What is Cannabinol: A Beginner’s Guide to CBN by Aaron Cadena at CBD Origin
While CBD and THC generally attract most of the attention when it comes to cannabinoids, there are actually over a hundred others that have been identified in cannabis. One of the most exciting of these fascinating compounds is Cannabinol, or CBN.
What Is Cannabinol?
When Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) ages, its molecular structure is transformed due to oxidation. Its new form is classified as Cannabinol (CBN).
Because CBN is the byproduct of THC degradation, it is generally found in older cannabis plants. However, CBN is also produced within the body as THC is passed through the metabolic process.
Like THC, CBN can stimulate the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS); however, CBN is only mildly intoxicating and, generally, will not induce euphoric effects on the user.
For this reason, CBN is commonly compared to CBD rather than THC and has become an exciting topic in the realm of cannabinoid research.
CBN vs CBD: Comparison, Similarities, and Differences
While CBN is derived from THC, its chemical composition is more closely aligned with CBD. It does, however, naturally possess some characteristics of THC and can be viewed as somewhat of a hybrid between CBD and THC.
Compared to the abundance of CBD that is produced in cannabis, which is second only to THC, the amount of CBN produced in cannabis plants, in general, is much lower. This is because higher volumes of CBN can only be produced as the cannabis plant ages. On the other hand, CBD is produced directly in the resin glands of the plant and can be produced in greatly varying amounts.
One of the main differences between CBD and CBN is that, unlike CBD, CBN can bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS. Inherited from its predecessor, THC, this capability is the source of the infamous cannabinoid’s intoxicating properties; however, the intoxicating effects of CBN are much less intoxicating than those delivered by THC.
Research on the Potential Benefits of Cannabinol
While medical researchers are still studying Cannabinol and determining how it can be used to benefit people, the findings revealed thus far are quite exciting.
Read about the therapeutic properties studies reveal CBN may possess and imagine the possibilities of how CBN can be used to help thousands of people around the world!
Anti-Neurodegenerative Properties
In a recent study, researchers found that cannabinoids that activate the CB2 receptors, such as CBN, can help reduce neurodegeneration caused by Parkinson’s Disease and similar conditions. The compounds effectively reduce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brain, protecting it from the damage caused by those diseases.
Appetite Stimulating Properties
When chronic illness reduces the appetite to unsafe levels, CBN may potentially reverse the effects, triggering hunger and allowing individuals to nourish their bodies. Research has reportedly found that CBN can trigger hunger hormones, making eating enough to improve quality of life and speed up recovery.
Anti-Bacterial Properties
Bacteria resistant to traditional antibiotics, such as MRSA, are notoriously hard to treat. Still, researchers have found a possible solution–CBN. CBN proved rather powerful when exposed to the otherwise hardy bacteria strains, potentially offering a new way to fight these stubborn agents.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
CBN does not only reportedly reduce inflammation in the brain; it can help fight the body’s inflammatory response as well. It helps reduce the inflammatory response through the body. It can potentially treat symptoms caused by rheumatoid arthritis and similar conditions. This also helps reduce the pain that a person is feeling, making CBN a very effective pain relief method, especially when mixed with other cannabinoids like CBD.
Glaucoma Management Properties
As they act on the neural pathways in the brain, CBN has shown the potential to reduce intraocular pressure, which was revealed by a research study performed in 2004. The reduction of pressure in the eye can help minimize the risk of developing glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide.
Researchers are busy continuing to look into the benefits of cannabinoids, so stay tuned for additional reported benefits in the coming months and years.
Important Things to Know About Cannabinol
While CBN has become a popular topic amongst medical researchers and cannabinoid aficionados, it is still a very new topic for the typical CBD user. If you’re new to CBN, here are some quick answers to some of the questions you may be wondering about:
Will CBN Get You High?
As a byproduct of THC, CBN can bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which can deliver intoxicating or mind-altering effects on the user. However, as THC ages and changes due to the oxidative process and becomes CBN, its intoxicating properties are significantly reduced.
While CBN does exhibit intoxicating and psychoactive properties, they are very mild and can hardly be compared to “being high.”
Is CBN Legal in the United States?
In the United States, the laws surrounding cannabinoids are very under-developed, and only a handful of states have semi-clear cannabis laws established. Most are specific to CBD, THC, or cannabis in general. Few, if any, states have passed legislation specifically for Cannabinol. Because of this, Cannabinol is regulated under the state or federal laws that regulate cannabis.
If cannabis has been legalized for recreational or medicinal use at the state level, Cannabinol is regulated under that same legislation unless specified otherwise explicitly.
In all other situations (unless the state has passed legislation specifically for Cannabinol), if cannabis has not yet been legalized, Cannabinol is indirectly regulated under either:
- state law – if the cannabis laws are thorough enough to suffice; OR
- federal law, which classifies all cannabis compounds, excluding CBD, as Schedule I illegal substances
Will CBN Make Me Tired or Sleepy?
A 1995 study on mice found that CBN does not have a sedative effect or make the user sleepy. However, the researchers confirmed that the use of CBN did help the mice get much more rest by helping the mice sleep longer than they had before.
In non-scientific terms, this study reveals that CBN will not make the user feel sleepy; however, CBN may help promote restfulness and help with certain sleep disorders.
Where Can I Purchase CBN-Based Products?
Cannabinol is still considered uncharted waters. Because of this, there aren’t many, if any, CBN-specific products. There are, however, many broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD products that may include varying amounts of CBN within their unique blend of cannabinoids.
To determine the presence or level of CBN in a CBD product, review the product’s certificate of analysis (COA) or lab analysis report.
When searching for a product with CBN, please note that CBD isolate products will not contain CBN as a CBD isolate by definition only contains CBD.
FAQ
What type of CBN products can I buy?
Currently, you can purchase a wide variety of CBN products. 3Chi is a company that has been producing products since 2019 and has quickly become the leader in CBN manufacturing. They currently sell pure CBN gummies, CBN isolate and distillate, and broad-spectrum CBN oil. They sell a variety of mixtures, including Delta 8 THC and CBN vapes, sauces, and tinctures, along with a CBN/CBD oil mixture.
What is the best way to consume CBN?
Most people consume CBD and CBN products through edibles like gummies; it’s easy discreet and usually decent tasting. Others may enjoy CBN tinctures that you place under the tongue and swallow. Vaping is also a prevalent way of consuming CBN. Lastly, people can smoke it in a dab rig or through a dab straw.
What do broad-spectrum and full-spectrum mean?
Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum mean that the mixture you consume contains CBN plus other cannabinoids. The difference is full-spectrum means the mixture contains a form of THC, typically Delta 8, which has a psychoactive effect. Broad-spectrum means the mixture is free of all THC.
Final Thoughts
CBN may be new to the market, but it’s quickly becoming a favorite among cannabinoid enthusiasts. CBN has many promising health benefits. As more studies into cannabis and its noids are completed, we will get a full picture of what CBN can bring us.
I look forward to seeing where the future of cannabis takes us!
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