How is CBN different from CBD?

Unlike CBD and THC, CBN is not produced directly by the cannabis plant. It’s a degraded form of THC, created when THC ages or is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Research shows that CBN has several health benefits, which is why it’s commonly compared to CBD.

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What is CBN?

CBN exists in trace amounts in cannabis. Compared to CBD, far less is known about CBN’s effects. However, cannabis researchers are taking more of an interest in CBN’s benefits as the medical cannabis industry grows. 

How it works

Cannabinoids in cannabis interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which balances bodily processes like:

• Inflammation
• Mood 
• Pain sensitivity 

The endocannabinoid system has a network of cannabinoid receptors, including CB1 receptors in the nervous system and CB2 receptors in the nervous and immune systems.

Many cannabinoids attach to cannabinoid receptors, causing chemical reactions that produce the effects we associate with cannabis, like pain relief and lowered anxiety. 

CB1 receptors in the brain are responsible for the “high” we get from THC. Each cannabinoid interacts with the endocannabinoid system in a unique way, which is why they can affect us differently.

CBN attaches to both CB1 and CB2 receptors. However, it only partially attaches to CB1 receptors, which might be why it doesn’t produce a strong high.

There is a lot of debate around the intoxicating effects of CBN. Some claim that it has a mild, calming high, and others claim that it has no intoxicating effect at all. Ultimately, most believe that you can’t get high from CBN unless you take a very large amount.

Benefits and uses for CBN

There are significantly fewer studies on CBN’s health benefits than there are for CBD or THC. Anecdotally, however, people report that CBN has sedative (calming) effects. 

People seeking insomnia relief may benefit from taking CBN. One study found that patients who used CBN prior to sleep experienced fewer sleep disturbances. However, larger studies are needed. 

Research also shows that CBN may be more antibacterial than other cannabinoids in cannabis. One study suggests that CBN might be useful against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and has been shown to be effective against MRSA.

CBN may also be useful for:

• Anxiety
• Benzodiazepine replacement
• Appetite loss
• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures and convulsions

Risks and drawbacks

CBN has never been studied for its potential side effects. However, cannabis does have some side effects, including:

• Anxiety (especially in products containing high amounts of THC)
• Coordination problems
• Dry mouth
• Increased heart rate
• Memory loss
• Nausea and vomiting (in high doses)
• Red eyes
• Slower reaction times

Again, these side effects are associated with cannabis, and don’t necessarily apply to CBN on its own.

What is CBD?

CBD is the dominant cannabinoid in hemp, a non-intoxicating cannabis plant. It’s commonly used for its stress-relieving and pain-relieving effects, and doesn’t produce a “high” like THC.

While CBN is a byproduct of degraded THC, CBD’s precursor compound, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), naturally develops in cannabis buds, converting into CBD through a heating process after the buds are harvested, known as decarboxylation.

How it works

CBD is unique from other cannabinoids in that it doesn’t attach to cannabinoid receptors. But it does affect other receptors in the body that balance functions like:

• Inflammation
• Pain 
• Mood

Benefits and uses for CBD

Studies have shown that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that might help with pain and symptoms of autoimmune diseases. It may also reduce seizures in people with epilepsy.

CBD may help with other health conditions like:

• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Epilepsy and seizure disorders
• Headaches/migraine
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neuropathic pain (nerve pain)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Stress and inflammation

Risks and drawbacks

Like CBN, CBD is not known to cause major side effects. Hemp-derived CBD products contain only trace amounts of THC (a maximum of 0.3%), so they won’t cause intoxication.

Still, CBD may cause mild side effects such as drowsiness.

While CBD is largely considered safe, there are some risks. The quality of CBD products varies due to a lack of regulation in the hemp industry. CBD can also interfere with how certain drugs break down in the body, including:

• Anti-seizure medications
• Benzodiazepines
• Corticosteroids
• Opioids

How to decide which is best for you

While CBD and CBN produce different effects, they can be taken together. You may also find that CBD and CBN benefit you at different times of day.

When to use CBN

You may prefer taking CBN at nighttime because of its potential calming effects. CBN may also be a better option if you’re trying to manage a bacterial infection.

When to use CBD

Taking low doses of CBD in the daytime may give you a boost in energy and mood. CBD may also be more effective for managing pain and inflammation, but more research needs to be done on CBN to make an accurate comparison.

The bottom line: Both CBN and CBD can benefit your health

CBN and CBD both contribute to the benefits of cannabis. While they share many things in common, how they affect your body is unique. Consider experimenting with both to find what gives you the most relief.

With a medical marijuana card, you can access high-CBD and high-CBN products tailored to your needs. Contact Leafwell for a consultation with a healthcare professional who can guide you in the right direction.

Resources

• A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the safety and effects of CBN with and without CBD on sleep quality. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37796540/
• An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: A review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5569602/
• Antibacterial effects of phytocannabinoids. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9505641/
• Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7023045/
• Cannabidiol therapy for refractory epilepsy and seizure disorders. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33332006/
• Cannabinoids and pain: New insights from old molecules. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259/full
• Cannabinol and sleep: Separating fact from fiction. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8612407/
• Cannabinol: History, syntheses, and biological profile of the greatest “minor” cannabinoid. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9658060/
• Diversity of molecular targets and signaling pathways for CBD. https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/prp2.682

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