Switching to CBD – CBN is Canada’s new trend cannabinoid
Meet Canada’s newest hottest cannabinoid – CBN. CBN, the abbreviation for cannabinol, appears in products in gums, vapes, beverages, and infused oils.
While many of the products are marketed as natural sleep aids, the jury is not yet sure whether or not CBN is really sedating. Regardless, a new barrage of cannabinoid-specific products has hit the Canadian market.
Consumers are looking for new cannabinoids
With seven products on the market containing the cannabinoid, there is no doubt that CBN is having a hot minute in Canada.
But what is driving this trend?
Consumers are what makes CBN so popular, according to Dr. Chris Talpas, VP of Quality and Scientific Affairs at MediPharm Labs. “I think it’s driven by developing consumer knowledge about cannabinoids,” he tells Leafly.
“THC was the first cannabinoid everyone knew, and then CBD exploded. Now consumers are interested in researching other cannabinoids that can be found in the plant. “
How is it made?
CBN is less psychoactive than THC and binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors with about a quarter of the potency. “This cannabinoid is normally only found in small amounts in cannabis flowers,” explains Dr. Talpas.
Because THC breaks down into CBN over time, a manufacturing process is used to accelerate the cannabinoid’s natural oxidation to CBN.
“MediPharm Labs uses a proprietary manufacturing process that carefully controls response time and temperature to improve CBN production,” says Dr. Talpas.
He explains that the material then undergoes a purification process until it reaches the desired properties to produce the final distillate. This distillate can then be formulated into an MCT oil or steam formulations.
MediPharm uses this process to manufacture the rare cannabinoid for their products and supplies CBN material for other products on the market.
CBN and a good night’s sleep
“CBN is a great first for the Canadian market because it appeals to a wider audience,” said Tara Rozalowsky, VP, Beverage and Edible, Canopy Growth.
“With the pandemic accelerating the problems of many Canadians, now is the perfect time to bring our CBN gum to market, which is tailored to consumers’ nightly routines.”
Not all CBN products claim to help with sleep, although at least half are marketed as natural sleep aids.
There isn’t much research on cannabis and sleep, and even less specifically on CBN. However, there is preliminary evidence that there may be a link between CBN and sleep.
“Although it hasn’t been studied as well as THC or CBD, a 2017 review article showed that CBN can be calming and antispasmodic in animal and human studies,” explains Dr. Talpas, who has 24 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical field.
“CBN has also shown significant properties related to anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and anti-MRSA activity.”
Does it actually work?
One of the authors of Cannabis Pharmacology: The Usual Suspects and a Few Promising Leads, Dr. Ethan Russo, previously told Leafly in 2019 that CBN alone is not effective.
According to Dr. Russo is often incorrectly attributed to CBN. He shared that due to the loss of monoterpenoids and the retention of sesquiterpenoids, which have a drowsy (or drowsy) effect, ancient cannabis tends to be sedative.
“Cannabis is not a very successful sleep aid because it has a very calming effect,” says Dr. Russo. “Rather, it treats underlying diseases that keep people awake.”
“The most popular way to use cannabis to sleep is by combining THC with other sedative components such as the terpenes myrcene and linalool.”
More research, less THC
“I would like to see more targeted CBN offerings,” said Ashleigh Brown, CEO and founder of the medical cannabis advocacy group, SheCann. While the current product selection is a start, Brown tells Leafly that she wants to see more research as well as different THC to CBN ratios.
According to Brown, most of the SheCann community is looking for less THC or an alternative to THC altogether. “The current products are typically 2: 1 THC to CBN. Patients report benefits for sleep, but are these effects related to increased THC consumption or the CBN itself? ”Asks Braun.
“We definitely need more research on this and more Options. Perhaps CBN is the answer to help patients fall asleep. Or maybe it’s a completely different combination of cannabinoids. “
Ashley Keenan
Ashley Keenan is a Leafly Canada Editor and a freelance journalist, consultant, and patient advocate in the cannabis industry. Since 2018, Ashley has served the cannabis industry by covering cannabis industry news, advocating for medicinal cannabis and the patient perspective, and creating lifestyle content that matters. Their byylines include Leafly, The GrowthOp, StratCann, The Her (B) Life, Vancouver Sun, Ottawa Citizen, National Post, and more.
View article by Ashley Keenan
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