Trouble Staying Asleep? CBN Shows Promise as a Potential Aid

Sleep is a precious commodity that many are in dire need of.  Whether your issue is in getting to sleep, or staying asleep, running on ’empty’ the following day is never fun.  Thankfully, for those grappling with sleep disturbances resulting in difficulty maintaining sleep throughout the night, there has been new research highlighting a potential natural remedy for the issue: Cannabinol (CBN).

Understanding Cannabinol (CBN)

Cannabinol, or ‘CBN’, is a minor cannabinoid found in cannabis.  Only now, with our increasing understanding of the plant’s benefits, is CBN getting its share of the limelight alongside THC and CBD.  While THC and CBD may aid in things like nausea, anxiety, and more, CBN is now believed to play a significant role in enhancing both sleep quality and duration.

CBN is a compound that forms as THC degrades over time.  Unlike the latter, CBN does not produce any psychoactive effects.  Resultingly, it is an intriguing candidate for therapeutic applications without the “high” associated with cannabis consumption.

While anecdotal evidence over time has linked aged cannabis – which contains higher levels of CBN – to sedative effects, this is finally on the path to being substantiated through real scientific findings.

Scientific Insights into CBN and Sleep

The pivotal study¹ that has recently provided these insights was conducted by researchers at the University of Sydney’s Lambert Initiative.  This team studied the impact of CBN on sleep patterns by administering and monitoring the effects of CBN on rodents.  Promisingly, it was found that CBN administration resulted in notable improvements in both sleep quality and duration.

More specifically, CBN extended both rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep phases, indicating a broad, positive effect on the sleep cycle.  The findings point to a potential for CBN to function as an effective sleep aid that is not only comparable to existing medications but accompanied by fewer side effects.

It isn’t all positive, though, as there was evidence of CBN tolerance  – meaning that repeated use would require increasing dosages to attain the same level of effect.  With this being the case, CBN would most likely only be appropriate for intermittent/sporadic use if proven effective.

Potential Mechanisms of Actions

While we now have good evidence that CBN can play a useful role in regulating sleep patterns, there is still much that remains unknown about the compound.  To better understand these unknowns, future trials will still be needed to see its effects on humans, hopefully shedding light on its mechanism of action.

With that being said, it is currently speculated that CBN, like many compounds found within the cannabis plant, works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system – particularly the CB1 receptors located in the central nervous system.  This interaction may aid sleep by regulating the release of neurotransmitters and reducing neuronal excitability.

Additionally, CBN’s potential to increase adenosine levels – a neuromodulator known to promote sleep – could further contribute to its sedative effects.

Implications for Sleep Disorders

For those seeking sleep remedies, the sedative properties of CBN may one day represent a promising alternative to existing options.  Unlike many of the more traditional sleep aids, which often result in either dependency or unwanted side effects, CBN is viewed as offering a more appealing ‘safety profile.’

Final Thoughts

As mentioned, while promising, this is an early study that was not performed on humans.  This means that while previously anecdotal claims may one day be proven true, human trials are still needed to say that CBN is a viable sleep aid alternative definitively.

For now, CBN has quickly emerged as a compelling future candidate for helping those who struggle to stay asleep at night.

Study Reference:

^{1. Arnold, J. C., Occelli Hanbury-Brown, C. V., & Lintzeris, N. (2024). A sleepy cannabis constituent: Cannabinol and its active metabolite influence sleep architecture in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-024-02018-7}