Sleep is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. Without enough quality sleep, you can’t perform to your best ability and may suffer from a range of physical, mental, and emotional issues.
However, you sometimes find yourself turning and tossing, unable to relax or get the needed rest. This can be due to a number of factors, including stress, mental health issues, physical discomfort-related ailments, or even chronic insomnia.
If self-care and lifestyle changes are not helping alleviate sleeplessness, you might want to look into medical alternatives such as over-the-counter treatments or natural remedies. Cannabinol (CBN), a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, has recently drawn more attention for its potential to induce sleep and improve the quality of rest.
But how much CBN should one take to benefit from restorative sleep? This article delves into the basics of CBN, its effects on sleep quality, and how much you should take for optimal results.
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Key Takeaways
- CBN is a by-product of aged THC. However, it doesn’t contain THC; hence it doesn’t produce any notable psychoactive effects.
- As a sleeping aid, CBN is said to be more powerful than CBD. But a combination of both may be more effective.
- CBN is considered safe and has no known side effects or serious health concerns.
- The optimal dosage of CBN for sleep will vary from person to person, however, most people find that 5 to 15mg is the sweet spot. It’s best to start with a low dose and work your way up.
CBN For Sleep, An Overview
Before we look at how CBN affects sleep, it’s important to understand what CBN is. CBN is a mildly psychoactive component found in cannabis. It is derived from aged cannabis and is similar to the more strongly psychoactive THC. CBN has a low affinity for both CB1 and CB2 receptors, meaning it has only mild effects on the body.
The primary benefit of CBN is its potential as an alternative to THC. Unlike THC, CBN does not have strong psychoactive effects, which can cause anxiety or paranoia in some users. As such, it may be useful for those seeking relief from pain or inflammation without the associated intoxication.
Additionally, research suggests that CBN may have anti-inflammatory properties and could potentially be used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders.
To understand how CBN affects sleep, it’s integral to understand how sleep occurs. When you fall asleep, your body goes through several sleep stages, including light sleep, deep sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
Light sleep is the stage when you are still awake but beginning to drift off. Deep sleep occurs afterward; during this period, your body performs important functions such as repairing muscle tissue and storing memories. Finally, REM sleep is when your brain is most active, a time during which dreams occur.
CBN may act on each of these stages in a different way. Studies have suggested that CBN may enhance light sleep, increase total sleep time (including deep and REM stages), and improve the quality of sleep overall. This means that if you’re looking to take CBN for better sleep, it could help you fall asleep quicker, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling rested and refreshed.
It achieves this thanks to its role in the endocannabinoid system. This is a system of receptors located throughout the body that interacts with the body’s natural cannabinoids. CBN binds with these receptors and helps to regulate the body’s biological functions, including sleep.
What We Know About CBN And Sleep
Even though there’s limited research on the effects of CBN, what scientists have found is promising.
Studies indicate that CBN may improve sleep outcomes compared to placebo treatments and traditional pharmaceuticals. This includes improvements in sleep latency (how quickly you fall asleep), total sleep time, and overall sleep quality.
Anecdotally, it’s reported that aged cannabis cause drowsiness. This is a feeling of mental and physical relaxation. Since CBN forms as THC ages, it’s thought to be responsible for this effect.
In old studies conducted in the 1970s and 1980s, researchers found that when taken alone, CBN had no impact on sleep. However, when combined with THC, the test subjects experienced improved sleep. They observed that low doses of CBN (1 to 5mg) were more effective than higher doses.
Is CBN Good For Sleep?
CBN may be good for sleep for several reasons:
May Promote Relaxation
When you take CBN, your body may achieve a deep state of relaxation, which can make it easier to fall asleep. You start by feeling a sense of calmness that can help you forget the worries of the day and drift off to sleep quickly.
May Reduce Symptoms Of Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the primary causes of sleep disturbances. CBN may reduce the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, and boost serotonin levels, which helps to relax your mind and body. This allows you to experience a better quality of sleep with fewer disturbances.
May Support A Healthy Sleep Cycle
CBN can support a healthy sleep cycle by helping the body adjust to its natural circadian rhythm. It also encourages restorative sleep, meaning that you’ll feel more refreshed and energized when you’re awake.
In addition, CBN may help increase the amount of time you spend in deeper stages of sleep, which is important for restoring your body and brain. It may also help reduce the time it takes you to fall asleep and may even improve the sleep quality you experience each night.
May Reduce Pain
CBN may reduce inflammation, which can help reduce pain and discomfort contributing to sleep disturbances. With less or no pain, your body can focus on finding a comfortable sleep position and achieving deep, restful sleep.
May Improve Mood
CBN is a potential mood booster, which can help reduce the stress that keeps you from sleeping soundly. The improved mood also helps to create better circadian rhythms for those suffering from insomnia. It’s important to note that CBN works best when taken in the evening, as it is a sedative.
May Help You Fall Asleep Faster
Since CBN has sedative effects, it may help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. This is especially true if it is combined with other calming compounds like CBD and valerian root. The combination of these ingredients can encourage relaxation and melatonin production, allowing you to fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply.
How Does CBN Work For Sleep?
When you feel sleepy, several sleep-promoting neurons in your brain start to fire up. These neurons create a chemical reaction that triggers the release of naturally occurring chemicals such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and adenosine.
GABA reduces activity in the brain, making it easier for you to fall asleep, while adenosine helps slow down your thought processes and make you tired.
When you take CBN, your body absorbs it and sends signals to the part of the brain responsible for controlling sleep. CBN binds with certain receptors in your brain’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), making it easier to fall asleep by helping your body relax. It also helps balance hormones like serotonin and melatonin, which are both involved in the sleep cycle.
This cannabinoid may also reduce anxious thoughts so you can fall asleep more easily. Its calming effects may help lower your body’s stress and tension levels, allowing you to rest better and for longer periods of time.
How Much CBN Should I Take For Sleep?
The amount of CBN you should take for sleep depends on an array of factors, including:
The Severity Of Your Problem
One of the biggest factors in determining how much CBN to take is the severity of your sleep problem. If you have a mild case of insomnia, you may get away with taking only a small amount of CBN. However, if your sleep issues are more severe or have been going on for a while, then it may be beneficial to consider taking a larger dose of CBN.
Your Age, Weight, And Metabolism
Age, weight, and metabolism all play an important role in determining how much CBN to take for sleep. Generally speaking, the more body mass you have, the more CBN you need. Moreover, as we age, our metabolisms slow down, so this should also be taken into consideration when determining the optimal dosage for good sleep.
Your Tolerance Level
It’s important to consider your tolerance level when determining how much CBN to take for sleep. If you’ve been using cannabis products regularly, then your body may have become accustomed to the compound and require a higher dose to achieve the desired effects.
If you are new to CBN, starting at a low dosage (5 to 10mg) is recommended for your body to adjust.
Your General Health
It’s also important to consider your overall health when determining the amount of CBN you should take for sleep. If you suffer from any physical or mental conditions, including anxiety, you should consult your doctor before taking CBN.
Your Preferred Delivery Method
This cannabinoid is available in many forms, including capsules, tinctures, and edibles. The right dose may vary depending on your method of consumption.
For example, if you’re taking capsules or gummies containing CBN, the general dosage recommendations are between 5 and 10mg per dose. On the other hand, a tincture may require you to work up from a smaller dose of around 1 or 2 drops and then increase as needed.
Smoking and vaping deliver a much more rapid onset of effects. Therefore, those who use these methods are advised to start with a low dose of around 1 or 2mg and then adjust as needed.
Overall, the recommended amount of CBN to take for sleep-related issues is 5 to 10mg. It’s also a good idea to experiment with different doses and product forms until you find the one that works best for you.
Additionally, CBN should be taken in combination with other compounds such as CBD or THC. These additional cannabinoids enhance the entourage effect and can help maximize the effects of CBN, providing you with an even more effective sleep aid.
What Is The Best Way To Take CBN As A Sleep Aid?
One of the best ways to take CBN is through vaping, with products such as our 2 Gram Grape Gushers Live Resin Disposable Vape. Vaping CBN is one of the fastest ways to get it into your system. In about 10 minutes, you’ll feel the effects of CBN and be ready to start your journey into a good night’s sleep.
Other great options are topical and oral administration. Oral administration is the most common form, and it can be done either as an oil, gummy, or capsule. Topical administration involves adding CBN creams or lotions directly to your skin. This method can be especially helpful if you struggle with falling asleep due to chronic pain.
Regardless of the method you choose, it is important to find a product that is lab-tested and contains only the purest ingredients. Read the label carefully to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting.
There are also a few tips that can help you make the best out of your CBN for sleep:
- Timing is everything: Take it about an hour before your desired bedtime to give the CBN enough time to take effect.
- Be consistent: Try taking CBN on a daily basis as part of your nightly routine. This will help your body get used to the supplement and give you optimal results.
- Start slow: Take the recommended dose and slowly increase it over time, if needed, until you find the right dosage.
- Be aware of drug interactions: Check with your doctor to make sure that CBN is safe to use with any other medications or supplements you may be taking.
- Get products with additional cannabinoids: Get CBN products with other sleep-promoting cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and melatonin for extra synergistic benefits.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations: If you have any underlying medical issues or chronic health conditions, follow your doctor’s recommended dosage.
- Know when to stop: If you find that CBN doesn’t work for you, stop taking it and talk to your doctor about alternative treatment options. Also, if side effects such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, or drowsiness occur, stop taking CBN and talk to your doctor right away.
- Be patient: CBN is not a miracle drug, and it may take several weeks to see the desired effects. Be patient, and once you find the correct dosage, stick with it.
- Combine it with other remedies: Many people find that combining CBN with other sleep-promoting remedies, such as exercise and a healthy diet, can help improve the quality of their sleep.
What Is The Right CBN Dose For Sleep?
The right CBD dose for sleep will depend on various factors, such as your body weight, medical condition, and the type of CBN product you are using. Generally speaking, taking between 5 to 10mg of CBN before bed is recommended for insomnia or sleep difficulties. Experienced users can take 15 to 30mg.
However, this can vary from person to person, so it’s best to start with a lower dose and increase it gradually until you find the right dosage for your needs.
It’s worth noting that CBN is not intended to replace any existing prescription medications or treatments. Therefore, consult your doctor before adding new cannabinoids to your routine.
CBN vs. CBD For Sleep
CBN and CBD are natural compounds found in cannabis plants, often used for sleep improvement. CBN is hailed for its sedative properties, potentially aiding in falling asleep faster and extending sleep duration. Conversely, CBD is non-intoxicating and is known to reduce anxiety and stress, indirectly promoting sleep.
While CBN and CBD may benefit sleep, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It’s best to experiment with both compounds and see which works better for your individual needs.
Can You Take CBD And CBN For Sleep?
Research suggests combining these cannabinoids may produce a synergistic effect, enhancing sleep quality. However, due to limited studies, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional before using either compound to address sleep issues.
Final Thoughts
CBN may be a safe and effective natural way to achieve better sleep. As with any substance, it’s important to start by taking a very small amount, gradually increasing until you find the desired effects.
Everyone is different when it comes to the amount of CBN needed for optimal results, so it’s best to experiment and find what works for you.
When using CBN as an alternative sleep aid, it’s also important to practice good sleep hygiene, such as keeping a regular sleep schedule and avoiding caffeine late in the day. Additionally, if your insomnia persists or worsens after using CBN for over a few weeks, consult a physician or healthcare professional.
CBN: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Is CBN?
CBN, or cannabinol, is a minor cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It’s known for its potential therapeutic properties, including sedative effects.
What Does CBN Do?
When you take CBN, it acts on the endocannabinoid system, helping to regulate sleep-wake cycles. It’s thought to act as an agonist of the CB1 receptor, which is associated with sedation.
Does CBN Get You High?
No, CBN does not get you high. While it is a byproduct of THC degradation, CBN is its own molecule and doesn’t contain THC. Therefore, you won’t experience any psychoactive effects when you take the cannabinoid.
What Is CBN Used For?
CBN is used for several different therapeutic purposes. It’s commonly used as a sleep aid due to its sedative effects and is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
What Is The Difference Between CBD And CBN?
The main difference between CBD and CBN is their origin. CBD is directly produced by the cannabis plant, while CBN is a byproduct of THC degradation. Over time, as the plant ages or is exposed to air or heat, the THC transforms into CBN.
Is CBN Legal?
Federally, CBN is legal as long as it conforms with the 2018 Farm Bill, which states that any cannabis or hemp product must contain no more than 0.3% THC to be considered legal. However, states like Texas may have different regulations, so always check for any local laws before purchasing.
Is CBN Safe?
CBN is considered to be safe, with no known side effects or serious health concerns. However, it’s always best to consult your doctor before beginning a new regimen.
