Chemical Formula: C₂₁H₃₀O₂
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most prevalent cannabinoids found in cannabis, and it has gained widespread popularity in recent years thanks to its completely non-psychoactive effects.
People love CBD for its calming and relaxing nature. Instead of euphoria and bliss, you can expect relief from physical discomforts, improved mood, and a general sense of well-being. It is a great pre-bedtime option in larger serving sizes, and in smaller servings, it could boost alertness.
Like CBN, CBD also has a more indirect approach when
interacting with our endocannabinoid receptors. It
doesn't strongly bind to CB1 receptors, so you won't enter into an altered state of mind with this mild cannabinoid. Instead, CBD delivers many notable effects via other receptors and pathways linked to relaxation and stress relief.
Because CBD doesn't affect your state of mind, it's a great alternative to THC-types for everyday wellness. Many people turn to CBD products to help dissolve daily stress, bad days, and bodily discomforts without impacting productivity.
Over the last decade, there has been a significant uptick in CBD research. Thanks to this intense investigation, CBD has a well-established safety profile, even at higher servings.
But it's also now
under scientific study for a wide variety of health concerns, including
anxiety,
inflammation,
brain injury, and
pain. Again, all of this is preliminary work, and the results aren't conclusive. But interestingly, the Food and Drug Administration has approved CBD in one specific formulation for use for treatment-resistant epilepsy.
CBD vs. CBN: Which Is Better?
In a side-by-side comparison between CBN vs. CBD, there are more similarities than not. Both are mild, have calming effects, and, at specific serving sizes, may help you get to sleep at night.
Neither comes with the euphoric, blissed-out experience you may be familiar with from THC products, and both have established safety profiles and lower risk of side effects than their more psychoactive cousin. Importantly, thanks to the passage of
the 2018 Farm Bill,
both CBN and CBD are federally legal if derived from hemp.
With so much in common, how could you possibly choose between the two? Your choice all boils down to the subtleties of their effects and a bit of personal experimentation.
Try CBD for daily stress, physical discomfort, and general well-being. If sleep is your primary focus, start with CBN. Just keep in mind experiences vary depending on serving size and individual physiology.
We recommend trying
both CBN and CBD in a combined formula. This idea leans into
the Entourage Effect, a theory that states that cannabinoids may work better together than if taken in isolation. When CBN and CBD join forces, each operating through slightly different mechanisms in our endocannabinoid system, their effects may be amplified for greater benefit.
A Calming Formula: CBD and CBN Products