Manufacturers of sleep aids that contain CBN claim cannabinol can bring on drowsiness. Anecdotally, people claim that aged cannabis products have more CBN and therefore tend to make a person feel sleepy. However, there are few high-quality studies that specifically examine the effects of CBN for sleep.

The limited scientific evidence in favor of using cannabinol for sleep comes mostly from small studies conducted in the 1970s and 1980s. In one of these studies, CBN on its own had little to no effect on sleepiness, but participants did feel drowsier when they took CBN together with THC.

Although cannabis products like CBN show promise for helping people fall asleep quicker and stay asleep through the night, additional high-quality research is needed to understand the potential effects of cannabinoids on sleep.

CBN vs. CBD

Both cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD) are cannabinoids that can be isolated from the cannabis plant. CBN and CBD both act on receptors in the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is involved in a variety of functions in the body including regulating appetite, pain, and immune system functioning.

Although CBN was the first cannabinoid isolated in research , CBD is a more common subject of research. CBD has been widely researched for its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties, as well as its potential role in pain management and calming anxiety. Research suggests that CBD may also be beneficial for sleep. Whereas CBD is not psychoactive, CBN is considered minimally psychoactive.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved forms of CBD and synthetic THC for use in treating seizures, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite in specific situations. So far, no products containing CBN have been approved for medical use by the FDA.

Effects of CBN

Although less researched than other cannabinoids, CBN has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits. Although some of this research is promising, more studies are needed

Benefits of CBN:

• Inducing  better and more complete sleep cycles
• Increasing REM sleep time
• Helping with pain management
• Supporting the immune system
• Fighting inflammation
• Managing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Slowing tumor growth
• Treating glaucoma

Some research has investigated the potential benefits of combining CBN with other compounds in the cannabis plant. For example, ongoing studies are investigating whether cannabinoids in combination with terpenes might enhance the benefits of each substance. Terpenes are substances in the cannabis plant that affect its smell and taste. 

Taking CBN as a Sleep Aid

Because there is limited research on the use of CBN, there are no research-based guidelines for using cannabinol as a sleep aid. This can make it difficult to determine proper dosing when using products such as CBN oil or CBN gummies for sleep.