Cannabinol: The Potential Benefits and Side Effects(CBN)
Cannabinol or CBN, is a cannabis compound that doesn’t get as much attention as its popular cousin, THC. But many don’t even know it exists. And for a good reason, it usually takes additional processing to extract it from the plant. But with its potential medical uses, CBN may become more known in the future.
CBN is one of the most abundant compounds in cannabis, but it's not typically thought of as much as other cannabinoids like THC and CBD. That said, CBN has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, and some positive results have been seen thus far. However, until more research is done on the specific effects that CBN may impart, no one can say how it works or what benefits it may offer over other cannabinoids.
What is CBN?
CBN is a psychoactive compound found in cannabis. CBN can be psychoactive in large doses. It's produced when THC is exposed to oxygen and heat, which causes it to decompose into CBN. As a result, you can find CBN in high concentrations in old or improperly stored buds of certain cannabis strains.
What are the benefits of CBN?
CBN has been shown to have potential therapeutic properties by helping treat inflammatory conditions and pain. A study published in 2008 found that CBN could effectively relieve pain due to inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Researchers found that CBN relieved muscle and joint pain conditions like fibromyalgia in rats in a study. CBN and CBD together proved to be more effective in reducing pain, according to the study.
CBD vs. CBN
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid produced from the breakdown of THC. The effects of CBD are most widely known for its relaxing and anti-anxiety properties, but it also has other benefits, including sedative and analgesic properties. CBN is another cannabinoid that can be found in raw cannabis as well as vaporized concentrates.
CBN has been used to treat insomnia as it helps reduce anxiety levels, which can cause restlessness at night time. It's also used to treat anxiety because it has similar effects to CBD.
What types of CBN Products Exist?
There are many types of CBN products available today. Several hemp CBD products, including oils, waxes, and edibles, contain trace amounts of CBN. Currently, there are fewer CBN extracts and isolates available since they are much more expensive.
Potential Benefits of CBN
Relaxation
Pain relief
Anti-inflammatory properties
Anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects
Potential Risks and Side Effects of CBN
CBD is generally safe, but it can have side effects. CBD has been shown to have several potential side effects, some of which are not serious but have the potential to occur. Side effects may include:
Dizziness
Appetite changes
Drowsiness and fatigue
Potential positive drug test
How Is CBN extracted?
To extract the individual components of cannabis, pressurized CO2 is used to separate and isolate the compounds. CBN is being isolated from THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids in this case.
Three phases are involved in the extraction process: heating, cooling, and depressurizing. During the first phase, the CO2-extracted material is heated until it becomes a supercritical fluid. After reaching room temperature, the material becomes a gas again. During this process, all of the cannabinoids and impurities from the plant material are released into the solution. During this step, solvents that may remain in the solution are removed from it, so they don't contaminate the final product. In the final phase, the solution must be depressurized to prevent more CO2 from evaporating out of the solution, which prevents contamination from occurring.
Get more information about medical marijuana in Virginia.
CBN is an interesting compound that has been shown to have many benefits. However, it can also cause side effects if taken in high doses or you're not careful with your dosage. While it has much potential, CBN is still in its early days. More research into this unique compound's benefits and side effects will help us understand its role in medical cannabis.
