Last verified: today
Cannabinol (CBN)
Also known as: CBN, cannabinol, minor cannabinoid
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Minor cannabis compound. Early sleep research is mixed; pain and alcohol data are mostly animal studies.
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What it does
Cannabinol (CBN) is a minor cannabinoid found naturally in the cannabis plant, formed as THC ages and breaks down. It is being studied primarily for sleep support, pain relief, and potentially...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose
What the Science Says
Cannabinol (CBN) is a minor cannabinoid found naturally in the cannabis plant, formed as THC ages and breaks down. It is being studied primarily for sleep support, pain relief, and potentially reducing alcohol consumption. Clinical trials testing 20 mg CBN for sleep showed limited benefit over placebo, and most pain and anti-inflammatory findings come from animal or cell-based studies rather than human trials.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to reliably improve sleep in humans — one large RCT found adding CBN to CBD didn't beat melatonin. No human evidence for pain relief. Not a proven sedative. Don't confuse it with CBD, which has more research behind it.
Evidence-Based Benefits
20 mg CBN showed modest sleep improvements in adults with poor sleep, but results were inconsistent across trials.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 20 mg/day
CBN reduced mechanical pain sensitivity in rats with joint inflammation, outperforming CBD on some measures.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established human dose
CBN reduced voluntary alcohol intake and preference in rats with a mild sedative side effect profile.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established human dose
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no dedicated human pharmacokinetic studies for CBN supplements in the provided data; oral fluid data from cannabis smoking suggests rapid absorption but also rapid decline
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most CBN sleep products are marketed heavily despite only weak clinical evidence from a single small RCT
- CBN appears in combination vaping products that carry lung injury risks, especially for youth
- No established safe or effective dose has been determined in human clinical trials
- Animal studies on pain and alcohol reduction cannot be directly extrapolated to humans without further clinical trials
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25