Medicinal cannabis is becoming a global phenomenon, with more people turning to cannabis-based products for a variety of wellness purposes. While major cannabinoids like THC and CBD get most of the spotlight, cannabis also contains many minor cannabinoids that are less understood but increasingly used in the community. One of these is cannabinol (CBN)—a compound gaining popularity for its reported sleep-enhancing effects.

CBN is often found in isolate products marketed as natural alternatives to conventional sleep aids. But does it really work? Recent studies have started digging deeper into CBN’s effect on sleep, offering some fascinating insights.

How Does CBN Affect Sleep?

In a study using rats and advanced sleep tracking (called polysomnography), researchers observed that CBN increased total sleep time. Interestingly, its effects seemed to come in two phases—initially suppressing sleep slightly before dramatically increasing it. Not only did CBN help increase overall sleep, but it also improved both NREM sleep (the deep, restful stage) and REM sleep (associated with dreaming and memory processing).

This is significant because popular sleep medications, like zolpidem, typically target NREM sleep but don’t affect REM sleep. The fact that CBN can influence both stages of sleep makes it stand out as a unique potential sleep aid.

The Role of Metabolites

Another surprising discovery was the role of a CBN metabolite called 11-hydroxy-CBN. After CBN was administered, this metabolite appeared in the brain at levels just as high as CBN itself. What’s interesting is that 11-hydroxy-CBN showed strong activity at the CB1 receptors in the brain—receptors typically activated by THC. This means the metabolite may play a big role in CBN’s overall effect on sleep.

Researchers found that while both CBN and its metabolite influenced sleep patterns, they did so in slightly different ways. This opens up new questions about how these compounds work together and whether their combined effects could explain CBN’s sleep-promoting properties.

What Does This Mean for Sleep?

While there’s still more research to be done, these findings are exciting for anyone curious about natural sleep remedies. CBN appears to support sleep by enhancing both deep rest and dream stages, which could make it a valuable option for people struggling with sleep issues. Unlike some conventional medications, which may disrupt parts of the sleep cycle, CBN seems to provide a more balanced approach to improving sleep quality.

As research into minor cannabinoids like CBN continues to grow, we may soon have a clearer understanding of how these natural compounds can help people achieve better sleep. Until then, CBN remains an intriguing option for those looking to explore the untapped potential of cannabis.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39528623/