CBN 101: What is CBN and What Are the Health Effects of This Powerful Cannabinoid?

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) aren't the only names in town. While these cannabinoids are the most commonly referred to compounds in cannabis oils, tinctures, and other cannabis products, the industry is constantly evolving. Cannabinol (CBN) is the latest cannabinoid that everyone is talking about, but the different acronyms can get confusing. Here's everything you need to know about this mild psychoactive. 

While not as well-known as THC and CBD, CBN is actually the first-ever isolated cannabinoid identified by researchers — it was first discovered in the late 1800s.(1) This predates the first time THC was identified by more than half a century (scientists only isolated THC in the 1960s).(2)

CBN is a byproduct of THC. When THC degrades — think old, stale cannabis leaves, or THC oils and extracts that have been left out for too long or exposed to high heat or high humidity — the THC breaks down into CBN.(3) However, some elements of THC will always remain, which is why CBN is regularly defined as a "mild psychoactive." 

As THC degrades into CBN, the THC loses much of its psychoactive properties.(4)

Unlike cannabis products that contain THC, CBN products therefore don't have the same intoxicating or mind-altering effects.

 However, research suggests that CBN still possesses similar potential therapeutic and health benefits, making it a top choice for those who are seeking cannabis-related wellness goals but don't want as many of the psychoactive effects of THC.

CBN, just like other cannabinoids, interacts with the endocannabinoid (EC) system (5) in your central nervous system. 

Typically, your brain cells (also known as neurons) send chemical messages that regulate your actions, mood, and thoughts:

• A presynaptic neuron releases a neurotransmitter (i.e., a chemical message)
• The neurotransmitter attaches to a receptor on another neuron 
• That triggers the receiving neuron — known as a postsynaptic cell — to do something specific

In your EC system, it works in reverse: Cannabinoids, such as CBN, act as chemical messengers from the postsynaptic neuron to the presynaptic neuron. This then influences the future actions of the presynaptic neuron, affecting how future "messages" are sent by that neuron to other neurons. 

Put simply, CBN can change how your neurons send messages to each other, and this can have wide-ranging potential health effects on your body and mind. 

Below are some effects to notice and also benefits, including: 

Research suggests that CBN can have numerous potential benefits for your health.

1.  CBN and Brain Health

CBN may protect your neurons from oxidative stress.(6)  The researchers also found that CBN can help prevent the signs of aging in your brain cells (7) linked to brain cell death. The study concluded that this may reduce your risks of various age-related diseases in your brain and central nervous system, including:

• Dementia
• Alzheimer's disease
• Parkinson's disease

In contrast, CBD — which is similar to CBN but has zero psychoactive properties and has been more well-researched — has shown similar neurodegenerative protective effects. Not only that, but CBD has also been shown to influence all aspects of brain health, including benefits for emotional processing, stress and anxiety, and even psychosis.(8)

2.  CBN and Sleep

Up to 70 million Americans struggle with sleep issues. Besides making you more fatigued, lack of sleep is linked with higher risks of injuries, lower work and career performance, relationship problems, and even a higher risk of diseases like cancer and strokes. 

CBN may help you sleep when paired with other cannabinoids like THC and CBD, increasing the quality of your sleep without introducing the same psychoactive side effects as THC. 

However, on its own, CBN's effects on sleep are less clear.(9) Most studies show that it's most effective on insomnia and similar sleep disorders when it is paired with other cannabinoids, although one small trial — using just 24 human participants — did see promising results of CBN on overall sleep quality.(10) 

3. CBN and Cognitive Function

CBN may help you focus and be less distracted, as one small study on adults with ADHD suggested.(11)

It's important to note that this study used cannabis strains that were higher in CBN, rather than isolated CBN itself. Thus, more research is needed on this front. Similar to the effects of CBN on sleep, these studies suggest that CBN's effects on cognitive function may be in part due to its combination with other cannabinoids like THC or CBD.

In contrast, CBD has been shown to boost memory and similar areas of cognitive function, unlike THC which may impair memory.(12)

4. CBN and Pain

CBN may help reduce sensations of pain, according to animal trials.(13) In the study, CBN triggered the release of specific peptides that helped control how nerves experienced pain sensations. 

More importantly, the researchers noted that CBN may also help reduce inflammation.(14) For instance, in rats, CBN helped reduce arthritis-related inflammation in the rodents' joints. This suggests that CBN can help to not only block the sensations of pain, but also help to treat the source of the pain itself.

5. CBN and Appetite

CBN may work to boost your appetite, according to animal studies, which may benefit those who have lost their appetite or want to increase their caloric intake.(15)

Keep in mind that research on CBN has only taken place relatively recently, and some studies have been done on humans while other research has focused on rat and mouse trials. More research needs to be done to explore the many potential benefits CBN can bring to your mind and body. 

Due to recent legal changes in 2018, CBN is less regulated by the U.S. government than THC and many other cannabinoids. But that doesn't mean there are no potential side effects of CBN:

• CBN may have a sedating effect, and you should exercise caution in scenarios where you need to be alert (e.g., driving, operating tools or machinery, etc.)
• CBN may interact with other cannabinoids and amplify their effects
• CBN may still show up on drug tests even though it is less psychoactive as THC(16)
• CBN continues to be an area of cannabis research that needs more funding and more human trials to better understand its effects

It can take years for THC to degrade fully into CBN.(17) In commercial products like oils and tinctures, CBN is made using processes like chemical synthesis or biosynthesis.(18)

It's similar to CBD in that regard, but there are some distinct differences between CBD and CBN.

• CBD has far more research and human clinical studies behind it (for example, there are now FDA-approved CBD-based medications on the market)
• CBN still has mild psychoactive properties, while CBD has no psychoactive properties (though some dispute the clinical definition of "psychoactive," CBD does not produce any of the same "high" sensations as THC whereas CBN does on a more mild scale)
• CBN may have a much narrower range of effects on your health and wellness, solely based on the narrower field of available research on this cannabinoid 

In general, CBD is hands-down the more well-regarded cannabinoid, both in terms of documented research, well-known benefits and side effects, and overarching safety. 

As Forbes Health magazine summarized, "CBD has been studied more extensively in clinical settings than CBN, and it’s more popular in mainstream retail products. Research supports several therapeutic benefits of CBD, but CBN can’t quite compete with that list just yet."(19)

It's important to always talk to a medical professional before taking cannabinoids of any kind, including CBN, because it may interact with pre-existing medical conditions, health concerns, or medications and supplements. For instance, some research suggests that cannabinoids can affect your liver health if you have liver disease. 

At this time, there are no clearly documented unsafe side effects of CBN. Keep in mind that that's not because there are no safety risks with CBN. Rather, the research done on CBN has not fully investigated its long-term effects. 

If you're looking to expand your cannabis-based therapies, CBN offers unique benefits that may help to tackle specific health and wellness concerns that you have.

There are a growing number of CBN-based products for you to try. Whichever brand you opt to buy, look for products that have a certificate of analysis (COA). A COA ensures you know the exact amounts of CBN and other cannabinoids in the CBN product you buy, and helps you better tailor your dosage to avoid any unwanted side effects. 

Ideally, these products should also be verified through a third-party testing lab. For example, at BATCH, all products go through federally compliant internal testing to achieve a full cannabinoid profile. Additionally, all BATCH products are tested by independent third-party labs to look for contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides.

The more popular cannabinoid CBD comes in a wide range of forms, including best-selling CBD oils, gummies, topicals, and soft gels. CBN, in contrast, is available in a more narrow range and is not as widely available:

• Oils and tinctures
• Capsules and soft gels
• Vape products
• CBN isolate products

As the field of research grows and CBN's popularity expands, more products will slowly become available that offer you the option of incorporating CBN into your wellness journey. 

CBD remains the go-to in terms of availability, well-documented potential health benefits, and range of CBD products. 

However, CBN may offer distinct benefits paired with a more psychoactive outcome that you may desire. Talk to your naturopath, doctor, or a similar medical professional if you're interested in trying CBN — while initial trials are promising, CBN requires more human studies to truly understand how it can impact our mind and body. 

While you wait for more research on CBN, browse BATCH's wide-ranging options for quality-assured, third party-tested CBD products. These include CBD products for humans, as well as best-selling CBD for pets. Learn more today at BATCH.