Cannabinol, or CBN, is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Although proven to have an array of therapeutic benefits, it’s still not as popular as some of its counterparts, THC and CBD

Cannabinol is created during the process of degradation, or oxidation of the cannabinoid THC. Once tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is exposed to the elements, it eventually breaks down to CBN, which has a lot of medicinal properties with a very minimal psychoactive effect. So in other words, CBN is aged THC.

Pain relief, anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulant, and bone regeneration are among the many benefits provided by CBN, but it’s most commonly used as a sleep aid. Since it’s a product of THC, it occurs naturally in pretty significant quantities. If plants are allowed to mature, they will end up with a good amount of CBN which can be extracted for medications, or consumed from the plant directly.

Considering CBN is not even close to being a household name as yet, there’s not as much research into this compound, compared to CBD and THC, however, there is a decent amount of evidence suggesting the benefits are indeed significant. Cannabinol can be used to stimulate appetite, promote bone growth, prevent bacterial infections, and reduce inflammation, but CBN’s marked characteristic is its ability to induce sleep. Some testing from Steep Hill Labs in Berkley, CA, indicates that only 5mg of CBN is just as effective as 10mg of diazepam, but this data needs to be studied further.

Another plus to using CBN is that it produces little-to-no psychoactive effects, which is fantastic for patients who need to medicate but prefer to do so without the high. Since CBN is degraded THC, this cannabinoid can be found in many indica strains. Indica cannabis is known for its tendency to have these sedative effects.

Out of 85 cannabinoids, CBN is the most powerful sedative, which makes it a promising treatment option for people suffering from sleep apnea, insomnia, and other sleep disorders. Evidence dates back as far as 1976, but a more prominent study of this cannabinoid, conducted on insomniac mice, was completed in 1995 with positive results for cannabinol use to promote better sleep.

THC degradation can be attributed to either heat, oxygen, or a combination of both. As you may have already figured, that poorly stored, dried up cannabis will have considerably higher levels of CBN compared to fresh and properly stored flowers.

Luckily, there are ways to consume this cannabinoid without dooming yourself to a life of low-quality medication. Oils, edibles, capsules, and patches are making an appearance at the more progressive providers of cannabis-based medications.