While getting a good night’s sleep is one of the top health trends, troubled sleepers aren’t a new phenomenon. According to the Sleep Association of America, 50 to 70 million adult Americans have some kind of sleep disorder. A recent report from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine also suggests that 25% of Americans develop acute insomnia annually.
Could CBN oil offer a chance for better sleep for millions of people battling sleep-related conditions?
What is CBN oil?
Cannabinol (CBN) is a non-intoxicating, hemp-derived compound. Contrary to cannabidiol (CBD) and other popular cannabinoids, CBN doesn’t come directly from cannabigerol. It is a byproduct of CBN-a (cannabinol acid) released during controlled oxidation and decomposition of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This process starts after the hemp plant has been cut and stored for a prolonged period under UV lighting or bright sunlight.
CBN oil refers to the CBN compound dissolved into a carrier oil to improve deliverability. It can contain flavonoids and terpenes, which are natural constituents of the cannabis plant. This product is high in cannabinol content and offers CBN effects, such as relaxation and healthy sleep cycles.
What does the research say?
CBD, THC, and CBN are all cannabinoids. However, they have different chemical properties and effects when consumed. For consumers who are just starting to learn about the medical and therapeutic uses of cannabinoids, it might seem these three compounds are the same thing – weed.
However, this isn’t the case. These compounds are extracted from the same plant. So, if you consume weed, you are exposing yourself to CBN, THC, CBD, and over 100 other components of the hemp plant.
CBN, THC, and CBD can also be produced as isolated extracts from hemp plants. Extracting the individual compounds allows consumers to take advantage of each cannabinoid’s property without exposure to the effects of the other cannabinoids.
THC is the primary psychoactive component of marijuana. It affects the user’s mental state and function, temporarily altering their consciousness, behavior, mood, and perception. It is the cannabis component that delivers the ‘high’ feeling linked to weed. This doesn’t mean THC is useless. Various strains of medical marijuana have varying THC levels and can be used to treat pain, nausea, glaucoma, and loss of appetite.
Accumulating scientific evidence suggests that CBD has no psychotic effects. Instead, it has a calming effect and a myriad of health and therapeutic benefits. Hailed for its anecdotal pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, CBD has gained global attention and is now being added to nearly everything from food to skincare products.
A recent report from Steep Hill Labs, a cannabis testing facility, shed light on the therapeutic benefits of CBN. The researchers found that CBN is a sedative cannabinoid with higher efficacy than most pharmaceuticals. According to the report, the consumption of 2.5-5mg of CBN gives the same result as consuming 5-10mg of Valium (diazepam). Steep Hill Labs also assert that CBN and CBD work together to offer a better sedative synergy.
So far, there are not many scientific studies regarding the efficacy of CBN. However, early empirical evidence is promising. According to a 2012 study, CBN is an effective appetite stimulant in lab rats, while CBD has an opposite impact.
A 2006 report claims that CBN works synergistically with other cannabinoids to control the growth of lung cancer. And in a 1984 study, researchers administered CBN compound to lab rats with glaucoma. The study results indicated that the continued use of CBN led to a reduction in intraocular tension.
CBN vs. CBD
CBD is an abundant compound in the hemp plant, whereas CBN results from various processes within the hemp plant. There’s no way to produce a high-CBN strain as its quantity depends on the THC levels in the hemp flower and exposure to various elements such as heat, light, and time.
These cannabinoids interact with human endocannabinoid differently. For instance, CBD has a low affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors in the immune and nervous systems. Rather, it boosts the production of endocannabinoids that improve homeostasis. On the other hand, CBN has a moderately high affinity to CB2 receptors (more research is needed to understand how it interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors fully).CBD Oil For Sleep & Insomnia by Calm By Wellness is the perfect mix that delivers you with better deeper sleep.
How CBN works
In many ways, CBN is considered a ‘sleeper’ cannabinoid. It’s far less popular than CBD and THC. To those who know it, CBN is often referred to as ‘the sleepy cannabinol in old hemp.
Once the CBN cannabinol enters your bloodstream, it attaches to CB2 receptors in your endocannabinoid system throughout the body. It can also bind with the CB1 receptors found in the brain, though medical scientists believe that CBN has a higher affinity for CB2 receptors.
The effect of this interaction differs depending on the receptors’ location, but the primary goal of all cannabinoids is to restore balance. Note that CBN also affects how different neurotransmitters and hormones work. For this reason, CBN oil could be effective for pain management, improve bone health, and reduce inflammation.
How to use it
Every cannabinoid has become popular for its medicinal and therapeutic value. CBN is no exception and is available in CBN oil, CBN capsules, gummies, topical products, and CBN tinctures. Calm by Wellness Peppermint CBD Oil Tincture, is an all-natural, zero THC, product that is refreshing. It is the perfect formula, easy to use, and dose.
A good night’s sleep
The benefits of CBN cannabinol are manifold. This compound is by far the most potent sedative identified hemp plant compounds. It can help you gets enough sleep without the grogginess and undesired effects of prescription sleeping medication. CBN’s ability to alleviate insomnia goes back as far as 1976. Another study conducted in 1995 on the insomniac mice showed this compound’s efficacy in promoting a healthy sleep cycle.
Just like other cannabinoids, CBN has anti-inflammatory properties. While a specific level of inflammation facilities your body’s adaptive function, higher levels could cause infections. CBN modulates the levels of endocannabinoids and influences specific immune cells to produce an anti-inflammatory effect.
A recent study involving lab rats found that the consumption of CBN can potentially increase appetite. Rodents injected with this compound ate larger portions of food for a longer period. The most likely reason for the heightened appetite is the effect of CBN on the CB1 receptors.
Bone formation and healing
CBN cannabinoid can help heal bones as it attracts stem cells from your bone marrow. These stem cells are converted into different types of cells, such as fat, bone cells, muscle, and cartilage. CBN can help increase fibroblast cells that support bone healing. Its effects might stretch to bone formation, leading to faster recovery from fractured bones and injured tissues.
Chronic pain management
Medical marijuana is widely used to relieve chronic pain. CBN might also play a vital role in this process. It comes from the decomposition of THC, a reason it acts as a psychoactive compound (in a positive way). For example, it can stimulate the release of peptides from your sensory nerves, which could decrease pain sensation. Besides, the pain-killing impact of CBN is independent of CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors.
Treatment of burns
One of the CBN benefits is that it has a hypothermic effect or the ability to lower your body temperature. Therefore, this hemp compound can be used as a topical treatment for burns due to its cooling and pain-relieving properties. CBN seemingly can activate TRPV2 receptors. These are cell sites that become active when your skin is exposed to too high temperatures.
In a 2008 study, researchers tested CBN’s impact and other four cannabinoids on various MRSA strains. These are antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause fatal staph infections. Their prevalence has increased due to people’s overreliance on prescription medication. The researchers found that CBN cannabinoid has potent antibacterial properties. It could become a reliable MRSA treatment.
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Cannabinol (CBN): A Sleeping Synergy – Steep Hill | Global …. Accessed 14 Nov. 2020.