What Is CBN and Does It Really Help You Sleep?
The packaging of any given cannabis-derived product will tell you a lot about what it’s supposed to be good for—like helping you relax and sleep, relieve anxiety, or relieve pain. But these are nothing more than generalizations. We actually know so little about the cannabis plant that attempts to define and systematize what a particular cannabinoid does basically take stock of the initial research and accept it as the final conclusion.
While CBD has long been a superstar cannabinoid alongside THC, in recent years we have entered a whole new world of weed possibilities as growing legalization has spurred industry expansion – isolating, analyzing and doing research involving each of cannabis’ many unique compounds. , including delta-8 , delta-10 and TGK-O . One recent one to grab attention is CBN, which is often touted as a reliable sleep aid when included in a cannabis product like chewing gum.
According to a report in the British Journal of Pharmacology, CBN was first isolated from cannabis oil in the late 19th century. It has since earned a reputation as an “old weed” cannabinoid that occurs when THC degrades under the influence of heat, light, and time. there is still something , but it may be less than the invigorating high that you are used to from a fresh, THC-rich flower.
In the rush to bring new products to market, brands are pushing CBN as a natural, plant-based supplement that can make you feel more relaxed—sort of a bridge between THC and CBD. But what is really behind these claims?
Some companies are already working with CBN
Dosist co-founder Jason DeLand is one of the brands making products containing CBN, which he told Lifehacker puts them in an exclusive company. “CBN is more scarce and more expensive to procure, which means fewer companies will be able to offer it,” he said. “Dosist is one of the first to isolate CBN and include it in our products.”
Isolated CBN is not available in consumer markets; as Daland noted, it is commonly combined with other cannabinoids to create marketable products. Project CBD, an educational cannabis website, notes that CBN does not produce an intoxicating effect on its own. “Consumption of a CBN isolate may mildly stimulate your ECS [endocannabinoid system] and this could probably help some aspects of sleep,” notes Project CBD. “However, mechanically, this should not be different from taking a very low dose of THC.”
“Neither CBD nor CBN by themselves cause an intoxicating effect, but both of them have an effect when combined with THC,” DeLand said. “The presence of CBD alleviates some of the negative effects of THC, such as paranoia or anxiety, while the presence of CBN induces a mild sedative effect that has proven beneficial for people who wish to use cannabis to improve sleep.”
Admittedly, the evidence to support this claim is less than scientific. DeLand said that while Dosist customers have reported that the company’s CBN gummies improve their sleep, “CBN research is still ongoing.”
No studies on CBN
Not all brands are sold with CBN as a supplement. While the CV Science +PlusCBD brand is building a product designed to help their customers fall asleep faster, they have yet to include CBN in anything they make. The company’s medical consultant, Michael Lewis, MD, noted the risks associated with experimenting with new cannabinoids that you may not have experienced before.
“[The company] has yet to release a CBN product due to a lack of published research,” Lewis said. “When more peer-reviewed research becomes available, the company could potentially develop a product that exploits the unique effects of CBN.”
The caveat is due to the lack of scientific consensus. “Clinical research on CBN and its effects is still a new area compared to other cannabinoids,” Lewis said. “It is very important to read brand statements before choosing a product. Preliminary research indicates that it is a promising cannabinoid with a wide range of uses. However, further research is needed to elevate CBN to the level of other mainstream cannabinoids such as THC or CBD.” Lewis noted that CV Sciences’ +PlusCBD Sleep Gummies include clinically studied sleep-enhancing ingredients, including melatonin and magnolia bark.
Any herb can cause drowsiness
For those sensitive to weeds, a low tolerance for any cannabinoids will make cannabis a sleep aid if you’re not careful. Hundreds of other substances in any given flower, including flavonoids, terpenes , lipids, and other phytochemicals, will affect your experience as well as your particular body constitution and other substances you may have consumed, such as caffeine and alcohol. Cannabis is a reliable sleep aid for many, but it’s usually not something you can throw at the occasional sleepless night as a panacea.