What is CBN?

Cannabinol, or CBN, is a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in the cannabis/hemp plant. “Hemp” is simply cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. 

Scientists discovered CBN nearly 100 years ago, but it was relatively unknown and unused by the general public for decades. 

However, some THC users began to realize that smoking hemp flower containing high amounts of CBN along with THC produced a mellower, drowsier high than flower that didn’t contain as much CBN. 

This led many people to believe that CBN had sedative properties. Although the research on this is mixed, anecdotal evidence suggests CBN is indeed beneficial for sleep. 

But it’s also beneficial for other things: scientific and anecdotal evidence suggests CBN has potential therapeutic applications for pain, anxiety, ADHD, cancer, and glaucoma. 

How Does CBN Make You Feel?

CBN has very noticeable effects. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it’s mildly psychoactive and will cause a slight high; most people report that CBN is roughly one-fourth as strong as delta 9 THC (the THC in weed). 

Unlike THC, which many people find to be energizing, CBN creates sedative effects for the mind and body, making it ideal for evening use. 

What are the Benefits of CBN?

Research suggests CBN has therapeutic potential in several different areas:

Sleep

CBN may promote restful sleep via bringing sedative, relaxing effects. 

Research on mice indicates that CBN may prolong sleeping time, and anecdotal evidence suggests CBN induces a full-body sedative high effect. 

Pain

Research on rats indicates that CBN has anti-inflammatory properties. 

Other studies show that CBN interacts with the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which are capable of inhibiting pain and inflammatory sensations. 

One study found that CBN reduces myofascial pain in rats. The study also found that a 1:1 combination of CBD and CBN was more effective for pain than CBN alone. From these results, the researchers concluded that a combination of CBN and CBD may help with pain from temporomandibular disorders (jaw pain) and fibromyalgia.

Anxiety

Although no formal research has investigated whether CBN may render anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, anecdotal evidence suggests CBN may be beneficial for stress and anxiety due to its mentally relaxing effects. 

ADHD

Research looking at the impact of cannabinoid and terpene consumption on ADHD found that a high dosage of CBN was associated with a lower Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale ASRS score.

Cancer

Research on neuroblastoma, a rare type of pediatric cancer, found that CBN has a suppressive role on neuroblastoma tumorigenesis, or the formation of cancer cells. 

Glaucoma

Research found that CBN promoted neuroprotection and normalized intraocular pressure levels in the eye, indicating its “therapeutic potential for the treatment of glaucoma.”

CBN May Enhance THC

Research from 1975 found that a CBN-THC combination will render a greater psychoactive effect than THC alone. 

Anecdotal accounts corroborate this; most people describe the CBN-THC effect as a calmer, drowsier version of the normal THC high. 

What are the Side Effects of CBN?

While research suggests CBN has vast therapeutic potential, it may also cause some adverse side effects when consumed. 

Potential side effects of CBN include:

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Difficulty thinking and speaking
• Slowed reaction time

(Note that tiredness isn’t necessarily a negative effect if you’re using CBN to sleep.)

Types of CBN Products & How to Use CBN

There are several types of CBN products out there:

• CBN Oil: CBN oil is taken under the tongue, rather than swallowed. Because of this, it works faster (10-15 minutes) and is slightly stronger than other products. It also allows for very precise dosing.
• CBN Gummies: Edibles, such as gummies, offer a consistent way to dose CBN, as each piece will contain the same amount. Most CBN gummies contain 10-20mg per piece, so in most cases, you can either take a full gummy or half of one. CBN gummies start working in 45 minutes to 1 hour. 
• CBN Capsules: CBN capsules, like edibles, offer consistent dosing. The one downside is that they aren’t the best product for very small doses. Most capsules contain significant amounts of CBN per piece, and you can’t exactly split one in half to take a smaller amount. Like edibles, capsules work in 45 minutes to 1 hour. 

Is CBN Legal?

Yes, CBN is legal on the federal level. 

The 2018 Farm Bill (which has been extended through 2024) legalized hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids, including CBN, on a federal level.

Hemp is a variant of the cannabis sativa plant that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. 

CBN vs. CBD: How Do They Compare?

CBN and CBD differ in a few main areas: their effects, benefits, and level of natural occurrence in hemp. 

• Effects: Whereas CBN has very noticeable effects and will create a mild head high, CBD is very subtle and is best characterized as the negative sensations you don’t feel, rather than the positive ones you do. 

• Benefits: CBN and CBD both may offer therapeutic potential for sleep, pain, and anxiety. CBN is generally more effective than CBD for sleep, although it tends not to be as useful for daytime support due to its potential drowsiness-inducing effects. CBD has been researched for use with epilepsy and addiction; CBN has not been researched for these uses. 

• Occurrence: Whereas CBD is a major cannabinoid that’s abundant in hemp, CBN is a minor cannabinoid, meaning it’s only naturally found in small amounts. 

CBN vs. THC: How Do They Compare?

As with CBD, CBN differs from THC in its effects, benefits, and level of natural occurrence in hemp. 

• Effects: Both CBN and THC may cause a head high effect. However, THC is about four times stronger than CBN. CBN also tends to render a drowsier high, while THC’s high is fairly even in energy. 

• Benefits: CBN tends to be more beneficial than THC for anxiety as it’s less likely to create paranoia and anxiety as side effects. THC has been researched more for use with pain than CBN has. 
• Occurrence: THC is a major cannabinoid and is relatively very abundant in the hemp plant, while CBN is only found in small amounts.