There are over 100 different cannabinoids in cannabis plants. We’ve touched on CBD, delta-8 THC, and even CBG in the past. In fact, if you want to browse through our other blogs, feel free to take a peek beforehand.
For today — what is CBN? If it’s another cannabinoid, how is it different from the rest? And what’s making it gain popularity? We want to answer all these questions and more with our guide. Let’s dive into everything you could want to know about CBN.
What is CBN?
Just like its close cousins CBD and THC, CBN (cannabinol) is a cannabinoid in hemp and cannabis plants. CBN has its own set of mildly psychoactive effects. And, just like THC, we create CBN by decarboxylating THCa.
There’s a heavy emphasis on the mild when it comes to CBN. It has an even more mild impact than delta-8. So, it’s likely not going to cause a stoned feeling or an intense “high.” It may cause euphoria, though. Some consumers rave about the positive but not overwhelming effects of CBN.
A mood booster, CBN is an effective type of cannabis compound to use throughout the day. If you use it at night, though, it may help ease stress and coax out relaxation. Versatile and functional, let’s dive deeper into the cannabinoid.
7 Potential Benefits of CBN
To better understand what CBN is, let’s look over the real potential benefits that it may offer. Remember, everyone is different, so these aren’t guaranteed. Likewise, we’re not attempting to make medical claims or cite CBN as a treatment or cure for anything. Instead, we’re merely showing you all the potential researchers have already seen from the cannabinoid.
CBN Might Be an Anti-Inflammatory
That’s right – the cannabinoid might be capable of helping with inflammatory conditions. This goes especially for those with rheumatoid arthritis. A rodent study looked at CBN’s ability to reduce arthritis. While more research needs to be done, it gives us a good idea of what it might be able to do for humans, too. CBN could end up being a massive help to those with debilitating inflammatory conditions.
It Might Stimulate Your Appetite
Because CBN is such a new cannabinoid to be brought into the spotlight, most of our studies are going to be on rodents so far. Researchers are trying to implement broader clinical trials with human participants.
In the meantime, a series of rodent studies looked at CBN’s ability to stimulate the appetite. The results found that cannabinol increased the amount of food rat subjects ate.
For those who look towards cannabis as a way to get munchies and actually get an appetite, CBN could very well be in your corner. This works as a bonus for those who have to stay away from weed because of the intoxicating effects or any number of other reasons. As a milder psychoactive component, CBN won’t cause the intense high that THC might.
CBN Demonstrates Neuroprotective Qualities
Back to rats again — a separate rodent study looked at CBN as a potential treatment for ALS.
CBN was able to delay the onset of the condition in rats, which points to a powerfully promising future. Human studies are needed for actual confirmation, but the potential is huge!
What this suggests is that cannabinol could act as a powerful tool in the fight against neurodegenerative conditions. It could help people plagued with diseases like ALS, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s Disease, and more.
It Could Help with Sleep
A large area of CBN research has been focused on the medical uses it offers for sleep. CBN contains sedative properties that could increase the quality of a user’s sleep and help relax their mind before bed.
People suffering from poor sleeping habits and even mild insomnia could find relief in the near future, thanks to CBN and the studies surrounding it. CBN is also free from opioids and their complications, making them a terrific alternative to more intense medications for sleep.
CBN Could Be Antibacterial
Researchers who study CBN find it may possess antibacterial properties. CBN was even tested on MRSA bacteria in a lab setting, which is resistant to traditional antibiotics. If we get more research behind the cannabinoid, we might see it as a solution to fight bacterial infections other antibiotics can’t.
It Might Help Relieve Certain Types of Pain
Again, our furry little friends help to bring the capabilities hidden within CBN closer to the surface. A 2019 study conducted on rats found that CBN could lend a helping hand with pain management.
This could be massively beneficial for those suffering from symptoms of fibromyalgia, as well as other chronic conditions.
CBN Might Even Potentially Help with Glaucoma
A study on rabbits discovered CBN helps to reduce intraocular pressure. Intraocular pressure is the very same pressure that is the biggest risk factor for glaucoma. Research is, of course, in its early stages for something like this.
CBN hasn’t even been shown to hold up to other glaucoma medications, comparatively. Could it help reduce the risk of getting glaucoma? That chance is much more likely, but further research is still needed.
How Safe is CBN?
Currently, there are no known side effects of CBN. That is not to say that side effects don’t exist. CBN research is still young, and there’s more research to be done before anything definitive can be said.
That also doesn’t mean that CBN is safe to use with all medications. Just like with anything else you plan on trying or adding to your routine, it’s important to ask your doctor about possible interactions.
It is best to consult your doctor before trying CBN if you take medications such as the following:
- Antibiotics
- Antihistamines
- Blood thinners
- GERD and other gastrointestinal medications
- Immunosuppressants
- Mood stabilizers
- Pain medications
- Cholesterol medications
- Heart medications
- Cancer treatment medications
This list is not comprehensive when it comes to possible interactions but serves more to show the wide range where an interaction could occur. Regardless of what medications you may be taking, it is always better to err on the side of caution and talk to your doctor before mixing CBN with any of them.
Where Can You Get CBN?
CBN is most often sold with the most famous of the other non-psychoactive cannabinoids, CBD. In fact, that’s exactly how we offer it here. CBD and CBN work in perfect synchronicity, paired with just enough THC for a beautiful synergy. CBD, CBN, and THC work together in perfect harmony to provide a medley of properties.
Everyone is different, but the potential for cannabinol is there, and it comes in all shapes and sizes. You can give our CBD + CBN tincture and then our 1,050 Descend CBN oil a try and see for yourself!
Wrapping Up: What is CBN?
In this guide, we were able to show you what is CBN, as well as the potential benefits we know it could offer. These are based on clinical trials and compiled studies, so we don’t pretend to make any medical claims. We only observe the facts we see and let you know the possibilities that are there!
Have you ever tried CBN before? What’s been your experience?