What are the effects of CBN?

Published by Justin Dumas on August 20, 2024

THC, CBC, CBG... Research into the effects of cannabinoids on the body continues year after year. With the success of CBD, certain substances are attracting growing interest. One of these is CBN, or cannabinol. What are its potential effects on the body? We explain.

CBN: what exactly are we talking about?

CBN is a cannabinoida substance derived from the cannabis plant that interacts with the body by activating certain receptors. While each cannabinoid has different effects on the body, little is known about their actual mechanism of action, with the exception of CBD and THC.

CBN has an interesting feature: it's a derivative of THC. It is formed when THC is broken down by heat, air and light. This is why it is present in greater quantities in old, oxidized cannabis flowers.

Does CBN make you high?

Unlike THC, CBN has no psychoactive effects. If taken in high doses, it may be likely to produce mild psychoactive reactions. However, as it is available in small quantities in CBD products, the risk of experiencing such effects is minimal. In France, CBN consumption is legal.

What are the potential benefits of CBN?

At present, there is little research on CBN, including human clinical trials. Some preclinical studies suggest that this molecule could help :

Pain relief

A study[1] conducted in 2019 on rats suggested that CBN would help reduce pain of muscular origin. By extension, researchers hypothesized that this molecule could help alleviate pain associated with chronic muscular disorders such as fibromyalgia and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Experimentation also shows that pain reduction is more effective when CBD and CBN are used together.

Helping you fall asleep

Although not yet scientifically proven, CBN is considered a "sleep-inducing" cannabinoid. One study[2] from 1975 showed that humans who took CBN alone orally showed no signs of drowsiness or "high". However, participants taking CBN with THC showed higher levels of dizziness and drowsiness. While CBN cannot be said to have sedative effects, it is likely to contribute, along with other cannabinoids, to drowsiness via the entourage effect.

You'll find CBN in the formulation of our sleep products: CBD Sleep Oil + CBN + Melatonin and CBD Sleep Capsules + CBN + Melatonin + Ylang-Ylang + Lavender.

Reduce inflammation

Inflammatory properties are attributed to most cannabinoids[3]and CBN is no exception. According to one study[4] on rats, CBN may reduce inflammation caused by arthritis. When consumed with other cannabinoids, or applied to the skin, it could help reduce inflammation and thus the signs associated with inflammatory diseases.

To date, CBN is mainly used to improve sleep in cases of insomnia or difficulty falling asleep. While the initial findings are a promising starting point, it is too early to assert that CBN would have interesting effects in the treatment of specific pathologies. Future studies will enable us to understand the effects of CBN, particularly in relieving inflammation and sleep disorders.

How to use CBN?

CBN is available in both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products. These allow you to benefit from the entourage effect and make the most of the benefits of CBN and other cannabinoids. Several forms exist, such as :

- oil ;

- flowers ;

- resins ;

- vaporizers.

Good to know

CBN extraction requires sophisticated extraction techniques to remove the THC content. To ensure quality, the product must be tested by an independent laboratory. Analysis reveals the exact levels of each cannabinoid, and detects the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and moulds.

> Also read: What is full spectrum CBD?

What are the potential risks of CBN?

Due to the lack of data concerning CBN, its side effects and drug interactions are not yet well known. The two potential risks are :

Sleepiness

CBN can help you fall asleep, especially when combined with CBD. As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to consume in the evening before bedtime.

Sources :

[1] Wong H, Cairns BE. Cannabidiol, cannabinol and their combinations act as peripheral analgesics in a rat model of myofascial pain. Arch Oral Biol. 2019;104:33-39. doi:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2019.05.028

[2] Karniol IG, Shirakawa I, Takahashi RN, Knobel E, Musty RE. Effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol in man. Pharmacology. 1975;13(6):502-512. doi:10.1159/000136944

[3] Nagarkatti, Prakash et al. "Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs." Future medicinal chemistry vol. 1,7 (2009): 1333-49. doi:10.4155/fmc.09.93

[4] https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1096/fj.201600646R