What Is The Much-Hyped Cannabis Product CBN—And Can It Really Help With Sleep? I Tried It

As a certified sleep-deprived zombie, I get excited whenever something new—a product! A gadget! A witch’s spell where I have to sell my eternal soul!—comes out that promises to help me get some zzz’s. So when cannabis products created with a “new” cannabinoid called CBN (not to be confused with CBD) started hitting shelves, I was pumped. I’d been hearing reports from the U.S that it was helping the sleep-challenged for years, and finally it was within reach of my grubby little Canadian paws.

When CBN (or cannabinol) products started appearing in Canada, they were mostly in the forms of intimidating oils and tiny drinks (a.k.a. one-off shots). But now it seems like every time I walk into my local weed boutique there’s a new CBN edible or vape that I have to arm wrestle other tired moms for.

CBN is an “oxidization product” of THC—when THC is degraded by exposure to light, heat or oxygen, it turns into CBN. But does it actually work?

Cannabis research is still relatively new, and CBN is one of the lesser-known cannabinoids to boot, so scientific proof about its efficacy for sleep doesn’t really exist yet. In 2021 a small, survey-based study in the International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine found participants reported a decrease in sleep problems after taking CBN for a week, but a 2021 review of the available medical literature said evidence was inconclusive. Anecdotal reports continue to build though, and as someone who has personally struggled with sleep issues for approximately 5,000 years I can report it’s the only thing—other than pharmaceuticals—that I notice makes a real difference for me.

Health Canada recently updated its guidelines to include CBN among its "intoxicating cannabinoids"—meaning it can theoretically get you high—setting it apart from CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. I personally don’t find CBN to be intoxicating on its own—though it’s often mixed with THC, which does get you high—but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to cannabis. (And, of course, always keep weed stored where kids and/or pets can’t access them and no driving when using cannabis products.)

Dosing, however, is confusing. One of the weird things about cannabis legislation in Canada is that producers aren't allowed to tell you how much to take. It's kind of like when you buy a bottle of wine—there's no label on it that says: "Cap this at two glasses and order some frites with your pinot this time, OK?!" They just leave it up to the consumer to know their own limits. The only official advice producers are allowed to give is "start low and go slow," an adage that's especially true with edibles, where it sometimes takes hours to feel their full effects. However most of these picks have quite low amounts of THC. If I'm in for the evening I'll usually use a CBN product with 1-2 mg THC starting around 7 p.m. so I'm nice and relaxed by the time my bubbi bedtime of 10:30 rolls around. It will probably take some experimentation to see what works for you.

Below you’ll find my suggestions for some CBN-based products you can try. For simplicity’s sake, I’ve linked to the Ontario Cannabis Store for all products, but you can get these at your local weed shops, too.

Edi’s CBN Blackberry Lavender Soft Chews

When I roll in a little too late to start dosing with anything that contains THC but I still want the benefits of some CBN sleepytime, I always reach for these. Each gummy in this 30-pack has 2.5mg of CBN and 10mg of CBD (also good for bringing the relaxing vibes), but no THC. Ontario Cannabis Store.

Pearls by Grön Blackberry Lemonade

Gron has become known for its focus on churning out tasty edibles that highlight the minor cannabinoids like CBN and CBG. Each one of these extra soft gummies contain 2 mg of CBN, 2 mg of CBD and 2 mg of THC. 5 chews per pack. OCS.

NightNight Full Spectrum CBN+CBD Oil

Oils aren’t my favourite because they’re just not fun and they are also quite pricey, but some people swear by them because they allow for very precise dosing. This formula contains CBN and CBD and no THC. OCS.

Wana Quick Midnight Berry Indica Soft Chews

One of the main annoyances with edibles is that it can take too long to feel their effects. Enter the Wana Quick collection, made with a special formula that hits faster (usually within 30 minutes). These soft chews have a sweet mixed-berry flavour and have 10 mg CBD, 2 mg of THC and 5 mg CBN in each piece. OCS.

Field Trip GO: Slumber 5:1 CBN Shot

This flowery tasting shot infused with chamomile, lavender and honey is pleasant and works, but at $6.20 a pop becomes an expensive habit if you plan to take it every night. Contains 5 mg CBN and 1 mg THC. OCS.

Originally published in 2022; updated in 2024.