In this article, we will discuss some basic facts about Cannabinol, aka CBN, and give you an introduction to what is commonly referred to as the “Entourage Effect.”
Most everyone has caught wind of the current trend taking the world by storm. Medical remedies, beauty creams, pet treats, and many other products are now being made with an added ingredient, cannabidiol, also known as CBD.
A lesser known cannabinoid is CBN. The spotlight may still be on CBD but CBN is gaining traction.
Research on this new contender for the world’s favorite cannabinoid is still very limited, but most accept its ability to lull insomniacs to sleep as true and thus has been made by many manufacturers into oils, but it is still not as easy to find nor as accessible as CBD products would be.
What is CBN?
Cannabinol is a chemical compound naturally present in cannabis plants. Two plants in the cannabis family of plants are hemp and marijuana.
The last name may ring a few alarm bells, but there is no need for worry as most products extract CBN from hemp plants only.
The psychoactive chemical in marijuana is known as THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is what causes the ‘high’ sensation, which neither CBD nor CBN create. Although CBN may, admittedly, have a slight psychoactive effect – a tad bit more than CBD – it is still much lower than THC and is non-intoxicating, thus being classified as non-psychoactive.
This is because CBN is basically a by-product of THC. When THC gets oxidized and decomposed, CBN is produced. As it is more of a by-product, the amount of CBN found in hemp is not exactly abundant.
Benefits of Taking CBN
As CBN is still sort of new in the scene, it needs a lot more research and studies to prove and confirm anything 100%, but from what limited findings and anecdotal evidence we do have, it seems CBN is very beneficial, with few side effects.
CBN is mainly advertised as a sleep aid, possibly a sedative. Research done with mice showed that when administered CBN, the rodents’ sleep was prolonged.
Some research has also indicated CBN to having anti -inflammatory priorities similar to that of CBD. More research would be required to know the details.
Pain relief seems to be on the list of benefits of CBN as well, influencing the activity of capsaicin-sensitive neurons.
CBN happened to be one of the many cannabinoids that have shown to cut down tumor size and slow down the growth of cancer cells.
Although the best cannabinoid for treatment of epilepsy is CBD, CBN still contains anti -convulsant properties, a bit weaker than the ones in CBD, but still present.
CBN also activates stem cells which make new bone cells. This means that CBN can help stimulate the production of new bone and may even help in healing fractured bones. There are also hints of CBN being able to reverse osteoporosis, colloquially known as bone loss, which is a disease that causes bones to become brittle and more likely to fracture.
On top of osteoporosis, CBN may also aid in treatment against an eye condition called glaucoma.
CBN, unlike CBD, actually stimulates and increases appetite. While CBD decreases one’s hunger, CBN does the direct opposite. This is very useful for people who suffer from symptoms such as difficulty in eating food in and keeping it down. Those who struggle to maintain an appetite, because of cancer or other such illnesses, can immensely benefit from these effects of CBN.
Possible Side Effects of Taking CBN
CBN is generally a very safe chemical. Products such as capsules and oils containing it are not dangerous by any means, but anything in the wrong amount can be a cause of concern.
Getting the right dosage is very important, too little will not affect you and will render the treatment useless, too much would cause some uncomfortable side effects similar to that of CBD, such as: exhaustion, drowsiness, dizzy spells and a loss of appetite.
What is The Entourage Effect?
The “entourage effect,” is a remarkable occurrence which enhances the health benefits of CBD. Scientists have concluded that taking a mixture of many cannabinoids instead of just pure CBN (cannabinol) would enhance the positive effects as all the cannabinoids work together in harmony. The cannabinoids work synergistically and enhance each other’s effects, increasing the potency of the CBN that you consume. Since CBN is present in a very limited amount in the hemp plant, this effect is extremely helpful in getting the maximum potential benefits out of the limited CBN present in the plant.
The entourage effect occurs when you take full -spectrum CBN, which contains many other cannabinoids as well, but is absent in isolate CBN which, as can be guessed from the name, contains pure CBN with no other cannabinoids.
For example, CBD and CBN have both shown to help relieve pain. When both were combined, the heightened effect was clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to overdose on CBN?
No, like CBD, you cannot overdose on CBN, either. The brain does not have receptors that respond to cannabinoids so they cannot affect your pulse and breathing rate.
Will CBN show up on a drug test?
No, drug tests look for specific chains of THC, which do not include cannabinoids such as CBD and CBN.
Will taking in CBN make me high?
No, CBN is not strong enough to induce any psychoactive effects or meddle with your consciousness in any way.
Is CBN the same as CBD?
No, they are both from the same group called cannabinoids but are different chemicals.
What is the difference between CBN and CBD?
While more research is needed, CBN has shown to have a little affinity with CB1 and CB2 receptors in your immune systems and nervous systems while CBD has no affinity and works by promoting homeostasis.
Is CBN legal?
Since CBN is a by-product of THC it does seem like this would be a grey area but CBN is one hundred percent legal as its not listed as a ‘controlled substance.’ It’s extracted from the hemp. If it is extracted from marijuana, then there may be cases where it would be considered illegal, but most, if not all, products use CBN extracted from hemp.
Which cannabinoid would be better for sleep aid?
CBN is mostly known for its sedative effect, so from the information and data we have at this moment of time, CBN is the best to use when facing sleeping issues.
What types of products have the entourage effect?
Products that have the entourage effect are ones that have multiple different cannabinoids instead of just one like isolate products.
Full spectrum products and broad spectrum products both contain all the natural cannabinoids and terpenes and both have the entourage effect, the only difference is that full spectrum contains THC while broad spectrum does not.
What are terpenes?
Terpenes have the job of being major cellular messengers, present in both animals and plants. With different concentrations and types in different strains of plants create the difference in taste and smell of each, helping distinguish between them.
So, what are you waiting for? Check out our CBN product reviews, pick a product and experience the benefits of CBN Oil for yourself!