Retail Cannabis - What is in CBN?

Ever since cannabis became legalized in Canada in 2018, there has been plenty of curiosity about the different types of retail products available, the effects of using them, and whether they are harmful or not.

Therefore, to clear up the confusion, Soma Leaf Company has created a special blog section to explain to customers various topics related to the use of these products. This time around, we’re covering CBN and Retail Cannabis. Keep reading to learn more.

Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System
Cannabinoids like CBN and CBD are a class of chemicals naturally produced by the cannabis plant. Some have highs, while others are non-intoxicating. When consumed, these chemicals interact with the human body’s endocannabinoid system. The interactions between cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system are what produce the range of effects that people experience when they consume marijuana.

Understanding What CBN is And How it Gets Produced
Cannabinol was the first naturally occurring cannabinoid to be isolated in its purest form. Scientists first isolated CBN as far back as 1896. People originally thought CBN was the compound that creates the distinctive cannabis high, but later research found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is actually the cannabinoid that produces marijuana’s intoxicating effects.

At that point, our understanding of cannabinoids in general and CBN, in particular, began to morph. It was soon discovered that CBN was a by-product of THC content produced when THC oxidizes. Basically, as THC gets exposed to heat and light, it breaks down into CBN.

It means that the level of CBN found in a cannabis flower or concentrate is not determined by genetic factors but by environmental factors. Also, old buds and flowers that have not been stored away from light or in an airtight container and cannabis extracts left unrefrigerated or in direct sunlight will begin to oxidize. As a result, they will tend to have higher levels of CBN when compared to fresher products or ones correctly stored.

Since CBN gets produced through the oxidation process rather than genetics, there are currently no high-CBN cannabis strains available. If you want to consume high levels of CBN, the best way to obtain it would be to allow the plant’s THC to oxidize.

Effects of CBN: This Cannabinoid Will Not Get You High
We know relatively little about CBN compared to other cannabis components and products. However, we know that CBN does not produce intoxicating effects on its own. Instead, the sensation of being high gets created when THC interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Specifically, THC makes you feel high when it binds to and activates the CB1 receptors in your body.

Similar to THC, CBN also binds to your body’s CB1 receptors. However, CBN interacts with these receptors with only around one-tenth the strength of THC. It’s one of the primary reasons the CBN cannabinoid does not give you the sensation of being high.

Potential Benefits of CBN
While there is not nearly as much research into CBN as other cannabinoids, the limited evidence suggests that CBN may have health and wellness benefits.

For example, a 2011 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that THC in combination with CBN may produce a more sedated, “couch-locked” body high. It may be why older cannabis products or those exposed to a lot of heat and sunlight, such as Moroccan hashish, are said to produce more pronounced relaxing effects than other forms of marijuana. 

The Bottom Line
We hope this explanation of CBN made you feel more comfortable moving forward with your retail cannabis experience. If you have any more questions about retail cannabis, get in touch with Soma Leaf Company today.

As the best cannabis store in Thornbury, ON, our team is committed to educating customers about cannabis while offering a wide variety of products.

Our product range includes cannabis flowers, vapes, cannabis edibles, oils, topicals, and accessories. We deliver our products across Thornbury, Blue Mountain, Meaford, Collingwood, and the surrounding areas.

To get started, get in touch with us by clicking here. To learn more about our products, please click here. Or, to place an order, please click here.