Cannabinol (CBN): what it is and what effect it has

Unlike THC, CBN does not cause psychoactive effects but is known for its relaxing, calming, and mildly sedative effects, making it an essential ingredient in natural products designed to improve sleep quality. Additionally, several studies suggest that CBN has pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.

The properties of CBN

Let's look at some of the main features of CBN:

• has relaxing and slightly sedative properties

The first scientific evidence of the relaxing and mildly sedative properties of CBN dates back many years, to 1975 to be precise, the year in which it was published a study on Pharmacology, conducted on a sample of five adult men. The volunteers were administered both THC and CBN on two separate occasions. The subjects involved in the study reported feeling much sleepier after taking cannabinol compared to when they had taken THC

• has pain-relieving properties

CBN has pain-relieving properties; it can modulate pain perception by directly acting on the activity of neurons responsible for processing signals from nerve fibers. Like a studio highlights, CBN is able to influence the activity of nerve fibers of neurons sensitive to capsaicin, which is the molecule that characterizes spicy foods; contrary to what one might think, spiciness is not a taste, but a painful sensation, and for this reason capsaicin is not bound by the taste receptors of the tongue or palate, that is, the molecules that allow us to perceive flavors. One studio from 2019 also found that the combination of CBN and CBD is effective in relieving myofascial pain, which is often caused by physical injuries or the overuse of certain muscles during daily and work activities or is present in some diseases such as fibromyalgia.

These results suggest that cannabinoids can be incredibly useful in treating painful conditions without the potentially harmful side effects or risk of addiction associated with current opioid pain treatments

• has anti-inflammatory properties

A comprehensive review published in the FASEB Journal examined the effect of numerous compounds found in Cannabis sativa species. Of the twelve examined, CBN was able to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis in laboratory mice, and we expect similar results in humans. The review also concluded that the compounds were "generally free of adverse effects." The researchers noted that the mechanism of action of CBN is different from that of NSAID anti-inflammatory drugs, but still leads to a reduction in inflammation.

• Has neuroprotective properties

The anti-inflammatory properties may also be involved in the protective effect on the central nervous system, a concept known as "neuroprotection." A study conducted by the University of Washington concluded that the administration of CBN was able to delay the onset of a neurodegenerative disease known as "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis," more commonly known as ALS. The researchers concluded that treatment with CBN at 5mg/kg/day "significantly delays the onset of the disease by more than two weeks, while survival was not affected."

• has appetite-stimulating properties

Based on data from various laboratory test At the University of Reading, it was discovered that CBN is an agent that stimulates appetite in mice, leading to an increase in food consumption and behaviors aimed at obtaining food. The therapeutic approach of CBN could therefore be useful as a drug to restore the sense of hunger in patients who have lost their appetite due to certain pathologies.

• Has antibacterial properties

According to a study conducted in 2008, CBN appears to have antibacterial properties. It seems to be effective against bacteria belonging to the genus Staphylococcus, resistant to the most common antibiotics, defined as "MRSA" bacteria. Although the mechanism of action has not been identified, the study reported solid results and demonstrated a role for CBN in this regard.

• Helps reduce intraocular pressure in cases of glaucoma

One studio Highlights that CBN is capable of reducing intraocular pressure, which is the pressure inside the eye that, if elevated, characterizes a clinical condition called "glaucoma." Glaucoma causes a series of damages to the anatomical structures of the eye, from the retina to the optic nerve, leading to vision disturbances and eventually blindness. Many consumers affected by glaucoma have reported benefits from using CBN, which was confirmed by a 2007 study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem that examined the effect of cannabinoids on diseases and health in general.