Cannabinol (CBN) is one of at least 113 cannabinoids identified in cannabis. It's also the third most common cannabinoid after THC and CBD. CBN is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis; it doesn't act on the brain like THC but instead has an effect on the body. Therapeutically CBN has been targeted in medical marijuana to treat pain, anxiety, and insomnia. The fact that CBN is non-psychoactive makes it a safer alternative to opioids and can appeal to consumers that are not looking to feel the high associated with THC.

Spark Notes on CBN

Cannabinol is the acidic precursor to Cannabidiol (CBD). CBN is non-psychoactive because it's not active at CB1 receptors but instead binds to CB2. CBN oil is derived from Cannabinol, the oil form of CBN has become more popular as it often occurs naturally in low concentrations in flower and can be concentrated in oil form - for all the non-smokers out there this also provides a healthy alternative.

CBN is one of the secondary metabolites found in the trichomes of cannabis plants. It accumulates as the level of Cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis declines. It's a breakdown product of THC-acid and develops as THC ages or is exposed to heat, light or time. There are very few known strains that contain high levels of Cannabinol. While Cannabinol is none psychoactive it has some amazing benefits including being a neuroprotectant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, aids sleep and so on.

CBN and It's Role as a Sleep Aid

Many Cannabinoids in are known to play a role in regulating sleep but CBN specifically has been shown to have sedative quality that can help people fall asleep faster and induce a deeper sleep. CBN has been demonstrated to promote sleep through their interactions with serotonin receptors, producing sedative-like effects. CBN has been shown to be effective in treating neuropathic pain which can cause insomnia through overexcitation of nerves. Cannabinol can inhibit REM behavior disorder in people with Parkinson's Disease (a condition that causes difficulty sleeping). Additionally, Cannabinol may also decrease pain and help you to relax. Depending on the mechanism of your sleep hindrance CBN may be a non-psychoactive cannabinoid to keep an eye on.

CBN has an antibiotic effect against some bacteria and yeast

We still have much to learn about the antibiotic potential of CBN; however, I find this aspect of cannabinoids incredibly interesting from the perspective of cannabis following humans around the globe. These lesser-known properties of cannabinoids may have been incredibly important to the early success of humans.  

CBN has an antibiotic effect against some bacteria and yeast which has led to studies showing that it can be used against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The CBN is able to penetrate the cell wall of the bacteria and cause the death of the microbe. This means it has potential in fighting other bacterial infections like acne, foot fungus, and even work for killing cholera which is resistant to many antibiotics. Cannabinol has been shown to have an effect against the yeast Candida albicans suggesting Cannabinol may be useful for treating yeast related infections.

Studies have shown that Cannabinol is effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus and B. anthracis (the bacterium responsible for anthrax). Cannabinol is a powerful yet non-toxic antibacterial as it has been shown to be more than 100 times as active as Phenol against gram-positive bacteria.

During the 1980s Cannabinol was tested for its ability to inhibit microorganisms such as Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum (P. notatum). It was also tested for its ability to inhibit the production of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus. The Cannabinol exhibited a great deal of activity against all of the species tested and it likely may be used as an antiseptic if further research shows it to be safe and effective at higher concentrations.

CBN and Pain Management

CBN has been shown to be effective in treating pain. CBN is a Cannabinoid which means it works through the endocannabinoid system, this Cannabinoid may offer relief from many types of pain including menstrual cramps, headaches and even back aches. A possible mechanism of pain inhibition is the upregulation of Cannabinoid receptors to produce more Anandamide, a neurotransmitter that interacts with Cannabinoid receptors and works as an anti-inflammatory agent and also cause the body's immune cells to destroy invaders. Cannabinoids have been shown to be effective for pain relief because Cannabinoid receptors are known to exist in areas of the brain that modulate a person's response to pain. Cannabinoids also work by inhibiting an enzyme called cyclo-oxygenase which is responsible for the formation of proinflammatory prostaglandins, leading to analgesic properties. This enzyme is what Cannabinoids help to inhibit which leaves Cannabinoids able to manage inflammation and decrease pain without the same side effects of other drugs, making Cannabinoids a safer alternative to traditional pain medications.

As always I hope this article shed some light on Cannabinol and its various applications, we still have much to learn but my ideal scenario is that this peaked your attention to how dynamic and powerful this plant can be. While Cannabinol can be found naturally in cannabis it may also be synthetically manufactured to target certain ailments, conditions, and concentrations. As humans we all have a natural endocannabinoid system that helps regulate homeostasis, the cannabinoids in cannabis interact with our endocannabinoid system to produce an effect and we're just beginning to understand the positive benefits of these interactions. If you have any comments on this blog drop them below and spark a conversation!

Stay lifted,