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CBN: the sleep cannabinoid

It’s not hard to believe that 1 in 3 adults don't get enough sleep. Hustle culture has romanticized all-nighters in college, overtime work hours, and settling for the sleep-deprived cycle—because there’s nothing coffee can’t fix, right? 

The average person spends  26 years of their life asleep and about 7 extra years trying to get to sleep. Our time in restoration is not just a mental, physical, and functional need—it’s a significant portion of our time here. 

We shouldn't have to settle for melatonin and sleeping pills that leave us groggy the next day, or rely on caffeine to make it through the workweek; our bodies and minds deserve a more sustainable option.

The goal is to utilize natural plant compounds that support this simple, but ever-growing need: to fall asleep easily, sleep deeply, and wake up truly restored. 

A promising player in the natural sleep space is CBN—a hemp compound that may have a regulatory role in our sleep (and overall wellness) experience. 

What is CBN? 

Cannabinol (CBN) is one of many cannabinoids in the hemp plant. This molecular compound begins as CBG, eventually degrading into hemp’s psychoactive compound—THC. The flower breaks down even further through exposure to heat, air, and light, losing most of its psychoactive components and gaining interesting, sedative-like properties. Basically, CBN is the byproduct of an aged cannabis plant.

While this “sleepy” cannabinoid has certainly gained a powerful reputation as a nighttime supplement, there’s a surprising lack of peer-reviewed data supporting this customer experience. But what we do know is hemp’s powerful influence over the ECS—which means the benefits of CBN are likely much more than just a placebo effect.* 

How does it work?

 The National Institute of Health suggests that ECS receptors in the forebrain and brainstem are involved in sleep induction, modulation, and sleep cycle regulation. The theory is that, with regular use, CBN will bind to these receptors, signaling your internal processes into “sleep homeostasis.” This means an easier time falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up with less grogginess.*

Another theory is that when hemp degrades, so do the terpenes. While THC turns to CBN, terpenes convert into terpenoids—such as linalool. This linalool terpenoid has sleep-inducing properties and is the key calming agent in herbs like lavender and valerian root. The idea is that terpenes (such as linalool) may unlock further sedative effects, or could be the end-all reason for CBN’s “sleepy” reputation. 

The answer to how CBN works is most likely a combination of these two ideas. 

But this knowledge just isn’t enough. There are still too many questions involving the potential of this compound—and we are tired of waiting (also, just tired of being tired).

That’s why we partnered with Radicle Science to determine the most efficient formula of CBN for improving sleep.  

This historic clinical will provide some of the first rigorous human data on how different dosages of CBN impact sleep—and the findings will lead our future CBN formulations. This isn’t just a big deal for Sunmed, but the entire hemp industry. 

For more details, check out the full press release here. And in the meantime, give our botanical CBN tincture a try. We have a 30-day, no questions asked, money-back guarantee, but we’re confident you’ll want to keep these Zzzs by your nightstand.

CBN is a fascinating cannabinoid with major potential for natural sleep support. It could be the difference between a snoozed alarm and a natural, refreshed awakening—a feeling you deserve to experience every single day.  

 

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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