All about CBN - research, benefits, effects | Canatura

Everything you wish you knew about CBN - research, benefits, effects

What is CBN?

CBN is one of the ten main (phyto)cannabinoids found in cannabis - along with THC and CBD. Cannabinol (CBN) is considered to be a cannabinoid with mild (but according to some research, no psychoactive effects at all), up to ten times less than THC. Cannabinoids are the active chemical compounds responsible for the medicinal effects of cannabis. Although most cannabinoids occur naturally in the cannabis plant, this is not quite the case with CBN.

CBN is a by-product of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is formed when THC is broken down by oxygen or heat. The concentration of cannabinol in the raw plant material is usually 1 % or less, while the plant as a whole contains even lower amounts. Freshly harvested cannabis contains almost no cannabinol.

Will CBN get you "high"? The connection between CBN and THC

Cannabinol (CBN) is the first ever plant cannabinoid that scientists have been able to isolate. CBN was isolated by Wood, Spivey and Easterfield from an oil extract of cannabis as early as 1896. R.S. Cahn elucidated the molecular structure of CBN in the early 1930s and its chemical synthesis was first carried out in 1940 in the laboratories of two different research groups - the first by R. Adams in the United States and the second under Lord Todd in the United Kingdom.

Before the discovery of THC, scientists believed that CBN was responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis. Although it may have some psychotropic effects, it does not have the power to make you stupefied. Some researchers suggest that CBN is not psychotropic, while others believe that CBN has mild psychotropic effects. Research shows that CBN is slightly more psychotropic than CBD (which has no psychotropic effects) and up to ten times less psychotropic than THC.

The link between CBN and THC is based on the results of a 1999 study which found that cannabis loses its potency over time. The study reported that after four years, the THC content of the cannabis sample tested had halved. The researchers noticed that as the THC oxidized, it began to convert to CBN, revealing that most of the degradation took place during the first few years of improper storage. In conclusion, the researchers said that THC degrades into CBN over time, and the more time that passes, the richer the old cannabis becomes in CBN.

 

How does CBN work in the body?

The cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids that interact with the human body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) - a relatively newly discovered system composed of a set of receptors that maintain homeostasis (balance) in the body. Each cannabinoid interacts with the endocannabinoid system in a different way, primarily through CB1 and CB2 receptors, which bind to the brain and nervous system and the immune system respectively. Each cannabinoid also represents a unique set of potential health benefits that it can convey to our bodies. CBN in particular has a similar chemical composition to THC. The binding process of this cannabinoid has not yet been confirmed, but scientists hypothesize that CBN primarily binds to the CB2 receptor, but also interacts with the CB1 receptor.

This cannabinoid acts as an agonist (a chemical that binds to the receptor and activates the receptor to elicit a biological response) on the TRPV2 receptor. The TRPV2 receptor is found in the spleen and lymphocytes (white blood cells important to the immune system that produce antibodies and destroy cells that could cause damage) and plays an important role in the immune system. Compared to CBD, which interacts with the endocannabinoid system by increasing the production of its own endocannabinoids to promote homeostasis, CBN appears to have a greater affinity for both CB1 and CB2 receptors.

How is CBN produced in cannabis plants?

CBN in the cannabis plant is produced in the same way as most major cannabinoids - from cannabigerol acid (CBGA), also known as the mother of all cannabinoids. However, the difference between CBN and other cannabinoids is that CBN does not come directly from CBGA. CBGA is the first cannabinoid produced by the cannabis plant to be converted by natural enzymes into cannabigerol (CBG), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) or cannabichromenic acid (CBCA). When exposed to heat (decarboxylation), these acid forms are converted into THC, CBD and CBC. Gradual exposure to air and light causes THC to break down into CBN, which is why older cannabis contains higher amounts of CBN compared to freshly harvested cannabis where CBN is almost undetectable.

CBN can also be produced in other natural ways. With prolonged exposure to air or UV radiation from the sun (oxidation), THCA (the acidic form of THC) loses hydrogen molecules and is converted to CBNA. Decarboxylation (thermal action) of CBNA further produces CBN.

 

Potential benefits and uses of CBN

Scientists have investigated the effects of CBN as one of the main cannabinoids in cannabis, usually in combination with other cannabinoids.

Although more research is needed, below are some potential benefits of CBN:

Sedative properties of CBN

Although a few small studies have reported that CBN is a potent sedative that shows potential in the treatment of insomnia, current evidence suggests that CBN does not have sedative properties - at least not when consumed as a single compound. In a study conducted on humans in the 1970s, researchers discovered that CBN showed potential sedative effects when taken in combination with THCA. This can be attributed to the so-called entourage effect, where cannabinoids and terpenes together produce a stronger effect.

The reason why CBN was thought to have a sedative effect is that users reported feeling 'sleepy' whenever they used old cannabis. The sedative effect was probably wrongly attributed to CBN. According to Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist and researcher in psychopharmacology, the sedative effects of old cannabis most likely come from the "old" terpenes instead. Russo explains that in aging cannabis, there is a loss of monoterpenoids and a retention of sesquiterpenoids, which likely cause the sedative effect. Thus, apart from the accompaniment effect, CBN has not proven itself to be a sedative.

Effects of CBN on pain control

Research suggests that CBN "causes release of sensory neuropeptides and relaxation of vascular tension" and has "an effect on primary sensory nerves". In other words, CBN is a potential painkiller that alleviates pain by releasing peptides from sensory nerves, which activates an alternative neural mechanism to that used by CBD and THC. CBN is considered a weak CB1 partial agonist, meaning that it binds to the receptor but does not have the same effects as a full agonist. CBN has been shown to elicit only 10% of the activity of THC and is therefore an alternative neural mechanism for pain control.

 

CBN can reduce intraocular pressure

In an animal study, researchers found that long-term administration of cannabinol (CBN) caused a significant reduction in intraocular pressure - one of the greatest risks for glaucoma (glaucoma). Further research is needed in this area as CBN has not shown better results than glaucoma drugs.

Anti-inflammatory effects of CBN

The anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids have been investigated in several reputable studies and have shown that cannabinoids can be effective anti-inflammatory agents. Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have been identified as the main anti-inflammatory agents, but studies show that cannabinol also belongs to a group of compounds that may represent a new class of therapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as allergic asthma. One animal study looked at the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids, including CBN, on arthritis and concluded that CBN could be an effective anti-inflammatory agent against arthritis.

Antibacterial properties of CBN

Extensive research has shown that cannabinoids are potent antibacterial agents, and CBN is no exception. A 2008 study investigated the potential of cannabinoids in addressing antibiotic resistance. It showed that cannabinol (CBN) exhibited potent activity against various strains of methicillin-resistant golden staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), suggesting that it may be a viable option for fighting bacteria.

CBN as an appetite stimulant

In a 2012 animal study, researchers found that CBN can be an effective appetite stimulant and may provide a non-psychotropic alternative to THC-based drugs. Cannabinol increases food consumption and feeding duration in rats and could be a potential substitute for THC (an appetite stimulant that many avoid due to its psychotropic effects) and kick-start "cravings" without narcotic effects.

Anticonvulsant effects of CBN

Cannabinoids are known anticonvulsants - CBD is the active ingredient in an approved antiepileptic drug. Studies show that when CBN, THC and CBD are used together, they achieve more effective results compared to taking the compounds in isolation.

CBN and neuroprotective effects

Although more research is needed, CBN may be a powerful neuroprotective agent - it protects the body's nerve cells. In one study, researchers tested the effects of CBN (as a non-psychotropic alternative to THC) in a rodent model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The researchers found that CBN treatment significantly delayed the onset of the disease by more than two weeks. This could potentially mean that CBN could help fight common neurodegenerative diseases for which treatment options are very limited.

How is CBN obtained?

Unlike THC and CBD - which can be extracted directly from the cannabis plant - CBN can only be extracted using a post-processing technique applied after the initial extraction. The cannabis flower undergoes a first extraction process that produces a pure full-spectrum oil rich in phytocannabinoids. The team then applies heat and oxygen to the extracted material to produce a concentrated product in the form of CBN oil. The post-processing technique (heat and time) used to isolate this compound and produce a high-quality oil makes CBN products rarer and, in most cases, more expensive.

Where to find quality CBN products?

Aging cannabis flowers (buds) may not be the best way to obtain CBN. The CBN conversion process requires the right amount of factors such as heat, air, light and time, which are best managed in a controlled environment. One of the biggest drawbacks to aging cannabis sticks is that you will experience an unpleasant taste when vaporizing or smoking. Fortunately, products such as CBN oil and CBN-containing gummies, which are rich in this cannabinoid and a spectrum of other active ingredients, will provide you with the necessary dose of CBN.

HERE YOU WILL FIND TOGETHER PRODUCTS WITH CBN FROM PROVEN MANUFACTURERS

The effect of CBN

CBN works better in combination with other cannabinoids and terpenes. CBN products contain other cannabinoids. These, along with terpenes, can potentially play a role in CBN-induced drowsiness. The idea that all cannabinoids and terpenes work together to produce stronger effects is rooted in the theory of the entourage effect discussed above. Research suggests that as a single molecule, CBN does not have sedative effects. However, in combination with other cannabinoids and terpenes, this ingredient may exhibit them. We all know that cannabis flower is more than the sum of its parts and that when combined with terpenes and other cannabinoids, lower doses have a stronger effect.

For example, candies rich in CBN content will make dosing easier. When combined with CBD and terpenes, such as myrcene and limonene, CBN can potentially help alleviate insomnia. According to research, these two terpenes, which are the most abundant in cannabis, can increase sleep time in mice. Although more research needs to be done, cannabinol is mostly harmless - like most cannabinoids, but it can have some side effects if consumed in large doses. These side effects include fatigue, drowsiness, loss of appetite and dizziness.

Is CBN legal?

Yes, CBN is legal and is not listed as a controlled substance internationally.

   

Author: Elena Moreau

 

 

Photo: Shutterstock

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