CBN is one of many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBN is short for Cannabinol and is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it will not get you high, but it does work with THC and the other cannabinoids to be effective in products that utilize this cannabinoid for the specific needs of the consumer.
Sleep is one of the most popular reasons people walk into the dispensary. For every person who is coming in shopping for the best high, there are just as many looking for a good night’s rest. Over the past two years, the cannabis industry has witnessed an expansion in CBN’s usage as a sleep aid. People are skipping over the flower category and going on a direct hunt for their CBN sleep gummies. A discussion is necessary for this cannabinoid because it can be off-putting to folks who are just starting to understand the relationship between THC and CBD, but embracing the cannabis plant means embracing all of the compounds that make it possible for us to enjoy, everytime we open a jar of that sticky green.
The discovery of CBN is interesting and gives the impression it was found basically by accident. Cannabis is an old plant, with sightings dating back to 750 B.C. Trips to collect and study were long ones consisting of several months at that time. These travels helped scientists understand how the delta-9 THC, which gets us high, had a significant decrease, while levels of CBN became higher.
CBN was first isolated from hashish in the late 19th century,the early testing of CBN is mired by mishaps and nomenclature inconsistincies. In 1930, Robert Sidny Cahn, who contributed Cahn-Ingold-Prelog chemistry naming rules, was almost able to identify its structure through the use of degradation experiments, but it was Roger Adams of Illinois State University who was finally able to discover its molecular structure in 1940 where he was able to synthesize it from the “red oil” scientists in the past had studied so intently.
CBN is produced through degradation in the marijuana plant over time. It is known as a “minor” cannabinoid that has caused a major shift in the cannabis market. Its placement in a variety of gummies and vapes as a natural sleep aid has become a godsend for consumers who genuinely want a good night’s rest. CBN is the cannabinoid to help you catch some Zzzzzs. It is an ingredient in many gummies we see on the Illinois market because of its multitude of benefits.
Benefits of CBN
The benefits of CBN have been profound in aiding sleep, it also is helpful for immune system regulation and pain relief. It is different from CBD in its ability to increase appetite, so anyone going through loss of appetite because of any health conditions, can look to CBN to stimulate their appetite again.
CBN also acts as a neuroprotective, a study conducted in 2005 by the University of Washington found that CBN was instrumental in delaying the progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS symptoms, in rats.
These benefits have been embraced by the cannabis community with its prevalence in so many products over the last few years. Although studies have been conducted on the cannabinoid sparingly between the 20th century and the last twenty years, there is still more to learn about CBN. We can begin to understand its benefits by looking at the products it is present in.
Products with CBN
Our Ivy Hall shelves are stacked with sleep products. We understand the people who come in and shop with us, we aim to ensure that we have those items for our guests who are hitting the hay after they leave our dispensary.
Wyld Elderberry and Boysenberry
A product a lot of people may be familiar with will be the Elderberry and Boysenberry gummies from Wyld. Anyone who shops at Ivy Hall knows that Ivy Hall is absolutely wild for Wyld. The Elderberry flavor has both THC and CBN, each gummy has ten milligrams of THC and five milligrams of CBN. The Boysenberry has THC, CBN, and CBD, with ten milligrams of each in every gummy.
The Wyld brand has a great understanding of the Entourage Effect by mixing these cannabinoids together. In addition to this cannabinoid mix there are also terpenes like Linalool, Myrcene, and Caryophyllene that makes these gummies a triumph of a sleepy treat.
Wana Optimals- Fast Asleep & Stay Asleep
A few months ago, Wana Brands launched its Wana Optimals Fast Asleep and Stay Asleep gummies. The two new editions to their line of edibles have created more options for the sleepyheads who are having trouble getting enough sleep.
The main distinction between these two gummies is their mechanism of aiding sleep. They have different doses of the cannabinoid cocktail that relies on what our customers are looking for in a sleep aid gummy. In participation with two terpene researchers, Wana was able to construct a gummy that can appeal to different types of sleepers.
The Fast Asleep gummies utilizes the same technology as Wana’s other Quick gummies.This technology works by encapsulating the cannabinoid molecules in a water soluble layer, allowing them to be absorbed much faster than other gummies. Fast Asleep has a cannabinoid combination that comprises of ten milligrams of CBD, two milligrams of CBN, two milligrams of CBG, two milligrams of THC, one milligram of melatonin, and a cocktail of thirty plus different terpenes to tie these fast-acting gummies together to prepare you for a good rest.
The CBD in the gummies are great to help your body relax, but at times, racing thoughts and anxieties about future plans can keep our mind awake much longer than is necessary. The CBG is a perfect placement in these gummies because CBG helps with increasing GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) , a neurotransmitter that reduces brain excitability. CBG will be helpful with slowing racy thoughts down, making it easier for you to focus on what’s most important, your rest.
CBN and melatonin is an amazing combination. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that signals when it is time to go to sleep, especially when the lights are turned off. As we age, melatonin can decrease in natural production. Most people are most familiar with it in tablet form, but thanks to Wana brands, it can also be a fun treat with a real promise of sleep.
The Stay Asleep is the heavier dose of the Wana Optimals. In each gummy there are twenty milligrams of CBD, ten milligrams of THC, and five milligrams of CBG and CBN. The Stay Asleep gummies are more of a traditional gummy where speed is not a factor. These gummies can be felt within an hour and a half with a four to six hour duration of effects.
Our guests have been enthusiastic about the Wana Optimals on our shelves! Here are some things they had to say:
“The Wana Optimals have been my go to for keeping a consistent sleep schedule. I have a hard time winding down at the end of the day and wake up several times a night, sometimes not being able to fall back asleep for several hours. The more consistent I am with them, the better the sleep is for me during the week”.
“I tried the Wana Dream Berry Fast Asleep gummies and the Dream Berry Stay asleep gummies.I had 4 of the fast sleep ones and 1 of the stay asleep ones, and they definitely helped me get to sleep and stay asleep. I only took so many because I have a high tolerance and knew that would be a micro dosage for me personally. I woke up feeling refreshed and well rested with a decent amount of mentally clarity and no brain fog. I would definitely take 2 of the stay asleep ones on days I wanna sleep in late.”
The Wana Optimals prioritize not having that groggy feeling in the morning, some may describe it as a “weed hangover”. Wana Optimals want to get you to sleep through the night, not through the next day. Please be sure to start with one and get to bed expeditiously! Dreamland is the next stop!
Kiva Midnight Blueberry Camino
The Camino gummies by Kiva are one of the most widely recognizable sleep gummies, with their stronghold on the market in the west, and ever prominent popularity here in Illinois. Our out of town visitors are alway elated to see these gummies on our menus. The Midnight Blueberry Camino gummies are a favorite for people who are starting to dabble into the world of sleep aids in cannabis. These gummies have five milligrams of THC and one milligram of CBN in each gummy. The Midnight Caminos are also terpene enhanced and sprinkled with chamomile and lavender, leading you down a long winding road to your dreams.
What is nice about the Camino brand is how they place a score in the middle of their gummies that way you can microdose into the evening. This is especially helpful to those who are sensitive to THC but still want that sleep help, cut your Camino in half, take one bite at the beginning of the hour and then another within thirty minutes right before you hop in bed. This method allows more control over dosing, granting you a concrete understanding as to how your body responds to CBN, making it easy for you to properly plan a peaceful night’s sleep.
The Bettering Company Hibiscus Chamomile Thyme
The Bettering Company (TBC) Hibiscus Chamomile Thyme, a brand favorite, has these yummy, individually wrapped gummies for you to take before bed. What is nice about Bettering is their philosophy on crafting a gummy “you could give to your grandmother”. This type of company ethos calms the anxieties of folks of all ages, reminding them that it is okay to start slow and find a dose that works the best for you, as if you were dosing for your grandmother!
The Hibiscus Chamomile Thyme gummies consist of five milligrams of THC and two milligrams of CBN in each gummy inside of a bag of twenty gummies. TBC is vegan and gluten-free so enthusiasts do not have to worry about suggesting it to friends with dietary restrictions, they deserve some sleep too!
Cresco Good News Counting Sheep Vape
Good News is another room is Cresco’s House of Brands. It has a variety of products for the consumer who wants great effects and flavor. A Good News product that works as a great sleep aid is their Counting Sheep Vape. The Counting Sheep Vape comes as a 0.3 gram disposable vape, meaning that the battery and the oil come together and once you finish the oil, you can throw it away.
The Counting Sheep Vape has a 1:2 ratio with one part CBN and two parts THC with a black cherry flavor. The Good News Vapes utilize distillate oil for their vape pens. The small amount of oil makes it the perfect tester product to help you understand how your body reacts to CBN.
Verano Savvy Cherry Sorbet & Strawberry Jam Vape Cartridge
The Verano cultivated Savvy brand offers similar benefits as the Good News vapes. It is a straightforward line of products with great flavors with clear distinctions as to what type of mood it compliments. The Savvy products are wallet-friendly so you can experiment with this brand without hurting your pockets.
Not all of these distillate vapes have CBN in them, The Sleepover cart is our CBN player with a cannabinoid ratio consisting of a 4:1 THC to CBN ratio with two different flavor options. The Strawberry Jam is full gram cartridge option and Cherry Sorbet for the 0.3g disposable pen.The variety of options between the Savvy vapes allow you to make the choice as to what size will be most helpful for your sleep routine needs.
These vapes are compatible with any standard 510 thread battery so make sure it is charged so you can have a sleepover in your own bed, over and over again.
Using CBN in Your Nighttime Routine
Incorporating CBN into your nighttime routine is a great way to improve your sleep, but it does depend if you are eating it or vaping it. If you are eating CBN in a gummy, make sure you are aware of the dosing in the gummy. You want to take a gummy about thirty minutes before bedtime. You must give your body a chance to digest and metabolize the edible so when you do turn in for the night, you won’t be too far from dreamland.
If you are vaping CBN, those effects will be felt much quicker than eating a gummy. You are going to want to be in bed already because those effects are going to be felt within a few hits or two, so tuck yourself in and make sure the lights are off because there will be no getting back up once you are hitting your CBN pen. Vaping CBN is better for those who want those effects immediately.
One thing to keep in mind about a relaxing sleep time routine is the understanding of good sleep hygiene. When one is shopping for gummies at the dispensary, we can find that quick fix for you, but one must also consider what type of environment is being curated to create well-rounded rest. Are the lights off? Do you have the TV on and your laptop in front of you? A big culprit for people is their phone, is it close to you in bed? These are all factors that can have an impact on the quality of your sleep and staying conscious of your sleeping environment and habits can put you on the right path to sleep improvement.
A Note on CBN Safety
Very few studies have been conducted on CBN to establish it as THE cannabinoid for sleep. Some may feel overzealous and take multiple gummies desperate for a good night’s sleep, but please be mindful of any interactions with medications when it comes to CBN. Yes, there are studies published about this cannabinoid but more substantial research is needed. Make sure to consult your primary care doctor before transitioning from any prescribed sleeping medications to CBN.
Conclusion: CBN is Great for Sleep!
CBN is a great cannabinoid for our guests who want to get to bed at night. With one bite of a gummy or a few hits off of a CBN pen, one can experience an amazing sense of relaxation resulting in a long night of counting sheep.
Feel free to pop into any of our Ivy Hall locations to explore all the different CBN sleep options that work best for your routine and tolerance. Sleep is an intimate act for a lot of people and when someone is not able to get a good quality rest, sleep deprivation can creep in and have a profound effect on someone’s quality of life. When we sleep we give our body that opportunity to really reset, our brains can get the chance to process all of the information we received throughout the day, and our body can take the time to repair itself from exercise or any aches and pains that might be present.
Sleep is something some people can take for granted. Some of us might spend many nights up late on our phones, slowly falling asleep, while others are up because the sandman is an hour late for his shift. It can be hard, but CBN contributes an option that does not include doctor prescribed sleeping pills, just bite a gummy and start catching those Zzzs.
Resources:
- Appendino, G. (2020). The early history of cannabinoid research. Rendiconti Lincei: Scienze Fisiche e Naturali.
- Bonn-Miller, M. O., et al. (2023). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the safety and effects of CBN with and without CBD on sleep quality. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology.
- Corroon, J. (2021). Cannabinol and sleep: Separating fact from fiction. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2019, November). Cannabis (marijuana) and cannabinoids: What you need to know., Retrieved October 7, 2022, from
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
