CBD products have become a common alternative treatment option for many people. You can easily find CBD products, and they are frequently recommended by physicians. They are suggested to help with anxiety, pain relief in chronic pain sufferers, and many other symptoms and conditions. It is popular because side effects are scarce, it’s inexpensive, and can be obtained in many forms, from vaping additives to gummies.
CBN is another cannabinoid that is gaining in popularity. Like CBD it has shown promise in treating a wide variety of conditions. It CBN can be purchased as an oil or salve, in some countries it can be purchased as an isolate so you can make your own tinctures. It is often combined with CBD.
What Is CBN?
CBN, or Cannabinol, is one of many chemical compounds in cannabis plants. It is produced as the plant ages. CBN works by binding to special receptors within the body. As it metabolizes, it produces positive effects on the body, this is what is known as being “pharmacologically active.”
Like CBD, CBN does not produce the high associated with cannabinoids like THC. The effects are similar, though there are some differences, which make CBN oil more effective in the treatment of some symptoms. The effects of CBN are not yet understood as well as those of CBD since it has not been studied as thoroughly.
What Are the Benefits Of CBN?
Cannabinoids like CBN and CBD are used as alternative treatments because they are low cost, have few side-effects, and are easy to find. CBN has not been studied as much as CBN, so there is not as much definitive research about it. Studies do show it is an effective treatment in several areas.
CBN is commonly used as a sleep aid. It helps you sleep longer, and has even shown potential as a sedative. It attaches to receptors in the brain that help your body sleep.
CBN has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. This means it could be a good treatment for people suffering from inflammatory conditions like arthritis. CBN binds to receptors that affect pain and pain perception. These are the same receptors targeted by more common anti-inflammatory ingredients like capsaicin.
CBN can be used as an appetite stimulant, unlike CBD which acts as an appetite suppressant. Studies are underway testing its effects on patients who are going through treatments for cancer and other conditions that can cause weight loss and loss of appetite.
It is an effective antibiotic. It has been shown to be very effective against the antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria MRSA.
CBN shows promise as a neuroprotectant. Studies on mice showed that CBN slows the degeneration of neurons in rats with ALS.
CBN is also being studied for its anticonvulsant properties, its immune system strengthening effects, and as a potential cancer treatment.
How Choose the Best CBN Oil?
As its effects are studied and becoming better understood CBN is rapidly becoming as popular as CBD. As it becomes better known, there is the potential for lower quality products to begin to creep into the market. To avoid bad or ineffective CBN products, you will need to do some research, and take your time to investigate to find the best CBN products.
Make sure you purchase from a reputable company, especially when ordering online. The company should be transparent about its extraction methods, where it sources its product and any additional additives that may be included. A reputable producer of cannabinoid products will be easy to contact with any questions you may have.
Verify that the CBN product has been third-party tested. Test results should be available on the product website. Testing shows accountability and guarantees a product free of mold or other contaminants. Beware of products that do not use third-party testing, and who do not make the results available online.
Read the label so you are aware of what is in the product. You should be able to find the CBN content and any additional ingredients. A product may be marketed as containing CBN, only for you to find it actually has very little in the formulation. Reading the label is part of guaranteeing you get a high-quality, effective product.
Is CBN Oil Legal?
There is still a lot of confusion regarding cannabinoids like CBN and CBD. Since CBN has not been studied as extensively as CBD, it falls into a legal grey area in many places. There is no international law controlling it, and it is classified differently in many areas.
In Australia, CBN is currently legal by prescription, but not in a pure form. You can get it in combination with CBD and THC in oils. It is legal for trace amounts to be in some foods as well as in topical products like salves or lotion.
Check frequently to see if the legal status has changed. Cannabis and its components are gaining acceptance as effective and safe medical treatments. As the properties of cannabinoids become better understood, the laws regarding them are changing.
Is CBN Right for You?
If you suffer from any of the symptoms that CBN is used for, you may want to try it if you feel like it may be the right answer. CBN has few, if any side effects, and it may be exactly what you have been looking for. In addition to being safe, CBN is also more affordable than many more widely used treatments. Directions for use will vary by manufacturer, but it is generally recommended that you start with the lowest dose and slowly increase it. As with many treatments, it takes time for it to build up to a therapeutic level, so you may not feel results immediately.
Always consult with your doctor, especially if you are currently on any other prescription medications. Even though side-effects are rare, you should be aware of any possible interactions before combining treatments. It is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women since there are no studies guaranteeing its safety.