CBN Gummies
Best of 2023

CBN: Hype or Holistic Sleep Aid?

Based on research limitations, the effectiveness of CBN continues to receive split opinions. On one side, you have the fact that it’s not psychoactive like THC, meaning you won’t feel the “high” that people generally associate with cannabis. However, the sedative effects of CBN more than likely come from the aging process of cannabis (when THC converts to CBN) and the way the compound interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (more on this later).

Conversely, it’s also true that CBN is an understudied cannabinoid. A large part of the available research comes from animal/human studies conducted in the 1970s. ¹ Meanwhile, current research relies on anecdotal evidence from self-reported surveys that involve both THC and CBN, making it difficult to assess the unique effects of CBN alone. ²

In a nutshell, there are some unknowns about CBN, specifically the degree of effectiveness without THC. Some of the best brands formulate CBN gummies with CBD and melatonin, which we’ll overview below.

If you’re interested in turning to plants as a sleep solution, keep reading to learn where to buy CBN gummies safely and confidently online.

How to Get Into a CBN Sleep Routine

To experience the benefits of CBN gummies for sleep, you’ll want to consider other habits that might be working against your sleep goals. If you’re on your phone before bed or up late watching TV, research shows that increased blue light exposure (from screens) in the evening affects sleep quality and melatonin production.

When consumed late in the day, substances like caffeine and alcohol can also affect your body’s natural circadian rhythm, which is something to be mindful of if you’re wondering why supplements, like CBN gummies, aren’t working.

Hemp-based gummies may not be a one-and-done sleep solution, as it takes daily commitment through small acts of mindfulness to help your mind and body find balance. CBN gummies can be a stepping stone to improved sleep hygiene, though, so use them an hour before bed in addition to the habits we mentioned before.

Simplified Explanation of CBN Effects

You might have heard people say that CBN comes from “old weed,” which is partially true. Yes, your old buds eventually lose THC potency over time and turn into CBN, but the resulting CBN concentration is very low, sometimes less than 1%. That means that CBN gummies must undergo a chemical reaction involving solvents, heat, and light.

So is CBN 100% natural? Technically, yes!

Our Criteria for the Best CBN Gummies

It’s not always easy to know what you’re looking for when shopping online for hemp products. In the unregulated hemp market, brands can easily take advantage of unknowing customers. To help you sort through the best of the best, here’s how we chose the products listed in this round-up:

Certificate of Analysis (CoA)

Most brands call it a lab report, but the CoA gives customers insights into potency and ingredient safety. The brands with full-panel results that tested for pesticides, solvents, heavy metals, terpenes, and cannabinoid levels received a higher ranking than the ones that only tested for potency.

Additionally, it’s better to see this information before purchase, so those that ask for a batch/lot number before granting access to the lab report scored lower than the brands who willingly provided this information without making customers take the extra step.

Ingredients

Many of the products listed above include additional sleep-promoting ingredients, such as cannabidiol (CBD), melatonin, or chamomile. The combined effects of these ingredients may have synergistic potential, what’s known as the entourage effect in the cannabis community. Brands that only included CBN ranked lower than those with harmonious ingredient profiles.

Potency

Since CBN is a minor cannabinoid in cannabis, it’s difficult to formulate gummies with high CBN potency. We favored the brands with CBN in the 5 mg-10 mg range. You can always increase the dose by taking multiple CBN gummies at once.