It’s unlikely that you have missed the fervor surrounding CBD – its retail desires and generic benefits. However, there is another lesser known cousin bravely seeking attention: CBN.
Though classified to the same plant family, one may notice they differ in the properties and effects when discussing CBD vs CBN. These distinctions need nothing less than tackling recognized/understood problems in choosing birchem, especially good vs bad, harmony vs tension, and many more.
What Are Cannabinoids Anyway?
Trace your memory real quick. Before engaging in CBN vs CBD breakdown as a friendly scientific competition, let us refresh ourselves with some definitions. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds produced by Cannabis and Hemp plants. Most probably you have heard of THC (seah-tah-hydro-ka-nah-bin-al) which is the one that makes you euphoric and gets you ‘stoned’. Apart from the famous one, there are 100+ other cannabinoids which include CBD (cannabidiol) and CBN (cannabinol).
The endocannabinoid system (ECS), present in our body, is also the point of interaction for these cannabinoids. You can liken the ECS to an internal juggling process of the body, which helps regulate emotions, sleeping cycles, hunger pangs, sensations of pain, etc. Cannabinoids such as CBD and CBN, when administered, can modulate the endocannabinoid system, which can result in all the mentioned effects. In the case of CBN vs CBD, the differences revolve around their production within and interaction with the ECS.
CBN vs CBD: The Love Story
The first is simple: which one is produced first and how? They are related to how easy it is to find the compound, what effects it has, and also whether its cost is reasonable or not.
CBD: The Uncommon Compound That’s Commonly Available
CBD is a primary cannabinoid which indicates its predominance in the hemp plant as compared to other cannabinoids. It is synthesized by the plant itself as it matures. So naturally, CBD is abundant enough for cheap extraction processes, and hence it is found in all sorts of items including oils, tinctures, gummies, lotions and so on. Due to its abundance, a lot of studies have been conducted on its effectiveness and safety, which is much simplified now mirroring this knowledge about CBD.
CBN – The Senior Cannabinoid
CBN is a different story and here is why. Another reason is that CBN is classed as a minor cannabinoid. That is because it is not produced in significant levels by the plant. The formation of CBN here is from the process of decay of the THC. When THC, the most famous cannabinoid, is degraded by heat, light and oxygen, it ages into another cannabinol, CBN. Cannabinoids content for aged cannabis material is therefore higher in CBN naturally. As it is more of a result of THC degradation, getting a lot of CBN has become much more difficult and expensive, thus making CBN products more costly than CBD.
Fighting Battle: CBN vs CBD Effects and Their Benefits
Here lies the part where the CBN vs CBD antagonism becomes very amusing to most individuals. They are non-intoxicating like THC, but have other therapeutic possibilities. It is not about which one is “best” over another. It is more of knowing which one am I better off using.
A Defense For CBN – That Cannabinoid With Me? Already?
Who wants the sleepy cannabinoid ever? CBN is increasingly greeted with excitement due to its potential use in sleep treatment. When studied, although in its infancy when compared to CBD, evidence indicates that CBN has a sedative effect. Anecdotal and preliminary research support that it is true that CBN causes the user to relax and fall asleep quicker than they normally would.
- Sleep Aid: CBN allows people to connect with this purpose. For some users, this is the only reason why they turn to CBN as it solves one problem and that is the occasional sleepless nights. Such products are usually a fusion of CBD and other stress relieving components intended for night usage.
- Appetite Enhancement: In a study conducted using laboratory mice to taste for the claims, it was found out that CBN is a potential appetite enhancer. Users with inadequate access to food may be concerned otherwise and would try to prevent overeating.
- Pain management: CBN like any other cannabinoids can be assumed to have properties related to pain damage.
Most people connect CBN to sleep and many people’s perception of it as a sedative can also be attributed to the “entourage effect” as a result of other cannabinoids and terpenes present in older cannabis plants. This phenomenon explains why many users turn to CBN instead of providing CBN vs CBD for sleep.
Why Choose CBD: Why More is Always Better
Out of the two, there is more research done on CBD with a lot of scientific evidence indicating its uses and benefits. It has multiple uses; a lot of applications in the wellness sector.
- Relieving Anxiety and Depression: Most people utilize CBD in order to relieve feelings of anxiety and stress. Research indicates that it has a calming effect on the central nervous system.
- Managing Pain and Inflammation: Many people believe that pain associated with diseases and injuries can be relieved with CBD. Chronic pain, inflammatory arthritis and muscle soreness after workouts commonly respond well to this treatment.
- Seizure Disorders: The most robust body of scientific evidence exists regarding the role of CBD in the treatment of certain atypical forms of seizure disorders. As such, the FDA has approved the first and only CBD-containing drug, Epidiolex, for use in epilepsy.
- General Wellness: A number of consumers routinely make use of CBD with the aim of better overall wellness regulation, explaining that they are less irritable, better able to concentrate, and more focused in their cases.
As it were when it comes to CBN vs CBD in terms of wellness, the fact that there is more research done on CBD as well as its more diverse usage proves to be an advantage.
CBN vs CBD: A Comparison in Table Form
Now this CBN vs CBD issue is simplified with the help of the below table consisting of main parameters only.
| Feature | CBN (Cannabinol) | CBD (Cannabidiol) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Source | It is either a native decarboxylation product of THCA or a degradation product of THC. | Produced in significant quantities naturally by the hemp plant. |
| Magnitude of Psychoactivity | Deemed Non Intoxicant. Though there are several literature that does confirm high dose psychoactivity in high doses. | No Psychoactivity; Does not cause a high hence. |
| Mainly Perceived advantage | Is also employed in a lot of patients to promote sleep and resting. | It is used with anxiety disturbances, in the pain relief, inflammation and other conditions like seizure. |
| Level of Investigation | This is still at the nascent stage of investigation. | So far rigorous and detailed scientific studies have been carried out or documented. |
| Economical Availability and Costs | It is rarely found although there are manufacturers that can make it but at considerable costs. | Costs little and is easily accessible worldwide. |
| Possible Harms and Consequences | CBN vs CBD Comparison: – Given the production of elite sports in the XIX and XX centuries concerning Sexual variation in playing styles: – CBN is considered even milder, while in CBD social use is allowed. | As a general overview, it is not possible to address one alluding to CBN vs CBD unless suggesting ideas about safety in both cases. There are populations where both cannabinoids are quite well tolerated. While some discomforting side effects are possible, in most cases they are weak. |
The side effects indicative of both CBD and also CBN usage may include, but are not limited to:
- Drowsiness, tiredness, or fatigue
- Xerostomia
- Some people may experience changes in their hunger levels
- Loose stools
A fundamental issue is that there are drug interactions to consider. This is because both CBD and CBN will be metabolized in the liver and may inhibit the breakdown of some prescription drugs in the body, especially the “grapefruit warning” ones such as anticoagulants. If you’re considering starting with CBD or CBN or any other supplement, and you’ve a certain health condition, or you’re on medication, it’s important to consult your medical doctor first.
CBN vs CBD – Questions of Legality and Concerns of Drug Use
The regulations on cannabinoids are quite complex. Fortunately, hemp products made with less than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are federally permissible due to the 2018 Farm Bill. Therefore, since cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) originate from the hemp plant, it is within the federal parameters to use products infused with these substances.
Conversely, there may be additional restrictions imposed by different states as well. Therefore, whenever in doubt, it is best to check out the laws in place where you reside or use cannabinoid products.
Drug Testing Concerns
When one talks about the CBN vs CBD debate and drug examination, one makes an important explanation. Drug tests are generally used to screen for the presence of THC and not any other cannabinoids such as CBD or CBN. CBN is however a derivative of THC and therefore, theoretically, there stands a minimal chance that one may consume so much of CBN away to give a false positive test for THC on a highly sensitive test. On the other hand, most full-spectrum CBN and CBD supplements have a THC content that is less than 0.3% which is the legally acceptable limit. Although this level of THC is not incapacitating, because it tends to accumulate in the system after continued exposure, an individual may end up testing positive for drugs. In case of regular drug testing, the use of THC free CBD or CBN isolated products is the most foolproof option available to them.
CBN and CBD; which one to Favour or Both?
Having laid the cards out on the table and elaborated on CBN vs CBD combat, how can one resolve a particular conflict? This will, of course, come down to the intended purpose of using these products.
Why Advocate for Cannabidiol?
You should probably get a CBN alternative if you wish to satisfy yourself in bed. Do you experience difficulty falling asleep or sleeping once asleep? CBN may have sedative properties that can help. Many people achieve this by utilizing products that contain CBN in conjunction with a minimal quantity of CBD, thereby ensuring the entourage effect.
CBD: When and How To Use It
If you are offering assistance to those with a larger spectrum of conditions, such as stress on a daily basis, anxiety, pain, or inflammation, then CBD gets to be the go-to option. Its rich literature and widespread availability come in really handy and offer a safe alternative that can be employed by many who desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle easier during days.
Both: The Synergistic Co-action – The Entourage Effect
During the CBN vs CBD discussion, it’s not always necessary to take one or neither. Many specialists demonstrate that the cannabinoids perform better together, which is why the term ‘entourage effect’ was implied. The theory asserts that if several cannabinoids such as CBN and CBD, or other naturally existing ingredients such as terpenes, are used, the effect of each single compound is much more profound. Therefore, most products with a high potency on the market are ‘full spectrum’ or ‘broad spectrum’, i.e., they revolve around a wide variety of cannabinoids that are intended to act together. For our purposes, a tincture which is made from both CBN and CBD is used to sleep and is one of the most common sleep aids.
Getting Quality Stuff
Given that the industry in which products are derived from cannabinoids remains largely unregulated, it is paramount to become an informed consumer. Whenever you’re buying CBN tea or CBD oil, try to make sure that the items you buy have these attributes:
- Laboratory verification: Ensure that the product you are buying has been tested in a third party laboratory as any serious brand cannot sell products without laboratory assurances. There is often an analysis report called Certificate attached, which contains relevant information for customers and is easy to find on the company’s website.
- Cultivation of Hemp in the USA: To grow hemp within the United States requires more regulations when it comes to agriculture and farming which means that the resulting product is of high quality and relatively safe.
- Easy to Understand Label: Clear labelling of products should include details such as the amount of CBD/CBN in the product per dose/serving as well as all the ingredients included.
- Credible Brand Image: Buy only from the brands that have good customer feedback and that have a tradition of being open.
Questions That Usually Arise on CBN vs CBD
- Does CBN work better than CBD? What is “stronger” is relative. When it’s about sleep inducing properties, CBN vs CBD, many people tend to find CBN to be more potent or effective, at least as far as their experience tells them, than CBD. In disorders such as anxiety or pain, research on CBD is more extensive and hence acknowledged as more helpful because it acts on a wider spectrum of the endocannabinoid system.
- Would it be fine to consume both CBN and CBD concurrently? Yes, it is permissible to consume both CBN and CBD at the same go. In fact, a large number of products contain both or one of these cannabinoids to achieve the so-called entourage effect, which consists of enhancing the benefits of the active compounds by combining or co-administration. This is especially the case with products aimed at aiding sleep.
- Is there a high effect with CBN? It is accepted that CBN is non-intoxicating, and it is not associated with any high feeling as in the case of THC. However, some sources claim that if consumed in very high quantities, it might have very low psychoactive properties, though it is nothing close to THC. However, you can use CBN without inhibitions regarding impairment.
- Is CBN more costly than CBD? Generally, CBN products are highly priced compared to CBD products. The reason being because the hemp plant has a high percentage of CBD which makes extraction quite easy and less expensive. Cannabinol (CBN), less common among cannabinoids, is even more challenging to obtain in larger amounts. This process significantly increases costs.
Summing Up
Comparing CBN vs CBD brings into the picture intriguing cannabinoids that are completely different in properties. Out of them, CBD is already widely researched. It is a very versatile cannabinoid doing very well in relaxing and relieving oneself from pain or other sources of imbalances. It is cheap, economically available and widely sold, thus an easy gateway into cannabinoids. On the other hand, CBN is the new up and comer and there has been an increasing interest in its use as a natural sleeping supplement. While there is not much study, the stories of its use as a cool down and sleep inducing drug are enough for those who search for a more peaceful sleep.
In the end, deciding between CBN vs CBD is not about preferences, it is about what matches one’s
personal health objectives. When supporting with a wide effect on the body daily, CBD has empirical authorization that suggests its efficiency. The CBN on the other hand, remains a viable option for sleep relief, especially in the nighttime. However, for most people, perhaps the right assistance lies in harnessing the entourage effect and opting for a combination of different elements. All in all, all these supplements are best taken in small doses, and one should proceed in that direction after seeking counsel from a qualified physician.