Use code WINTERORANGE FOR 50% OFF Immunity Shots + Free shipping on orders $50 or more

CBN vs. CBD: 3 Things To Know

CBN vs. CBD: 3 Things To Know

There are more than 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids, and each provides its own unique set of effects and benefits to the human mind and body. With interest in natural and holistic wellness rising among people who want to make empowered decisions about their bodies, cannabinoids have risen to the forefront. 

If you’re interested in using cannabinoid wellness products, here’s what you need to know about CBD vs CBN.

What Is a Cannabinoid?

Cannabinoids are compounds that naturally occur in plants, people, and animals. Although cannabis is often cited as the primary source of cannabinoids, this isn't true. Cannabinoids exist in small amounts in many foods, like kale and black pepper. 


All living creatures, including humans, have endocannabinoid systems in their bodies that produce and use cannabinoids. 


Most known cannabinoids are more valuable to plants than people and animals, although many cannabinoids have been researched for their effects on human and animal bodies. The cannabinoids that naturally occur in people differ from the cannabinoids that naturally occur in plants.

What Do Cannabinoids Do?

People and animals have receptors called cannabinoid receptors that exist in large numbers throughout the body. There are cannabinoid receptors in almost every process of your body, from your mood to your digestive system.


The human body makes at least two cannabinoids, but they’re still somewhat mysterious. Researchers have identified them and established their link to supporting the body, but there’s still much more to learn.


Medical scientists haven’t yet discovered how much of each cannabinoid is necessary to support the body or how often the body produces them.


These cannabinoid receptors will respond to many different cannabinoids. The response will differ from cannabinoid to cannabinoid. Some cannabinoids will bind to your receptors and change how your body relays messages and perceives certain types of stimulation. Other cannabinoids will simply influence the receptors to perform their natural functions. 

Is CBN the Same As CBD?

CBN and CBD are completely different cannabinoids. There is some overlap in the effects of these cannabinoids, but they’re typically suited to different purposes. You should choose a cannabinoid based on its specific set of benefits. You’ll likely find that one is better for your needs than the other.

What Are the Effects of CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non intoxicating cannabinoid that naturally occurs in large amounts in hemp plants. It can also be created from orange peels, which is how we produce our CBD.


When you use CBD, it reaches the cannabinoid receptors throughout your body. CBD isn’t interested in binding to these receptors and changing how they work. Because it doesn’t bind to receptors, it doesn't have an intoxicating effect and won’t alter your perception of reality or get you high, but it can cause a mild sedative effect.


As CBD passes through, these receptors will support their natural functions. It won’t make your body do anything it isn’t autonomously capable of doing. It just gives your endocannabinoid system a nudge in the right direction.


When this happens, the potential benefits are broad. They’ll be subtle but noticeable, especially with continued use. Most people describe CBD as making them feel more relaxed. CBD often eases anxiety, and mental and physical tension, reducing discomfort and providing soothing relief.


It is important to know the different types of CBD: Full-spectrum CBD, Broad-Spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. Both broad spectrum CBD oil and CBD isolate contain CBD without THC.

When people regularly use CBD oil, gummies, or topical cream they feel as though their body is better supported throughout almost everything they do. CBD oil and other forms can help to improve mental focus and clarity. It may enhance the quality of sleep and promote workout recovery. Since it provides holistic support to your entire system, you’re likely to notice that everything feels like it’s running a little more smoothly.

What Are the Effects of CBN?

BN isn’t formed by the cannabis plant. It results from the degradation of THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid formed in cannabis sativa and hemp plants. When THC is fresh and new, it binds to the receptors in your body and changes signals and messaging to create a “high” or state of euphoria. 

 

The effects of THC will vary from person to person. Medical cannabis users often experience relief from the effects of THC. Recreational cannabis users simply enjoy the way it makes them feel. 


If THC is allowed to degrade, it becomes a weaker cannabinoid called CBN. CBN also binds to the receptors in your brain and body but has a diminished capacity to influence your processes. 


Although CBN cannabinoid is regarded to have weak psychoactive effects, most people who use CBN oil won’t experience effects similar to a high. Mind-altering effects may become noticeable with very large doses of CBN.


CBN oil is often used as a sleep aid, but more research is needed to determine its ability to promote better sleep. 


You might be wondering, does CBD work without THC? Studies seeking to understand the effects of CBN often combined it with another cannabinoid, like CBD or THC. Because of this, it’s impossible to distinguish what role each cannabinoid played in producing the effects or if the effects only occur when both cannabinoids are used together.

CBN vs. CBD: How Do They Compare?

A true comparison of CBN and CBD is difficult to make. While there have been multiple studies conducted on CBD, and there are still a lot of unknowns regarding CBN. Most studies involving CBN utilizes CBN in conjunction with other cannabinoids, which skews the results. 

 

In reality, medical research doesn’t know enough about CBN to draw definitive or valuable conclusions regarding its ability to influence the body.

CBD 

CBN

What is it?

CBD is a cannabinoid without psychoactive effects.

CBN is the result of the degradation of THC.

Uses

Supports better sleep, soothes and relaxes

Promotes better sleep

Can it make you high?

No - see COA (certificate of analysis for purity levels)

Yes but the effect is very mild

Can it help relieve stress?

Yes

Unknown

Can it relieve tension?

Yes

Unknown

Does it affect appetite?

Decreased food intake

Increased food intake

Is it safe to use?

Yes

Unknown

 

CBN vs. CBD for Sleep

CBD has been studied for its ability to support better sleep, and it seems to be a valuable solution for most people. Its benefits for sleep are well documented, and it’s a very popular solution for people looking to improve their sleep.


CBN has been studied for its ability to support better sleep, and there is no shortage of misinformation about what studies found. On the surface, it appears as though CBN is an excellent sleep aid. A closer look at the studies says otherwise.  


CBN only showed meaningful results when used in conjunction with CBD or THC. Many researchers interpreted the results of these studies. They concluded that using CBN alone may not be effective enough to support better sleep, as the effects were likely a result of the other cannabinoids.

CBN vs. CBD for Stress Relief

CBD works to promote mental clarity and a better mood. Many people who use CBD report a reduction in negative feelings. One study examined CBD’s ability to support people with a fear of public speaking

 

Participants who ordinarily experienced stress at the thought of speaking to large groups of people found that CBD reduced the amount of stress they experienced prior to speaking publicly. 

 

No high-quality studies demonstrate that CBN can independently act to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety or emotional tension. When combined with CBD or THC, CBN seems to contribute to these effects, and these cannabinoids have also shown the same results when studied in their isolated forms. It's safe to assume that CBN doesn’t meaningfully contribute to stress relief. 

CBN vs. CBD for Physical Tension

CBD’s ability to promote holistic calmness throughout the body often leads to a reduction in physical tension. Because CBD works to support relaxation, people report experiencing less discomfort as a direct result of this relaxation. 


Studies on CBN’s ability to relieve or reduce physical tension in humans are still preliminary. While CBN is currently being researched for potential analgesic effects, it’s too early to determine how effective CBN would be in that arena. 

CBN vs. CBD: Which is better for appetite?

While CBD doesn't give you the "munchies" as THC does, CBN may have some effect on appetite since it's essentially a degraded form of THC.

In a 2012 animal study, on cannabinol and cannabidiol effects on feeding patterns, researchers found that CBN consumption increased feeding, while in the same study, CBD consumption actually reduced the food intake. This result is in line with other existing reports on the use of CBD and CBN. However, further research is needed to ascertain if CBD can be studied for its potential anti-obesity effects.  

CBN vs. CBD: Which Cannabinoid Wins?

Since CBD has been well researched and tested for its safety and CBN is still emerging, it’s better to use CBD. Most of the purported benefits of CBN are still theoretical at this juncture, and they seem to only become meaningful when CBN is used in conjunction with other cannabinoids.  

When you use CBD, you’re more likely to experience noticeable positive effects on how you feel. CBD is known for its ability to support the body through many of the same processes that CBN is only theorized to play a part in.

Getting CBD Without the THC

If you can’t use THC products due to legal restrictions, lifestyle choices, or athletic pursuits, the idea of using CBN or any other cannabinoid derived from a hemp plant might be off-putting. 


This is another reason why CBN, which degrades THC, may not be the best fit for everyone. 


Peels is CBD that everyone can enjoy. Since we make our CBD from the terpenes in orange peels, there’s a zero percent chance you’ll ingest any other cannabinoids besides CBD when you use Peels. 


Make Peels a part of your daily ritual for safe, reliable, THC-free holistic wellness benefits. 






Sources

  1. The endocannabinoid system: an overview | Frontiers Behavioral Neuroscience
  2. Is Cannabidiol a Safe and Effective Sleep Aid? | Sleep Foundation
  3. Cannabidiol Reduces the Anxiety Induced by Simulated Public Speaking in Treatment-Naïve Social Phobia Patients | Neuropsychopharmacology
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22543671/