Summary
CBN is produced by oxidative degradation of delta-9-THC and is usually present in aged cannabis or as an isolate in commercial sleep products. It is mildly psychoactive at very high doses (approximately 25% of THC's CB1 affinity) but produces measurable sedation, muscle relaxation and mild analgesia at typical doses. Oral bioavailability is low (6-10%); high-fat meals increase absorption. CBN is metabolized by CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 enzymes to 11-OH-CBN (2x as potent as CBN). Avoid driving or operating machinery after dosing.
Dose Information
Light
Common
Strong
Heavy
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Comeup | Peak | Offset | After Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 30-90 min | 30-60 min | 1-3 hrs | 2-4 hrs | 2-6 hrs |
| Sublingual | 15-45 min | 20-40 min | 1-3 hrs | 2-4 hrs | 2-6 hrs |
| Vaporized | 1-5 min | 5-15 min | 30-90 min | 1-2 hrs | 2-6 hrs |
Tolerance
Build-up
develops over weeks of regular use via CB1 receptor downregulation
Reset
2–4 weeks for most users; heavy users may need longer
Effects
Positive
- Physical relaxation
- Anxiolysis
- Mild analgesia
- Reduced muscle tension
- Appetite stimulation
- Muscle relaxation
- Physical euphoria
Negative
- Dry mouth and eyes
- Sedation
- Sleepiness
Positive
- Subtle mood lift
- Reduced anxiety
- Anxiety suppression
- Cognitive euphoria
Negative
- Mild dizziness at higher doses
- Motor control loss
- Amnesia
- Dizziness
- Thought deceleration
- Compulsive redosing
Positive
- Increased libido
- Appetite enhancement
Negative
- Disinhibition
- Acuity suppression
- Double vision
- Visual acuity suppression
- Dulled perception
- Internal hallucination
- Internal hallucinations
- Perception of bodily heaviness