CBN-rich cannabis products

Cannabinol products designed to promote relaxation and sleep

What is CBN?

The cannabis plant can produce hundreds of cannabinoids and CBN (cannabinol) is one of them. If you’ve ever smoked or dabbed or vaped you probably had a small dose of CBN at some point in one of those products. CBN is naturally formed from the degradation of cannabis through light and oxygen exposure. This makes CBN a by-product of cannabinoid degradation versus a naturally formed cannabinoid from the plant. Therefore you won’t see flower naturally high in CBN.

How does CBN affect the body?

Cannabinoids interact with our bodies through the endocannabinoid system or ECS. The two main pathways of interaction are with the cannabinoid 1 and cannabinoid 2 receptors, known as CB1 and CB2. Activation of CB1 receptors triggers a psychoactive experience (THC binds to the CB1 receptors) while CB2 receptor activation does not induce a psychoactive effect. CBN binds weakly to the CB1 receptor and binds strongly to the bodies CB2 receptors, very similarly to CBD. The CB2 receptors are found throughout our bodies in our peripheral nervous system and particularly on our immune cells and are densely populated in the gut and brain. They are responsible for a wide range of functions in the body related to immune response, vascular function, skin health, sensory response including pain and inflammation, and neurological activity. CBN also binds to other receptors known as vanilloid receptors, found in the skin too, which are responsible for regulating your temperature, response to stimuli, pain response, and more. CBN can thereby provide physical relaxation without a psychoactive experience.

For more information on the ECS we recommend this article from Farma: https://www.farmapdx.com/the-ecs-at-a-glance/chart of where cannabinoids bind in body

How much to take?

CBN has a strong effect even in small doses. We recommend starting with 0.5mL or half a dropper and waiting 2 hours before taking more. For a quick sublingual effect, apply under the tongue and hold for at least 60 seconds before swallowing. For a longer onset of effects, swallow directly or add to your favorite beverage.

What about for topical use?

CBN binds to receptors found in the skin and can be helpful for those with skin conditions or discomfort. Apply directly to the skin and rub in or add to your favorite lotion or topical product.

What about CBN for sleep?

For years consumers have reported that CBN helps them relax and sleep. While cannabis in general helps with sleep (for more information on that check out: Project CBD on cannabis + sleep and this study) until recently there were not any studies to validate that. However recently Floraworks, a leading manufacturer of CBN, recently did have a sleep study performed which showed that participants had a reduction in sleep disturbances when using CBN from Floraworks. That study can be downloaded from their website here

We’ve compiled some other studies done with CBN. These studies indicate CBN may provide anti-inflammatory and anti-convulsant properties. It may also act as an appetite stimulant and help the body fight certain cancers. It’s also been shown to be effective as an antibacterial for the MRSA virus.

CBN may help with pain management based off this study and this study. So if pain or discomfort is causing you sleep issues, CBN may help.

CBN may cause you to feel “drugged, drunk, dizzy, and drowsy” based off this study.

CBN could be used as an antibacterial, particularly for MRSA based off this study.

CBN may help those suffering seizures and convulsions based off this study

CBN (and CBG) may help with eye pressure based on this study using rats and cats

CBN may help fight certain cancers, including breast cancer based off this study.

CBN may stimulate your appetite based off this study done with rats.

CBN was shown in this study to interfere with blood pressure drugs and Ritalin, when taken in larger doses.

Please help us in determining the effects of CBN by providing your feedback on the form below. No personal information is required.

Feel free to submit multiple times if you use a CBN product repeatedly and would like to share any change in effect.

Which CBN product did you try?

Do you use cannabis daily?

This is a no judgement zone.

What time of day did you try it?

Were you already under the influence of cannabis?

If yes, please indicate what type and whether it was THC or CBD dominant.

How did the product affect you?

If you experience chronic pain, was there a change in your pain level?

Did you notice a change in your sleep after using the CBN product?

Any other feedback you'd like to share?

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This product is not approved by the FDA to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.

Further references:
Caterina MJ. TRP channel cannabinoid receptors in skin sensation, homeostasis, and inflammation. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2014;5(11):1107-1116. doi:10.1021/cn5000919

Morales P, Hurst DP, Reggio PH. Molecular Targets of the Phytocannabinoids: A Complex Picture. Prog Chem Org Nat Prod. 2017;103:103-131. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-45541-9_4

Muller C, Morales P, Reggio PH. Cannabinoid Ligands Targeting TRP Channels. Front Mol Neurosci. 2019;11:487. Published 2019 Jan 15. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2018.00487

https://weedmaps.com/learn/cbd/cbn-vs-cbd

https://www.projectcbd.org/medicine/curious-case-cbn-sleep

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34468204/