In your search for the best sleep aids you must’ve come across products like CBN oils, gummies, and softgels. It’s a relatively lesser-known compound or a minor cannabinoid that is quickly gaining popularity as the best cannabinoid for sleep hygiene. But before you buy CBN oil, it’s essential to learn how long its effects last in your body and what other benefits it has other than sleep.
The exact duration of CBN’s sleepy effects can vary from one person to another depending on differences in body chemistry, tolerance levels, severity of underlying conditions, and other such factors.
But, based on public anecdotes it’s observed that the effects of CBN products last somewhere between 2-8 hours. Yes, this is a pretty wide range, but that’s normal considering how different one human body is from another. Let’s dive in to understand more about this so that you can make an informed purchasing decision.
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What is CBN?
CBN stands for cannabinol; it’s a natural plant compound with tonnes of healing and therapeutic effects. Compounds like CBN are scientifically known as cannabinoids, and there are hundreds of them in cannabis sativa plants. For example, CBD, CBG, and THC are some of the popular cannabinoids in use today.‘
CBN is known as the best cannabinoid for sleep because of its slightly strong sedative and relaxing effects as compared to other cannabinoids. To extract CBN, manufacturers wait for cannabis plants to mature because it forms when THC breaks down over time through the oxidation process.
Hemp plants have only trace amounts of THC, so naturally, it gets even harder to derive CBN from them. That’s why manufacturers either wait for marijuana plants to mature or use special genetic hemp with high levels of THC in it so that it can later convert into CBN and be extracted easily.
CBN is weaker than THC, so it’s not intoxicating like it but does have a mildly psychoactive effect at higher doses, hence better at relaxing your body to slide into a restful sleep. Fun fact: CBN was the very first discovered cannabinoid and kickstarted the research for all the cannabinoids we know and use today.
Duration of CBN effects based on Consumption Method
In what form you consume, CBN can make a huge difference in its onset time and duration of effects. There are plenty of products that can be inhaled, placed under the tongue consumed like candy, or applied on the skin. Let’s understand each in detail :
Smoking/Vaping: Inhalation
Inhaling vapors of smoke carrying CBN molecules is the fastest way to experience its calming effects. Many people are now shifting from smoking joints traditionally to using Vapes, as it’s deemed a slightly safer method for lung health.
When you take a few puffs of CBN vape, it will reach your lungs fast and start working within 1-10 minutes. The bioavailability is much higher as compared to other methods, but effects also wear off early. Through vaping/smoking CBN effects can last anywhere between 2 to 4 hours.
Oils/Tinctures: Sublingual
A few drops of CBN oil under your tongue before bed might do wonders for your sleep quality, anxiety relief, and nighttime recovery. It’s the second fastest method to experience CBN’s healing effects.
When you put CBN oil under your tongue, it gets absorbed through the blood capillaries present there and mixes in the bloodstream right away. So you’ll start experiencing its effects within 15-30 minutes, and they can last anywhere between 2-6 hours.
Gummies/Capsules: Oral
Gummies are quickly gaining popularity among all age groups of cannabinoid users. They are yummy, come in referencing flavors, are easy to carry around, and are precisely dozed. However, they do have a slow onset time and can take anywhere between 40 minutes to 2 hours before you feel the effects.
Well, similarly, the effects also last for a much longer duration, anywhere between 4-8 hours. So if you eat CBN gummies before bed, and complete an 8-hour sleep cycle, you’ll feel completely rejuvenated the next day.
Creams/Balms: Topicals
CBN is known for its impact on TRPV1 receptors which leads to pain, inflammation, and itching relief. That’s why CBN balms and creams are popular for improving skin health. CBN also has antibacterial properties and can provide relief against severe skin conditions like psoriasis.
When we apply CBN cream on the affected area, it seeps in through skin pores which, and effects can be felt in 30 to 90 minutes of application. Usually, as per anecdotal reports, the effects of topicals can last up to 6 hours.
Note: Keep in mind though this is all based on anecdotal reports and only a few studies are available right now. More studies on CBN are required to understand its efficacy, onset, and overall duration.
Other factors at play
There are many factors other than the method of consumption that can affect the overall duration of CBN effects. This includes how much CBN you consume in one go, how frequently you consume CBN, your tolerance levels, your weight, your metabolism, your medication history, and what time you consume CBN.
Every human body is different and interacts in its own unique way with cannabinoids like CBN. So the best way to find out is to try it yourself. Just start with a low dose and try different combinations, different timings, and dosages till you find your perfect dose for the optimal duration. Let your body adjust, and try to increase your water intake to avoid dehydration and nausea.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, the effects of CBN can last anywhere between 2 to 8 hours depending on your method of consumption, body chemistry, tolerance levels, and condition you are trying to treat. The quickest way to experience the healing and calming effects of these cannabinoids includes vaping or a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue.
For slow onset time, and mainly for sleep, you can take CBN gummies an hour or two before your bedtime. Just make sure to buy CBN only from reputed and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals, and try to take it with fatty foods for better absorption.
