Hemp, cannabis, marijuana — whichever variety of the plant you’re talking about, you can be sure that it is chock-full of cannabinoids that create a wide variety of effects and sensations. THC, found primarily in marijuana, causes a psychoactive high, and CBD, found mainly in hemp, causes a much more subtle effect of restoration and balance.
And while these cannabinoids are both incredibly popular, they’re far from the only useful cannabinoids in the plant.
What Is CBN?
Cannabinol, or CBN, is just one of these other dozens of cannabinoids and is quickly becoming a rising star among cannabinoids.
CBN is one of the outcomes possible when THC is broken down on a chemical level. When THC is exposed to light, air, or heat in the right way, it breaks down into CBN, but CBN doesn’t have the same psychoactive effects as THC and doesn’t get you high.
How Is CBN Different From CBD?
All cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, but each one is slightly different and offers a different effect.
The endocannabinoid system is made of two main types of receptors. CB1 and CB2 receptors occupy different places in the body and interact with different endo- and phytocannabinoids (endocannabinoids are produced by the body; phytocannabinoids come from plants).
CB1 receptors are found more in the brain and interact mainly with anandamide, which is naturally produced by the body, and with THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. CB2 receptors are found in other body systems, such as the immune system, and seem to prefer CBD.
CBN, on the other hand, seems to interact more with the CB2 receptors in the body than with the CB1 receptors in the brain.
Although these two cannabinoids may look quite similar, they are also very different. And when used together, CBN and CBD interact with different receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which may lead to a fuller entourage effect because multiple receptors are being activated.
What Are the Benefits of CBN?
CBN is being studied for its usefulness in promoting a good night’s sleep, and the anecdotal evidence is mounting rapidly. Because CBN is absorbed by different receptors than CBD, many people find that it leads to a deeper relaxation in the body than CBD does, which may be part of why so many people like to use CBN in the evening before bed.
CBN may also have valuable uses for pain reduction. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, a combination of CBD and CBN was found to reduce pain in muscle and myofascial tissue in rats.
According to an article from Forbes, CBN is also being researched for its potential in treating glaucoma, a degenerative eye disease, by reducing pressure in the eyes.
While further study of CBN’s effect on human subjects is necessary, this is definitely an exciting start!
What CBN Products Does HempLucid Have?
HempLucid is always looking for more effective cannabinoids to share with our customers, and CBN is one that we’re really excited about.
So far, we have two awesome products that feature CBN — and we’re always working on more!
Our CBN tincture, lavender mint flavored, is designed to help you wind down and relax before bed. Made with 15 mg of full-spectrum CBN and 30 mg of full-spectrum CBD, this flavorful tincture maximizes the entourage effect to help support a good night’s sleep.
The relaxing touch of lavender, combined with the sweetness of mint, makes this tincture a great addition to your bedtime routine, and the combined effects of CBD and CBN work with multiple types of receptors in the endocannabinoid system, leading to a potentially more powerful entourage effect.
We also created bespoke supplements called Stacks, which are designed to offer targeted support for Stress, Immune, and Sleep. Our Sleep Stack is made with CBN and a blend of herbs and mushrooms designed to help you unwind at the end of the day and get a good night’s sleep.
The combination of CBN and herbs such as hops, lobelia, and motherwort, along with necessary minerals such as magnesium, was formulated by our master herbalist to fulfill a specific need: instead of shopping around for a mix-and-match combo of herbs and minerals, you can take one or two Sleep capsules that are already formulated for maximum effectiveness.
Where Should You Go From Here?
If you’re interested in a CBN-specific product, check out our two options mentioned above.
If you’re more interested in full-spectrum CBD, that’s fine too! You can still get the benefits of CBN because it does occur in trace amounts in full-spectrum CBD.
Have you tried CBN? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!
Disclaimer: The information in this article is presented purely for educational purposes and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any condition. As always, consult your doctor before introducing a new supplement to your routine.
References
CBD vs. CBN: Benefits and Differences, Daniel Yetman, Heathline
What Are the Differences Between CBD and CBN? Looking at the Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects, Swathi Varanasi, PharmD, GoodRx Health
What Is CBN?, Lauren Silva, Forbes
Cannabidiol, cannabinol and their combinations act as peripheral analgesics in a rat model of myofascial pain, Hayes Wong & Brain E Cairns, PubMed.gov
