CBN: The key to an enclosure where peace and quiet reign

01. 05. 2025

• Starting point: What is CBN?
• Research laboratory: How does CBN work?
  • Night pavilion: CBN for better sleep
  • The diverse effects of CBN
• Warning sign: Side effects of CBN
• Souvenir stand: Which CBN products should you choose?
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Starting point: What is a CBN? 

There are many interesting creatures hiding in our cannabis zoo and today we're going to introduce you to one of the most peaceful - CBN (cannabinol). If we compare CBD to a peaceful herbivore 🦌  and THC to a wild beast 🐅 , then CBN is like a wise turtle that slowly but surely brings relaxation and calm 🐢.

CBN is a cannabinoid that is produced by the natural conversion of THC over time. You'll find very little of it in fresh cannabis, but as the plant matures, the amount can increase. Compared to THC, CBN has only very mild psychoactive effects - some studies suggest they are up to ten times weaker, sometimes even reported to be non-existent.

Unlike its more familiar cousins, CBN has no ambition to "cheer you up" or encourage you. Its main purpose is to calm, relax and prepare your body for recovery - especially in the evening when you need to slow down and fall asleep with a clear head.

Research Lab: How does CBN work?

Like other cannabinoids, CBN interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), an internal network of regulators that maintains the body's balance.

You can think of this system as a queen bee 🐝, who quietly and efficiently controls the operation of the entire hive. When stability in the body is disrupted, for example in sleep, mood or immunity, the ECS steps in to help restore it.

CBN most commonly affects CB2 receptors, which are related to immunity, and to a lesser extent CB1 receptors in the brain and nervous system. It also acts on the TRPV2 receptor, a watchdog 🐕 of the body that is involved in defence mechanisms.

So what can CBN do in the body? Let's start with the most familiar: sleep.

Night Pavilion: the CBN for better sleep 🦉

CBN has earned the nickname "sleepy cannabinoid" - and not by accident. Many users report that it helps them fall asleep faster, wake up less during the night, and wake up more refreshed in the morning.

More recent studies suggest that CBN may prolong sleep duration and improve sleep depth, although further research will be needed to confirm these effects conclusively. 

Originally, CBN itself was thought to act as a powerful sedative. Today, however, more and more experts believe that its effects on sleep are more pronounced when combined with other cannabinoids such as CBD or terpenes like linalool and cedrol.

This combination creates what is known as the 'entourage effect', where the individual components work stronger together than they do alone - like a whole flock of birds flying in perfect formation. Each is strong, but only as a whole does it create harmony 🕊️.

 

Caregiver Tip 👉 If you're looking for a natural way to get better quality sleep, try a combination of CBN and CBD - ideally in oil or capsule form before bed. Some Cannabizoo visitors also praise the CBN + melatonin combination, which can support circadian rhythms.

Varied effects of CBN 🦜

But CBN's effects extend beyond sleep - this cannabinoid has more diverse effects than meets the eye.

 The main effects of CBN include:

• Analgesic properties - According to researchers, CBN can potentially help with pain relief, especially for chronic conditions. It promotes the release of neuropeptides and acts on neural pathways associated with pain perception.
• Anti-inflammation - Like other residents of cannabis pavilions, CBN is proving to be a powerful fighter against inflammation. It may have benefits for arthritis or allergic asthma, for example, according to studies.
• Appetite support 🐻 - Animal studies suggest that CBN can stimulate appetite similarly to THC, but without the psychoactive effects
• Eye Health 🦅 - According to studies, CBN may help reduce intraocular pressure, a risk factor for glaucoma. Its effect is not yet superior to conventional medications, but research is ongoing.
• Neuroprotective effects - Preliminary research shows that CBN may have the potential to protect brain cells and slow down neurodegenerative processes.
• Antibacterial effect 🐍 - Research shows that CBN has strong antibacterial potential. In laboratory studies, it was effective against golden staphylococcus (including resistant MRSA-type strains).

Warning sign: Side effects of CBN

While CBN is generally considered a safe resident of the cannabis zoo, each organism may react a little differently.

⚠️ Side effects are rather rare, but you may encounter the following:

• Drowsiness and fatigue
• Slight reduction in blood pressure
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness

Caregiver Tip 👉 Start with a smaller dose and give your body time to show how it responds to CBN. We are all a little different.

CBN can also affect how the body processes certain drugs - similar to CBD. If you're taking prescription medications (especially for pressure, sleep, mental health or immunity), it's best to check with your doctor beforehand.

CBN is still being researched, so its use is not recommended for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, or people with serious chronic illnesses.

Souvenir stand: what CBN products to choose?

As a true resident of Cannabizoo, CBN has made its home in a variety of products. Each form has its own specifics - it just depends on what suits you best.

 

Here's an overview of the most popular products:

• CBN oils and sleep drops: one of the most widely used forms of CBN use. The drops are easily dispensed with a pipette and can be dropped directly under the tongue or mixed into food or drink. They are often combined with CBD to enhance the relaxing effect.
• CBN flowers: dried cannabis flowers with higher CBN content, especially suitable for vaporization. They offer a natural and authentic form of enjoyment.
• CBN capsules: The ideal choice when you're looking for precise dosing and discretion. They also suit the more sensitive zoo visitors as they have no taste.
• Vapes: a fast and effective method of administration with immediate onset of effects - CBN is absorbed directly through the lungs into the bloodstream, like a hummingbird flying straight to its target 🐦.
• CBN cartridge: Practical and easy to use cartridges for vaporizers containing CBN.
• Gummies: an option especially for those who prefer pre-measured doses.

Conclusion

CBN is a lesser-known cannabinoid that has gained attention in recent years for its potential effects on sleep, pain, inflammation and appetite. Compared to THC, it has only minimal psychoactive effects. It is most commonly used in the form of oils, capsules, flowers or vapes. Although CBN is still being researched, its benefits are being used by more and more people as a natural aid to recovery and overall well-being.

If you have restless nights, trouble falling asleep, or wake up unrefreshed in the morning, CBN could be just the companion you're looking for in our cannabis zoo.

 

Sources:

• National Library of Medicine
  • TRPV2 Is Activated by Cannabidiol and Mediates CGRP Release in Cultured Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons
  • A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the safety and effects of CBN with and without CBD on sleep quality
  • Cannabinol modulates neuroprotection and intraocular pressure: A potential multi-target therapeutic intervention for glaucoma
  • Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Cannabinoids, inflammation, and fibrosis
  • Cannabinol delays symptom onset in SOD1 (G93A) transgenic mice without affecting survival
  • Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure-activity study
  • Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabinol Activate Capsaicin-Sensitive Sensory Nerves via a CB1 and CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor-Independent Mechanism
  • Cannabinol and cannabidiol exert opposing effects on rat feeding patterns
• The University of Sydney
  • Sleepy cannabis': first objective study to show cannabinol increases sleep
• Science Direct
  • Cannabinol (CBN) – Scientific topic overview

 

Author: Pavla Skřivánková

 

 

Photo: AI

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