The quality and quantity of your sleep can affect countless areas of your waking life, from your mood, energy levels and ability to focus, to your diet, physical condition and susceptibility to illness. While there are sleep aids available that can help solve these problems, more consumers are choosing natural remedies to aid sleep over these alternatives.

CBN has been known within the cannabis industry for years, but now this acronym is creeping into the mainstream, and you may be wondering what it is.

CBN is short for cannabinol, a cannabinoid related to more familiar compounds like THC and CBD. CBN occurs when THC is exposed to heat or UV light and then exposed to oxygen, which makes it easier to produce. While it still binds to the body’s endocannabinoid receptors, it happens at a much lower strength. This reduces the psychoactive response from the THC, but does not completely eliminate it.

There is no current research that verifies CBN can be used as a sedative. However, there are limited studies that suggest it can help with sleep, as well as reduce pain, stress, and inflammation. There is also additional information around CBN and the Entourage Effect. The Entourage Effect, coined by Dr. Ethan Russo, is the theory that, when used together, cannabis compounds produce more therapeutic effects than they do separately. Therefore, combining CBN with other compounds - CBD, THC, etc. - will produce additional reactions.

Both CBN and CBD (cannabidiol) are cannabinoids, but they each have their own unique origins and properties. While CBD is a chemical compound found in the cannabis sativa plant, CBN occurs during the natural breakdown of THC. Even though CBN was discovered before CBD, we still don’t know much about it, and it is nowhere near as available as CBD is today.

CBN is available in a variety of forms:

• CBN Oil or Tincture: CBN oil or tintcture is typically a combination of both the CBD and CBN cannabinoid compounds.
• CBN Edibles: Many manufacturers are now producing CBN edibles, which usually contain some combination of CBN, THC, and, often terpenes.
• CBN Pills: CBN pills or capsules are an alternative way of consumption, typically found as simple CBN or a combination of CBN and THC.

If you’re interested in learning more about CBN products, visit a Verilife dispensary and speak to a cannabis expert.