CBN: A Cannabinoid for Sleep and More

Scientists have confirmed the existence of over a hundred cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa, including cannabinol or CBN. What is CBN?

While tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most studied cannabinoid, interest in the endocannabinoid system has fueled research on lesser-known cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidivarin (CBDV), and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). inspired. , and cannabinol (CBN).

In this article, we’ll look at using CBN for sleep, examine whether the cannabinoid CBN has other health benefits, and look at which cannabis products contain CBN.

Cannabinol explained

CBN was the first cannabinoid to be isolated in the 19th century and its chemical structure was defined in the 1930s. Early experiments led to the observation that CBN could induce psychoactive effects similar to THC, but only at much higher doses.

Perhaps the most unique feature of CBN is the process by which it is synthesized. CBN is formed through the oxidation of THC – a process that occurs naturally when cannabis is exposed to atmospheric oxygen, much like a sliced ​​apple turns brown.

Researchers report that it’s difficult to draw firm conclusions about CBN’s effects and potential uses. Studies show that CBN potentiates the effects of THC in humans but antagonizes the effects of THC in mice. Other contradictions concern CBN’s effects on dopamine and norepinephrine: some studies have found that CBN has minimal effects, while others have found that CBN can enhance or suppress the release of these neurotransmitters.

CBN has been shown to have some overlapping effects with CBD, such as: B. antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect. One particular use of CBN that appears frequently in the literature is the use of CBN for sleeping.

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CBN for sleep

Insomnia, defined by one study as “getting less than seven hours of sleep on at least two nights per week,” is “a chronic condition affecting up to 36% of the US population” resulting in massive productivity losses and “an increase in frequency, severity, and… medical costs of personal injury.” Lack of sleep is also associated with a variety of ailments, including obesity, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, heart attack, stroke and diabetes.

The same study notes that CBN has demonstrated relaxing and sedating effects without the intoxication — meaning that when taken in an effective dose, CBN doesn’t give the same “high” as THC, but can still offer similar wellness benefits.

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This study used hemp-derived CBN that was “treated with proprietary nanotechnology to create a water-soluble liquid” to be added to water before sleep, instead of a traditional cannabis extract. This specific CBN formulation appears to have greater bioavailability than similar supplements made using traditional methods given its potency at low doses of 1-4mg.

The study reports that CBN had an overall positive impact on participants. CBN significantly reduced the number of people with insomnia. Side effects such as morning lightheadedness were resolved with dose adjustment, and over 70 percent of a subgroup who took other drugs or supplements to sleep were able to stop them.

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Another study examined the effect of administering a combination of CBN and THC via extended-release capsules to 35 participants who were already medicinal cannabis users and had used cannabis as a sleep aid in the past.

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This study is affiliated with Curio Wellness, a cannabis industry startup, and states that the “validation study found that a repeated-effect pill [the specific type of extended release capsule used for this study] The formulation of THC and CBN has been associated with improved sleep quality.” Patients taking this formulation of THC and CBN reported improved sleep quality.

In a 2022 review on cannabinoids and sleep, Maddison et al. report that “CBN can moderate the intoxicating and psychological effects of THC,” noting the importance of finding new alternatives to traditional sleep aids, which may present problems related to “poor adherence, tolerability, or side effects.” .

The same review notes that many of the studies on cannabis and sleep “specifically recruited participants with a history of chronic or heavy recreational cannabis use who appear to sleep worse than non-users” and that the “baseline or placebo data at these participants can be a reflection of the sleep architecture associated with deprivation.”

Benefits of CBN cannabinoids

While many people use CBN to sleep, CBN has several other potential health and wellness benefits.

For example, a 2003 study examined the human skin permeability of delta-8 THC, CBD, and CBN with the goal of determining whether any of the three cannabinoids could be used for transdermal combination therapy, a type of hormone therapy sometimes combined with chemotherapy.

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The study found that the permeability of CBD and CBN was ten times higher than that of THC, suggesting that both cannabinoids could be converted into transdermal products.

In another study, Wong and Cairns (2019) found that CBN had barely noticeable effects on motor function and was actually more effective for pain relief when combined with CBD in a 1:1 ratio than when used alone. Although both CBD and CBN have been found to be less effective than THC at relieving pain, the lack of intoxicating effects from both makes them worthy of further research.

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CBN could also serve as a non-intoxicating alternative to THC for users looking to stimulate appetite. A study conducted on the effects of CBN and CBD on the feeding patterns of rats found that administration of CBN resulted in a decrease in the time between binge eating and “a significant increase in food intake during the first hour and meal.” suggesting that CBN stimulates appetite.

Other potential medical and health benefits of CBN include its “antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial (especially against MRSA), antiproliferative and antitumor effects.”

Where to find CBN products

As we noted above, historically, CBN was most commonly found in aged cannabis products.

Some of the more reliable sources include CBN tinctures, which are the most widely available product for users looking to incorporate CBN into their cannabis consumption routine.

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To make CBN yourself, expose your flower to oxygen and light and wait.

According to a 2010 study, decarboxylated THC has a half-life of around a year when stored at room temperature in daylight, meaning that by that point around half of the THC will have broken down to CBN. If you’re interested in speeding up the process, the same study reports that cannabis concentrates degrade significantly faster, with a half-life closer to 35 days, when stored under the same conditions.

Start your cannabis wellness journey

Have you started your cannabis wellness journey? Jointly is a new cannabis wellness app designed to help you discover purposeful cannabis use so you can achieve your wellness goals with cannabis and CBD. In the Jointly app, you can find new cannabis products, rate products based on how well they’ve helped you achieve your goals, and track and optimize 15 factors that can impact your cannabis experience. These 15 factors include your dose, the environment you use cannabis in, who you are with when you take it, how hydrated you are, the quality of your diet, how much sleep you got last night, and more. Download the Jointly app on the App Store or Google Play Store to start your cannabis wellness journey.