Up until now, our blog and educational resources have focused mainly on CBD. While we’ve chatted about other cannabinoids a little, we haven’t really given them the attention they deserve. Part of this is because there’s less research available, but with the release of some new products (like the CBN Slumbr) we thought we’d take the opportunity and get into it.  

We’ve already chatted about the science of CBN in another post, so today we’re going to do things a little differently: we’ll talk a bit about what CBN is, summarize the science, and end things off with a classic CBD with Bre, but with a CBN twist.  

What is CBN? 

Cannabinol, or CBN, is a type of cannabinoid regularly found within the cannabis plant. Like all cannabinoids, the amount of CBN within a product can range depending on factors like the plant’s chemical makeup, the type of product, and how the product was processed.  

On a more scientific note, when THC is heated, exposed to air, light, or aged for a while, it becomes CBN. However, so far it doesn’t seem to be very psychoactive, if at all. It also binds more with CB2 receptors than it does CB1 receptors. If you need a refresher on these receptors, their effects, and the ECS, check out this post here. Although CBN is discussed frequently within the community, the science hasn’t really caught up yet. 

Introducing LoFi’s CBN Slumbr 

The CBN Slumber oil is made up of LoFi’s Full Spectrum CBD extract mixed with CBN isolate and sustainably sourced MCT. It has a potency of 40mg of CBD and 20mg of CBN per ml. The CBD extract is produced from an alcohol-based extraction and winterization process creating a darker oil that is rich in terpenes and minor cannabinoids. For more detailed information about our CBN Slumber, check out the product page here.  

The Science  

Generally, CBN is well-known for its sleep effects. While research is still limited, more recent studies have been very compelling. For example, this double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that CBN appears to increase sleep quality without inducing daytime drowsiness. Another recent study conducted recently found that CBN appears to both increase sleep and be non-intoxicating. They’ll be following up with human trials in the future, so we’re looking forward to learning more.  

Additionally, there’s some science to suggest that CBN may be useful for a variety of things, such as managing pain and inflammation, protection against Alzheimers, and a potential treatment for glaucoma. To learn more about CBN, check out our CBN Spotlight here. 

Dose 

Like with CBD, dosing CBN can be incredibly personal. Everyone’s body is different, so it can be challenging to give any specific advice. That said, the classic advice is to start low and go slow, gradually increasing the dose until you find something that works for you. This is especially true if you’re using a CBN that contains other cannabinoids, such as CBD or THC, along with it.  

Side Effects 

Due to the limited amount of research, we don’t have a clear list of potential side effects yet. We may assume that CBN is just as safe as something like CBD, but it’s also a different compound that impacts our body in unique ways. Some side effects we’ve seen mentioned include things such as drowsiness, potential medication interactions, liver or kidney problems, and dry mouth. Again, if you’re new to CBN or a specific product, start low and go slow. Also make sure to check in with your doctor, especially if you’re taking other medications at the same time. 

CBN With Bre 

Like other CBD with Bre instalments, this is the section where I talk about my experiences taking CBN. Everyone’s body is different, so what happened for me isn’t necessarily going to happen for you. This isn’t meant to be taken as advice or any sort of recommendation. Mostly, the idea is that perhaps by sharing my experiences, someone new to CBN may have a better idea what to expect when starting out.  

I’m known for really appreciating Full Spectrum CBD, especially when it comes to sleep. I tend to struggle with insomia – always have – and sometimes I go through phases where I just can’t sleep. I also struggle quite a bit with restless leg syndrome and anxiety, which only makes it harder. Finding a lot of success with CBD, I was looking forward to trying CBN.  

Overall, I had an easier time falling asleep, staying asleep, or falling back to sleep when I used CBN. I’m also pretty sure I had more dreams, which maybe says something about getting more REM sleep compared to normal. However, I found it really hard to wake up the next day, and I stayed groggy for quite a few hours after waking. This happened to me when I first tried CBD as well, so I think it could be the result of a few variables such as dose, letting my body take time to adjust to something new, taking the CBN too close to bedtime, and the fact that I’ve been struggling with sickness. Like with CBD, I imagine that as I keep taking CBN more consistently, that grogginess will fade or go away. For now, however, I’m going to take very small amounts and wait for nights that I don’t have to be up at 4am for work.  

In general though, I feel like I had much deeper and harder-to-wake-up-from sleeps than I did when I was just taking CBD, compared to the CBN.  

TL;DR 

There isn’t a ton we know about CBN yet due to how under researched it currently is. Thankfully, there are some studies currently in development, and hopefully we’ll learn more in the future. For now, however, if you’re wanting to try out CBN, start low and go slow, giving your body time to adjust and react before increasing the dose.