Cannabinol: What You Need to Know About CBN

Cannabinol (CBN) is one of the chemical compounds of the cannabis plant, and it is considered a metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

This cannabinoid is found in "older" cannabis plants because it results from the internal degradation of THC. Despite this, one of the main characteristics of CBN is that it has a minimal psychoactive effect. Some sources even accept that it has no psychoactive activity.

What Effects Does CBN Have?

Interest in CBN is growing, and recently we have gained a better understanding of its interaction and effects on the body.

The first thing to know is that it is an agonist of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor, expressed in multiple immune system cells. This initial discovery and scientific evidence from other research, determine that CBN is:

1. Immunomodulator: We can find the CB2 receptor in immune cells such as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Alterations in intracellular signaling can decrease the secretion of cytokines (molecules involved in the inflammatory process) and modulate the exacerbated immune response in certain diseases.

2. Anti-inflammatory: It can decrease the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus diminishing the stimulation of inflammation and promoting the resolution of this process.

3. Antibiotic: It has demonstrated effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial growth of multidrug-resistant microorganisms through different mechanisms that act on the bacteria and alter their metabolism and viability.

4. Sleeping Aid: Many users report that strains with high concentrations of CBN help you sleep better or fall asleep faster in cases of insomnia. This property is complemented by the higher concentration of terpenes associated with older cannabis plants.

5. Analgesic: Scientists observed that its use combined with CBD could reduce pain in fibromyalgia and other chronic muscle pain disorders.

6. Protective: Since it is an agonist for the CB2 receptor, its effects include protecting cardiac and brain tissue during severe physiological stress such as hypoxia and ischemia. In addition, it decreases eye strain, suggesting a potential protective effect in the treatment of glaucoma.

Although scientific research on CBN is just beginning, the evidence obtained so far indicates that this molecule may help treat several diseases and may have other lifestyle benefits, such as improving sleep and chronic pain.