Cannabinol is another cannabinoid taking up space on the shelves with CBG, CBC and CBD. But this one is a YAWN. Not because it’s boring, though—because many people reach for CBN for better sleep.
Since we recently released new CBN gummies, we thought we’d investigate the drowsy little molecule a bit more.
CBN Effects
There is strong anecdotal evidence that CBN works as a sleep aid as many people in the cannabis community use cannabinol specifically for this purpose.
Psychology Today mentioned in an article on the Health Benefits of CBN that animal studies have shown CBN can prolong sleep time. Some research indicates THC amplifies CBN’s sedative effects due to the entourage effect.
It maintains slightly similar functions to other cannabinoids—anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-bacterial, etc.—but CBN is particularly unique.
How is CBN Different?
CBN comes from party cannabinoid THC, the one that gets you high. Poorly stored cannabis becomes stale from degradation and oxidation, but then a CBN rises from the dead. Because cannabinol comes from aging THC, the amount of CBN in hemp relies on how much THC there was in the plant to begin with, along with other factors like time, heat and light. Because time and environmental factors are required for THC to convert into CBN, geneticists cannot breed a high CBN plant.
What Does CBN Do?
One of the main differences between CBN and other cannabinoids is how it interacts with the endocannabinoid system. THC mostly engages with CB1 receptors concentrated in the brain, causing an intoxicating effect. CBD, CBG and other minor compounds have trouble interacting with CB1 receptors and instead mostly engage CB2 receptors that appear throughout the body.
Since CBN molecules come from THC, it maintains a similar form to THC. So like THC, CBN engages with CB1 receptors at a more mild degree. For this reason, CBN isn’t entirely non-psychoactive. It is, but the volume is turned way down. The amount of CBN in CBD products would not result in an intoxicating effect.
CBN Edibles
Our new full spectrum CBN gummies are the latest addition to our other cannabinol products like our PM capsules, chocolate bar and isolate. Like our CBN softgels, the sugar-coated candies include 900 milligrams of CBD and 300 milligrams of CBN per 30-piece bag. The gummies provide another option those who are averse to swallowing capsules.
Edibles take longer to take effect because, unlike vapable concentrates, the liver absorbs cannabinoids into the bloodstream, which takes your digestive system time. However, the effects are longer lasting.
The edibles come in three new flavors—apple, blue raspberry and lime.
Any full spectrum product puts a CBD user at risk of failing a drug test, no matter how rare that may be. But CBN’s similarity to THC is more likely to result in a failed test, according to research by the University of Utah Health Science Center. Anyone who is considering using cannabinol should be aware of this possibility, even though it’s unlikely.
Learn more about CBN in our other blog post What is CBN?
