CBN

CBN (cannabinol) is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that forms when THC degrades through exposure to heat, light, and oxygen [1]. Unlike other cannabinoids that are directly biosynthesized by the cannabis plant, CBN is primarily a breakdown product — which is why aged or improperly stored cannabis typically contains higher levels.

Chemically, CBN belongs to the cannabinoid class of compounds and shares structural similarities with THC, but with significantly reduced psychoactive potency — roughly 10% of THC's psychoactivity [2]. While cannabis is the primary natural source we encounter, trace amounts of CBN-like compounds have been identified in other plants including rhododendrons and certain liverworts, though these are chemically distinct analogs rather than true cannabinol.

What makes CBN particularly relevant is its selective accumulation in aged cannabis products. This degradation pathway explains why old flower often produces more sedating effects than fresh material — a phenomenon cannabis users have observed for decades but only recently understood mechanistically.