CBD is legal in some capacity in 47 of the 50 American states. That has encouraged many people to look into the medical benefits of the cannabis plant.
But CBD has a cousin who’s much less known—but no less helpful—called CBN.
What is CBN?
If you haven’t heard of CBN, we’ve not surprised. That’s why we’ve put together a quick guide to help you find the answer to that question.
So make sure you keep reading below!
What Is CBN?
CBN, or cannabinol, is a type of cannabinoid, like CBD or THC. Most cannabis plants have a much smaller amount of CBN than other cannabinoids. This is because cannabis plants create CBN over time.
Here’s how it works.
CBN is a byproduct of THC. When THC gets exposed to oxygen, it oxidizes and creates CBN. So the older the plant, the more CBN gets produced.
However, though CBN is created by THC, CBN doesn’t produce the same high users get when they take THC. Instead, it’s considered only mildly psychoactive.
CBD vs CBN: Understanding the Difference
After reading that basic description, you might think CBN sounds exactly the same as CBD.
These two cannabinoids are similar, but they have several important differences.
For example, CBN doesn’t give you the characteristic high of cannabis. But it does have a higher psychoactive response than CBD. This means you might feel a little something when you take CBD.
But it’s important to remember CBN’s psychoactive response is MUCH lower than THC. Taking CBN won’t make you high, so it’s still safe to carry out your normal activities, such as driving, after taking CBN.
CBD and CBN are also stark opposites when it comes to some effects.
When you take CBD, you might feel more alert and awake. But if you take CBN—especially if it’s combined with THC, you’ll feel drowsy.
Don’t mix these two up! You don’t want to take CBD before bed or else you might end up staying awake much later than you planned. Even worse, taking CBN at the wrong time can make it harder to focus or finish your daily responsibilities.
CBD also can curb your appetite. CBN, on the other hand, will encourage your appetite. These effects can both be helpful in different circumstances, but again, you don’t want to make the mistake of mixing them up.
Those are the biggest differences of CBD and CBN. However, you should always do your research before you take either one. You can learn more about CBN by reading this CBN article.
What Does CBN Do?
Aside from the clear differences listed above, CBN has similar effects as CBD when it comes to things like pain relief. (We’ll go into more detail below).
But before we look into what CBN can do, we need to take a few moments to consider the related research.
Considering the Research
It’s important to remember that there hasn’t been a lot of research done on CBN. While some studies seem to show taking CBN can have promising results, there aren’t a lot of these studies out there.
At least, not yet.
As this product becomes more popular, the research will become more plentiful and more reliable. But for now, you should keep in mind that the research for CBN is in the early stages.
Conditions CBN Can Treat
Okay, so what can CBN actually do for you?
One of the biggest effects CBN has is pain relief. When you take CBN, it influences your body’s pain responses, which can reduce the level of pain you feel.
CBN may also be able to fight off bacteria that enter the body. This gives it antibiotic properties, meaning it may improve your overall health.
But the benefits of CBN don’t stop there. CBN may also be able to do the following things:
- Act as an anti-inflammatory
- Stimulate your appetite (as mentioned above)
- Reduce the size of cancer tumors
- Reduce or prevent seizures, such as with epilepsy
- Heal broken bones and promote new bone growth
- Treat glaucoma
- Delay neurodegenerative conditions
If you are looking for a way to deal with one of these conditions, CBN might help. However, you should always talk to your doctor first, especially if you’re already on prescription medication.
Can You Buy CBN Products
Remember, there isn’t a lot of CBN in most cannabis plants. So if you want to take CBN, you should find products that have isolated CBN, such as edibles or capsules.
Make sure you read what’s in the product carefully.
Many CBN products simply have a high level of CBN. They might also contain CBD or even THC. If you want to take CBN on its own, you’ll have to take the time to make sure there’s nothing else in the product.
These types of CBN products are harder to find than other cannabis options. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. If you take some time and do your research, you should be able to find plenty of choices.
Understanding the Benefits of CBN
So what is CBN?
While it’s similar to CBD, it has a few important differences. That said, you can use this cannabinoid to treat things like pain, inflammation, insomnia, and more. Just make sure you talk to your doctor to learn more about CBN before you start taking it.
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