CBN (cannabinol) is most commonly used as a sleep aid, and it’s been researched for use with pain.
But is CBN beneficial for anxiety, too?
CBN has mild psychoactive effects which may be beneficial for those with anxiety and stress. CBN may generally promote mental balance, and many people use it to relax. However, CBN hasn’t yet been studied for anxiety, so more research is needed regarding these potential benefits.
In this article, we’ll explore CBN’s potential benefits for anxiety, how it works in your body, and how to use it effectively.
A natural alternative to OTC and prescription sleep aids and more. Discover our CBN oil, lab-tested and backed by 100s of happy customers.
What is CBN?
Cannabinol, or CBN, is a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in the cannabis/hemp plant. Hemp is cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
Scientists discovered CBN nearly 100 years ago, but it was relatively unknown to most cannabis users for a long time. It gained popularity, however, when people noticed that THC flower that contained high levels of CBN gave a drowsier, mellower high than THC flower without as much CBN.
This would seem to suggest CBN has sedative properties. The research on this is mixed, however, many peoples’ firsthand experiences show this to be true.
Can CBN Help With Anxiety?
No scientific research has been done on using CBN (cannabinol) for anxiety. However, many people find it beneficial for anxiety, including for social anxiety. CBN’s relaxing properties may help take the edge off of negative emotions and allow you to relax and focus on the present moment.
While CBD (cannabidiol) tends to be mildly relaxing, and CBG (cannabigerol) is mentally uplifting, CBN is slightly sedative and will get you high – its effects are roughly ¼ as strong as those of THC.
Potential Benefits of CBN for Anxiety
CBN may help with anxiety in a few specific ways:
Promotes Rest & Relaxation
Learn More: The Effects and Benefits of Using CBN and THC Together
CBN’s relaxing, sedative effects may help with anxiety – it can take the edge off of things without overpowering you as THC might.
CBN may also enhance the way that other cannabinoids work. For example, combining CBN with delta 9 THC produces a deeper, drowsier version of the usual THC high.
This is helpful if you find that THC is too stimulating, and therefore exacerbates your anxiety instead of reducing it. CBN may balance things out.
Whether you use it in isolation or with other cannabinoids, CBN has an effect profile that many people find beneficial for anxiety.
Promotes Restful Sleep
Learn More: Does CBN Help You Sleep? What Research Says
If you struggle with anxiety, you may also have trouble sleeping at night. This is a vicious cycle; less sleep leads to more anxiety, more anxiety leads to less sleep, and so on.
Given its potential benefits for sleep, CBN may help with anxiety that is related to sleep trouble. As we discussed in the introduction, sleep is the most common use that companies market CBN products for. Research on CBN’s sleep-supporting properties is mixed, however.
One study from 1973 found that a midsize dose of CBN could render a weaker version of the effects given by THC, indicating that it may have sleep-supporting, physically relaxing effects as THC does.
However, another study found that CBN doses of 20-400mg elicited no mental physical effects. Such is the case for other studies: some indicate CBN supports sleep, while others suggest it has few effects.
Anecdotal evidence, though, is strongly in favor of CBN for sleep. Many people find that CBN helps with sleep by creating sedating, relaxing effects.
CBN may therefore help you feel better the next day, in the process potentially bringing a reduction in the anxiety you feel.
May Help With Pain
Learn More: Does CBN Help With Pain? What Science Says
According to Harvard Health, pain and anxiety are closely linked: one study found that 65% of patients with irritable bowel syndrome who are referred for follow-up care show symptoms of psychological distress, typically anxiety. Other examples of this link abound.
CBN may help break this link by addressing pain, which would then also help with the anxiety.
One study in rats found that CBN reduces myofascial pain, a type of chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system.
From these results, the researchers concluded that CBN has the potential to bring pain relief for people with temporomandibular disorders (jaw pain) and fibromyalgia.
Other studies support CBN’s ability to help with pain. Researchers found that CBN interacts with the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which are capable of inhibiting pain and inflammatory sensations.
Through these mechanisms, CBN may help with anxiety that’s caused or exacerbated by physical discomfort.
How CBN Works for Anxiety
Cannabinoids, such as CBN, work by supporting your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a receptor system in your body responsible for regulating your vital functions.
It influences every system your body uses for moment-to-moment functioning, including your emotions, motivation, inflammatory and pain responses, and sleep-wake cycle.
Healthy functioning of your ECS is associated with normal states of health. Introducing outside cannabinoids during times of “system overload” may help your ECS do its job better, therefore improving the way you feel, both mentally and physically.
There are two types of receptors in your ECS:
- CB1 receptors, which produce mental effects when stimulated
- CB2 receptors, which produce physical effects when stimulated
CBN can interact with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which allows it to tackle anxiety from both physical and mental angles.
Given that anxiety has causes that extend far beyond the brain, the ability of CBN to support comprehensive wellness means that many people find it very beneficial for promoting mental relaxation.
CBN vs. CBD for Anxiety
While many people have turned to CBN after hearing about its ability to promote deep relaxation without being as powerful as THC, it isn’t the most popular cannabinoid to use for anxiety.
That title goes to CBD, a versatile cannabinoid with many benefits, among them the ability to promote feelings of calm and relaxation. CBD is science-backed, too: a research review found that CBD has shown therapeutic potential for anxiety across many studies.
So which cannabinoid should you use? When is CBN better than CBD for anxiety, and vice versa?
When people ask us about this, we generally recommend they ask themselves three questions to choose the option that will be best for them:
- When does my anxiety occur? Both CBN and CBD have relaxing benefits, but CBN is sedating and will get you slightly high, while CBD won’t. Most people find CBN better for nighttime and sleep-related anxiety, while finding CBN more effective for daytime use.
- How strong do I need the effects? CBN is slightly psychoactive and has sedative effects, while CBD’s mental effects are very mild. While people find CBD beneficial for anxiety, it is far subtler in how it works, so it may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a solution that you can feel working.
- Are you comfortable with something backed only by anecdotal evidence? Many preliminary studies show CBD’s benefits for anxiety, but as of yet, CBN hasn’t been researched for this purpose. While the anecdotal evidence behind CBN indicates it has calming properties, it is ultimately up to you whether you can trust something that scientists haven’t yet looked at. Our stance is that it is beneficial, but we respect that many people want to see scientific evidence first.
CBN Dosage for Anxiety
Learn More: CBN Dosage Chart, Calculator, and Guide
We recommend starting with a low-strength dosage of CBN for anxiety. You can calculate it using the following formula:
(0.05) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your body weight in lbs.
Of course, your ideal dose will depend on the angle from which you’re attacking the anxiety – do you just need the effects, or are you trying to address other issues that may be contributing to the anxiety, like pain or sleep trouble?
Ultimately, you’ll have to experiment a bit with your dose – but in any case, we recommend starting small and gradually working your way up.
The Best CBN Products for Anxiety
If you’re looking for the best CBN products for anxiety, we have some options.
At Natural Ways CBD, we make and curate hemp-derived cannabinoid products.
We’re dedicated to creating products that help people solve problems, not just bring effects.
But we also carry the best of what other companies have to offer so that you have more options – options that all live up to our strict standards of being 3rd-party lab tested, made with American-grown hemp, and proven to help real people.
Here are the CBN products we have to offer:
Natural Ways Dream Drops CBN Oil
Our signature CBN oil formula was originally designed as an alternative to OTC and prescription sleep aids. But it’s perfect for anxiety, too, because it combines premium CBN extract with small amounts of CBD, CBG, and CBC, as well as hemp-derived terpenes, to create the entourage effect.
The what?
The entourage effect is a phenomenon where you experience more benefits and more effects from cannabinoids and terpenes when they’re used together. CBN with CBD, for example, is generally more beneficial than CBN alone.
This CBN oil provides that entourage effect, by balancing and complementing the signature deep relaxation from CBN with CBD, CBG, and CBC.
It’s THC-free, 3rd-party lab-tested, and made with American-grown hemp. Comes in a 1 oz. bottle; 500mg and 1000mg options available.
Click here to shop Natural Ways Dream Drops CBN Oil
Happy Fruit Blueberry Dream Gummies
These Blueberry Dream gummies by Happy Fruit combine 10mg of CBN with 15mg of delta 9 THC to create a soothing indica cannabinoid blend.
Now you can get the deep relaxation you deserve without the anxiety. Each gummy has delicious, juicy blueberry flavors. You’ll bring good vibes wherever you go.
Click here to shop Happy Fruit Blueberry Dream Gummies
DriftyZZZ’s Sleepy Time Gummies
DriftyZZZ’s Sleepy Time Gummies are formulated for the hemp user who wants deep relaxation without the overpowering head high. They’re the ideal product if you’re trying to tackle anxiety that has its roots in poor sleep.
Each gummy contains 10mg of CBN, 7.5mg of delta 9 THC, and 75mg CBD. That’s quite the variety of cannabinoids in each piece. Let us explain.
- The 10mg of CBN and 7.5mg of delta 9 THC create deep relaxation.
- The potent 75mg dose of CBD provides therapeutic support for anxiety, pain, and sleep, and temper the head high from the other cannabinoids.
- Together, these three cannabinoids deliver the feeling you need for a night of restful sleep.
With blackberry flavors, they’re great-tasting, too!
3rd-party lab tested and made with American-grown hemp.
Click here to shop DriftyZZZ’s Sleepy Time Gummies
Conclusion: IS CBN Good for Anxiety?
While CBN has yet to be researched as an anxiety treatment, anecdotal evidence suggests it can be of some use. In addition to promoting mental relaxation, CBN may help with anxiety by addressing issues that often exacerbate it, such as pain and sleep troubles.
We think CBN is worth a try if you’re dealing with anxiety. Due to its versatility, it has the potential to help people deal with anxiety caused by many things – it’s not just limited to giving you a certain feeling.
Just be sure to start low and slow when dosing it to ensure you get the most benefits with the fewest side effects!
CBN for Anxiety: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about using CBN for anxiety.
Is CBN or CBG better for anxiety?
CBN and CBG are both immensely beneficial for anxiety, as they both promote a calm mind. However, CBN tends to be sedating, while CBG is more uplifting and energizing – this makes CBG better for daytime anxiety, while CBN is ideal for nighttime use.
Does CBN make you relaxed?
Research and anecdotal evidence suggests CBN has relaxing, sedating benefits and effects. It is similar to THC, however, it’s just ¼ as strong.
Is CBN better than CBD?
CBN and CBD each have many benefits. While CBD has therapeutic potential for inflammation, pain, anxiety, epilepsy, sleep, and addiction, CBN may be more effective for sleep, while also helping with pain and anxiety.
