Cannabis is known to have over 80 different cannabinoids in varying rates, depending on the strain picked. They could work synergistically creating the so-called "entourage effect".
The two most common cannabinoids are THC, the primary psychoactive compound, and CBD, a non-psychoactive constituent with a wide range of calming and relaxing effects that have allowed it to become a top-choice for the production of wellness products. And CBN seems to be following the same path.
Now there is much research on CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) yet CBN was the first cannabinoid to be isolated from the cannabis plant at the end of the 19th century. Its structure wasn't elucidated until the early '30s, though, with chemical synthesis achieved in 1940.
How is it created?
CBN results from the degradation of THC. The cannabis plant doesn't produce much CBN but, over time, as THC is exposed to temperature and light, it will degrade to become CBN. Elevated exposure to oxygen can cause rapid THC degradation owing to a process known as oxidation.
As CBN derives from THC, they both have a similar molecular structure. THC actually has the word "cannabinol" in its name (tetrahydrocannabinol). And, as CBN is created as cannabis ages, it has typically been associated with old or poorly stored weed, which is where it got its bad reputation from.
In fact, laboratory testing on a cannabis sample found among the burial objects of a 2,700-year-old Chinese shaman tomb revealed that CBN was the best-preserved cannabinoid of all.
Decarboxylation can also lead to the development of CBN. It is also thanks to this decarbing process that THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), most abundantly found in raw cannabis, are activated and turned into THC and CBD.
As for CBN, though, it isn't as present in cannabis as THC and CBD generally are. While CBD can, as a result of genetic hybridization, amount up to 15-20% in commercial marijuana flowers, most plants contain around 1% or even less of CBN. That's why there are no CBN-rich genetics. The only way to obtain CBN is through oxidation, degradation or vaporization. If properly stored, a plant is unlikely to have over 1% CBN. As in the case of CBD oils, its concentration can be boosted by up to 60% or more by means of distillation, though.
Is CBN psychoactive?
One of the main advantages of CBD is its lack of psychoactive effects, making it way easier to regulate and market. Unlike its counterpart, though, evidence shows CBN to be slightly psychoactive, but way less than THC due to its low interaction with the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. CB1 receptors react to external stimuli by unlocking psychotropic and euphoric effects. The point is that CBN has a low affinity for them due to its structure. In other words, it doesn't have as close a relationship with them as THC.
Some studies have, in fact, claimed CBN to have no psychoactive effects of any kind. A 1973 study, for example, concluded after administering a dose of CBN to six male subjects that its effects "were far from the typical psychological or physical effects of THC". Another research study published in 1980 found that CBN had no "significant effect" on cognitive or motor function.
CBN can't, therefore, lead to psychosis or anxiety, which is actually great news for those with heightened sensitivity to THC. Still, there is evidence proving its ability to increase the effects of THC. A 1975 study that involved 5 male subjects found out that, when consumed along with THC, they felt "a stronger sense of dizziness, inebriation, and drowsiness". The conclusion was that "CBN enhances the effects of THC on varying aspects of physiological and psychological processes, though only to a very limited extent".
There must be some kind of synergistic effect between THC and CBN, meaning, if THC causes you to feel dizzy or sleepy, an extra dose of CBN will definitely increase that feel.
CBN for sleep?
There's been a lot of buzz over CBN as an effective sleep aid for a lot of people could benefit from it, should it finally prove true. According to the Institute of Medicine, only in the U.S. between 50 and 70 million people suffer from sleep disorders, with 3.5 million of them needing sleep aids on a daily basis. Most of them can't but dream of a miracle cure for insomnia. However, it's still too early to say with absolute certainty that CBN can help with sleep.
The theory that CBN causes drowsiness was fueled by a study conducted by Steep Hill Labs claiming 5 mg of CBN to be as sedative as 10 mg of diazepam, a strong drug also known as Valium. It's worth noting, though, that a research project based on no more than 5 male subjects lacks statistical power and reliability. It's necessary to expose more robust data to greater scrutiny.
Multiple tests have been conducted ever since, all of which have concluded that CBN "has no significant sedative properties". By contrast, a 1995 study claimed that CBN resulted in "significant prolongation of sleeping times", although they were also under the influence of pentobarbital, commonly used for treating insomnia. There are still quite a few studies on CBN derivatives confirming they "didn't have any significant effects on sleeping times".
Although scientific evidence about the effectiveness of CBN for sleep is both limited and contradictory, one cannot overlook the few yet important number of patients and cannabis users that have relied on weed to fight against their sleeping issues and have come out successful. Some even claim that it has helped them have the best nights of sleep they've ever had in their lives.
Other potential effects
As a cannabinoid that interacts with our endocannabinoid system, CBN can help fight a broad range of ailments, exactly like CBD can. Cannabinoids have such a wide array of effects because the endocannabinoid system regulates functions throughout human physiology, meaning, when consumed in different proportions, they can have surprisingly varying health outcomes.
For example, both CBN and CBD could be used as a topical solution given their scientifically proven ability to produce keratinocytes, which effectively combat skin peeling. In fact, cannabinoid products are great for skin care as they bind to receptors in the skin that could reduce a variety of conditions. CBN is an excellent appetite booster too. A study published in 2012 found that CBN increased appetite in rats while CBD did exactly the opposite. Another study from 1984 revealed that it could be an effective treatment for glaucoma after finding it reduced the development of intraocular pressure in cats.
Rats, cats, five people... Research on CBN is still in its infancy and, despite the many statements about its sedative effects, it's probably a long way before we can definitely confirm its effectiveness. If you want to give it a go, though, it could be a worthwhile experience.