By definition, full-spectrum hemp extracts contain a diverse range of hemp’s many beneficial compounds. This includes flavonoids, terpenes, and fatty acids, as well as a variety of cannabinoids. All of these naturally occurring compounds work together to create the “Entourage Effect,” which maximizes the benefits delivered throughout the body. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a type of cannabinoid. It happens to be one of the best-known and most studied cannabinoids found in plants (phytocannabinoids), but scientists continue to discover more of them. So far, they’ve identified around 100 distinct cannabinoids.
One of these cannabinoids, known by the initials CBN, was actually the first phytocannabinoid to be identified, back in the 19th century. Even though cannabinoids have similar-sounding names, they may do very different things, and it’s helpful to understand more about them. So what is CBN and what does it do?
CBN stands for cannabinol. There is very little CBNin young, growing hemp plants, but it will naturally occur after a plant has been cut and stored for long periods of time, especially with exposure to heat, sunlight, and oxygen. Just like CBD, CBN derived from hemp is non-intoxicating, and will not make you feel “high.”
Sleep*: CBN has a reputation for helping with sleep, but the scientific evidence for this is limited and only from animal studies. One small study was done in 1975 that looked at CBN and sleep in humans, but it did not find that CBN helped. More studies are needed to determine if CBN is specifically helpful in this regard.CBN and CBD combined may potentially be better at promoting an overall sense of mind and body relaxation.
Everyday Anxiety and Stress*: As with sleep, it seems likely that CBNas a part of a full-spectrum hemp extract contributes to producing a sense of calm and focus better than CBN on its own, because of the benefit of the entourage effect.
Exercise-Induced Inflammation*: A few animal studies suggest that CBN may be helpful for some types of short-term inflammation. CBN may interact with nerve cells that respond to capsaicin (that ingredient in chili peppers, which is often added to topical creams to relieve pain), and so it may have the potential to help with recovery after intense exercise.
Advances in science and manufacturing techniques mean that CBN-isolates, 1:1 blends of CBD: CBN isolates, and CBN-dominant hemp extracts, will likely become increasingly available as oils and in ingestible and topical forms.
The benefit of using CBN oil is that you can gradually increase (or decrease) the amount of CBN you take each day based on how your body is responding to it, as well as on what life happens to be throwing your way! If your week is extra stressful, it might be a good time to increase your frequency to 3x per day or have a little more in the morning and evening. If restful sleep cycles aren’t coming as easily as they used to, play with the times of day you’re taking CBN. Maybe a couple of hours or even a few minutes before bed will work better for you.
The short answer to both of these questions is the same as it is for CBD, “It depends.” It depends on many factors such as the starting point of your body’s systems, as well as the concentration of CBN you’re using. The bottom line is that CBN may affect everyone a little differently and work gradually over time. Dietary supplements like BraveIT hemp extract products are crafted to work with your body naturally. Results come by way of steady use, which will make beneficial changes more sustainable.
Anecdotal reports from people who use CBN suggest that it is particularly useful for sleep, but this has not yet been borne out by formal studies. It does look like CBN plays a unique role in recovery from exercise-induced inflammation, while CBN and CBD combined may potentially be better at promoting a sense of calm and relaxation than CBN alone. CBD and CBN also probably interact in different ways with the ECS to have their effects in the body.
Research on CBN is still in its early stages, but more studies are happening, and we need them to get a more complete picture of how CBN works and what it can do. So far, the findings for this lesser-known cannabinoid are promising.