CBN and THC are both commonly used for sleep, anxiety, pain, and general relaxation.
CBN offers a milder, drowsy high, while THC delivers the classic deep euphoria and relaxation. They each provide a unique therapeutic (or recreational) option, depending on how you want to feel.
But what do they offer if you take them together?
In this article, we’ll explore the effects and benefits of taking CBN and THC together.
What is CBN?
Cannabinol (CBN) is one of 100+ naturally occurring cannabinoids in the cannabis sativa plant.
Although it was discovered nearly 100 years ago by scientists, CBN didn’t begin to get noticed until people realized that after smoking CBN-heavy THC flower, they got a mellower, drowsier high than they did after smoking THC flower containing very little CBN.
This led some people to believe that CBN promotes drowsiness, which later led to it becoming a popular sleep aid.
What is THC?
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9 THC, delta 9, or THC) is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid in the cannabis plant.
Delta 9 THC is the cannabinoid most people are talking about when they refer to THC. It is what creates the high you feel after you smoke cannabis.
Due to its high natural abundance in hemp (hemp is cannabis sativa containing less than 0.3% THC), THC has been extensively researched for various medical uses.
Can You Take CBN and THC Together?
Yes, you can take CBN and THC together.
Combining CBN and THC renders more benefits and fewer side effects than taking either cannabinoid by itself. Some commonly reported benefits of the CBN-THC combination include better sleep, mental relaxation, physical relaxation, and less THC-induced anxiety.
Effects of CBN and THC Together
CBN is known for its sedative, mildly psychoactive effects and is a popular sleep aid. THC creates a euphoric, relaxing head high.
When taken with THC, CBN may contribute to effects you experience by enhancing THC’s physically relaxing effects while mitigating its adverse effects, like anxiety and paranoia.
CBN and THC together will produce a deep, sedative high effect. This combination won’t make you as sleepy as if you used CBN by itself, and it won’t get you as high as if you took THC by itself.
Rather, it offers a balance of the effects each cannabinoid has to offer.
Taking CBN and THC together also changes where you’ll feel the effects. CBN tends to spread its effects across the mind and body, while THC’s effects are more concentrated in the head. By using CBN and THC together, you can enjoy full-body relaxation.
Benefits of CBN and THC Together
The CBN-THC combination may render increased therapeutic benefits in several different areas:
CBN and THC promote restful sleep
Research suggests both CBN and THC have therapeutic potential for promoting restful sleep.
A 1995 study done on mice found that CBN may prolong sleeping time [1]. Anecdotally, CBN may induce a full-body sedative effect.
A study on medical cannabis, which contains high percentages of THC, found that it improved both the duration and quality of sleep in insomnia patients [2].
CBN is a common choice for sleep due to its slightly psychoactive effects and deeply relaxing benefits for the mind and body. People who find that a stronger head experience helps them sleep tend to choose THC.
When taken together, CBN and THC render a more sedative version of the standard THC high. You’ll feel the psychoactive effects THC brings, but you’ll specifically feel the drowsy effects and physical relaxation from CBN needed to fall asleep.
This synergy of mental and physical benefits is explained by how both CBN and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system.
CBN acts heavily on the CB2 receptor, which relates to bodily sensations, while THC acts primarily on CB1, which relates to mental sensations. In this way, both cannabinoids fill the “gaps” in each other’s effects on sleep.
CBN and THC promote mental relaxation
While CBN hasn’t been researched for anxiety, THC has.
In a 2022 study, researchers observed that THC had anxiolytic, or anxiety-reducing, effects at smaller doses [3].
Anecdotally, CBN may promote mental relaxation through its sedative, slightly psychoactive effects, making it popular among those who want to calm their mind before bed.
THC is more commonly used by those wanting to calm their mind during the day.
Taking CBN and THC together to promote mental relaxation may increase the benefits each has to offer while reducing the side effects of each. THC makes CBN’s relaxing effects more potent, while CBN reduces the anxiety THC sometimes creates as a side effect.
Because CBN and THC interact differently with your endocannabinoid system, they promote overall mental relaxation while balancing out the sensations created by each other.
CBN and THC promote physical comfort
Studies suggest both CBN and THC may have therapeutic potential for pain and inflammation.
A 2016 study from University of Massachusetts researchers found CBN may have anti-inflammatory properties [4].
A study of 124 people found that THC allowed patients with neuropathic pain to reduce their doses of opioids [5].
Because of its sedative effects, CBN is best for promoting physical comfort at night. THC, on the other hand, creates effects that make it more amenable to daytime use.
Using the two cannabinoids together may be more effective for discomfort than using either by itself. CBN interacts with the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system more strongly than THC does, so it will have a greater direct physical effect.
THC increases the psychoactivity of CBN and slightly reduces the drowsiness it causes, making for a better overall experience.
CBN and THC create a better high
A 1975 study found that a CBN-THC combination will render a greater psychoactive effect than THC alone [6]. However, anecdotal evidence also suggests that CBN may reduce the anxiety and paranoia sometimes caused by THC.
This indicates that CBN may improve the THC high in more than one way: it adds to the positive while subtracting from the negative.
By creating a stronger high with less anxiety, CBN and THC together may render an overall more pleasurable experience for both therapeutic and recreational users.
Side Effects of Taking CBN and THC Together
Combining CBN and THC won’t increase the side effects of each cannabinoid. Some people who have tried this combination report that CBN and THC actually reduce each other’s side effects, particularly the anxiety-inducing effects of THC.
However, you may experience a mix of the side effects associated with each cannabinoid if you take them together, so it’s important to be aware of the side effects of CBN and THC.
Side Effects of CBN
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
Side Effects of THC
- Difficulty thinking and speaking
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
- Increased appetite
- Rapid heart rate
- Memory loss
- Red eyes
- Slowed reaction time
Best CBN:THC Ratios
While taking CBN and THC together can be vastly beneficial and enjoyable, it’s important that you get the ratio right. This will dictate the blend of effects you receive and the strength of these effects, relative to each other.
The best ratio of CBN to THC is often 1:1, or close to it. A 1:1 blend will promote a more restful, more physically relaxing version of THC’s effects, while reducing the anxiety and paranoia that THC may cause.
Generally, a greater ratio of CBN will create more sedative effects with a weaker head high, while a greater ratio of THC will have you feeling more energized while still feeling the therapeutic effects of CBN for anxiety.
Based on this, here are the CBN:THC ratios we recommend for sleep, anxiety, and pain:
- The best CBN:THC ratio for sleep is 1:1 or 3:2. This ensures you get the optimal blend of psychoactive and restful effects. You can also consider adding more CBN (a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio) if you’re not as interested in the strong head high, but still want the therapeutic effects of THC.
- The best CBN:THC ratio for anxiety is 1:1 or 2:1 CBN:THC. Even amounts of each cannabinoid, or slightly higher amounts of CBN, will create relaxing effects without creating too much drowsiness (too much CBN) or anxiety (too much THC).
- The best CBN:THC ratio for pain is 2:1 THC:CBN. The greater amount of THC ensures you get a potent head effect so that you’ll be able to tune out of the pain and relax, while the CBN can reduce the potentially anxious or paranoid sensations caused by THC while adding its physically relaxing benefits.
These ratios are just starting places; we recommend experimenting with different ratios until you find what works with you.
Shop The Best CBN + THC Gummies
If you’re looking for gummies that combine CBN and THC in the optimal ratios, we’ve got you covered.
Happy Fruit Blueberry Dream THC & CBN gummies are a customer favorite.
Each piece contains 10mg of CBN and 15mg of delta 9 THC to create a deeply relaxing indica cannabinoid blend. Now you can relax, feel a head high, and enjoy better sleep – without the anxiety.
These CBN gummies are 3rd-party lab tested and made with American-grown hemp, giving you the confidence to enjoy the effects you’re looking for. Our customers love them for both therapeutic and recreational use, and we’re sure you’ll love them, too!
DriftyZZZ’s THC:CBD:CBN gummies provide sleep support through a three-cannabinoid blend.
Each gummy contains 7.5mg THC, 10mg CBN, and 75mg of CBD. The THC and CBN will give you a slight head high and deep relaxation, while the potent dose of CBD will temper the inebriating effects of THC and CBN. All that will be left over is straight relaxation.
DriftyZZZ’s are favorites among our customers who aren’t so interested in a head high but instead want the sleep-supportive benefits of THC and CBN.
These gummies are also 3rd-party lab tested and made with American hemp. Now you can sleep better with confidence.
Conclusions: A Beneficial Combo?
CBN and THC have unique use cases and benefits on their own, and you may decide you’re better off using one or the other.
But if you’re looking for a head high but also want to ensure you get restful sleep (or the other way around), this combination is definitely beneficial — both for therapeutic and recreational use.
Conclusion: Should You Take CBN and THC Together?
CBN and THC have unique effects, and you may decide your situation calls specifically for one or the other.
But if you’re looking for a slightly different set of effects, you might find that taking CBN and THC together is just what you need.
If you want a head high but also want to ensure you get restful sleep (or the other way around), the CBN-THC combination is the way to go.
CBN and THC Together: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about using CBN and THC together.
Can you take THC and CBN together to sleep?
Yes, you can take THC and CBN together for sleep. Doing this creates a more sedative, less anxious version of the regular THC high, allowing you to drift off to sleep and wake up refreshed the next morning.
What is the best THC to CBN ratio for sleep?
For sleep, a 1:1 or 3:2 ratio of CBN to THC ensures you get the optimal blend of psychoactive and restful effects. You can also consider adding more CBN (a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio) if you’re not as interested in the strong head high, but still want the therapeutic effects of THC.
Is CBN stronger than THC?
No, CBN is not stronger than THC. In fact, THC is roughly 4 times as powerful as CBN. However, CBN’s head high is punctuated with feelings of drowsiness, while THC’s high is more energetic and characterized by euphoria and relaxation.
What drugs interact with CBN?
CBN and other cannabinoids may interact with certain classes of prescription drugs. Due to similarities between how cannabinoids and grapefruit are metabolized, avoid taking CBN with any drug that has the grapefruit warning.
Sources
[1] Yoshida, H et al. “Synthesis and pharmacological effects in mice of halogenated cannabinol derivatives.” Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin vol. 43,2 (1995): 335-7. doi:10.1248/cpb.43.335
[2] Ried, Karin et al. “Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study.” Journal of sleep research vol. 32,3 (2023): e13793. doi:10.1111/jsr.13793
[3] Lichenstein, Sarah D. “THC, CBD, and Anxiety: A review of recent findings on the anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects of cannabis’ primary cannabinoids.” Current addiction reports vol. 9,4 (2022): 473-485. doi:10.1007/s40429-022-00450-7
[4] Hergenrather, Jeffrey Y et al. “Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Doses are Associated with Adult ADHD Status of Medical Cannabis Patients.” Rambam Maimonides medical journal vol. 11,1 e0001. 30 Jan. 2020, doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10384
[5] Weber, Janet et al. “Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9-THC) Treatment in Chronic Central Neuropathic Pain and Fibromyalgia Patients: Results of a Multicenter Survey.” Anesthesiology research and practice vol. 2009 (2009): 827290. doi:10.1155/2009/827290
[6] Karniol, I G et al. “Effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol in man.” Pharmacology vol. 13,6 (1975): 502-12. doi:10.1159/000136944
