CBN (cannabinol) is a cannabinoid that forms when THC oxidises as cannabis ages. It acts far more weakly than THC at the CB1 receptor and is generally not intoxicating on its own. It is mainly studied for sleep, where the few human trials so far are small and their results mixed.
Key facts
- Full name and formula
- Cannabinol, C21H26O2
- Discovery
- The first cannabinoid isolated from cannabis resin, in the late 19th century; its structure was solved in 1940
- How it forms
- Air oxidation of THC during storage; the plant has no known enzyme that makes it directly
- Action at CB1
- Much lower activity than THC; its metabolite 11-hydroxy-CBN is about as active as THC
- Human sleep evidence (as of October 2026)
- Two randomised trials (293 and 20 adults) with mixed results
- In Formula Swiss products
- CBN Oil: 5% CBN in MCT oil, 0% THC specification, no CBD; a cosmetic for use on the skin
What does CBN mean?
CBN is short for cannabinol. It was the first cannabinoid ever isolated from cannabis, from hashish at the end of the 19th century, but confusion over names and plant material meant its structure was not fully solved until 1940 (Maioli 2022). THC's chemical name, tetrahydrocannabinol, was built on it: THC is cannabinol with four extra hydrogen atoms. More than 150 cannabinoids have since been isolated; CBN is one of the "minor" ones next to THC, CBD, CBG and CBC.
How does CBN form?
Unlike THC and CBD, CBN has no known biosynthetic pathway in the plant. It is a breakdown product: as THC is exposed to air, it oxidises and turns into CBN (Maioli 2022). A classic storage study found that air oxidation in the dark increased CBN, while THC lost to light did not turn into CBN. Carefully prepared cannabis stored in the dark at room temperature stayed reasonably stable for one to two years (Fairbairn 1976). That is why old or poorly stored cannabis tends to contain more CBN and less THC. More on THC in what is THC?
Is CBN psychoactive?
On its own, mostly not:
- In a 1975 study of five men, 50 mg of oral CBN did not make them feel drugged, drunk, dizzy or drowsy. Combined with THC, it made them feel slightly more so than THC alone (Karniol 1975).
- A 2021 review concluded that most of the evidence shows CBN itself does not cause cannabis-like effects in people (Corroon 2021).
- In a 2025 study, lab tests showed much lower CB1 activity for CBN than for THC. However, in rats given CBN, its main metabolite, 11-hydroxy-CBN, reached high levels in the brain and was about as potent at CB1 as THC (Arnold 2025).
That last finding means the picture may be less simple at higher doses. For a ranking of cannabinoids by intoxicating effect, see which cannabinoids are psychoactive?
CBN vs CBD vs THC: what is the difference?
| CBN | CBD | THC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it arises | Oxidation of THC during storage | Made by the plant (as CBDA) | Made by the plant (as THCA) |
| Formula | C21H26O2 | C21H30O2 | C21H30O2 |
| Activity at CB1 | Much lower than THC | Does not activate it | Partial agonist |
| Intoxicating | Generally not, on its own | No | Yes |
| Main research interest | Sleep | Many areas | Intoxicating effects, medical uses |
Sources for the table: Maioli 2022, Arnold 2025, Pertwee 2008, PubChem. Read more in CBD vs CBN and what is CBD?
What is CBN used for in research?
Most interest in cannabinol's uses is about sleep. A 2021 review found the evidence too thin to support the sleep claims made in marketing: the human studies were mostly small trials from the 1970s and 1980s, and none had measured sleep with validated methods (Corroon 2021). Since then:
- 293 adults with poor sleep took 20 mg of CBN, with or without CBD, or a placebo for seven nights. CBN reduced the number of night-time awakenings and overall sleep disturbance compared with placebo. It did not significantly change sleep quality, the main outcome, or the time it took to fall asleep, and adding CBD gave no extra benefit (Bonn-Miller 2024).
- 20 adults with diagnosed insomnia took a single dose of 30 mg or 300 mg of CBN, or a placebo, in a sleep lab. Neither dose changed the main outcome, time awake after first falling asleep. The 300 mg dose shortened the time to fall asleep and improved rated sleep quality. The authors call for larger, longer trials (Lavender 2026).
- In rats, CBN increased total sleep time, both REM and non-REM sleep (Arnold 2025).
Outside sleep, the research is at the laboratory stage. In nerve cells grown in culture, CBN protected against one type of oxidative cell death by acting on the mitochondria, independently of cannabinoid receptors (Liang 2022). In lab tests on human skin, CBN and CBD passed through skin about ten times more readily than delta-8-THC (Stinchcomb 2004). These are early findings, not evidence of an effect in people. Our guide to CBD oil and sleep covers the CBD side.
Is CBN safe?
Its safety has been studied far less than CBD's. In the 2026 insomnia trial, 247 mild-to-moderate adverse events were recorded across all arms, including placebo (Lavender 2026). In laboratory tests, CBN inhibited the liver enzymes CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2E1, which help break down many medicines, so interactions are possible (Nasrin 2021). Anyone who takes medication should ask a doctor or pharmacist before using cannabinoid products. See CBD and medication interactions and CBD side effects.
What is CBN oil?
CBN oil is cannabinol dissolved in a carrier oil. Some products combine it with CBD. Formula Swiss makes a CBN oil with 5% CBN (500 mg in 10 ml) in MCT oil. It has a 0% THC specification, contains no CBD, and is notified as a cosmetic for use on the skin. Oils that combine both cannabinoids are under CBD + CBN oils.
From our production
We test every batch in Switzerland, and we have never had a failed test since 2013. I sign every certificate of analysis myself.
— Robin Roy Krigslund-Hansen, co-founder and CEO
Frequently asked questions
What is CBN?
CBN, or cannabinol, is a cannabinoid that forms when THC oxidises as cannabis ages. It acts much more weakly than THC at the CB1 receptor and is generally not intoxicating on its own.
What does CBN stand for?
CBN stands for cannabinol. It was the first cannabinoid isolated from cannabis, in the late 19th century, and THC's chemical name, tetrahydrocannabinol, is derived from it.
Is CBN the same as CBD?
No. CBD is made by the plant itself (as CBDA), while CBN forms when THC breaks down. They have different structures and different research profiles.
Does CBN help you sleep?
The evidence is mixed. One trial with 293 adults found fewer night-time awakenings with 20 mg of CBN, while a small insomnia trial found no change in its main outcome. Larger trials are needed.
What is CBN oil?
CBN oil is cannabinol dissolved in a carrier oil. The Formula Swiss CBN oil contains 5% CBN in MCT oil, has a 0% THC specification and is a cosmetic for use on the skin.
This article is general information about cannabinol and summarises research; it makes no claims about the effects of Formula Swiss products, which are cosmetics for use on the skin, and it is not medical advice. Read our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed:
Sources
- Maioli C et al. Cannabinol: history, syntheses, and biological profile of the greatest "minor" cannabinoid. Plants (Basel) 2022;11(21):2896. doi:10.3390/plants11212896
- Fairbairn JW, Liebmann JA, Rowan MG. The stability of cannabis and its preparations on storage. J Pharm Pharmacol 1976;28(1):1–7. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1976.tb04014.x
- Karniol IG et al. Effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol in man. Pharmacology 1975;13(6):502–512. doi:10.1159/000136944
- Corroon J. Cannabinol and sleep: separating fact from fiction. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2021;6(5):366–371. doi:10.1089/can.2021.0006
- Arnold JC et al. A sleepy cannabis constituent: cannabinol and its active metabolite influence sleep architecture in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2025. doi:10.1038/s41386-024-02018-7
- Bonn-Miller MO et al. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the safety and effects of CBN with and without CBD on sleep quality. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2024;32(3):277–284. doi:10.1037/pha0000682
- Lavender IG et al. Cannabinol for acute treatment of insomnia disorder in a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial. J Sleep Res 2026. doi:10.1111/jsr.70284
- Liang Z et al. Cannabinol inhibits oxytosis/ferroptosis by directly targeting mitochondria independently of cannabinoid receptors. Free Radic Biol Med 2022;180:33–51. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.01.001
- Stinchcomb AL et al. Human skin permeation of Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and cannabinol. J Pharm Pharmacol 2004;56(3):291–297. doi:10.1211/0022357022791
- Nasrin S et al. Cannabinoid metabolites as inhibitors of major hepatic CYP450 enzymes, with implications for cannabis-drug interactions. Drug Metab Dispos 2021;49(12):1070–1080. doi:10.1124/dmd.121.000442
- Pertwee RG. The diverse CB1 and CB2 receptor pharmacology of three plant cannabinoids. Br J Pharmacol 2008;153(2):199–215. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707442
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for cannabinol (CID 2543)
