CBN Vs CBD

What is CBN?

Cannabinol also know as CBN is produced from the oxidation and decomposition process of THC in the hemp plant. In simpler words when THC is exposed to both heat and oxygen it then converts into CBN. CBN is not a new find in the cannabis industry, in fact it was the first cannabinoid to be isolated in the 1940s by Roger Adams, discovered nearly a century ago but because of the time-consuming process of producing CBN many companies did not initially invest in CBN products. However, with the development of new production methods the process of obtaining CBN is becoming more readily available, and we are seeing more CBN products hit the market – particularly in edibles.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THC, CBD, AND CBN

THC, CBD and CBN are all naturally occurring cannabinoids that can be found in cannabis plants, these are three out of at least 113 cannabinoids that can be found. To fully be able to understand how CBN compares to CBD and THC we must first acknowledge what these are and what they do.

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was first discovered and isolated AFTER CBN in 1964 by a chemist named Raphael Mechoulam. It was then found that THC is absorbed into our bloodstream and travels to the brain where it attaches itself to our endocannabinoid receptors located in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and the basal ganglia. This process is the primary component for causing psychoactive effects when consuming cannabis because those parts of our brain a responsible for many functions like memory, thinking, coordination, pleasure, and our movement.
• Cannabidiol (CBD) was discovered and isolated at the same time as CBN in 1940 by Roger Adams – at this time Roger Adams only hypothesised the existence of the psychoactive chemical THC. Unlike THC, CBD does not have the same psychoactive/intoxicating response in our body – it could even change the effects of THC on the body if both are present at the same time. CBD may not get us “high” but is under preliminary research for its ani-anxiety and anti-psychotic effects, CBD users have also reposted anti-inflammatory properties.
• Cannabinol (CBN), despite their similar names, CBD and CBN are different molecules with different effects. When THC is exposed to both heat and oxygen it then converts into CBN, this compound has a mild psychoactive effect – much less than THC but more so than CBD. CBN’s pharmacokinetics is estimated to be between 1/6 of the potence of the CB1 receptor that THC is. A small study was conducted in 1975 with five male participants – the study exposed that given a combination of THC and CBN the participant experienced a greater sedative effect that with THC alone. Currently, there is extremely little research examining CBN’s potential benefits, but it is currently on the market as a sleeping aid.

CBD VS CBN IN SHORT

Even though more research still must be conducted as CBN is still fairly new to the cannabis market, it is believed to improve sleep quality, pain relief, and anti-inflammation. However, CBN is far more powerful when it comes to a sleeping aid than CBD is. Unlike CBD, CBN is treated more like cannabis, meaning it is more regulated than CBD. Unlike CBD products, which is widely available at many big retailers like Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Shoppers, and even Amazon, CBN is only available through regulated, adult-use dispensaries.

USES	CBD	CBN
Sleep	■	■
Pain Relief	■	■
Neuroprotection	■	■
Anti-inflammation	■	■
Psychoactive/Intoxicating		■
Anxiety & Depression	■
Seizures	■ (FDA approved for 2 rare forms of epilepsy, and TSC)

And as always we love hearing your thoughts’. Stay safe and enjoy the journey