CBD Vs CBN- How are they Different?


CBD vs CBN

There are many different types of cannabinoids and they can be separated into different categories; today we will explore CBD vs CBN. Over 60 cannabinoids have been isolated and identified from the cannabis sativa plant, which is most commonly known as marijuana. Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabinol (CBN) are two subcategories of cannabinoid compounds that are found in cannabis.

What is CBD and what does it do in the body? what is cbd

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis sativa – it comprises up to 40% of cannabis resin. However, CBD doesn’t produce a “high” like other compounds in cannabis, and because of this, it is typically used for medical reasons rather than recreationally. CBD produces anxiolytic effects which are thought to minimize the hallucinogenic effects of the psychoactive compound THC which is abundant in cannabis. CBD interacts with the human endocannabinoid neurotransmitter system to suppress production of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide, therefore blocking the “high” feelings obtained from cannabis, and specifically, THC. Metabolically, CBD results in a longer action of THC at a lower intensity due to its competitive inhibition of THC. CBD may also inhibit the metabolism of enzymes in the liver, which can be dangerous for people who take medications affecting the Cytochrome P450 system in liver cells but also throughout the body.

What is CBN and what does it do in the body?

CBN

 

Cannabinol, or CBN, is a product that is created when the cannabis plant is exposed to air, and, like CBD, can also have an antagonistic effect on the psychoactive properties associated with THC. CBN is thought to decrease the potency of the cannabis plant – when exposed to air, the THC in cannabis sativa oxidizes and forms the compound CBN. Laboratory research has identified CBN’s potential as an anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory medication. CBN is a weak partial agonist at CB1 and CB2, the two cannabinoid receptors. Unlike CBD, CBN’s metabolic effects are not well understood.

 

Where are CBN and CBD found and how are they different?

CBN and CBD are both compounds found in the cannabis sativa, or marijuana, plant. The two compounds are functionally similar in that they both are thought to mitigate the psychoactive effects of THC. However, CBN and CBD are two distinct compounds which have many differences. CBN is the oxidative by-product of THC and appears after long storage, when the plant is exposed to oxygen. CBD, on the other hand, is already present in cannabis sativa and does not appear after oxidation. Another difference is how the compounds are treated within the endocannabinoid system. CBD directly acts on the endocannabinoid system to block the production of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide. CBN, on the other hand, is created by the exposure of marijuana to air and the degradation of THC. While CBD influences the receptor binding and metabolism of THC, it does not have a well-identified direct effect on the cannabinoid system and instead is simply an oxidative byproduct of the psychoactive compound THC.

What are the possible uses/treatment of CBD vs CBN?

Lets look at possible uses of CBD vs CBN. CBD can be taken orally, applied topically as a lotion, and sometimes inhaled as a vapor or used intravenously. CBD has been shown to reduce chronic inflammation and pain in some animal studies, and is currently used by patients of multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia to reduce their chronic pain symptoms. CBD may also help people stop abusing cigarettes and even opioids, but helping ease some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with cessation. Finally, CBD may also play a therapeutic role in epilepsy, neurodegeneration, and severe anxiety disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. CBD has also been studied for its potential role as an anti-cancer agent; CBD may suppress the growth of cancer cells. CBD is an attractive option for many people struggling with these diseases because the legal medicines available on the market often come with a host of unpleasant and unwanted side effects, while CBD does not have the same side effect profile.

CBN, while less studied for its clinical potential, has been shown to be an anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, anti-MRSA, and a reducer of keratinocyte proliferation, stimulation of bone formation.

What are the possible side effects of CBD and CBN?

CBD inhibits many metabolic processes, including inhibition of the cytochrome P450 metabolism for many drugs. Therefore, CBD may increase the bioavailability of certain classes of drugs including macrolides, calcium channel blockers, antihistamines, haloperidol, and sildenafil.

What are the current CBD products on the market?

The CBD market is rapidly expanding; last year, the market was worth $202 million. In 2015, the total market for hemp-derived CBD products was $90 million, and the market for marijuana-derived CBD products was $112 million.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) maintains that CBD is an illegal substance, just like other marijuana products. While hemp oil is legal in all 50 states, the DEA maintains that both CBD oil or what marketers call “hemp-derived CBD oil” is not legal everywhere. The legal definition of items that are considered to be marijuana includes oil derived from cannabis seeds or anything derived from the oil that is made from cannabis seeds.

In states with medical marijuana laws on the books, CBD can be obtained with a prescription. Many companies sell a variety of CBD-based products, including CBD oil, chewing gum, energy drops meant to be mixed into one’s water, lotion, capsules, and CBD oil that is produced either from hemp or cannabis. Prescription: Medical Marijuana, Inc., offers prescription CBD oil for epilepsy, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, chronic pain, and migraines.

What are the current CBN products on the market?

CBN has been used as a sleep aid for people who have insomnia. Individuals who have a medical weed prescription sometimes make sure to use high-CBN strains at night or allow their cannabis to oxidize, to enable them to sleep better at night. Currently, no prescription medications isolating CBN have been introduced to the market, although therapeutic potential may exist. Limited evidence indicates that CBN can help stimulate bone growth in addition to a host of other medical benefits.

Sources used to write this article about CBD vs CBN Below 

http://adai.uw.edu/marijuana/factsheets/cannabinoids.htm, http://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-oil-for-pain, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26264914 , http://medicalmarijuana.co.uk/the-effects-of-cbd-on-the-human-body-as-explained-by-a-doctor/, https://www.hnu.edu/sites/default/files/dr.mangini.smaller.file_.pdf, https://www.forbes.com/sites/debraborchardt/2016/12/12/the-cannabis-market-that-could-grow-700-by-2020/#3242b0b44be1, http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/company-of-firsts/the-first-to-deliver-prescription-cbd-products-to-epilepsy-alzheimers-parkinsons-chronic-pain-migraines/

 

 

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