What is Cannabinol (CBN)?

Cannabinol (CBN) belongs to the cannabinoids, just like CBD and THCor also CBG. It is a component of the hemp plant and for a long time the benefits of this cannabinoid have been underestimated. CBD and THC develop from acids in the hemp plant, including CBGA. It is only in the later stages of growth that CBN is also found in the hemp plant. That is why CBN was discovered relatively late.

Research results indicate that CBN can work well together with CBD . CBN is formed by oxidation. Only when the hemp plant is exposed to oxygen for a longer period of time, oxidised THC, i.e. CBN, is formed. This is why it is found late in the hemp plant. As it is formed from THC with oxygen, it also has a slightly psychoactive effect.

What is the difference between CBN and CBD?

CBN and CBD are cannabinoids from the hemp plant, but there are also a few differences. Probably the biggest difference is that CBN is slightly psychoactive, as it comes from the oxidation of THC. CBD , on the other hand, has no psychoactive properties.

In addition, CBN cannot bind as well to the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system as CBD. Whether this also applies to the CB2 receptor has not yet been sufficiently researched. In addition, it is still unclear whether CBN has a direct influence on the endocannabinoid system.

The time at which CBN and CBD form in the hemp plant is also different. While CBD appears earlier in the plant, there is more CBN later in the hemp plant. This is because CBN is formed from the oxidation of THC when it is in the air for a longer period of time.

What is the effect of CBN?

CBN is said to have an effect on the endocannabinoid system. Research is still divided, but there is a growing tendency that CBN does not dock so well with the CB1 receptor. Thus, CBN is supposed to have a direct influence on the system rather than indirectly via the receptors.

Additionally, CBN is an oxidized product of THC and oxygen. This means that CBN has mild psychoactive properties. Thus, researchers suspect that CBN could serve as an effective sedative in the future. So far, there are no known side effects that are harmful.

How do you apply CBN?

CBN is a rather unknown cannabinoid of the cannabis plant. Since the focus of the harvest is usually also on its siblings CBD and THC, many plants do not have time to be able to form enough CBN. For this, they would have to be exposed to oxygen for longer, so that the THC of the hemp plant can oxidize.

However, CBN can also occasionally be found in CBD oils which contain the full spectrum of the hemp plant. They include all components that the hemp plant possesses and are also called full spectrum CBD oils. Cannabinoids are usually absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth.

If you have a CBD oil on hand that also contains CBN, you can put a few drops under your tongue and let them work for at least 60 seconds. If you want to know whether a product contains CBN, it is best to contact the manufacturer and find out about laboratory analyses that examine the full spectrum of CBD oils.