Edibles for Sleep
Cannabis edibles can be highly effective for sleep — but dose, timing, and strain all matter significantly. Too much THC disrupts REM sleep; too late a dose and the peak hits in the middle of the night. Here's how to get it right.
Recommended Sleep Doses
| User Profile | THC | CBD | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First timer | 2.5–5 mg | 10–20 mg | 90 min before bed | Start very low, note effects |
| Occasional user | 5–10 mg | 15–30 mg | 60–90 min before bed | 1:1 or 1:2 THC:CBD works well |
| Regular user | 10–20 mg | 20–40 mg | 60 min before bed | Indica strain preferred |
| Insomnia / chronic pain | 15–25 mg | 25–50 mg | 90 min before bed | May need T-break if tolerance builds |
Best Strains for Sleep
Indica-dominant
Body-heavy sedation, relaxes muscles, reduces racing thoughts
High CBD strains
Reduces anxiety without sedation — good for earlier in evening
CBN-rich strains
CBN (aged THC metabolite) is the most sedative cannabinoid known
Calculate Your Sleep Dose
Know exactly how many mg THC and CBD are in each piece of your homemade batch — then match to the table above.
Open Calculator →FAQ
How many mg of THC should I take for sleep?
For sleep, most people find 5–15 mg THC effective. Beginners should start at 2.5–5 mg. Higher doses (25–50 mg) can help with severe insomnia but risk grogginess the next morning. A 1:1 THC:CBD ratio (equal parts of both) is often recommended for sleep as CBD can reduce anxiety that disrupts sleep.
When should I take an edible for sleep?
Take your edible 1–2 hours before you want to fall asleep, accounting for your typical onset time. If edibles usually kick in for you at 60 minutes, take it 90 minutes before bed. Taking it too close to bedtime means the peak may hit after you're trying to sleep, and the 2–4 hour peak may disrupt REM cycles.
Is CBD or THC better for sleep?
Both have sleep benefits but work differently. THC increases sleep onset speed and deep sleep but can suppress REM sleep at high doses. CBD reduces anxiety and pain that disrupt sleep without suppressing REM. For most people, a low-THC + moderate CBD combination (5–10 mg THC + 20–40 mg CBD) works better than either alone.
Will I feel groggy the next morning after a sleep edible?
Grogginess ("cannabis hangover") is most common with doses above 25 mg or when taken too late in the evening. To minimise next-morning grogginess: take a lower dose, take it earlier in the evening, choose indica-dominant strains, and avoid alcohol. CBD-only edibles rarely cause morning grogginess.