Does Delta 8 Help with Sleep? What to Expect

It’s no secret that cannabis can make you sleepy. Depending on who you ask, this can be anything from a pesky side effect to the plant’s greatest appeal. 

Using cannabis for sleep isn’t new, but it’s not entirely clear where hemp-derived delta 8 THC fits into the picture. Studies regarding cannabis and sleep are largely limited to delta 9 THC and CBD. And, despite the growing number of users taking delta 8 gummies and other delta 8 products for sleep, it isn’t the cannabinoid’s main draw; most people use it to get high. 

Not to downplay delta 8’s bedtime potential. Drowsiness is a common side effect of products like delta 8 disposables, and THC in general has sleep-inducing qualities for many people. 

If you find that vaping delta 8 carts is your gateway to a restful night, then by all means, go ahead. But with so many unanswered questions, is trying delta 8 for sleep even worth your time and money?  

How does the ECS affect sleep?

You don’t need to consume cannabis to experience the human endocannabinoid system (ECS) at work. By living and breathing (and sleeping), you already are. 

The ECS is a cell-signaling network. Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body and play a key role in modulating bodily functions like immune and inflammatory responses, pain management, and of course, sleep. Endocannabinoids are chemicals created within the body to modulate cannabinoid receptors, while phytocannabinoids like delta 8 THC are found in cannabis plants. 

Any of these compounds can impact how the ECS and its branches operate. Consuming THC or other cannabinoids may trigger an internal domino effect, leading to short-term chemical changes and effects across the body. 

With an internal system as complex as the ECS, it’s impossible to control exactly how your body reacts, even if you’re targeting specific receptors. That’s why experiences with cannabis are so diverse. 

Does delta 8 THC help you sleep?

The short answer is that delta 8 may possibly help you sleep, but the real answer is complicated. 

Researchers haven’t properly explored how delta 8 influences sleep habits. What we do know is that the ECS has close ties to the sleep-wake cycle, and that delta 9 THC seems to have sleep-inducing properties of its own. Even so, results have been mixed. We don’t know exactly how effective THC is as a long-term sleep aid. 

Delta 8 interacts with the same ECS receptors as delta 9. Both cannabinoids bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors, but delta 9 THC does a slightly better job of it. That’s why it gets you higher than delta 8.

CB1 activation can encourage sedation—sometimes. Other cannabinoids play their own roles in the process, as do hormones and neurons. It’s a complex system, and we don’t know how much THC contributes, independent of all these other factors. An even bigger concern is delta 9’s potential to impair the actual quality of your sleep.

Sleepiness is certainly one of the more commonly reported side effects of delta 8 use. Give delta 8 products a try and see how your body responds. Maybe they’ll make you sleepy, maybe they won’t.

How to use delta 8 as a sleep aid

First, don’t expect delta 8 THC to treat major sleep disorders or be an answer for chronic insomnia. Those issues call for a medical professional. 

Before getting started, consider how much experience you have with delta 8, as well as with cannabinoids in general. First-time users should take it slow. Everyone’s preferences are unique, and you’ll need to experiment to find your preferred dose, products, or routines. 

• Know what to expect: Don’t go into delta 8 blind. Just because it’s legal in the United States doesn’t mean it’s risk-free, and sleepiness is far from the only effect. Do you have a track record of bad highs or anxiety made worse by THC use? Proceed with caution if you’re sensitive to marijuana (delta 9 THC).
• Explore delta 8 products: Some products even blend delta 8 with other cannabinoids (CBD, CBN) or sleep-inducing active ingredients (like the hormone melatonin). You also need to select a delivery method. Do you prefer delta 8 tinctures, vapes, edibles, or infused hemp bud? 
• Find your delta 8 dose: Patience is key. Sure, taking an enormous dose right off the bat might knock you out faster—or it could lead to serious adverse effects, including hallucinations and vomiting. Start with half a gummy, a single softgel, or a couple of puffs on a vape. 

You can't skip the trial-and-error stage. While some people find delta 8 THC highly intoxicating, others only encounter mild effects. Variables like tolerance, weight, and health conditions all contribute to your body’s response.

Cannabinoids for sleep: which is best?

With the ECS playing a pivotal role in sleep, delta 8 isn’t the only cannabinoid worth your (bed)time. How does it compare to the other options? 

Delta 8 vs. CBD for sleep

CBD’s relationship to sleep is an interesting one, and not always obvious. 

First, CBD isn’t a sedative—at least not in the way that delta 8 THC might be. CB1 activation isn't the source of CBD’s potential sleep-inducing qualities. Instead of binding to these receptors, it steers other cannabinoids (including THC) away from them. 

One possibility is that CBD reduces time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM is restorative and a key part of good-quality rest, but the brain is more active during REM than it is at any other sleep stage. Too much REM—and not enough deep sleep—can leave you feeling groggy.

There are other potential links between CBD and sleep too. While researchers haven’t worked out how effective it is as a general sleep aid, CBD seems to reduce disturbances and improve sleep-quality in those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Less directly, CBD appears to soothe pain, inflammation, and even stress. Better physical and mental wellness can make it easier to fall and stay asleep. 

Delta 8 vs. CBN for sleep

You can’t explore cannabinoids for sleep without CBN’s name popping up. It might help users fall and stay asleep, all while minimizing disturbances or nighttime awakenings. Researchers just haven’t pieced together why. 

Originally, it looked like CBN was only useful for sleep when mixed with THC, but more recent studies suggest that it could also be valuable on its own. This lines up with the many, many CBN anecdotes you’ll encounter on cannabis forums.   

Of course, with so much enthusiasm around CBN, it’s possible that certain users only feel the desired effect because of a placebo effect: they anticipate sleepiness, so it happens. Still, it’s a valuable outcome, even if it isn’t directly related to CBN itself. 

So far, research doesn’t bear out the many anecdotes about CBD amplifying CBN’s sleep-inducing effects, but that may be something to watch for in the future. 

Delta 8 vs. delta 9 for sleep

It’s not entirely fair to pit delta 8 against delta 9 THC here, at least for now.  

Studies on THC and sleep already prioritize its delta 9 form. That’s what we’re looking at when we discuss delta 8 THC’s own potential as a sleep aid, since there doesn’t seem to be any research unique to delta 8 and sleep yet. Maybe that will change soon. 

Until science catches up, we can only guess which is the better option for sleep—but overall potency could play a role. For better or for worse, delta 9 tends to hit harder than delta 8 THC. It’ll get you higher and also increase the risk of an adverse experience. 

Delta 9 has better CB1 receptor binding affinity than delta 8. Whether this translates into easier sleep is unclear, though it’s a potential point in delta 9 THC’s favor.