Top 10 Most Popular Strains for Sleep, Pain, & More
What’s your favorite cannabis strain? Do you have one?
For many cannabis lovers, the answer is a rounding “yes;” some strains just seem to hit the spot every time. But how can you go about finding that special strain for yourself?
Luckily, we’ve got 10 top picks that can steer you in the right direction. From THC strains, CBD strains, delta-8 strains, and more, The Green Dragon CBD is your premier source of cannabis recommendations and information.
Our Top 10 Most Popular Weed Strains
Whether you’re looking to get high, take a load off, treat pain, or hang with friends, these 10 strains are here to help.
1. Ice Cream Cake – Indica
As one of the most popular indica strains on the market, Ice Cream Cake is a sweet treat sure to delight the senses. Its sedating effects help your mind and body relax effortlessly. Meanwhile, a creamy, sugary taste profile tantalizes your taste buds.
Strain effects: Sedating, calming, relaxing
Ideal for: Sleep, pain, anxiety, nighttime
Why we love it: Ice Cream Cake is the perfect nighttime strain to crack open as a long day comes to an end. Its unique taste and powerful effects make it a go-to for many medical cannabis patients.
2. Blue Dream – Sativa
With a taste that can’t be beat and benefits to match, this strain is a dream come true. Blue Dream is known for producing a balanced high that combines relaxation with mental stimulation. Its classic sweet berry scent is also a staple. Unlike other popular THC strains, Blue Dream is typically rich in CBD, which allows it to deliver results that impress cannabis consumers of all experience levels.
Strain effects: Relaxing, inspiring, uplifting
Ideal for: Depression, anxiety, chronic pain, nausea, daytime
Why we love it: Blue Dream is one of the most iconic West Coast sativa strains and is growing in popularity. Its balance between energy and tranquility helps it adapt to any time of day.
3. Girl Scout Cookies (GSC) – Indica-Dominant Hybrid
Girl Scout Cookies, also known as “GSC,” is a hybrid that leans toward the indica side of the spectrum, producing euphoric yet relaxing effects. Much like the inspiration behind the name, GSC manages to hit the spot every time. It features strong notes of cherry, lemon, and mint that make it taste as delicious as it sounds. GSC is among the best-selling weed strains of 2022, and it’s not hard to see why.
Strain effects: Euphoric, relaxing, uplifting, healing
Ideal for: Nausea, appetite stimulation, anxiety, depression
Why we love it: GSC is a classic strain that’s won multiple awards over the years. It’s a safe bet, no matter where you’re at in your cannabis journey. Its fun name certainly doesn’t hurt!
4. Sherbert – Hybrid
Sherbert is a strain that goes by many names – “Sunset Sherbert,” “Sherbet,” and “Shebert OG” are the most popular iterations you’ll find. This indica-dominant hybrid is as refreshing and satisfying as the dessert it’s inspired by. It features a sweet, candy-like taste and a skunky citrus scent embedded in its fluffy green nugs.
Strain effects: Relaxing, inspiring, stress-relieving
Ideal for: Anxiety, depression, stress
Why we love it: Sherbert can stimulate the mind and body, or it can help you sink deeper into the couch. This strain is versatile enough to be your everyday pick, no matter your goals or concerns.
5. Northern Lights – Indica
indica effects
Northern Lights, or “NL,” produces classic indica effects, relaxing your mind and muscles with ease. It has a distinctly spicy and sweet flavor to spark your interest. Most Northern Lights flower is purple and features crystal-like trichomes across its surface.
Strain effects: Relaxing, mellowing, stress-relieving
Ideal for: Insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronic pain
Why we love it: Northern Lights is one of the most famous and reliable strains in history. It’s been around for decades, making it easy to find and take advantage of.
6. Zkittlez – Indica
This candy-inspired strain has outranked other popular indica strains in the past few years thanks to its sweet, fruity flavors and euphoric effects. You might also see this strain sold as “Skittles” or “Skittlz.”
Strain effects: Uplifting, inspiring, motivating, euphoric
Ideal for: Daytime, focus, mental stimulation, depression
Why we love it: Zkittlez helps you unwind at any time of the day. It has a unique flavor that other strains can’t quite match. Despite being an indica, it’s a great choice for motivating your mind and body.
7. Purple Punch – Indica
Purple Punch has got you covered when you need a swift “punch” to the mind and body to snap out of a stressed mindset. It’s often higher in THC than other strains, which gives it its undeniably accurate name. Purple Punch is best for a lazy night in front of the TV with your favorite snacks.
Strain effects: Relaxing, sedating, stress-relieving
Ideal for: Insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain
Why we love it: It can be tricky to find strains that truly settle your mind; many that are high in THC can exacerbate the problem. But not Purple Punch. This strain is a great pick to lull yourself to sleep with, especially if a racing mind tends to keep you up at night.
8. Sundae Driver – Hybrid
For a simple and balanced high, look no further than Sundae Driver. Its flavor is mellow and yummy, just like a cool dessert on a warm afternoon. Its buds are often colorful, ranging from purple to green and hues in between.
Strain effects: Mellowing, calming, euphoric
Ideal for: Depression, daytime
Why we love it: Sundae Driver can help you manage symptoms during the day without getting too relaxed. It’s hard not to look forward to taking a few hits of something sweet that elevates your mood.
9. Gary Payton – Hybrid
You read that right – NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton has a coveted weed strain named after him. Gary Payton is packed full of flavor, power, and color. Its effects don’t lean overly relaxing or energizing, making it a great choice for a quick, casual smoke session.
Strain effects: Balancing, mellowing, focusing
Ideal for: Daytime, anxiety, chronic pain
Why we love it: The novelty this strain offers is hard to pass up. Its balanced effects can work for any cannabis lover looking for a simple way to unwind.
10. Rainbow Runtz – Indica
Rainbow Runtz is the strain child of our other favorite strain Zkittlez and delivers some of its predecessor's classic effects. Its earthy scent and flavor are reminiscent of pine and berry, creating the image of a dense and colorful forest to relax in. Rainbow Runtz is an ideal evening choice: it’s relaxing enough to make you sleepy but stimulating enough to allow you to veg out on the couch.
Strain effects: Appetite-stimulating, relaxing, sedating
Ideal for: Insomnia, chronic pain, nighttime, evening
Why we love it: Out of other strains in the “Runtz” family, Rainbow Runtz is one of the most popular. Those who experience chronic nausea due to health conditions can find sweet relief in this strain, which is known for its ability to make your tummy rumble.
Check out 6 more most popular strains here.
Tips for Choosing the Best Weed Strains for You
With so many strains to choose from, you may feel a bit directionless – and we don’t blame you. Lots of strains are pretty similar in terms of their effects and benefits. What separates them may be very minute differences, but these details can lead to vastly different results.
Because of this, it helps to get some idea of what you want in a strain before you go shopping. It’s also wise to keep a running journal or note of your cannabis strains and experiences. That way, you can track which types of terpenes and strains work best for your goals.
Consider tips like these as you search for your ideal weed strain:
- Choose a Family. While the classifications we often use to describe cannabis – indica and sativa – aren’t always entirely accurate, they can serve as a good guide for what to expect. If you want something that won’t put you to sleep, it’s probably better to opt for a sativa and vice versa.
- Name Your Top Three Goals. List the top three things you hope your strain will do for you. Do you need help falling asleep, or do you want something that will inspire you to work on your next art project? Do you want to avoid the munchies, or could your appetite use some help?
- Check With Your Doc. It’s always a good idea to check in with a doctor before adding any new substance to your routine, including cannabis. This gives you a chance to ensure there aren’t any health considerations that might make a type of cannabis product unsafe for you.
Check out our weed strain library here.
Final Thoughts
The most popular weed strains on the market today are usually those that deliver powerful effects reliably. We love these picks due to their mix of benefits and delicious flavors, but there are many more that may also be worth your time. Feel free to contact us today to learn more about your options and how to find the right one for you.
Hybrid strains are cannabis strains whose parent strains contain both indica and sativa varieties. Most modern strains are actually hybrids. However, many strains have dominant characteristics of one of the two subspecies, allowing them to be classified as either sativa or indica.
When talking about strains used for recreational and medicinal use, we are generally referring to three subspecies: cannabis indica, cannabis sativa, and hybrid strains. We have an entire article on the subspecies of cannabis, but here we will run through a quick overview.
A blunt is a cigar that has been hollowed out and filled with CBD, Delta 8, or cannabis flower.
A joint is a rolled cannabis cigarette.
