How Much CBN Should I Take For Sleep

Most people do get enough sleep, which is great news! The CDC contends that only one in three Americans don't get enough sleep regularly. There are many reasons why some people don't sleep well. One theory suggests that as we grow older, a lot of changes happen within our bodies affecting their normal functioning.

Indeed, as you grow older, you may notice that falling asleep becomes much harder. Over a lifespan, the time we spend sleeping each day declines gradually. Newborns typically sleep longer (16-20 hours) every day, and once they enter the toddler stage, total daily sleep time reduces to 11-12 hours daily. By the time they enter early puberty, they can sleep for roughly nine hours. In most cases, we consolidate sleep to nighttime only. 

The reason behind this phenomenon is now well understood. It's got to do with changes to our circadian rhythm and sleep cycles. We won't go into these in detail, but generally, the environment has much to do with these changes. 

Fortunately, there are ways of helping you regain your power over sleep. Most people readily run to OTC sleeping aids, but we prefer a more natural fix – cannabinoids. So much has been said about these compounds and their wide-ranging effects.

In this article, we focus on a cannabinoid touted to be the most effective at enhancing sleep – cannabinol, aka CBN. 

Key Takeaways 

• Cannabinol (CBN) is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid popular for its ability to promote sleep.
• CBN is mostly found in aging cannabis material, which, when smoked, tends to induce tiredness and drowsiness.
• Despite growing anecdotal evidence of CBN's sleep-promoting ability, there is no hard evidence supporting these claims.
• Combining CBN with other cannabinoids can enhance its effectiveness thanks to the "entourage effect."
• 10mg of CBN is the recommended starting dose.

What is CBN Cannabinoid?

CBN is a rare cannabinoid not synthesized directly by the cannabis plant as the hugely popular CBD and THC. Instead, it forms when THC is exposed to light and heat, forcing it to oxidize. As a result, CBN is mainly found in aging cannabis material.

CBN is derived from THC, so it's easy to see why it's mildly psychoactive. However, its psychoactivity can only be felt when taken in large doses. That's because its potency is shown to be ¼ of THC, meaning it takes a lot of CBN to feel intoxicated. 

CBN binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptor very weakly. But as a result, it exhibits sedative, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, and antibacterial properties. Another unique quality of CBN is its ability to enhance the effects of THC.

Other studies indicate that CBN may have utility in topical applications as it can inhibit the growth of keratinocytes. Moreover, its ability to activate the TRPV2 receptor underpins its potential use in treating burns.

Research further shows that CBN can prevent the activity of CYP enzymes while stimulating phospholipases. Moreover, there are indications CBN can promote bone formation and inhibit the accumulation of ABCC1. This protein reduces the efficacy of therapeutic drugs in cancer treatment. 

In light of such findings, it's easy to see why interest in CBN is growing. However, the cannabinoid's most appealing quality appears to be sleep promotion. It would have been super convenient to highlight studies supporting this claim, but unfortunately, they are limited. 

How Does CBN Help Sleep?

Regarding CBN's sleep-enhancing property, empirical findings suggest that this effect is only evident when combined with THC. This lends credence to the much talked about "entourage effect," wherein cannabis compounds synergize to enhance their overall effects. 

However, there is a school of thought with a differing viewpoint. According to a leading authority in cannabis research, the sedating effects of aged cannabis may wrongly be attributed to CBN. That's due to the perception that since CBN is predominant in aging cannabis, it may be responsible for the effect. 

It is supposed that the sedating effect of old cannabis may actually be due to the degradation of other compounds in cannabis. In particular, curing cannabis occasions the loss of monoterpenoids and a subsequent buildup of sesquiterpenoids. The latter is known to have a soporific effect hence the drowsiness users feel after smoking old cannabis.

Another account of CBN's sleep-promoting effect points fingers at its interaction with the CB2 receptors. These receptors are expressed throughout the body, and their activation can lead to physical effects like pain relief.

On its own, there is no scientific evidence that CBN is any more sedating than other cannabinoids. However, given its ability to enhance the effects of other cannabinoids, it's probable CBN contributes to the “entourage effect.”

Be that as it may, users strongly claim that CBN makes them sleep easily. However, as is often the case with natural supplements, the results are seldom felt immediately. In addition, it appears CBN is more effective when used intermittently over some time.

Is CBN Stronger Than CBD?

We cannot say whether CBN is stronger than CBD. However, it is evident that the pharmacological effects of these cannabinoids can overlap. For instance, both are anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant. But whereas CBD does not bind to the CB1 receptor, CBN does, although weakly. 

In scientific investigations, these cannabinoids display varying capabilities. For instance, in an experiment investigating the effect of THC, CBD, and CBN on ABCC1 function, it was shown that CBD displayed greater potency than CBN or THC.

In fact, with cannabinoids, the issue is never about which is better than the other. It's usually about establishing the correct ratios at which they work best. For example, it's been suggested that a 5:1 CBD to CBN ratio is the most effective combination for promoting sleep.

Another widely used cannabinoid product is nabiximols. This THC:CBD formulation contains varying ratios of these cannabinoids. For example, the Sativex oromucosal spray mixes 2.7g of THC and 2.5g of CBD, almost a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio.

Nabiximols are legally used in several western countries for treating muscle spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. In the US, it's been approved by the FDA for treating pain in cancer patients.

Will CBN Get Me High?

Even though CBN is essentially oxidized THC, it's not anywhere as psychoactive as THC. In other words, CBN is unlikely to induce the levels of psychoactivity typically associated with THC. In fact, CBN is only sedating at higher doses, not intoxicating. 

This property makes it the cannabinoid of choice for people seeking to improve their sleep without getting "stoned" or feeling heavy-headed the following day.

How to Increase the Effects of CBN

Cannabinoids work better together, so it appears one way of increasing the effects of CBN is by mixing it with other cannabinoids. Cannabinoids that have been shown to work well with CBN are THC and CBD. Of course, these two were hardly going to miss from this list, given the breadth of research conducted on them.

Learn more about other cannabinoids like CBC, which also works well with CBN, the differences between CBD and CBC, and the effects of CBC.

Terpenes are also great for boosting the effectiveness of CBN. In this case, combining CBN with terpenes that promote relaxation and sleep, such as myrcene, linalool, and terpinolene, works wonders.

CBN Dosage Recommendation

The thing with cannabinoids is that dosing is rarely an exact science. These compounds work differently in people, so what works for one person might not work for another. This is why the "start low and slow" mantra is vital.

At the same time, different conditions require different doses of CBN. The general idea is to start with a low amount and increase it gradually until you reach your "sweet spot." This is to enable you to assess how your body responds to cannabinoids. If nothing happens untoward, then depending on the product type, here is what we recommend.

CBN Dosage for Gummies

If sleep has become a problem and you think CBN can help, start with 15mg of CBN. Ideally, this amount of CBN should be contained in one gummy. For products that combine CBN with other sleep-promoting substances like melatonin, 13mg of CBN and 2mg of melatonin is a good starting point. 

Take the gummies 30 minutes before going to bed. 

CBN dosage for tinctures

CBN tinctures are great for newbies because the dropper makes dosing easy-peasy. With these, the recommended starting dose is 10mg of CBN, taken 30 minutes to an hour before bed. 

Tinctures are best taken sublingually. For best results, we recommend holding the oil beneath the tongue for 30 seconds before swallowing. This gives it enough time to absorb into the rich network of capillaries under the tongue.

CBN Dosage for Sleep

Because everyone's different, our CBN tolerance is also different. As a result, it may take time before you establish the "effective" dose that enables you to sleep. Even though CBN products from various manufacturers contain different amounts of the cannabinoid in a unit, start with 10mg of CBN where possible.

Depending on how you feel after some time, you can increase/decrease the dosage by 5mg until you get the desired results. For best results, incorporate CBN into your bedtime routine. This trains the brain to learn when it's time to wind down and rest.

How Much CBN Should I Take?

Generally, the dosing guidelines on the label give you a good idea of how much CBN you should take. Remember that many factors, e.g., weight and metabolism, determine how a cannabinoid affects a person. 

Keep in mind that more is not always better with cannabinoids. In fact, lower doses tend to be more beneficial than higher doses. However, feel free to increase the dosage if you don't feel the change you want after a week. 

Best CBN Products for Sleep Online 

Even though more research is needed to elucidate the sleep-promoting quality of CBN, anecdotal evidence of people finding great success with CBN for sleep is mounting. There is a reason it's called "the sleepy cannabinoid." 

So, if you want to try CBN, we unreservedly recommend these Sleep Gummies by Dragon Hemp. These delicious edibles are made with premium-grade CBD and CBN to help you downshift seamlessly into dreamland. They are designed to relax the body and calm the mind, making it super easy to fall and stay asleep!