Say Hi To CBN (Cannabinol), different than CBD It Can Help Fight Anxiety, Insomnia, and Much More...
Updated: Sep 5, 2022
The other day my husband brought home some chocolate. I don't particularly love chocolate so I did not pay much attention to it, until at night when he made me an herbal tea and served me a piece of that chocolate...oh wow!!
CBN or Cannabinol like many cannabinoids, is known as a “Phytocannabinoid”. Produced naturally by the cannabis plants, with a similar structure to that of THC. Phytocannabinoids interact with the bodies natural Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The Endocannabinoid System is neural system found in the body believed to be involved with returning the human body to a balanced state. Processes, such as fertility, appetite, mood, pain, and memory formation can all be altered by this system.
“The Endocannabinoid System is neural system found in the body believed to be involved with returning the human body to a balanced state.”
The Potential Medical benefits of CBN
Most of the medical benefits of CBN are in its immune-related effects, sedative/sleep aid qualities and pain relief properties. Research on autoimmune disorders such as Chron’s disease and Reumathoid Arthritis are looking positive for CBN. here is a list of all the known medical effects of CBN.
Conditions for which CBN is particularly effective in providing symptom relief:
Anticonvulsive properties. (Read More)
Appetite stimulant. (Read More)
Anti-Inflammatory properties in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) & Multiple Sclerosis (MS). (Read More)
CBN has antibiotic properties, including against “Golden Staph”. (Read More)
Pain relief through endorphin release. (Read More)
When combined with THC, CBN can help lower eye blood pressure. (Read More).
High Dosage of CBN are powerful sedative, and even more so when combined with THC and/or CBD. (Read More)
Higher levels of CBN may provide a particularly effective option for battling insomnia. (Read More)
Peripheral analgesic of myofascial pain. (Read More)
CBN Effect on the Nervous System
Activation of cannabinoid receptors:
(CB1) mediates psychoactive effects
(CB2) regulates various immune responses
nTRPA1 channels (Neurogenic inflammation)
Partial Agonist to CB1 & CB2
CBN acts on cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 & CB2). As a partial agonist, the CBN molecule does not fit ‘perfectly’ (rather partially) into the CB1 or CB2 receptor. In contrast, Anandamide an agonist that causes the ‘Runners High’ is a full agonist meaning the molecules fit like a key to a lock. Being an agonist to the CB1 Receptor means that CBN causes a ‘mild’ psychoactive effects (Similar to THC). However, unlike THC, CBN has a higher affinity for the CB2 receptor compared to the CB1, making the psychoactive effects a lot milder. Because of this high affinity for the CB2 receptor, CBN interacts largely with the immune system. However, CBN does still interact with the CB1 receptor, causing both pain suppression and appetite stimulation.
CBN acts on cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 & CB2). As a partial agonist, the CBN molecule does not fit ‘perfectly’ (rather partially) into the CB1 or CB2 receptor. In contrast, Anandamide an agonist that causes the ‘Runners High’ is a full agonist meaning the molecules fit like a key to a lock. Being an agonist to the CB1 Receptor means that CBN causes a ‘mild’ psychoactive effects (Similar to THC). However, unlike THC, CBN has a higher affinity for the CB2 receptor compared to the CB1, making the psychoactive effects a lot milder. Because of this high affinity for the CB2 receptor, CBN interacts largely with the immune system. However, CBN does still interact with the CB1 receptor, causing both pain suppression and appetite stimulation.
The CBN molecule may also aid in therapeutic application in diseases such as obesity. In a disease like obesity, CB1 cannabinoid receptors are up-regulated. the CB1 receptor has been shown to cause weight loss and other health benefits. Micro-dosages of CBN could lead to a down-regulation of receptors in both CB1 & CB2 as a result of supplemental tolerance.
Where Does CBN come from?
Cannabinol or CBN is mainly found in the aged Trichomes of The Cannabis Flower. The THC molecules in the Trichomes Breakdown into CBN, largely due to exposure to heat, light and time. Therefore as CBN content increases, THC content will decrease in aging flower bud.
When was CBN discovered?
In 1896 Wood and colleagues in Cambridge Isolated the first CBN cannabinoid, at the time this represented the first natural cannabinoid to be obtained in pure form.
King and colleagues in 1940, correctly determined the structure of CBN, and incorrectly assumed it to be the active psychotropic ingredient of Cannabis. This confusion was largely due to the CBN, being derived from the ageing of the THC molecule when exposed to light, heat and time.