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Judging by their names, cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) may seem like first cousins, but this is simply wrong, as their origins and their mode of action are fundamentally different. Nevertheless, they have some things in common and can even complement each other.
For starters, CBN is the result of THC oxidation. When tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is exposed to heat, light, and / or time, it converts to CBN. This makes CBN a very sparse cannabinoid. Conversely, CBD is the second most important cannabinoid, although it also comes from a different molecule.
That sounds a little bit humiliating towards CBN, and while it is literally “degraded” THC, it has some nice perks too.
Like CBD, CBN is non-intoxicating. That being said, it is ultimately the by-product of THC and as such binds to cannabinoid 1 (CB)1) Receptor, even if only at about 10% of the THC affinity.[1] For this reason, the anecdotal evidence that the effects of CBN can border on mild poisoning seems plausible.
Considering that like THC, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, it was also found in preclinical research that CBN increased appetite while CBD actually decreased food consumption.[2] The feeding effects of CBN, if backed by further study, could be a great alternative to using THC for people facing loss of appetite.
On the other hand, it is believed that CBD negates or offsets the psychoactive effects of THC and in particular side effects such as paranoia.[3]
However, CBN and CBD have been studied together in the context of pain relief in preclinical models. Both cannabinoids were found to relieve myofascial pain, and combination treatment increased the effects.[1] These results indicate that despite their different properties, these two compounds may work better together in some conditions such as chronic pain.
In addition, like CBD, CBN can have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.[4] While many people claim that CBN could help with sleep, there is no data to effectively back it up.
As you can see, CBN and CBD are very different, but share some similarities. This is a recurring theme in cannabis science as a whole that may be at the core of the entourage effect and the unique relationship that cannabinoids share like a group of best friends united and completed by their differences.
New information about the little cannabinoids doesn’t let the CBD benefits out of the window! Instead, it offers options to try these new isolate compounds or use them in combination with CBD to see what they can do together.
Credit: Alex Green
Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/couple-wearing-couple-outfit-6626094/
References:
- Wong H & Cairns BE. Cannabidiol, cannabinol, and their combinations act as peripheral analgesics in a rat model of myofascial pain. Arch Oral Biol. 2019; 104: 33- 39.
- Farrimond JA et al. Cannabinol and cannabidiol have opposite effects on the feeding pattern of rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2012; 223 (1): 117-1. 129.
- Niesink RJ & van Laar MW. Does cannabidiol protect against the adverse psychological effects of THC? Frontal psychiatry. 2013; 4: 130.
- Russo EB. Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid Terpenoid Entourage Effects. Br J Pharmacol. 2011; 163 (7): 1344-13. 1364.
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