The cannabis plant offers more than 100 different cannabinoides, or at least that’s how many have been identified so far. By now, most people have heard about CBD or even tried it. It’s benefits are widely accepted in the medical field. People and pets for that matter are using CBD for their pain relief, relieve anxiety, even treating epilepsy, addition and there’s a potential for it to have cancer-fighting capabilities. What isn’t as widely known is the cannabinoid known as CBN. Or as some have called it, “the sleepy cannabinoid.”
What is CBN?
Just like CBD, CBN is a chemical compound in the cannabis plant known as a cannabinoid. While most people are familiar with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), there are actually more than 100 (that have been identified thus far) in the cannabis plant. However, did you know that CBN was actually the first cannabinoid to be labeled by scientists towards the end of the 19th century?
Some do consider CBN to have mildly psychoactive characteristics, however mostly for its strong sedative traits. If you let THC sit out long enough to oxidize, this process known as degradation which will actually convert THC to CBN. You will often hear that old THC enriched flower when consumed, does not provide the “high” they once used to get from the same flower, but they do get a feeling of sleepiness. A grave in China that is estimated at 2,700 years old contained preserved cannabis which was tested and had higher amounts of CBN than any other cannabinoids tested.
Does CBN have any benefits?
Since the chemical composition of CBN shares a lot in common with THC, it’s believed to secure itself to your CB2 receptors and believed to interact with your CB1. CBN has also been shown to act as an agonist to your TRPV2 receptor, which is a naturally producing protein that regulates many biological systems in your body. What this means is that CBN has the potential to effectively reduce inflammation, blood pressure and pain, promote bone health, control convulsant behavior, and treat some skin conditions.
Does CBN help you sleep?
Thus far, research is still hesitant to put a stamp of approval on the clear benefits of CBN as a sleep aid. This is much in part due to the strict regulations that have hampered research over the years. However, there’s been several anecdotal cases of it helping people fall asleep faster and staying asleep longer without interruption. So with a proper dose, CBN has shown to have a positive effect for those battling insomnia as well as reduce anxiety levels.
Can CBN help fight cancer?
An area of CBN research that has shown some promising signs is its potential to have cancer-fighting capabilities. Cancer research is really just starting to unfold the benefits of all cannabinoids. Research has been rapidly growing over the years and starting to see significant funding so more information is sure to come out over the coming years. However, CBN was one of just a few cannabinoids to actually reduce the size of a tumor in a cancerous lung according to recent study.
What Research has been done on CBN?
With the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill that removed hemp from the definition of marijuana in the CSA, the doors have swung wide open for researchers to study all forms of cannabis derivatives that do not contain more than 0.3% of THC (by dry weight). This includes cannabinoids such as CBN, CBG and CBD. As research continues to get funding, this is only the beginning of what most researchers in the industry have been clamming for, knowing that this one plant has more to offer than most could ever imagine.
As we at Timberline CBD continue to research and provide you with the most up-to-date information we can find on the ingredients we offer in our products, we encourage you to check with your own doctor before adding any medication or supplement to your regimen.
