What Is CBN? Your Guide To This Phytocannabinoid

Cannabinol, or CBN, is one of many phytocannabinoids found in cannabis. Although delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) may be much more commonly talked about in consumer circles, products containing the compound CBN are becoming increasingly prominent in the market. As a result, more consumers are asking questions about Cannabinol in the dispensary. Cannabis testing labs can conduct analyses that identify and quantify how much of this compound is present in a given product.

In this blog, you will learn:

• What is CBN

• Why consumers might seek out CBN 

• How labs test for CBN potency

What is CBN? 

Cannabinol (CBN) is a byproduct of THC that is found in cannabis plants in trace amounts, typically less than 1% of total phytocannabinoid content. 

Like THC, CBN’s effects are produced through interactions with CB1 receptors in the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS), receptors which tend to be clustered in the central nervous system. However, CBN is roughly one-tenth the strength of THC, resulting in CBN’s comparatively mild intoxicating effects. 

Rather, CBN is thought to primarily bind with CB2 receptors, which are more commonly associated with the immune system. While CBN offers some similarities to CBD, it tends to be more narrowly sought out for specific contributions to sleep and the decrease of anxiety.

Where does CBN come from?

CBN comes from the oxidation and decomposition of THC in a cannabis plant. Unlike many other phytocannabinoids, CBN is not typically plentiful in fresh cannabis, but rather evolves over time as compounds naturally break down. 

A 1999 study tested cannabis potency loss over time and found that the conversion of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) to CBNA was affected by ultraviolet light and by storage and heat. On average, the concentration of THC in the plant material decreased by 16.6% of its original value after one year. For this reason, high CBN strains are generally derived from mature cannabis plants. 

Why do customers seek out CBN? 

Consumers look for high-CBN products and CBN distillates in the dispensary for a wide range of reasons. These are some of the most common therapeutic applications of CBN.

• Sleep: CBN is often anecdotally cited as an effective sleep aid by consumers. While there has only been one study since 1975 showing showing CBN’s effectiveness as a sedative, some consumers report that CBN helps them sleeps. 

• Anxiety: Because sleep and anxiety share closely related symptoms, and both are regulated by the body's endocannabinoid system, CBN may also prove beneficial to those experiencing anxiety.

• Pain Relief: A 2019 animal study found that CBD and CBN may reduce muscle pain, with a combination of the two proving more effective than either alone. The researchers concluded that both compounds may be helpful in relieving pain from temporomandibular disorders and fibromyalgia.

• Appetite stimulation: Animal studies have shown that that CBN may act as an appetite stimulant. While further research is needed, this may provide options for those looking to increase their appetite, but who do not want to experience THC’s intoxicating effects.

• Antibacterial effects: When tested on strains of MRSA bacteria, researchers found that CBN is a potent antibacterial agent against these typically resistant bacteria strains.

• Anti-Inflammatory effects: Scientists have found CBN to demonstrate anti-inflammatory and anti-convulsant properties. In one animal study, CBN was shown to reduce arthritis. Still, more research and human testing is needed to fully understand its potential benefits.

• Neuroprotectant: CBN may also be a powerful neuroprotectant . In one animal study, researchers found CBN to be an effective treatment in delaying the onset of ALS. However, additional research and human testing is needed to confirm whether these therapeutic benefits apply to humans.

What is the average CBN content in cannabis flower?

On average, most cannabis and hemp plants naturally produce very low quantities of CBN, with content typically less than 1%. However, CBN increases over time as the plant is exposed to light, oxygen, and heat, so cannabis flower may very well have higher than 1% CBN content.

Ultimately, any variety of cannabis that produces THCA will contain a higher amount of CBN after harvest and curing due to the natural conversion of THC into CBN. There are also certain cultivars that contain more CBN than others. 

How labs test for CBN 

Cannabis labs test for phytocannabinoid profiles and potency. These tests are necessary to identify and quantify the amount of CBN in a product. Testing is an important way that manufacturers can demonstrate product quality and provide consumers with transparent information about what is in their cannabis. Further, because CBN potency increases over time as THC degrades and converts, these tests can work as indicators of diminishing quality due to product age or poor storage conditions.

There are several methods utilized to conduct profiling to obtain accurate potency levels. One of the most common methods for potency analysis used at True Labs for Cannabis is called high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This process uses a solvent to draw out compounds contained within the sample, which is then passed through a solid matrix. At this point, the varying masses of each phytocannabinoid causes them to separate from one another and pass through at different rates. Lab analysts then use UV targeting to identify and quantify the individual, isolated compounds, such as CBN.

Interested in cannabis testing? True Labs for Cannabis offers comprehensive testing services that deliver accurate insights and regulatory compliance for cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries, and most importantly, consumers.

Potency testing done right 

Understanding the phytocannabinoid present in your products, as well as their potency is vital to offering consumers strains that best suit their needs. Under New Jersey cannabis regulations, licensed cultivators and processors for medical cannabis dispensaries are required to test for cannabinoid presence and potency.

At True Labs for Cannabis, our cannabinoid profiling service tests for and quantifies CBN, as well as a wide range of other phytocannabinoids and their quantities, including: 

• ∆9-THC (delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol)

• THCA (delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) 

• ∆8-THC (delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol)

• THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)

• THCVA (Tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid) 

• CBD (Cannabidiol)

• CBDA (Cannabidiolic acid)

• CBDV (Cannabidivarin)

• CBDVA (Cannabidivarinic acid)

• CBG (Cannabigerol)

• CBGA (Cannabigerolic acid)

• CBC (Cannabichromene)

• CBCA (Cannabichromenic acid)

True Labs for Cannabis accepts and tests samples from cannabis and industrial hemp grown in the Garden State, additionally for industrial hemp grown in parts of New York, and Pennsylvania, as well as hemp-derived product samples from across the United States.