Cannabinoids and How CBN Can Change Your Life

What Are Cannabinoids and How Does Our Body Respond to Them?

THC and CBD are the most well known and abundant cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant. For further learning on the powerhouse cannabinoid CBD and the countless ways it can make a positive impact on your life, read our previous article here. 

To start from the beginning and ensure complete understanding, this article will first delve into what exactly a cannabinoid is and how it works within our bodies. Cannabinoids are biologically active compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors in our bodies. Cannabinoids interact with the body by stimulating two receptors, cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) which are found in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). 

The ECS is a complex cell-signaling system that assists the body in regulating functions such as sleep, mood, appetite, memory, chronic pain, inflammation, and fertility among many other functions (Sheikh & Dua, 2024). 

Our bodies make molecules called “endocannabinoids” naturally that help internal functions run smoothly. Experts currently believe that maintaining homeostasis, or our body’s dynamic balance, is the main function of the ECS (Raypole 2017). 

The CB1 receptor is believed to be predominantly responsible for the intoxicating effects in addition to a wide range of behavioral and physiological effects produced by cannabinoids (Koob et al., 2014), while the CB2 receptor is primarily involved in anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions (Ashton & Glass, 2007).

CBN As a Cannabinoid of Interest 

Natural cannabinoids are derived from varieties of the cannabis plant (called phytocannabinoids) while synthetic cannabinoids are compounds that have been created in a lab with similar structures to their natural counterparts. These synthetic cannabinoids are intended to achieve the same biological effects as phytocannabinoids, often at a greater intensity (Alcohol and Drug Foundation, 2023). 

The cannabis plant has over 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids and while THC and CBD are the most abundant and widely used, several others are showing promise in exhibiting remarkable health benefits. 

While still in the early stages of research, Cannabinol (CBN) has emerged as a cannabinoid of interest in the medical field. CBN is a unique cannabinoid because unlike THC and CBD, it does not require decarboxylation to interact with the body. This means that for it to be active in the human body, it does not need to be burned or heated to a specific temperature (Russo & Marcu, 2017). CBN is the compound that THC becomes when it is exposed to oxygen, UV light and heat over long periods of time. 

This is exactly why cannabis that has been stored for an extensive amount of time may seem to be less potent and make the user more drowsy; some of the existing THC in the flower has been converted into CBN. 

The Wonders of CBN on the Human Body

CBN has demonstrated a wide variety of health benefits, even in its early stages of research. CBN is mildly psychoactive as it primarily interacts with the CB2 receptor, meaning that consuming it does not produce a strong “high” sensation (Wong & Cairns, 2019). 

It has gained its initial popularity due to its significantly stronger sedative effects compared to the other cannabinoids. A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted by Bonn-Miller et al. (2023) and the results indicated that the group ingesting 20 mg of CBN nightly experienced clinically meaningful improvement in sleep quality. The authors observed that consuming 20 mg of CBN reduced both the numbers of awakenings and sleep disturbances without leading to any increased daytime fatigue. This study was the first placebo-controlled study of the impact of CBN on an individual’s sleep quality. 

In another study, authors Gannon et al. (2021) observed a 22% increase in reported feelings of restfulness upon waking in addition to an 18% increase in reported overall sleep quality. This was done using both a validated sleep tracking system to measure objective sleep and self reported data. 

Initial findings on the effect of CBN on sleep quality are extremely promising, however further research is required to better understand appropriate dosing, and any potential side effects of CBN. 

Researchers have also begun studying CBN’s anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant and pain relieving properties. In 2019, a study conducted using rats demonstrated that both CBD and CBN were able to reduce myofascial pain (which involves some muscles and the thin cover of tissue that holds the muscle in place, called fascia). The authors observed that a combination of CBD and CBN were more effective than either alone. This led to the conclusion that CBN and CBD may assist in relieving pain from temporal mandibular (TMJ) disorders and fibromyalgia (Wong & Cairns, 2019). 

Researchers Zurier and Burstein have published an article (2016) in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal explaining exactly how cannabinoids including CBN reduce inflammation in the human body. The resulting reduced inflammation was generally free from the adverse effects associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. This knowledge is critical in the advancement of treatments that have less harmful side effects for chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. 

Lastly, CBN has also proven to possess antibacterial characteristics. Authors Appendino et al. (2008) examined the effects of all five major cannabinoids (including CBN) on antibiotic resistant bacteria strains and observed a potent activity against the bacteria. 

CBN at Ashario

It is evident that CBN has numerous health benefits that we as a society are only beginning to understand and utilize. Like any cannabinoid, there are many different ways to consume CBN. For more information about the different methods of consumption of cannabis products and their respective benefits and drawbacks, refer to this article. 

Here at Ashario, we have the largest selection of CBN products in the province which means that we have the perfect product for every cannabis user. For your convenience, here is a list of some of our best CBN cannabis product recommendations for every method of consumption: 

Ashario’s CBN Pre-Roll Choices:

BoxHot: Couch Lock Kush CBN Infused Blunt: 20 - 26% THC, ~8% CBN (3:1 ratio THC:CBN)

Ashario’s CBN Vape Choices 

NightNight: CBN Blue Widow Distillate 510 Thread Cartridge: 12-18% THC, 44-50% CBD & 24-36% CBN 

Northbound Cannabis: Dosidos x Purple Punch CBN Distillate 510 thread cartridge: 48.5 - 54.5% THC, 0.01-2% CBD, 20-28% CBN

For a disposable all-in-one choice: 

Boondocks: Moonrider Blackberry & Hazelnut THC with CBN Disposable distillate pen: 80 - 86% THC, 0.01, 10% CBD, 5% CBN

 

Ashario’s CBN Edible Choices

Monjour Bare: Twilight Tranquility CBD:CBN:CBG soft chews: 1.25 mg THC, 20 mg CBD, 5 mg CBN & 5 mg of CBG per gummy 

Pearls: Strawberry Melon 4:1 CBN/THC: 10 mg THC, 1 mg CBD, 40 mg CBN per pack

WYLD: Real Fruit Elderberry 2:1 THC:CBN: 5 mg THC, 2.5 mg CBN

 

Ashario’s CBN Concentrate Choices 

Solei: Renew CBN Oil: 10-11 mg/mL THC, CBD & CBN

Axea: THC-Free CBN + CBD Nighttime Isolate Oil: 35 mg CBD, 10 mg CBN

NightNight: Full Spectrum CBN + CBD Oil: 0 mg THC, ~ 30 mg CBD, 10 mg CBN/mL

Or, feel free to explore our extensive inventory here. As always, Ashario Aurora is open from 9am - 11pm, 365 days a year, including holidays. You can find us at 15114 Yonge Street, right by the Yonge & Wellington intersection (click here for directions). 

We also have two other locations which can be found at Centrepoint Mall (click here for directions) and at 1111 Finch Ave West (click here for directions). Both of these locations are also open 365 days a year from 9am - 11pm. 

With the best prices and selection of CBN products in town, we can’t wait to help you find out how CBN can change your life!

 

Works Cited 

Appendino, G., Gibbons, S., Giana, A., Pagani, A., Grassi, G., Stavri, M., Smith, E., & Rahman, M. M. (2008). Antibacterial Cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa : A Structure−Activity Study. Journal of Natural Products, 71(8), 1427–1430. https://doi.org/10.1021/np8002673

Ashton, J., & Glass, M. (2007). The Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor as a Target for Inflammation-Dependent Neurodegeneration. Current Neuropharmacology, 5(2), 73–80. https://doi.org/10.2174/157015907780866884

Bonn-Miller, M. O., Feldner, M. T., Bynion, T. M., Eglit, G. M. L., Brunstetter, M., Kalaba, M., Zvorsky, I., Peters, E. N., & Hennesy, M. (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. https://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000682

Crystal Raypole. (2019, May 17). A Simple Guide to the Endocannabinoid System . Healthline.

Gannon, W., Bronfein, W., Jackson, D., Holshouser, K., Artman, B. E., Schestepol, M., ... & Rudnic, E. M. (2021). Novel formulation of THC and CBN in a repeat-action tablet improves objective and subjective measurements of sleep. Am. J. Endocannabinoid Med, 3(1), 12-18.

Koob, G. F., Arends, M. A., & le Moal, M. (2014). Cannabinoids. In Drugs, Addiction, and the Brain (pp. 261–308). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-386937-1.00008-8

Russo, E. B., & Marcu, J. (2017). Cannabis Pharmacology: The Usual Suspects and a Few Promising Leads (pp. 67–134). https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apha.2017.03.004

Sheikh, N. K., & Dua, A. (2024). Cannabinoids.

Synthetic cannabinoids . (2023, November 22). Alcohol and Drug Foundation .

Wong, H., & Cairns, B. E. (2019). Cannabidiol, cannabinol and their combinations act as peripheral analgesics in a rat model of myofascial pain. Archives of Oral Biology, 104, 33–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2019.05.028

Zurier, R. B., & Burstein, S. H. (2016). Cannabinoids, inflammation, and fibrosis. The FASEB Journal, 30(11), 3682–3689. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201600646R