Additionally, cannabis plants that were harvested late tend to have higher CBN content than plants harvested early or at peak ripeness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like most cannabinoids<\/a>, CBN is entirely non-toxic but has mild psychoactivity in high doses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This cannabinoid is best known for its sedative effects. It’s been suggested to be the primary ingredient responsible for causing the “couch-lock” effect in certain marijuana or hemp strains. However, this idea has been disputed, as we’ll cover in more detail below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CBN is an analog of THC \u2014 which means it’s almost identical from a structural aspect, aside from a few minor differences. Even subtle changes in a compound’s chemical structure can dramatically change its effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n From a psychoactive perspective, CBN is one of the weakest members of the THC analogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two main types of differences for THC analogs: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CBN has 5 carbons in its alkyl side chain, just like delta 7, 8, 9, and 10 THC<\/a> \u2014\u00a0but it has three double bonds in its top ring structure while the other forms of THC have just one. Delta 8 THC<\/a> is roughly 5 times as strong as CBN, and delta 9 THC<\/a> is around 10 times as strong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The opposite of CBN is HHC (hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol)<\/a>, which has no double bonds, but the same 5-carbon alkyl side chain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin)<\/a> looks like delta 8 or 9 THC, but with a shorter side chain (only 3-carbons long). The psychoactive effects of THCV are about twice as potent as CBN. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another THC analog, called THCP (tetrahydrocannabiphorol)<\/a>, has 7-carbons on its side chain, which makes it nearly 33 times as potent as THC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBN binds to the same endocannabinoid receptors<\/a> as THC (CB1 and CB2 receptors). Activation of the CB1 receptor, in particular, is responsible for characteristic psychoactive effects associated with marijuana. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Compared to THC, the effects of CBN are about 10% as strong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This may produce psychoactive effects for some people in larger doses \u2014 but most people won’t feel high<\/em> from this cannabinoid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBN has always had a reputation for being a potent sedative. It’s largely associated with the “couch-lock” effect in certain strains of marijuana or hemp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This idea stems from research first conducted back in the 1970s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The old research that first reported this effect studied aged (old) marijuana to explore its impact. Many of the patients in this study reported a strong sedative sensation. So the logic was that older marijuana has a higher concentration of CBN due to the breakdown of THC \u2014 so it must be the CBN that’s resulting in the sedative effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Ethan Russo \u2014 one of the most prominent researchers in the cannabis industry today \u2014 suggests the claims that CBN is a powerful sedative aren’t accurate. He believes the early research that first reported this effect got it wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His argument is that most of the more recent research hasn’t found this same effect. That CBN is the only sedative when combined with THC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the more recent studies on this explored the effects of CBN in combination with THC [6<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n They used four combinations for the test:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n All patients were given all treatments in random order. The doses were spaced one week apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study concluded that CBN appeared to increase<\/em> THC’s natural sedative effects but possessed little sedative action on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there’s more chemistry involved here than just CBN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Older weed also has alterations in its terpene profile. These compounds evaporate and break down over time, leaving behind the heavier and more stable sesquiterpenes \u2014 many of which are potent sedatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Russo argues that it’s likely the result of this higher sedative sesquiterpene concentration in older marijuana and hemp flowers that makes it more sedative than fresher weed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There isn’t a lot of research available on CBN quite yet. There isn’t nearly as much information surrounding the effective dose of CBN as there is for cannabinoids like CBD or THC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that said, most of the research we do have suggests similar dosage ranges as CBD. Several studies have used doses of around 25 or 50 mg of CBN that have shown clear benefits.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, stick to the same dosages recommended for CBD when dosing CBN \u2014 but make sure to play around with the dose slightly depending on how it affects you. Some people need higher doses; others need lower doses. It can be hard to estimate the ideal dose of this cannabinoid until you try it yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out our CBD dosage calculator<\/a> to get started. Aim for a mild dose to start, and increase gradually once you know how it affects you individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD and CBN share common ancestry \u2014 but their structure and effect profiles are very different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD (cannabidiol)<\/a> is made from CBG (cannabigerol)<\/a> \u2014 which is considered the “cannabinoid stem cell”. Depending on the plant (hemp or marijuana<\/a>), CBG is either converted to CBD or THC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CBN is made as a byproduct as THC degrades over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, hemp plants \u2014 which naturally produce only small concentrations of THC, don’t have very high levels of CBN. This cannabinoid is most abundant in aged or improperly stored marijuana plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of effects, the biggest difference in effects between CBD and CBN are the receptors they act on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CBN is a CB1 receptor agonist, which is one of the actions THC uses to produce its effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD differs in that it binds to the CB1 and related CB2 receptors \u2014 but doesn’t activate<\/em> them. Instead, CBD works to modulate<\/em> these receptors \u2014 making it easier for our naturally-produced endocannabinoids to bind to these receptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\nQuick Reference: CBN Stats & Benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/12\/cbn-molecule-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCBN vs. Other THC Analogs: Ranking Potency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/08\/types-of-thc-double-bonds-1-1024x546.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Does CBN Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is CBN Sedative?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/12\/thc-vs-cbn-1-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat’s the Dose of CBN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
CBN vs. CBD: What’s the Difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Comparing CBN & CBD<\/h4>\n\n\n\n