As more and more states have started to legalize medical marijuana, the public opinion of this natural remedy has become more favorable. A major factor in this push has been the popularity of CBD and THC. While they have enjoyed much attention, in recent years, another lesser-known cannabinoid, CBN, has made its way into the limelight. Today, there are a wide array of CBN products available in the market for medical use most common being CBN Tincture.
So, what is CBN?
Some people believe CBN is a new cannabinoid and is only recently discovered. However, that is not true. While CBN may be news to you, it is not to researchers. Interestingly, CBN was amongst the first cannabinoids to have been discovered in 1899. At that time it was believed that CBN was the main active compound that caused the euphoric effects associated with the marijuana plant. It was only after decades that THC was discovered by scientists. That said, CBN or cannabinol is essentially formed after the degradation of THC. It also does not possess the same psychoactive effects it was believed to back in the day. Let’s dive a little deeper into this.
Formation of CBN
A marijuana plant does not contain much CBN. While CBD accounts for about 25% in some plants, CBN estimates about 0.5-1%. Chiefly, higher concentrations of CBN are found in hemp plants (Less than 0.3% THC) than in marijuana.
CBN is formed from the oxygenation and decomposition of THC. In other words, THC breaks down into CBN when the marijuana plant is exposed to heat and oxygen. That is why it is mostly found in stale cannabis plants. Which is probably why its medicinal benefits were only recently discovered.
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Benefits of a CBN Tincture
Although there hasn’t been much research on CBN, they are marketed as sleep aids. But more research is needed to back these claims. Here are some potential benefits of CBN.
Anti-Inflammatory:
Like several other cannabinoids, CBN has anti-inflammatory properties. While there is no conclusive evidence or research that proves the same but anecdotal evidence shows CBN’s effectiveness in treating inflammatory disease.
Sleep:
Most CBN Products available are marketed as sleep aid miracles. And indeed, there is anecdotal evidence that CBN tinctures could be used as sedatives. A study published in 1975 tested CBN in conjunction with THC for sedative effects. However, other than this old study there is very little scientific evidence proving the same.
Pain Relief:
CBN tinctures have proven to possess pain-relieving and analgesic properties. Research suggests that CBN stimulates neurons sensitive to capsaicin (an active ingredient found in most topical pain relievers). Essentially, the nerves sensitive to capsaicin send pain signals to the brain. CBN interacts with these nerves and suppresses the pain signals reaching the brain helping a person find pain relief. A recent study on rats found that both CBN and CBD helped reduce myofascial pain. It also suggested that the combination of CBD and CBN worked better than either of them alone.
Neuroprotective:
CBN is said to help in the treatment of ALS, a degenerative condition that affects the spinal cord and brain. A study on rats in 2005 suggested that CBN delayed the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Again, there is no conclusive evidence to prove that it has the same effects on humans.
Stimulates Appetite:
While CBD suppresses appetite, CBN behaves differently. It is said to stimulate appetite. That means a CBN tincture can be effective for people who struggle to maintain their appetite due to an underlying condition such as cancer, or its treatment.
Antibacterial:
Some studies suggest that CBN tinctures have the ability to fight bacteria. One such study in 2008, found some cannabinoids such as CBD and CBN effective in managing bacterial infections such as MSRA, a condition that is resistant to antibiotics.
Glaucoma Therapy:
Several cannabinoids are known to be helping in managing glaucoma. Several studies are testament to this fact. There are various CBN products available in the market for the same.
However, there is a lot more research needed to learn about how CBN affects our body if it could be used regularly, and whether it is safe to manage health conditions. As the CBN industry continues to grow it is safe to say that we will get answers to these concerns and more in the next few years.
CBN Tincture Dosage
The fun part of consuming cannabinoids is getting to know them. Dosing CBN tincture requires experimentation as there is no standard formula that explains the right dosage for a person or condition. The effective dose depends on a variety of factors such as the delivery method, condition, concentration, type of CBN, etc.
Some CBN products are potent sedatives which is why you must exercise caution while consuming these products. You should always start low and gradually increase the dosage according to your health requirements. For instance, start with one drop of CBN tincture for a week, and if you feel that it is not proving to be effective then up the dosage by a drop and adjust accordingly.
To get things into perspective, the best way to learn the right dosage for you is to experiment. Essentially, don’t be afraid to try different doses and see what works for you.
CBN Tincture Consumption Methods
Tinctures are a cleaner and healthier way to consume CBN. And not just that, it also provides precise dosing as it can be measured out with a dropper. Here are the ways you can consume a CBN Tincture.
Sublingual
Placing a few drops of CBN tincture under your tongue is one of the most effective ways of administering your dosage. This delivery method works better than ingesting the tincture directly as the cannabinoid enters the bloodstream faster via the capillaries under the tongue. As the journey of CBN is cut short, the chances of the compound getting lost and essentially getting ineffective once it reaches the body is also considerably reduced. To put things into perspective, sublingualism is best suited for people who are looking to get the most out of their CBN tinctures.
Oral Ingestion
Taking CBN tincture orally is a very convenient and hassle-free way to consume your daily dosage. Directly swallow your CBD tincture or add some of it to your drink or food. Oral ingestion is indeed a very popular method of consuming CBN Tincture but it is not the most effective method. This is because when CBN is ingested, it first has to travel through the digestive system and then enter the bloodstream. This means it takes more time and has to take on a longer journey. It takes about a couple of hours or even longer sometimes before you will start to experience its effects. That means, if you want to feel the effects of the CBN tincture right away, ingestion is probably not the best consumption method for you. Also, the effects may take longer to kick in but they do last a long time. So, make your choice accordingly.
