This is How You Sleep Without Pills: CBN and CBD Will Bring You Sleep

Sleepless nights and fear of sleepless nights can cause anxiety, exhaustion, and lack of stamina during the day. Pharmaceutical drugs like Valium, Ativan, and similar benzodiazepines are prescribed for short-term use to help assist with insomnia and anxiety.

2015 to 2016 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health indicated that 12.5% of adults in the U.S. used benzodiazepines, translating to roughly 30.5 million people. 

CBN and CBD offer a possible solution to stopping and starting “benzo” medications for sleep. A pill-free, quality sleep is a dream come true for the insomniac in all of us! Let’s look deeper into how this cannabinoid team works together.

What is the difference between cannabinoids CBD and CBN?

You may already know that CBD is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, believed to have many health benefits, including relief from anxiety and sleeplessness. The cannabis plant is also famously known for another cannabinoid called THC, which is responsible for creating the famous “high” cannabis is well known for. 

Something you may not know about THC is that when it is exposed to heat and light (oxidization), it breaks down, leaving behind Cannabinol, otherwise known as CBN. Interestingly, scientists have only recently started to take notice of CBN as it was previously thought to be a useless waste product of old and stale cannabis.   

Unlike CBD, CBN attaches itself to the CB1 receptor found in our endocannabinoid system. It is reported to have a mild euphoric effect on some users as a result of this. This “high” is considered mild compared to THC as CBN does not bind as strongly to the receptor. In fact, it is estimated that CBN only has 10% of THC’s potency. Most importantly, CBN has also been reported to have retained THC’s sedative effect assisting users with sleep issues.

Benefits to combining CBD and CBN

People who have combined CBD and CBN have reported a reduction in the adverse effects sometimes associated with THC use. It is thought there may be a connection between CBD and CBN being used in combination. There have been reports of cannabis containing high amounts of CBD decreasing the adverse side effects of THC like anxiety, depression, and paranoia. The two cannabinoids are thought to complement one another for the use of sedation. Researchers from Steep Hill Labs have confidently claimed that:

“The consumption of 2.5-5mg of CBN has the same results as using 5-10mg of diazepam (Valium). The study also asserts that CBD and CBN work together to provide an even better sedative synergy.”- AnalyticalCanabis.com

It is important to note that Steep Hill Labs is the world’s leading cannabis science and technology company. The company was established in 2008 and was the U.S.A’s first commercial cannabis lab. 

Whether there is an “entourage effect” when CBN and CBD are taken together, causing a sedative response, is yet to be 100% proven.  This does not mean using CBD oil combined with products containing CBN won’t be a promising solution to your sleepless nights; it just means more research needs to be conducted.

Important information you need to think about before starting  CBN (Cannabinol)

CBN has no proven or known adverse side effects due to a lack of scientific evidence. This doesn’t mean you should not be careful when dosing yourself. As CBN is a by-product of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), there is a possibility that high doses of CBN could cause a euphoric high in some people. For this reason, driving and lifting heavy machinery would not be advisable after ingesting CBN as a precautionary measure, at least until you know how it affects your body. 

CBN is definitely a cannabinoid that should be carefully micro-dosed slowly and cautiously, particularly if you plan to mix it with CBD. When starting any cannabinoid, whether CBD, CBG, CBN, or THC, it is always advisable to go slow and take the minimum amount suggested on the product packaging. 

Final Thoughts

If you suffer from insomnia or sleeplessness, it could be worth purchasing some CBD oil like Enecta’s Premium Hemp Extract 10% CBD. Adding a drop of high-quality CBN oil from a reputable brand with third-party lab testing could be just what you need to send you off to sleep.

Unlike sleeping tablets, these natural compounds in oil form allow users the luxury of gently increasing or decreasing the amount of each cannabinoid, finding your body’s natural balance and dosage.