What is CBN? How is it different from CBD?
CBN (cannabinol) is a minor cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant that is often overshadowed by its more ample counterparts, which are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
CBN is one of the 116 cannabinoids of the cannabis plant, more commonly known as weed or marijuana. Alone, CBN is not psychoactive and does not cause a high. The compound formed from the oxidation of THC-A (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is often found in old and aged weed plants/cannabis.
People often confuse CBN with CBD, a famous and abundant compound in the hemp plant (a cousin of marijuana). Even though it too is not psychoactive and not responsible for the infamous weed “high”, it is well known as a pain relief drug and used to treat anxiety and depressive disorders.
CBN in weed that is smoked increases the euphoric effect of the actual psychoactive chemical, THC, and so aids the “high” induction but does not cause it.
Differences between CBN and CBD
CBD has been the subject of much more research than CBN, so CBD is not only more well-known but has also been studied for its effects on sclerosis and epilepsy, as well as reducing pain.
CBD is widely available not just naturally but legally because it is approved by the FDA. Even though it is classified the same as cannabis, the chemical alone is allowed in dosage and pharmaceutical companies use it. On the other hand, we know too little about the CBN to certify it for its assumed and rumored usages, including chronic pain relief, sleep, appetite stimulation, and anti-inflammation.
The side effects of CBD include nausea, irritability, diarrhea and fatigue; however, the side effects of CBN are still unclear due to the lack of research as well as the difficulty in procuring it.
Even though the medicinal properties of CBD and CBN overlap, the main differences are in the amount of research done, results made, FDR approval for CBD and the fact that CBN has no known effects on anxiety and depressive disorders or stress relief as of yet.
A CBN Misconception
CBN is rumored to be and is famous for its sedative attributes. It stems from the observation that most people who smoke older cannabis (proven to contain CBN) display drowsiness or have an anti-insomnia experience that helps them fall asleep.
However, a study conducted in 1975 (one of a few of its kind) had male subjects who took CBN, THC, CBN, and THC together. The test subjects who took THC together with CBN experienced drowsiness, and even THC alone induced sleepiness in this study; however, CBN showed no sedative properties. So it is likely that the synergistic effect of THC and CBN (both proven to be constituent in old marijuana) showed the sedative behaviors and not CBN alone.
Availability
CBN is challenging to procure, and its primary source is the oxidation of THC-A. It is available as CBN oil, gummies, tinctures, pills and creams. CBN oil is harder to find than other cannabinoid oils because of its natural difficulty and lack of production due to its unknown nature.
No license or authoritative legal permission is required to make CBN oil which reduces its reliability, and CBN is not produced by the most well-known and reputable pharmaceutical companies. It is essential to do your research before buying CBN oil because it is not mandatory for companies to have this product tested and evaluated in laboratories, which can cause consumer health risk and concern.
