Did you know that there are over 100 types of cannabinoids?
Most people have heard of THC, which is the cannabinoid that gets you high. And another popular cannabinoid is CBD, a close cousin of THC that has all the same benefits but doesn’t get you high!
But as you can see, there’s a whole world of cannabinoids out there. There are others that can potentially improve your quality of life, such as CBD.
What’s the difference between CBD and CBN? Read on to find out. That way, you can make the right choice when it comes to cannabinoids!
What Is CBD?
“CBD” is an abbreviation for “cannabidiol”. As we’ve previously mentioned, it’s a compound that doesn’t get you high, which is very convenient if you like the benefits of marijuana but would like to be unimpaired while consuming it.
What’s great is right after THC, CBD is the second most common cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. This means there’s plenty of it, which has enabled quite a bit of scientific research on CBD.
What’s interesting about CBD is it actually acts as a counterbalance to THC. This means that if you consume a marijuana strain that’s high in CBD, it can help decrease some unpleasant effects, such as anxiety or paranoia.
Benefits of CBD
Of course, CBD can take away some of the bad side effects of THC. But what else?
Well, you can enjoy many of the benefits that THC seems to give its users. They include reduction in or relief from:
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Seizures
CBD also appears to be promising for cognitive health and antibiotic-resistant MRSA.
What Is CBN?
“CBN” stands for “cannabinol”, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for cannabidiol (CBD). In fact, it’s actually the byproduct of THC when it’s exposed to heat and light. Basically, if you have a bag of weed, the longer you leave it, the more CBN you’ll have!
CBN is found in much smaller quantities, due to the fact that it’s a result of THC breaking down. Unfortunately, its small quantities mean it’s not as understood and researched as THC and CBD are.
Benefits of CBN
Like with CBD, CBN isolate won’t get you high, even though they both bind to your body’s CB1 receptors. Actually, pretty much the only cannabinoid that’ll produce a high is THC (there are some exceptions, but they aren’t as strong as THC are). For CBN, this is because it only has 1/10th the strength of receptor reaction as THC does.
Even though there hasn’t been much research done on CBN, some people have reported some potential benefits you can get from this cannabinoid. They include:
- A more sedated high when combined with THC
- Anti-inflammation
- Pain relief
- Anti-convulsant
- Appetite stimulation when combined with CBD
- Aid with sleep disorders
Much more research needs to be done on CBN before we can say for sure what its benefits are. However, the above list does look promising!
The Difference Between CBD and CBN
Now that you know a little more about each cannabinoid, let’s dive into their differences. This can help you differentiate between the two and decide which is better for your needs.
How They’re Produced
CBD is produced directly by the cannabis plant, as is THC. This means that CBD is pretty abundant. After all, it’s the second most commonly found cannabinoid!
Growers can also manipulate their plants to have more CBD by breeding lines carefully.
On the other hand, CBN is a byproduct when THC degrades. Not only does this mean you won’t find as much CBN in cannabis plants, but that you’ll have to wait for it to be produced.
Of course, you can always speed up the process by exposing your marijuana to light and heat. However, it’s still not an instant process.
Also, you can’t breed cannabis plants to have more CBN. You can breed them to have higher amounts of THC, but you’d still have to degrade it to get CBN.
Their Prices
Due to the process you have to go through to get CBN, plus the fact that it’s not very abundant, this cannabinoid is much pricier than CBD is. There’s a lot of labor that has to go into synthesizing CBN too, not to mention equipment needed too. This is the main reason Delta 9 edibles are much more popular and available.
FDA Approval
Currently, CBD is approved by the FDA to treat epilepsy and seizures. Due to the lack of research done on CBN, it’s unfortunately not currently approved for the treatment of any conditions.
Side Effects
On that note, the potential side effects of CBD are well documented. They can include changes in your weight/appetite, diarrhea, and tiredness.
Because CBN hasn’t been researched as much, there are currently no known side effects. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean there are none with this cannabinoid. It’s just an indication that more research needs to be done before we can deem this a safe compound to take.
Make a Well-Informed Choice
If you’ve been curious about the world of cannabinoids and didn’t know the difference between CBD and CBN, we hope this article has helped you find clarity.
If this information has convinced you to give either one a try, make sure you consult your doctor first. They can figure out of there are any interactions with your current medications or if it’s safe for you, based on your health conditions. Once you get the all-clear from your doctor, then you’ll have peace of mind while embarking on your cannabinoid journey!
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