CBN: The Secret Cannabinoid You Want In Your Wellness Routine
CBN: While this acronym may not be on your wellness radar just yet, chances are, you’ll be seeing more about it soon. That’s because CBN—or cannabinol—is a cannabinoid compound that, like CBD, is found in hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant. And like CBD, the effects of CBN are being studied for the positive impact on our health and on our skin, but what we know so far is promising. We’re willing to bet that CBN plays an increasing role in the wellness industry, and in your personal wellness routine. Let’s dive in to the world of CBN, and learn how CBN products can benefit your body, mind and skin.
What Is CBN?
Like THC, CBD and CBG, CBN is one of more than a hundred cannabinoid compounds found in hemp, part of the cannabis plant family. Cannabinoids work within the body’s endocannabinoid system, a regulatory system that governs numerous critical responses in the body, from our immune response and appetite to metabolism, inter-cell communication and memory, to name a few.
Though CBD is the darling of the wellness and cannabis world because its effects have been studied more extensively, CBN was actually discovered by scientists before CBD. CBN occurs in the cannabis plant naturally as it ages. When exposed to heat or oxygen over time, THC—the cannabinoid we know as the psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant that creates the feeling of being “high”—converts to CBN.
Though there is not a definitive answer to whether or not CBN retains the psychoactive effects of THC, according to Psychology Today, “Some research indicates CBN is non-psychoactive. Other research says CBN has very mild psychoactive effects. CBN appears to have potentially powerful sedative effects…which might explain at least in part the questions about its psychoactive properties. People sometimes are uncertain about cannabis-derived supplements because of the impression that they all cause a mind-altering high. They don’t.”
What Are the Benefits of CBN?
For anyone who has ever tried CBD, its ability to lessen feelings of stress, anxiety and inflammation are well known. And like CBD, CBN is an anti-inflammatory—and while its other benefits are still being studied, early indications show that CBN has sedating effects which can aid in prolonged sleep.
In addition to acting as a sleep aid, “research indicates that CBN has analgesic or pain-relieving capabilities in the body. CBN appears to influence the activity of neurons that are sensitive to capsaicin. (Capsaicin, you might know, is found in chili peppers, and an ingredient added to many topical pain relievers.),” according to Psychology Today. Studies have also shown that CBN has an ability to fight bacteria, may work as an appetite stimulant—especially helpful for those battling cancer or undergoing cancer treatment—and may also work as an anti-convulsant for those who have epilepsy, as a treatment for glaucoma and may aid in the healing of bones.
CBN In Skincare
Because of its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, CBN works in conjunction with CBD to help alleviate inflamed, angry or imbalanced skin. In particular, CBN has been found “to reduce the proliferation of keratinocyte, a skin cell that produces keratin,” according to CBDoilreview.com, and “overproduction of keratinocyte is at the heart of the skin lesions common in psoriasis. Combined with its anti-inflammatory properties, CBN could be good news for psoriasis sufferers.”The most effective way to incorporate CBN into your wellness or natural skincare routine is to use a full spectrum CBD product, which contains all of the cannabinoids of the hemp plant including CBD, CBG and CBN. Full spectrum CBD oils and tinctures allow you to experiment on the right dosage to ingest for overall physical and mental health benefits.
For skin, adding a natural CBD skin care product like lab tested MASK CBD Skincare sheet masks and serum—the latest addition to its best-selling skincare line—will deliver CBD, CBG and CBN content to skin…with all the calming, anti-aging and radiance-boosting benefits these incredible cannabinoids have to offer.
