By Luke Sumpter


CBN, or cannabinol, is far less popular than THC or CBD, and it’s not even so easy to extract from the cannabis plant. However, its potential beneficial effects on human body are beginning to be explored by science. What do we know to date about the “sleepy” cannabinoid?

How Is CBN Formed Within The Cannabis Plant, And Where Is It Found?

Unlike many other cannabinoids, cannabinol (CBN) does not develop from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). In fact, CBN is a metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol, which means it develops when THC is heated or exposed to oxygen. For that reason, you’ll find that aged or oxidized cannabis flowers are high in CBN. However, the CBN content within the plant is usually less than 1% even in cured or aged cannabis flowers.

How Does CBN Exerts Its Effects?

Most cannabinoids exert their effects on our body and mind by chemically “binding” with the cannabinoid receptors that constitute our endocannabinoid system (ECS). In case you're unfamiliar, the ECS is a neuronal messenger network that exists in all of our bodies. It contributes to the regulation of many physiological functions while also influencing mood, immune response, sleep, appetite, pain perception, and much more.

The cannabinoid receptors are named CB1 and CB2, yet we know that several cannabinoids can also influence other receptors as well. The wide range of different cannabinoids can strongly or weakly bind to these receptors, some of them as “agonists”, some as “antagonists”, thus exerting a variety of potential effects.

Much like its parent molecule, THC, cannabinol has a greater binding affinity for the CB2 receptor than the CB1 receptor, although CBN’s affinity for CB2 is lower than THC’s. Lab tests show that CBN acts as an agonist at the CB1 receptors, albeit with much less strength than THC. CBN is also an agonist at TRPV2 receptor, potentially contributing to exert pain-relieving responses from our endocannabinoid system. Cannabinol might also inhibit the production of other neuronal signalling enzymes.

How Does CBN Affect Our Bodies?

Before we proceed with this section, we should clarify that all studies today available on CBN are early-stage experiments. Not even small scale clinical data has been produced, and people’s anecdotal reports on CBN use are very limited as well. In comparison, we know much more about the variety of effects by THC and CBD. That being said, relative to the amount of information out there, research has shown a fair amount of promise.

Back in 1984, a study on cats revealed that both CBN and CBG caused reductions in intraocular tension[1], while more recent studies are showing other target areas for CBN. In lab environment, CBN reduced the overgrowth of skin cells by inhibiting the hyper-proliferation of human keratinocyte. Similarly to CBD and other cannabinoids, CBN also seemed to act as a soother in inflamed skin[2] by modulating TRPV2 receptors.

Recent research also supports the hypothesis that all five major cannabinoids, CBN included, exert an action against a variety of antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus[3] of clinical relevance. This effect seems to be determined by specific biochemical mechanisms which have yet to be understood.

Studies with THC, CBD and CBN on rats showed that the modulation of CB1 receptor by CBN can potentially increase both appetite[4] and the amount of food consumed. CBN is also supposed to substitute THC in improving symptoms and delaying the onset of neurodegenerative[5] conditions. Finally, CBN has been studied for its anticonvulsant[6] effects, although this specific action is not as evident as it is with THC and CBD.

How Does CBN Affect Our Bodies?

What Is the Difference Between CBN & CBD?

Cannabidiol and cannabinol, despite the similar names, are two different molecules with two separate development pathways.

The cannabinoid biosynthesis pathway remains a source of debate, but it seems to start with a substance called geranyl pyrophosphate. This either binds with olivetolic acid to form cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), or with divarinolic acid to form cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA). These two cannabinoid precursors are then combined with specific plant’s enzymes to develop the acid forms of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. The last stop in the cannabinoid pathway is decarboxylation, which usually happens when the plant matter is heated.

CBN, in contrast, is developed via the the non-enzymatic oxidation of THC. This, simply, means CBN's development pathway is the natural degradation of the most loved cannabinoid.

Besides their actual chemical differences, the way they're perceived by researchers and consumers is quite different as well. The potential positive effects of CBD gained a lot of attention, while CBN is still little known. CBD is widely available today, as opposed to CBN, which is seldom contained in significant amounts within cannabis well-being products. Solid research and information is now available on CBD, but we can't say the same of CBN. At any rate, CBD is more studied, available, cheaper, and offers a wider potential range of applications.

That being said, they aren't completely different.

Neither show a great affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors, and neither produce euphoria (or any other intoxicating effect). In turn, both CBN and CBD can slightly modify the high induced by THC.

Cannabis derivatives with a very high percentage of CBN or CBD could actually exert similar kinds of side effects, such as tiredness or dizziness. However, the required doses for these effects actually go beyond the normal medical use of cannabinoids, and their application would be inefficient in turn. Both CBD and CBN have also been studied as potential treatments for seizures, inflammation, pain, and other conditions, but nothing has been proven for either.

Are The Sedative Effects Of CBN Real?

CBN is sometimes called the “sleepy cannabinoid”, but science doesn’t fully support this claim. CBN is anecdotally known to generate sedative effects, especially if combined with THC in indica strains, which are supposed to be more sedative than sativas because of their cannabinoids and terpenes profile. However, back in the 1970s, one small scale study[7] on humans with oral administration of CBN alone, CBN with THC, and THC alone, found that the combination of these two cannabinoids was producing higher levels of dizziness and drowsiness compared to THC alone, while CBN alone didn’t make subjects sleepy nor high.

This result brought researchers to believe the supposed narcotic effect of CBN was instead caused by the higher content of sedative terpenes in older cannabis, such as myrcene and linalool. Recent research conversely indicates CBN as the most effective sedative out of all cannabinoids, yet none of these results should be considered as conclusive. More likely, in some cases, CBN contributes to sedation via the entourage effect, with other cannabinoids and terpenes enhancing the overall effectiveness.

Are The Sedative Effects Of CBN Real?

CBN is not listed in the United Nations’ controlled substances schedules. However, local laws on cannabis products around the world are often confusing and contradictory, with further complications due to the fact that CBN derives from THC, which is a controlled substance in most regions. However, CBN can also be extracted from hemp, which is legal in most countries, and could provide a tolerated way to process the plant in order to extract CBN.

Once again, patients and cannabis users might find themselves locked within a “grey area” scenario. As a consequence, it is always a good idea to check the local laws before buying or possessing products with CBN, whether the cannabinoid is isolated or is a component of a full spectrum cannabis product.

What CBN Products Are Available Today?

Extracting CBN is not an easy task. This cannabinoid has to be carefully isolated and then concentrated in products with decent degrees of bioavailability. A few CBN extracts are already available on the market, and a few reputable brands today offer products with high concentrations of this cannabinoid in different forms, such as CBN oils, tinctures, edibles, topicals and capsules.

The safest and most reliable CBN products are created by isolating the cannabinoid from organic hemp and using sophisticated extraction techniques. This removes the possibility of even a little THC content which could eventually generate a high, and also grab the attention of law officers in countries where THC is illegal. In order to be sure of the actual cannabinoid content of a CBN or full spectrum product, it is always a good idea to ensure the cannabis (or hemp) derivative has been independently analised by a third party testing lab.

Combining different cannabinoid-infused products is also possible, in the attempt to get the best of CBN, CBD and other cannabinoids’ benefits. In this case, experts recommend keeping a daily record of one persons’ cannabinoid intake, in order to understand the best mix and avoid excessive dosage with potential side effects.

Looking At The Future Of CBN

Given the limited amount of research about the effects of CBN, we can't make any claim of it treating specific conditions, even if early evidence is quite promising. That being said, if these early findings are supported by future studies, CBN could eventually be used to increase appetite, promote healthy sleep, enhance the immune system response, reduce inflammation, contrast bacterial infections, and even fight diseases[8]. Moreover, the non-psychotropic nature of this cannabinoid might make CBN a substitute for THC in some medical applications. However, CBN seems to be more effective in combination with THC and CBD.

To date, one of the primary recognised applications of CBN is its potential to relax and treat insomnia. However, research continues to be conducted into its other potentials, particularly if its synergistic effects with other cannabinoids will be fully leveraged in a new generation of medical cannabis products.

External Resources:
  1. Intraocular pressure, ocular toxicity and neurotoxicity after administration of cannabinol or cannabigerol https://www.sciencedirect.com
  2. Cannabinoids inhibit human keratinocyte proliferation through a non-CB1/CB2 mechanism and have a potential therapeutic value in the treatment of psoriasis - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure-activity study - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Cannabinol and cannabidiol exert opposing effects on rat feeding patterns - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Cannabinol delays symptom onset in SOD1 (G93A) transgenic mice without affecting survival - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. The anticonvulsant activity of cannabidiol and cannabinol - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com
  7. Effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol in man - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Cannabinol inhibits proliferation and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in glioblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and breast cancer cells https://opus.uleth.ca
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: