CBN has been marketed as the sedating cannabinoid perfect for sleep products. Unfortunately, when it comes to CBN’s sedating promise, the data available supports that this isn’t necessarily cut and dry and requires a deeper look in terms of formulating for effectiveness. While a CBN sleep product may be the right next addition for your product line, it’s crucial to take a deeper dive into the science available on this compound so that you make the right formulation or white label CBD decisions.
What Is CBN?
CBN is one of the hundreds of naturally-occurring compounds found in cannabis plants and is characterized as a minor cannabinoid. The non-intoxicating compound is believed to be mildly psychoactive as it binds to the CB1 receptor but at a much lower strength than THC. CBN is more commonly known for being the cannabinoid that’s created when THC ages. Due to this process, it’s usually naturally present in high amounts in older cannabis.
Is CBN Sedating?
CBN benefits research is still in its infancy with many potential therapeutic applications being further investigated. While the cannabinoid has been marketed and praised for being heavily sedating, this isn’t as straightforward as claimed. With the lack of science available, there is however one human study that looked into CBN and its impact on sleep. The study found that none of the respondents reported that CBN was sedating.
So, where did this rumor come from? There are a couple of reasons that may account for this claim:
- The combination of CBN and THC: Anecdotal accounts support that older cannabis that’s high in CBN makes them sleepy, leading to the assumption that CBN alone must be sedating. However, it may actually be the combination of CBN and THC together that causes the sedating effect. The human study mentioned above found that CBN isolate didn’t make subjects sleepy but when combined with THC, the two produced even higher levels of drowsiness.
- The presence of sedating terpenes: According to Dr. Ethan Russo, a leading cannabis researcher and neurologist, “Pure CBN is not particularly sedating. But it is typically found in aged cannabis in which the monoterpenoids have evaporated leaving the more sedating oxygenated sesquiterpenoids. This accounts for the discrepancy.” Simply put, that means that older cannabis that’s high in CBN is also high in sedating terpenes.
How to Formulate An Effective CBN Sleep Product
Even though you may hear anecdotal accounts of broad-spectrum CBD + CBN products being beneficial for sleep, this is probably due to the entourage effect and CBD’s complex impact on the sleep-wake cycle. These sleep tinctures are also often formulated with other sleep enhancers like melatonin, valerian root, and so on.
Incorporate the Science
Based on the available research, sleep tinctures featuring CBN should ideally be a full-spectrum product with trace amounts of THC in order to potentially enhance the sedating properties. Allowing THC and CBN to work synergetically together while optimizing the entourage effect may prove beneficial for sleep products. Also, consider including terpenes with sedating properties - you can learn more about terpene benefits here.
Natural Sleep Aids
Talk to your formulator or white label CBD provider about other natural sleep aids you can include in your product formulation. There are a number of ingredients that may provide sedative properties, including:
- Glycine
- Magnesium
- Melatonin
- GABA
- 5HTP
- Valerian root
- California poppy
- Vervain
- Hops
- Chamomile
- Kava
Make sure you research each of these ingredients as some are only safe for short-term use, have side effects, and drug interactions.
Custom Formulation Services for CBN Sleep Products
Tenacious Labs Manufacturing has the industry-leading cannabis veterans and experts to guide you through your custom product formulations. Our specialists are happy to help you determine what terpenes and ingredients are ideal for adding to your white label CBN products or your proprietary formulas. Contact us today and work with your own exclusive project manager for all of your CBD manufacturing needs.
