CBN Facts
Cannabinoid;
Description
CBN (cannabinol) is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid of the dibenzopyran class. It forms when THC — the main intoxicating compound in cannabis — degrades over time. It weakly engages the endocannabinoid system at roughly one-quarter to one-tenth the potency of THC,[1] producing attenuated versions of its effects.
Subjective effects include mild sedation, relaxation, and appetite stimulation. At commercial doses, most users notice nothing — CBN's sleep reputation likely reflects co-occurrence with THC in aged cannabis, not an intrinsic property.
CBN shows no evidence of dependence,[2] and preclinical safety data are reassuring.[3] The main risk is drug interactions: CBN activates a liver enzyme pathway that can reduce blood levels of immunosuppressants, statins, and antiretrovirals.[4]
Dose and duration
No dose or duration recorded for any route.
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- Negligible
- Chronic toxicity
- Low
- Physical dependence
- None
- Psychological dependence
- Negligible
- Withdrawal
- None recorded
- Compulsive redosing
- Negligible
Tolerance
- Builds
- Slow
- Fully resets after
- Not recorded
- Carries over to
- Δ⁹-THC
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Body
- none likely · 10 possible, including Dizziness, Motor control impairment
- Thinking
- none likely · 5 possible, including Cognitive impairment, Confusion
- Feeling
- none likely · 2 possible
Who shouldn't take it
Combinations60 recorded
Seek help immediately if
Natural cannabis rarely causes a medical emergency — "greening out" is: pale/sweaty skin, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, anxiety or panic, rapid heartbeat, feeling faint — and usually passes with rest.
Seek emergency help for these — far more likely with synthetic cannabinoids ("spice" / K2):
- Seizures
- Severe chest pain; very fast or irregular heartbeat
- Unresponsiveness or extreme drowsiness
- Severe agitation, aggression, or psychosis
- Repeated vomiting; difficulty breathing
What to do
- Sit or lie them down somewhere calm, cool, and quiet
- Reassure them — cannabis panic and "greening out" pass with time
- Offer sips of water; a little sugar can help if they feel faint
- Recovery position if nauseated, drowsy, or vomiting
- Stay with them and monitor
- For seizures, chest pain, unresponsiveness, or severe agitation, call emergency services
Natural cannabis "greening out" resolves with rest, calm, and time, with no lasting harm. Synthetic cannabinoids are unpredictable and can cause seizures, cardiac events, kidney injury, and severe agitation that needs emergency care.
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE
References
- [1]^Wiley JL, Marusich JA, Blough BE, et al. (2024) Evaluation of cannabimimetic effects of selected minor cannabinoids and Terpenoids in mice. — Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.110984
- [2]^Heal DJ, Gosden J, Smith SL (2024) A critical assessment of the abuse, dependence and associated safety risks of naturally occurring and synthetic cannabinoids — Frontiers in Psychiatry doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1322434
- [3]^Bailey MM, Emily Mills MC, Haas AE, Bailey K, Kaufmann RC (2022) The effects of subacute exposure to a water-soluble cannabinol compound in male mice. — Journal of cannabis research doi:10.1186/s42238-022-00153-w
- [4]^Lau AJ, Chang TKH (2026) Species differences in pregnane X receptor activation by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and cannabinol — Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.153250