More than almost anything else in our lives, sleep matters. Science shows that sleep may be one of the most significant factors that affects our health.
It’s no secret that we need good sleep, but that raises the question: what can you take to support an uninterrupted night’s sleep? One lesser-known supplement that is becoming more popular is CBN.
CBN is perfect for people who can fall asleep effortlessly but inevitably find themselves awake in the middle of the night after only a few hours of sleep.
CBN is short for cannabinol, it’s one of over 100 different cannabinoids that can be extracted from the hemp plant. And just like CBD, it is non-intoxicating.
Science shows that CBN can provide support for a great, restful, uninterrupted night of sleep.
CBN interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The endocannabinoid system works to keep our bodies in balance and plays an integral role in maintaining general health. The ECS is essential to the development of the nervous system, homeostasis, energy regulation, communication between neuronal synapses, and so much more. The ECS also has a prominent role in sleep and sleep neurophysiology.
Yes, and it’s in a gummy! We are continuing to pioneer solutions for those seeking natural health and wellness options, and by doing do we’re leading the industry by introducing our first CBN product supported by peer-reviewed research for superior efficacy, featuring a 20mg dose of CBN, a sleep-enhancing cannabinoid. This is a research-backed innovative sleep formula that’s rooted in nature and does not contain melatonin. Our new gummy product is called Stay Asleep and is designed to support decreased nighttime awakenings and reduce the number of times you wake up at night.
There are several properties that make CBN stand out as unique compared to other sleep aids.
CBN functions differently from other traditional sleep aids because it works within the body through a different mechanism of action. CBN works with the endocannabinoid system making it more suitable or effective for some individuals to sleep uninterrupted through the night.
Some sleep aids are prescribed pharmaceuticals, and a lot of these are called sedative-hypnotics. These drugs are designed to boost the action of GABA, a key neurotransmitter that inhibits many of the neural processes associated with brain activity like wakefulness. For example, Zolpidem interacts with GABA receptors in the brain and results in a sedative effect.
Common over-the-counter drugs like Doxylamine are antihistamines. These medications primarily work by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical in the body that contributes to alertness and wakefulness. By blocking histamine receptors in the brain, these antihistamines produce a sedative effect.
CBN is different because it is not a sedative. CBN does not block anything, in fact it does the opposite, it supports the functioning of the endocannabinoid system.
Some people find that CBN has milder side effects compared to traditional sleep medications, which can include next-day drowsiness.
Individual responses to sleep aids can vary greatly. Some people may not respond well to certain medications due to their specific physiology, health conditions, or other medications they are taking. CBN may be effective where other sleep aids are not. It’s important to use one that works for you without unwanted side effects. As with any dietary supplement, consult your physician before use if you are pregnant, nursing, have or suspect a medical condition or are taking any medications.
The sleep aid melatonin is a synthetic form of the hormone melatonin. It’s created in a laboratory to chemically mimic the natural melatonin produced in the human brain. It’s commonly used to help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. One of the most noted unwanted side effects of melatonin is daytime drowsiness, with people reporting feeling groggy or sleepy during the day after taking it.
There are alternatives to melatonin for those who experience daytime drowsiness. People who do not want to take prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs commonly seek dietary supplements. There are many plant-based options that have potential for sleep support. One alternative to melatonin is CBN, with many unique benefits, as highlighted above.
As with many supplements, the answer to both questions is, essentially, “It depends.” It depends on many factors such as the starting point of your body’s systems, as well as the concentration of CBN you’re using. CBN may affect everyone a little differently and work gradually over time. Results come by way of steady use, which will make beneficial changes more sustainable.
CBN has been shown to provide a range of unique benefits. CBN has a reputation for helping with sleep, and recent human research studies have supported this reputation. In a recent double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled key scientific study conducted by Charlotte’s Web Chief Scientific Officer, Marcel Bonn-Miller, people who took 20mg of CBN for 1 week showed improved sleep outcomes compared to placebo, particularly through reducing overall sleep disturbance and number of nighttime awakenings. Interestingly, this study also tested the combination of CBN and CBD and found that adding CBD to CBN did not improve sleep as well as CBN alone.
It may be helpful to know that many other brand's sleep gummies include both CBD and CBN. Charlotte's Web™ Stay Asleep gummies are based on our key scientific study that CBN alone is more effective for improving sleep. And in addition to that, our Stay Asleep gummies are formulated with 20mg of CBN Isolate per serving which is more CBN than what many other brands offer.
While scientific research continues to explore the full extent of CBN's benefits, we can offer some practical tips to help you harness the benefits of CBN to stay asleep through the night.
The ideal CBN dosage should be based on what empirical studies have shown as effective, which is a suggested serving size of 20mg.
To ensure safety, first try CBN on an evening when your schedule is clear the next morning. Since CBN supports staying asleep, it is best to take it consistently before bedtime.
To integrate CBN into your nightly routine, keep your CBN on your bathroom counter, or near your toothbrush. Setting a reminder can also be helpful to maintain consistency. Remember, it might take a few nights or weeks for your body to fully adjust to CBN and exhibit noticeable benefits, so patience is important.
Our Stay Asleep gummies offer distinct benefits for enhanced sleep quality, formulated by experts using a research-backed efficacious dose of 20mg of CBN, without melatonin or CBD. We want to make it easy to create an effective bedtime routine, because your best tomorrow starts tonight.
In summary, there are many options to aid sleep, and CBN stands out because of its unique benefits to help you stay asleep by supporting the endocannabinoid system. CBN is ideal for individuals who don’t have any trouble falling asleep but have a hard time staying asleep.
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If you are interested in understanding even more about CBN, read our articles What is CBN? and CBD vs. CBN, Decoding the Differences.
