Just like the ugly step-sisters in many a fairytale steal all the attention, certain cannabinoids are overshadowed by the “big two”: THC and CBD. We’re not suggesting that these two titular phytocompounds are “ugly” – in fact, they’re among the most beautiful natural remedies and health supplements on this green Earth. Still, Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol get the lion’s share of the attention because they’re two of the most well-researched phytocannabinoids of the bunch.
On top of these facts, THC and CBD seem to be the drivers for many of the positive effects and health benefits we’ve come to know & love from cannabis/hemp. Cannabinoids can do great things on their own, but together they can achieve even greater benefits for our mental & physical wellbeing.
Referring back to what we were saying about certain cannabinoids being overshadowed by THC and CBD, there are a ton of other noteworthy plant compounds found in cannabis & hemp. We’re going to review each of these lesser known, but equally important cannabinoids in a new series on cannabinoids & terpenes. First up is one of the most popular plant-based sleep aids helping Canadians get some consistent shuteye: Cannabinol, also known as CBN.
What is CBN used for? What are CBN compounds commonly used to treat? What are CBN benefits? In this first guide to cannabinoids we’ll explore the benefits of CBN and highlight some of the best CBN strains on the market today. Give your expectations some CBD to chill them out and focus up with some light THC doses – it’s time to put the spotlight on CBN.
What Is CBN Compound?
Like it’s counterpart CBD, Cannabinol (CBN) is a non-psychoactive phytocompound. CBN actually formulates in cannabis as THC degrades or withers with age/exposure. In a way, CBN is the kind of cannabinoid that increases as the THC potency of a strain diminishes. This doesn’t mean that all high CBN strains are old or stale, just that as many THC-high cultivars are exposed to light, temperature and humidity changes THC can degrade into CBN.
As THC is oxidized into CBN the psychoactivity of the CBN strain in question will be reduced significantly. This degradation does not continue indefinitely, however – in most cases, THC will only convert into CBN up to 15-20% of the overall Tetrahydrocannabinol contents. This is one of the reasons why Cannabinol is so difficult to come by in larger concentrations – it requires THC to be oxidized to accumulate in significant potency levels.
You might be wondering why something so rare in the cannabis world would have such an iconic cannabinoid name like “Cannabinol”. This is because CBN was actually one of the first phytocompounds to be isolated by researchers back in 1896. One of the chief identifying characteristics of CBN was that it appeared to be manipulated by environmental factors such as light exposure, temperature fluctuations and drops/spikes in humidity levels. In this way, CBN is very unique to many cannabinoids because it isn’t influenced as strongly by the plant’s genetics as it is external factors like oxidization.
In order to fully understand the benefits of Cannabinol we need to distinguish it from Cannabidiol some more. Because they can implement similar effects when engaged with our endocannabinoid systems, both CBD and CBN can seem quite similar. This is far from the truth of the matter however because CBN is a derivative formulation of THC – and CBD is thought to be the antithesis to THC in many regards, even working to counteract some of the negative side effects of consuming Tetrahydrocannabinol.
Here are a few ways in which it is helpful to compare CBD vs CBN:
Both CBD and CBN are non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
CBD can help to reduce the mind-altering effects of THC; CBN can aid a person in feeling less foggy-brained, but it can contribute to their feelings of sedation or couchlock.
Both CBD and THC are derivative forms of CBGA (Cannabigerolic Acid); CBN is one step further down the molecular chain and so it is considered to be far from the same as CBD on the molecular level.
CBD is often derived from hemp crops in addition to cannabis; CBN is sometimes present in hemp cultivars, but the majority of Cannabinol is sourced from high-THC strains that have since oxidized, leading to higher CBN concentrations.
Both CBD and CBN can interact with one another to greater, positive effects as well – the entourage effect often highlights that the more cannabinoids in higher potencies, the greater the effects can be on the human body & mind.
Now that we have the basic understanding of what sets CBN compounds apart from other cannabinoids, let’s determine what are its major benefits & uses today.
CBN Benefits: What Is CBN Good For?
Cannabinol is increasing in popularity because of a few notable benefits it can have for anyone who consumes high CBN strains. As we discussed, finding CBN compounds in higher potencies can be a tall task, but many online dispensaries and retail shops are striving to get their hands on products with significant concentrations of Cannabinol.
What is CBN for? What are the CBN benefits people are clamoring for the most? Here’s the latest on the most prominent CBN benefits and what CBN is used for:
SLEEP
Cannabinol was originally researched as a derivative of THC, but interest quickly shifted to its potential as a sleep aid. CBN has consistently demonstrated an innate ability to lull people into very deep, prolonged periods of rest. Not only do CBN compounds turn your brain off and help you to fall asleep, but they’re known to have strong sedation effects as well. This is likely due to the fact that CBN’s parent cannabinoid, THC, is also known for inducing dreamless, zombie-like states of sleep.
Although CBN typically has sedative influences on people, a new fad is striking it rich with this particular cannabinoid. CBN in low dose edibles or oils are flying off the shelves. These kinds of products are usually marketed as sleep-gummies or nighttime drops. This popular use for CBN solves two problems: 1) people are sleeping more consistently and feeling truly rested, and 2) the issues of achieving higher potencies of Cannabinol is avoided with these kinds of low-dose consumables.
STRESS
In a similar vein, CBN also works to dissolve that pent-up stress, nervousness and anxiety throughout your body. By relaxing your muscles, clearing your mind and bringing your mind down a few octaves, CBN is used for relaxation by the majority of its proponents. Cannabinol has the capacity to render you couchlocked, but it’s not as overwhelming of an experience like with certain high-THC products. Whenever you’ve had a day-and-a-half and you’re home for the rest of the night, a phytocompound like CBN can help you to turn your brain off and force you to unwind.
CHILL
Thanks to the entourage effect, a cannabinoid like CBN is highly sought after in a lot of full-spectrum hemp & cannabis products. When taken in lower doses or as one of many cannabinoids in a full-spectrum cannabis formulation, CBN can take the mental & physical edge off just enough. This works great because unlike THC, CBN doesn’t get you high – but what it can do is force you to chill out.
CBN benefits aren’t limited to these three pros, but amidst some cons of “couchlock” and “mental haze” the full scope of Cannabinol’s influences on the human body have yet to be mapped out. Researchers are exploring this phytocannabinoid in addition to hundreds of others, and that’s not even accounting for all the buzz surrounding terpenes as well.
Expect to read a lot more about Cannabinol in the near future. Like with CBD, non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBN will continue to get a lot of industry attention as we strive to engineer cannabis products that can be taken any time, any day for an ever-expanding list of health reasons.
Top CBN Strains to Try
With all this newfound knowledge on the wonders of yet another weed compound like CBN, where can you get your hands on some? Haute Health is committed to providing the very latest & greatest of all cannabis varieties, and Cannabinol is no exception. Hautehealth.su is proud to offer a number of CBN-high strains of flower, concentrates and even edibles. Check out the following products the next time you need to sleep like the dead or relax your tense body:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does CBN differ from CBD and THC?
A: CBN comes from oxidized THC so it forms as THC breaks down while CBD comes from different pathways in the plant and often counters some THC effects. Both CBN and CBD are nonpsychoactive but CBN tends to cause more sedation or couchlock whereas CBD usually promotes calm without drowsiness. THC is the main psychoactive compound that gets you high while CBN has far less of that effect and CBD has none.
Q: Is CBN psychoactive?
A: No CBN is not psychoactive in the way THC is so it does not produce a strong high or mind altering buzz. It can make you feel sedated or foggy but most people describe it as relaxing without the euphoria or impairment from THC. The blog calls it nonpsychoactive like CBD even though it comes from THC.
Q: Why is CBN associated with sleep support?
A: CBN gets linked to sleep because it shows strong sedative effects that help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Researchers first noticed its potential as a sleep aid and now low dose products like gummies or drops sell well for nighttime use. It creates deep restful sleep similar to what high THC can do but without the intense high. Many users turn to it for consistent shuteye when stress keeps them up.
Q: How is CBN formed naturally?
A: CBN forms naturally when THC in cannabis degrades from exposure to light air heat or humidity over time. As the plant ages or gets stored improperly THC converts into CBN which reduces psychoactivity but increases this compound. The blog explains it happens up to about fifteen to twenty percent of the original THC content. This makes high CBN levels rare without intentional aging or processing.
Q: Are CBN products widely available?
A: CBN products are becoming more available but still not as common as CBD or THC ones since high concentrations are hard to produce naturally. Many online shops and dispensaries now carry CBN rich strains edibles oils or gummies especially for sleep. The blog notes places like Haute Health stock them in flower concentrates and edibles. Demand keeps growing so availability improves every year.
Q: Can CBN be combined with THC or CBD?
A: Yes CBN combines well with THC or CBD and often creates better results through the entourage effect. Pairing it with THC can boost relaxation while keeping things milder than THC alone. Adding CBD helps balance any sedation or haze from CBN for smoother calm. The blog says full spectrum products with multiple cannabinoids including CBN deliver stronger overall benefits.
