CBD Vs. CBN: Effects, Similarities, And Differences

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat is the difference between CBD and CBN?

Medically reviewed by Eloise Theisen, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC — Written by Jon Johnson on August 29, 2020

What is CBD?
What is CBN?
CBD vs. CBN
Effects of CBD
Effects of CBN
Combination effects
Other cannabinoids
Terpenes
Summary

CBD and CBN are cannabinoid compounds, found in large amounts in the cannabis plant. There are some key differences between them, including how they affect the body.

Other cannabis plant compounds may also play a role in these effects, including other cannabinoids and terpenes.

This article explores CBD and CBN, their similarities and differences, and the effects they may have.

Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

What is CBD?

cbd oil vs cbn medicine from a glass bottle. — CBD and CBN are cannabinoid compounds with some similarities, though they have different effects.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the more popular cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, along with THC. Unlike the latter, CBD does not cause the euphoric effects or “high” associated with other cannabinoids.

Regulations around cannabis hindered cannabinoid research for a long time. As these laws ease, scientists have been able to discover more about these compounds.

CBD is becoming a popular alternative treatment for numerous conditions.

Learn more about the potential health benefits of CBD here.

What is CBN?

Cannabinol, or CBN, is another cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. Though it has a similar to CBD, its origin is different, as it is the product of oxidization. Manufacturers expose THC to heat and light, which breaks it down, leaving behind CBN.

Because of this, no strains of cannabis contain high levels of CBN themselves.

CBD resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on CBD.

CBD vs. CBN

There are about 150 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, each with their own structure and effect.

CBD is the second most abundant compound in the plant. Additionally, manufacturers can breed some strains to contain higher amounts of CBD.

CBN is a result of processes within the plant. There is no way to produce a high-CBN strain of cannabis, and the amount depends on different factors, such as the levels of THC in the flowers and its exposure to elements such as light, heat, and time.

However, the two compounds share some similarities. They have some similar uses, as they both interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system.

Neither is likely to produce the high associated with cannabis use. However, these compounds may affect a cannabis high.

For example, people anecdotally claim high-CBD cannabis strains help prevent the negative effects of THC, such as anxiety or paranoia.

Those who prefer high-CBN cannabis may do so because the compound promotes a more sedate feeling, which may help them sleep.

How they act in the body is different as well.

CBN borrows some of its properties from THC. For example, THC acts on the CB1 endocannabinoid receptors, which is what creates the high associated with cannabis.

CBN also binds to the CB1 receptor, but at a much lower strength than THC. This technically makes it a psychoactive compound, and some sensitive people may notice some effects if they take CBN.

However, CBD does not appear to attach to the CB receptors directly, and produces no effects of euphoria or other altered senses.

Effects of CBD

CBD has several potential uses in the body, though much of the evidence is still new.

Currently, a refined type of CBD called Epidiolex is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an anti-convulsant for severe drug-resistant epilepsy.

A review also notes the potential benefits of CBD, citing its use as an:

anti-inflammatory
antioxidant
antipsychotic
neuroprotective
adjunct to some cancer treatments
immunosuppressive

This makes the compound potentially useful in a range of conditions, which explains its rise in popularity.

CBD also blocks the intoxicating effects of THC, preventing several unwanted side effects.

Effects of CBN

CBN also appears to have potential benefits.

Similarly to THC, CBN acts on the body’s CB1 receptors, though in a much milder way as CBN has a greater affinity for the body’s CB2 receptors. While the CB1 receptors are affected to a much lesser degree, this may still give the compound similar effects to THC.

For example, a study in Psychopharmacology notes that rats given CBN had an increased appetite, a similar effect of THC.

On the other hand, rats given CBD had a reduced appetite.

A study in Advances in Pharmacology shows early evidence that supports its use as an:

anti-convulsant
anti-inflammatory
antibiotic

However, much of the evidence behind these claims originates from dated or small studies. More research is needed to bolster these findings.

Similarities and combination effects

The two compounds could also have some use together in combination, though there is only early evidence to suggest this.

Anxiety and sleep

A study in The Permanente Journal researched the effects of CBD dosages in people with anxiety and sleep issues.

In the research, about 79% of people taking CBD had reduced anxiety scores within a month and remained constant while on the compound. About 67% had better sleep scores, but this number fluctuated more.

Again, this is early evidence, and future studies can help back these claims.

Pain relief

A study in Archives of Oral Biology found that CBD and CBN had an analgesic effect in animals, reducing myofascial pain similar to chronic pain disorders, such as fibromyalgia.

Additionally, combining CBD and CBN increased this effect. The authors note that while the effect was not as strong as other cannabinoids, such as THC, the combination had the benefit of being non-intoxicating.

Other cannabinoids

Aside from popular cannabinoids, such as THC, CBD, and CBN, cannabis contains about 150 different cannabinoids, and many may have their uses, as they act on the body differently. Some of the more researched compounds include:

cannabigerol (CBG)
cannabichromene (CBC)
cannabinodiol (CBDL)
cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
tetrahydracannabinolic acid (THCA)

Much of the research around these compounds is in the early stages. As more studies come to light, experts may find new treatments with these individual cannabinoids.

Terpenes

Terpenes are abundant natural compounds, found commonly in several plants. The cannabis plant contains varying levels of terpenes and terpenoids depending on the strain, including:

myrcene
a-pinene
b-pinene
b-caryophyllene
limonene
linalool

Researchers believe these compounds improve the effects of cannabinoids in cannabis through a concept known as the entourage effect. This idea suggests the plant compounds working together have a greater impact than the sum of the compounds themselves.

A study in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research notes these compounds appear to produce effects in the body, even though the substances occur in low doses, which seems to support the entourage effect.

This effect is why many people choose full-spectrum or broad-spectrum cannabinoid products, as they deliver many of the different cannabinoids found in the plant.

Learn more about terpenes here.

Summary

Both CBD and CBN have potential uses in alternative therapy. While the two cannabinoids have some similarities, they are different compounds, with their own individual effects.

While more research can help identify the effects or strengthen the research behind cannabinoids, many people use the compounds anecdotally for a number of issues.

People who wish to take these compounds should consult with a doctor first, to ensure there are no interactions with any other drugs or substances they take, and to understand any risks involved.

Biology / Biochemistry
Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Marijuana / Cannabis / CBD
Cat 1
cbd

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Devinsky, O., et al. (2016). Cannabidiol: Pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4707667/
Farrimond, J. A., et al. (2012). Cannabinol and cannabidiol exert opposing effects on rat feeding patterns. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22543671/
FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy. (2018). https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
Norton, M. (2020). To CBD or not to CBD?: What pharmacists need to know. https://www.pharmacytoday.org/article/S1042-0991(20)30764-7/fulltext
Russo, E. B., & Marcu, J. (2017). Cannabis pharmacology: The usual suspects and a few promising leads. http://cannabiscoalition.ca/info/Russo-Marcu_Cannabis_Pharmacology_The_Usual_Suspects_and_a_Few_Promising_Leads_Adv_Pharmacol_2017.pdf
Santiago, M., et al. (2019). Absence of entourage: Terpenoids commonly found in Cannabis sativa do not modulate the functional activity of Δ9-THC at human CB1 and CB2 receptors. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6757242/
Shannon, S., et al. (2019). Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: A large case series. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
Wong, H., & Cairns, B. E. (2019). Cannabidiol, cannabinol and their combinations act as peripheral analgesics in a rat model of myofascial pain [Abstract]. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003996919302249

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Medically reviewed by Eloise Theisen, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC — Written by Jon Johnson on August 29, 2020

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