There has been an explosion of wellness and health products with novel formulations and it can be quite difficult to keep up and remember what each cannabinoid does. You must be familiar with CBD by now which is arguably the most popular cannabinoid and is valued mostly for its anti-anxiety effects. However, in recent times, CBN has also emerged as another worthy competitor that is discussed in hushed tones owing to its apparent ability to help with sleep. And every person rationally asks and wants to know the answer to the following question: what is the truth about this CBD vs CBN? This is similar with the products as the products are derived from the same plant; however, they are not identical in any way.
Clarification of the two helps in determining the appropriate product in relation to therapeutic results to be achieved. Whether it is for weekly stress relief, or relaxing before bedtime, the section provides everything about buying CBD vs. CBN from sources, the potential positive applications each come with and any negative effects in usage.
The Concepts of How Cannabinoids Function: Briefly Highlighted Once Again
Essentially, many differences exist between the two before getting into the CBD vs CBN contrast—and that is what we are going to do. The marijuana plant has a lot of incredibly potent natural elements called cannabinoids. While there are more than 100, the 3 that stand out the most are THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (Cannabidiol), and the latest CBN (Cannabinol).
These chemicals affect the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in the body. You can think of it as a reset button. ECS is like a regulation center in the body, it balances several issues including sleep, mood, appetite, and pain. Effect of Cannabidiol and Cannabinol upon ECS is a major reason therapeutic actions of these have been extensively researched. Furthermore, both CBD and CBN do not cause any psychoactive effect, as they do not have any mind-altering effect like THC.
CBD vs CBN: Side by Side Comparison
For those who don’t mind a quick look, this table gives a simplified account of the pros and cons in the CBD vs CBN conundrum within seconds.
| Aspect | CBD OR Cannabidiol | CBN OR Cannabinol |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Cannabidiol | Cannabinol |
| Plant Source | Quite prevalent in hemp; occurs spontaneously in plants. | One of the breakdown products of THC metabolism; occurs in low concentrations in old cannabis. |
| Primary Association | Promotion of health, relaxation, anxiety control, pain relief. | Hypnotic action and reducing insomnia. |
| Psychoactive? | Negative. It has no inebriating effects. | No; however, it may lead to somnolence. Sometimes said to be somnolent-active by definition, but not intoxicating. |
| Federal Legality |
Demystifying Cannabidiol (CBD)
CBD or Cannabidiol is the second most abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant after THC and the most dominant of all cannabinoids in hemp. It has been an object of thorough studies for the past years, which resulted in many CBD oils, gummies, topicals, etc being available on the market. In contrast to THC, CBD doesn’t directly interact with our two cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) strongly. Instead, it functions in a more ‘supporting’ role for the endocannabinoid system as a whole.
The Usual CBD Benefits and Their Applications
CBD is used for a number of applications, and this is one of the reasons for its growing acceptance. This is why, along with other substances and nutrients, it is regularly consumed to maintain balance and prevent diseases.
- Stress and anxiety relief – this is probably the most widespread approach of it. A number of users feel a calming effect and even a relaxation effect, after taking it which helps to cope with any stress on a daily basis.
- Alleviating Pain and Inflammation: The study showed some effectiveness of cannabidiol in inflammation, which makes it particularly useful to those suffering from chronic conditions such as arthritis and other types of muscle pain.
- Epileptic Seizures: CBD has been most studied for its role in seizure control especially in extreme forms of epilepsy; it is what led to the approval of a cannabis-based medication called Epidiolex by the US FDA.
- Enhancing focus and Reducing Monkey Mind: It is postulated that consumption of CBD allows for greater focus in certain individuals by quietening the brain without the inconvenience of inducing sleepiness during daytime.
Due to a large number of scientific works and easy access, CBD is at the core of the cannabis healthcare segment. It can be considered when an argument of CBD vs CBN arises.
The CBN (Cannabinol) Cannabinoid – Is It The “Sleep Cannabinoid”?
Let’s now move to the topic of CBN, Cannabinol. One major difference when it comes to CBD vs CBN is where they originate. CBN is not manufactured directly in high quantities by the cannabis plant. It is formed during the degradation or aging of THC due to heat and oxygen exposure. This is why older marijuana usually provides higher levels of CBN.
In various writings, CBN has been dubbed as ‘sleepy cannabinoid.’ Well, the statement is not that straightforward. Studies from the seventies and earlier suggested CBN as a sedative; however, such studies were limited. Current perspective looks into the possibility of CBN in combination with some other terpenes (these are chemicals with a flavor) that are found in old marijuana to mediate the sleep-inducing effect. This is important because without it, the CBD vs CBN debate would be unfair.
Possible Benefits and Uses of CBN
Despite the fact that the pace of research on CBN is nowhere near the level of CBD, available studies provide hopeful insights on its prospective advantages.
- Sleep Aid: It is where CBN is known to have its greatest strength. Anecdotal reports coupled with feedback from numerous users cite that people sleep faster and much longer whenever they consume CBN products. Consequently, it is most of the times sold as a sleep aid.
- Appetite Stimulation: There is a study conducted in some animals that shows that CBN helps in stimulating food appetite which is an important advantage for individuals who suffer from poor appetite.
- Antibacterial Properties: It has also been discovered that CBN has antibacterial properties, and unfortunately or maybe even fortunately, this characteristic is consistent even against bacterial strains that are resistant to conventional antibiotics.
The Core Debate – Main Alternatives CBD CBN
Do you see how different these two cannabinoids are when you put these two cannabinoids together? The argument at the center of CBD vs CBN lies within what is the purpose of talking about these cannabinoids.
Source as well as its Current Availability
This is one of the most substantial differences. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the key cannabinoids found abundantly in the hemp plant, thus making it easy and cheap to derive. In contrast, CBN is regarded as a trace cannabinoid. This is more difficult to do and can result in higher costs when it comes to CBN production, due to the fact that it is a degradation product of THC. Quite naturally, it has its impact on CBN product prices.
How It Works
Their turns on the cells is yet another key difference. Unlike the main cannabinoid receptors, which are most readily activated by THC, CBD has a low affinity for them, and instead, acts in an indirect manner. CBN ‘inherits’ such property and also has some affinity towards the CB1 receptor, which is the same structure to which almost all THC binds. However, it is much weaker than THC, so there is no euphoria, though the weak interaction may still lead to notable effects such as sedation. This is an important technical aspect of the CBD vs CBN debate.
Major Impacts and The Feel of the Product
Undoubtedly, one of the most important considerations for any user in the debate of CBD vs CBN is the user experience.
- CBD: They are generally believed to indulge you gradually in a calm and relaxed state for both your brain and body. It does not make the user fall asleep and for this reason, there are people who use it to relieve stress during the day and continue working.
- CBN: Calmness is not much in the activities as sedation is. People on CBN usually get sleepy and oftentimes take it before bed, hence, it becomes not a daytime cannabinoid for the majority. The CBD vs CBN dilemma is often reduced to this combination of day and night usage.
Can You Use CBD And CBN At The Same Time? Entourage Effect Explained
One is not necessarily clearly better than the other. In fact, research actually suggests cannabinoids could work better when they are together in nature hence the entourage effect. It says that when the whole parts of the hemp plant including cannabinoids and terpenes or flavonoids are comprehensively taken together in their proportions, together they produce more than any of their parts taken singly could do.
Additionally, some of the items designed for sleeping in the market today will contain both CBD and CBN as part of their respective formulations. In such products, CBD provides the basic feeling of relaxation and anti-anxiety activity, and CBN provides a special and unique soporific effect which hypnotizes one to sleep. Those whose minds race and thus have a hard time falling asleep might find a CBD vs CBN product helpful.
Possible Side Effects and Warning Signs
Considered safe and well-tolerated by most, be it CBD or CBN, there are some side effects if not supplements have any. Amusingly, the side effects for both are almost the same.
- Feeling sleepy or tired (more relevant in case of CBN)
- Parched mouth
- Feeling sick in the stomach or diarrhea
- Altered hunger and weight changes
It is true that in most cases, it is better to start small and observe what happens. Significantly, if one is on any medications, those more so with a “grapefruit warning” such as blood thinners, it is imperative to consult a doctor before attempting to use CBD and CBN. These compounds affect the way the body processes some medication in the system.
Being on the Page with CBD vs CBN Laws
The US 2018 Farm Bill gives a framework within which the relative legality of cannabinoids is measured. The Bill legalized the federal cultivation of hemp and any other derivatives of it, provided the level of THC is less than 0.3 percent when dry. Since CBD as well as CBN can be extracted from naturally grown and legal hemp, they are therefore legally permissible at the federal level as specified.
The federal law and a state law can be different sometimes, and this is the known nature of laws in almost all countries. Majority of the states are in line with this act; however, there are a handful of states, which impose stricter measures in this regard. Therefore, one is advised to first check the applicable law within his or her state in such cases before procuring or using the aforesaid products. Another very significant factor in the challenge of CBD vs CBN is whether the compounds are legal or not.
CBD vs CBN: Which One Fits Your Needs?
Okay, how do you make a choice after all this analysis? The responses to the common problem of looking for CBD vs CBN all or largely depend on what one seeks to achieve.
There are several factors that may lead one to choose CBD, including:
- If the user seeks to manage any common worry or tension that persists and arises frequently throughout the day, they will likely consider seeking help in this form.
- You are looking at ways and means to deal with pain and inflammation.
- You would like to take a general wellness supplement to help you balance yourself out.
- You don’t want to be sluggish during the day and you are unable to concentrate.
- Age is not an issue for you.
- You want to take a product, which will help correct quality of sleep as the main engine of the organism.
- You have a hard time falling asleep and/or have insomnia.
- It’s been a while that you tried these sleeping aids but they do not help.
- It’s a bifunctional supplement for daytime use only; consequently, you are searching for a supplement limited to nighttime use.
These are the circumstances in which application of CBN is advisable/appropriate:
- I mean, there is a primary or essential objective which is to enhance better sleep.
To conclude, the difference in CBD vs CBN is not so much as which one is “better,” but which one is better for what? The perfect Swiss knife that is called CBD, versus the perfect sleeping pill called CBN.
Typical Questions (FAQ)
What kind of interchangeable testing is done on CBN compared to CBD?
They possess different effects, which are neither stronger nor weaker. In terms of promotion of sleep, CBN becomes more sedating per se compared to CBD. In terms of anxiety and inflammation, CBD is better understood and better appreciated. The CBD vs CBN debate is more than anything about the purpose.
Will taking CBN cause a positive drug test result?
It could possibly be the case. Since CBN is a degradation product of THC—which is to some extent a form of drug, some of the basic drug tests may not separate CBN from THC thus may be false positives. If subjected to drug testing on a regular basis it is advisable to avoid using CBN products.
How many minutes does it take before CBN works to induce sleep?
Usually, when this is consumed in the form of an oil or in a tincture, it is around 30 to 90 minutes into consumption when it starts kicking in the system. The time will depend also on factors such as metabolism, dosage, and food intake. Gummies and other edibles will take longer time before they will be effective.
The CBD vs CBN debate – what’s the most salient fact?
They differ in source and general application. A plain, everyday supplement such as health wellness for instance—the major cannabinoid is CBD. Coming from aged THC—CBN is a minor cannabinoid in practice used almost only as sleep remedy at night, dusk till dawn.
Conclusion and Summary
When we look at CBD vs CBN, we can clearly see how diverse the cannabis plant is. Both these products are full of hope for the consumers but carry no potential to intoxicate the user. However, in essence, both these products are very different. Although useful in a number of conditions, CBD is aimed more at helping people today avoid stress and discomfort to pre-empt their working day. Nevertheless, CBN is EXTREMELY helpful for women who are looking for sleep remedies and is gaining their popularity and presence in the public market.
The decision that you make in regard to CBD vs CBN is largely dependent upon one’s own needs and the purpose they are looking to achieve. If you find out what they both have as far as unique profiles, it will be easier to decide on which one will help in enhancing one’s health and wellness. Even if all of these come as supplements, a doctor should always be included so that one gets tailor-made advice.