CBN Vs. CBD: Differences, Benefits, Uses, and More

CBD stands for Cannabidiol and one type of cannabinoid that is found in the hemp/cannabis plant.

 Whereas, CBN stands for Cannabinol and is another type of cannabinoid also found in the hemp/cannabis plant. To round it up, they are both cannabinoid types and impact the endocannabinoid system, but differ in popularity and use. 

While they sound almost exactly the same, there are marked differences as listed below.

CBN is growing in use as researchers and manufacturers work to perfect the offerings from the cannabis plant. In fact, there are more than 100 cannabinoid types that come from the cannabis plant. This means that there is a range of cannabis offerings from those with psychoactive effects to those with no psychoactive effects.

To obtain CBN, manufacturers must go through a process called decarboxylation, which involves taking raw cannabis and exposing it to oxygen and heat for a period of time. The CBN forms after the THC has been broken down thanks to the exposure of that heat, air, and light over time. This process is similarly found in nature as the cannabis plant naturally transfers THC to CBN as it ages. 

It’s important to note that manufacturers use decarboxylation in a controlled environment rather than letting the plant age on its own. This ensures that purity and consistency measures are met and what results is a product with the highest efficacy possible. 

Always be sure to check a product’s lab certifications to ensure that quality measures are taken.

According to Forbes Health, InMed Pharmaceuticals is taking steps to research how CBN and other cannabinoids affect the body. While more research is needed, CBN may have potential benefits including:

• Anti-inflammatory purposes for skin conditions (such as for diseases that cause the skin to blister or chronic wounds prolonged by inflammation). This is still ongoing research. 

• Glaucoma - In studies topical CBN was found to treat certain retinal cells and exhibits neuroprotective abilities. 

• Chronic Muscle Pain - In 2019, a study on rats found that CBN (and CBD) decreased muscle sensitization. 

CBN still needs additional research to determine its effects. Often effects differ depending on the strain and user. Some allude to CBN as creating a sedative effect, but this is often attributed to a more calming, sleepy effect after use. While there is no THC (which means no psychoactive effects) the age of the CBN pulled may have an impact on the intended effect.

This is due to the other cannabinoids that can be found (along with terpenes and flavonoids), which have an impact on an individual’s effect. 

In contrast, CBD has become the better known cannabinoid choice for many users from those with issues managing pain to chronic mental disorders like anxiety. In fact, CBD has been FDA-approved for treating two types of epilepsy to reduce the frequency of seizures. However, the benefits and uses of CBD also include:

• Chronic Pain - A 2018 study found that 15 of 18 trials demonstrated a significant analgesic effect of cannabinoids when compared to a placebo. A portion of patients also self-reported a 30% reduction in pain intensity (based on a scale of 0-10).

• Epilepsy - CBD has actually been approved for use with two medications for helping with seizures.

• Anxiety - Existing preclinical evidence strongly supports CBD as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, OCD, and PTSD when administered acutely. They mention that the research is lacking for chronic CBD dosing with more data suggesting that acute dosing may be successful for patients.  

• High Blood Pressure - In 2017, researchers found that an acute administration of CBD (600 mg of CBD) can reduce resting blood pressure and even blood pressure associated with stress and an increase in heart rate. 

CBD is not intoxicating and does not cause a psychoactive effect due to its lack of THC. THC is responsible for that high feeling, which makes CBD a better alternative for those looking for a milder effect. It is much more calming in intention and perhaps even better for managing use during the day.

Side effects often differ from person to person, but any side effect should be monitored closely. For example, start small with any new CBD or CBN product and see how you feel after a few hours or even a day after use. This will ensure that you will tolerate the product and you can also monitor your mood or symptoms if using it to treat a condition. However, it’s still best to discuss options and disease states with your physician before starting on your own.

It’s generally reported that CBD and CBN have similar reported side effects among users including

• Nausea and/or vomiting

• Dizziness and/or drowsiness

• Sleepiness (more common with CBN use)

Yes. They are both considered legal in most states due to the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill was introduced to specify how much hemp was deemed legal to use. Anything under 0.3% THC is considered legal to possess, sell, and consume. 

However, any product over 0.3% THC is still considered to be marijuana and is federally illegal. It’s important to check your state guidelines to better understand how your state classifies CBD products in relation to the legal percentage of products containing THC. 

If a CBD product is over 0.3% THC then it is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance according to the FDA. This means that anything over that amount is not federally legal and the regulation goes state by state then. 

CBD is a popular choice for many users, but CBN has also proven to be popular as well. So much so, that more research is being conducted on something called the entourage effect, which occurs when different products (with different cannabinoids) are used together to provide a better balanced intended effect.

This was seen in a recent study which combined CBD and CBN to treat pain in rats. Additional research may suggest that different cannabinoids reach higher efficacy when paired together.

However, for the time being and for your potential use here are a few CBD options in various formulations to check out. Maybe you’re a fan of gummies, but looking to try a tincture. Or, a topical sounds like the way to go. There’s definitely a formulation for whatever your preference may be.

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CBN (cannabinol) is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis. CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis. While both compounds interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, CBN has sedative effects while CBD does not.

Yes, CBN has been found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-convulsive properties. It may also be useful for treating insomnia and pain.  

Yes, CBD is legal in most countries as long as it is derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% THC.  

CBN does not produce a high, but it can produce mild sedative effects.  

CBD and CBN can be taken in the form of oils, tinctures, capsules, edibles, topicals, and inhalants. They can also be added to food and beverages