2 hours of REM sleep per night.
Without REM sleep, you likely won’t feel rested.
There are mixed opinions on whether or not weed negatively affects REM sleep.
We’ve already covered that, but let’s summarize the findings.
A 2008 study says that weed reduces REM sleep, while Dr. Timothy Roehrs, a Henry Ford Health System sleep expert, says the evidence of that is weak.
However, if you notice that you wake up feeling exhausted after consuming weed the night before, weed is probably disturbing your sleep.
If you want to increase REM sleep, Healthline recommends avoiding stimulants such as coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol during the day and night, as well as creating a better sleep environment.
Why am I so Tired After Quitting Weed?
You’re not alone if you’ve recently quit weed and feel tired constantly.
Insomnia is a known withdrawal symptom and can last for weeks after quitting weed.
Naturally, if you’re not resting, you will be tired.
Your insomnia is supposed to resolve by itself but you can also see a doctor for their recommendations.
However, If you can’t sleep without weed and want to try home remedies, here are some suggestions:
- Wind down before bed. You can do that by limiting screen time to reduce blue light exposure.
- Maintain a sleep routine
- Try melatonin
- Skip scary movies before bed
In addition, if you notice that you’re having vivid dreams after quitting weed, it could mean that your REM sleep is being disturbed, and that may be the reason you’re tired.
Other tips from Healthline to help you get more REM sleep include:
- Exercise for about 30 minutes every day well before bedtime
- Replace your pillows annually
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
Takeaway
Why does weed make me so tired? You may be tired because you’re using strains that cause sedation or weed is not allowing you to get a good night’s sleep. You can experiment with other strains. If you find yourself tired after quitting weed, chances are you’re experiencing withdrawal. You can try several home remedies or see a doctor if it doesn’t resolve quickly enough for you.
