Today, the most common cannabis compounds are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD products are generally calming and act as an anti-inflammatory, while THC, still having healing properties and is psychoactive. Out of the two, CBD is the most used as a healing substance.
However, there is one other extract that the cannabis plants give. If you’ve heard about CBN, you may be wondering how to make your own CBN oil and how it can help you stay healthy.
What is CBN Oil?
CBN forms when cannabis buds are exposed to oxygen in the air and ultraviolet rays from sunlight. The oxidation of the THC in the plants then begins, and aging along with it gives out CBNa. After decarboxylating, the acidic properties of the CBNa are lost, and we get the finished product cannabinol or CBN.
Low-quality weed pressed and stored together, along with traditionally produced hashish, has high quantities of CBN. But since not all of us can smoke a pipe of hashish or a spliff of Vietnamese herbs, it is extracted from the plants in a contemporary fashion.
CBN is extracted as an isolate from slightly aged weed flowers and leaves. This isolated extract is then added to all kinds of CBN products such as gel caps, sublingual drops, tinctures, and CBD butter (yes, your cannabutter has CBN too).
Effects of CBN vs. Effects of CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) are compounds found in the cannabis plant, so they can be extracted from a single plant. The only difference between the two is the processing of the raw plant material. The process decides whether there is more CBD or CBN.
Like every organic material, cannabis plants tend to change in shape and chemical composition as they age. So it is important to note that the CBN levels found in the cannabis plant are only achieved after it has been harvested and stored in contact with light and air.
Activation of tetrahydrocannabinol acid produces the CBN content in the plant. The more the plant ages, the more CBN it produces. Just be sure not to burn it in direct sunlight. Keeping it under shade is important. Both CBD and CBN essentially have similar health benefits.
While CBD is stronger on the healing side, CBN is generally considered by patients using THC for its sedative effect. CBD and CBN are often sold together to users as they have complementary effects that help people in need of quicker relief or healing.
CBD oil is mildly intoxicating because it works on the body and gives you a little body high that calms your brain. For people who like to enhance their roles and bowls with tinctures of cannabis oil, CBN is the best at providing a super calming effect while opening up brain synapses. Since it is derived from the THCa in the aged cannabis plants, CBN is psychoactive and can get you higher than CBD.
Benefits of CBN Oil
Several studies have been conducted on the effects of CBN in living beings like mice and dogs suffering from musculoskeletal issues. Data from these studies suggest that CBN induces quick relief from pain in animals. In mice, it was found that CBN increases the hours of sleep. Taking CBN Oil or CBN Gummies for sleep before bed is also becoming a common practice.
CBN as a Pain Reliever
Research on CBN oil has concluded that the compound has pain-relieving and analgesic effects on the human body as well. When infused in the body sublingually, CBN affects the activity of the nerves that are sensitive to the pain-relieving compound found in chilies as capsaicin. The nerves that capsaicin affects are the same nerves that signal pain and perception in our bodies. By soothing them, CBN alleviates pain.
CBN as an Antibiotic
There is a study done on CBN that suggests that the compound is also able to fight off bacterial infections. Studies were done on MRSA patients (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a kind of bacteria that causes staph infections and can spread with contact.
This infection is untreatable with most antibiotics. However, the research has found that cannabinoids have antibiotic abilities that target this group's bacteria. Thus, acting as a powerful agent in treating infections.
CBN as an Anti-inflammatory
Just like its cousin CBD, CBN also displays capabilities to act as an anti-inflammatory in the human body. The endocannabinoid system affects the immune response of the body, and when in contact with cannabinoids, they help increase the regulation of inflammation.
CBN as an Appetite Stimulant
A few mental and physical conditions are known to disrupt the appetite in humans and animals together. The biggest symptoms of cancer are loss of appetite and weight reduction.
While CBD is a cannabinoid that decreases hunger, CBN is the compound that kick-starts the stomach and relieves the taste buds of the distasteful feeling from cancer treatment. Appetite stimulation, in turn, gets the patient healthier and mentally strong.
CBN as Cancer Treatment
Cannabinoids have certainly shown some promising results in reducing or helping with cancer symptoms. Its anti-inflammatory abilities enable it to fight off the side effects of cancer treatment. Preliminary studies show that cannabinoids, including CBN, may kill cancerous cells and reduce the size of tumors.
CBN as an Anti-epileptic
Cannabinoids have been long known to heal certain mental conditions. CBN and other cannabinoids are well known to reduce the effects of epilepsy, especially in children. Even though, in this case, CBN is not as strong as CBD, it too shows anticonvulsant effects and prevents epileptic attacks.
How to Dose CBN Oil?
The best way to CBN oil will be the same way you use CBD oils. In the form of sublingual oils, tinctures, topical creams or lotions, and gel capsules, CBN will produce its best healing qualities. However, CBN is also known for its mild psychoactive qualities and can be taken with a joint of high THC marijuana or can be made into Cannabutter.
Cannabutter and other recipes are a great way to store edible CBD and CBN. We highly recommend starting with about 2-5 drops and waiting 30 minutes to see how your body reacts. Increase your dose over time until you reach the desired effects.
How to Make CBN Oil?
As earlier said, the only difference between making CBD oil and CBN oil is that CBN comes from plants that have been harvested and aged. So if you have only a few weeks old stashes of cannabis, it will require much more decarboxylation and then some more to increase the percentage of CBN.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce Cannabis plant material of CBD potent strains, i.e., Bubble-Gum, Lemon Kush, Durban Poison, Blackberry, Purple Cadillac
- 1 cup Olive or Coconut Oil to use as infusing fluid
- 1 tsp of sunflower lecithin
Instructions
- Spread your aged cannabis plants on a tray and wrap them with aluminum foil to decarboxylate the weed. Make sure you leave it there for a few hours, generally more than CBD preparation.
- Place your tray on the oven and then set it on 115C heat for at least 45 minutes, and then take it out, pull the aluminum and let it cool.
- Grind your plant material after cooling and chop it finely.
- Put the cannabis material in a strong mason jar and then fill coconut or olive oil a little above its level. Add a teaspoon of Sunflower lecithin.
- Close the jar and place it in cool water on a burner. Start boiling the water and keep the heat up for 3-4 hours. You can add other herbs of your choice to the mason jar as well for a good smell or taste.
- Use a cheesecloth to strain out the oil from the jar.
- Let the whole solution cool down while you throw the extra hemp material.
