CBN and the Quest for Sleep

 Medical research has identifIed 113 cannabinoids existing in the cannabis plant and of these cannabinoids, less than ten of them have been subject to any substantial scientific study. CBD and THC  have received the lion’s share of research attention and clinical studies have shown many ways that these two cannabinoids work with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) and improve our health. Cannabinoids supplement our endogenous cannabinoids in their role addressing systemic imbalances, relieving inflammation, nausea, depression, anxiety, pain and appetite issues as well as acting as an anti-cancer and anti-bacterial agent.  

Positive research results and scientific endorsement validate and give credibility to emerging cannabinoid therapies while also stimulating much needed investment in clinical studies. Alongside THC and CBD there has been growing interest in other cannabinoids: CBG, CBN and THCV are three whose medical  benefits have been noted. This trio are all non-psychoactive and each one has developed a distinct reputation for particular therapeutic qualities.

CBN was the very first cannabinoid to be isolated in 1899 but it was a hundred years later when cannabis medicine returned to medical legitimacy that CBN emerged as an effective sleep aid.

As we have learned there are many cannabinoids present in cannabis, a full spectrum extraction is understood to bring an entourage effect of cannabinoids that are present, not just the most plentiful constituents.

CBN is always a low-occuring cannabinoid in any cannabis strain but CBN benefits from being produced in two unique ways in the plant. The first route to CBN is through naturally occurring CBNA, (Cannabinolic Acid) when processed with heat (decarboxylation) it becomes CBN. The second path to CBN occurs as THC-rich cannabis oxidizes, as the dry plant matter ages the THC loses its psychoactivity and  turns into CBN. 

When CBN is utilized as a sleep aid it is generally blended with CBD or THC, sometimes with both. The logic behind these synergistic blends lies in the benefits of combining cannabinoids for soporific effect. CBD, as an anti-anxiety agent, amplifies the sedative effect when partnered with the profile of CBN. Likewise, the addition of a low ratio of THC to CBN enables relaxation and drowsiness, reinforcing the sleep benefits of CBN. 

Cannabis practitioners speculate that the presence of the terpenes beta-caryophyllene and myrcene in CBN bolsters its sleep-inducing profile. Beta-Caryophyllene is the only known terpene that acts directly with CB2 receptors in the same way as a cannabinoid while Myrcene’s relaxed drowsy reputation is based on an affinity with an opioid receptor.

CBN-rich tincture will combine well with herbal sleep aids, chamomile tea, valerian tea or a sleepytime blend. Melatonin is also popular for sleep issues and particularly noted for adjusting the body to return to the correct circadian rhythm after traveling. Often a combination of sleep aids works best, taking tincture in a herbal tea is my double action solution! 

Synergy offers CBN in combination with CBD  (#220 3:1 CBD:CBN) and CBN with THC (#210 1:1 THC:CBN) in both oil-based and alcohol tincture. When either falling asleep, light-sleeping or difficulty staying asleep is the issue we suggest top-up doses, so keeping tincture and water at the bedside is recommended. If you can make a note of your dosages you’ll be able to figure out exactly what your body needs to get some good sleep! 

Is Cannabis Effective in Dealing with Anxiety?

It’s not as straightforward as you might think.

By Dan Reich

Anxiety is one of the most pervasive and hard-to-treat mental health issues of our time. More than 40 million people in America suffer from one or more forms of anxiety, which  can take many guises, from generalized anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder. Panic attacks affect 6 million people, whereas phobias are a problem for more than 19 million. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) manifests itself in 2.5 million, and Social Anxiety Disorder (a spectrum of behaviors from fear of public speaking to agoraphobia) affects the social activity of 15 million. 

Anxiety is generally defined as a sense of unease or foreboding with no easily identifiable cause, or at least one that is insignificant compared to the anxiety response. Anxiety can be a chronic state of worry, or it can be caused by any of several triggers. These can include excessive or unresolved stress, a genetic predisposition to anxiety, an experience of trauma or loss, or a side effect from medication.

Anxiety generally involves feelings of apprehension or worry about events that might occur in the future, whereas fear is a response to an immediate threat, such as an approaching storm or something chasing you. Fear is a normal, healthy biological response…we wouldn’t be here if fear hadn’t enabled our ancestors to escape danger…but anxiety is not nearly as useful. It keeps people from living normal lives, and causes a lot of pain for those affected by it.

Treating anxiety with pharmaceuticals, such as antidepressants, has not been a solution for many. As society begins to embrace alternative therapies, such as cannabis, studies have been undertaken that demonstrate that cannabis could be a good solution for mitigating anxiety. But here is where it gets tricky. THC – the cannabinoid that gets you high – can be effective in small doses, but in larger amounts, can actually cause anxiety. THC has emerged in studies on PTSD as an effective treatment, but it seems to have the most potential when combined with CBD. The two cannabinoids work in concert (the entourage effect) and when CBD is combined with THC, its psychoactive (and anxiety-inducing) properties are minimized.

CBD, on the other hand, has demonstrated that it is an effective anti-anxiety medicine, and is also invaluable in its ability to allow THC to provide therapeutic benefits without making the anxiety worse.

Dosing Is Everything

For those suffering from anxiety who have not tried cannabis to treat it, establishing the right dose is of paramount importance. Conventional wisdom is to start small, and gradually increase the dose. Depending on the type of anxiety, it’s probably best to avoid products that have more THC than CBD to avoid psychoactive side effects. 

Inhalation is the quickest delivery method for cannabinoids as the lungs give immediate access to the blood system.To address acute anxiety or a full blown panic attack vaping or smoking a CBD-rich strain will bring therapeutic relief in seconds. Synergy’s pure extraction vape cartridge CBD:THC 24:1 (#351) is recommended for cessation of anxious symptoms and Synergy has a range of high CBD flowers for conventional smoking.

.A CBD-dominant strain like ACDC in tincture form (CBD;THC 24:1 #100,#101,#102) can offer anti-anxiety benefits without a THC influenced buzz. Containing only trace levels of THC, ACDC uses the force of CBD and terpenes like myrcene to invoke a clear, calm state of mind. If you’re new to cannabis and leery of feeling high, start with ACDC or another CBD-rich strain. If the psychoactivity of THC is helpful. a blended tincture with a low ratio of THC will be mildly psychoactive and can be uplifting and effective. Synergy offers two 4:1 CBD to THC tinctures, Indica dominant (CBD;THC 4:1, #103-#105)  for calming action and Sativa dominant ( CBD:THC 4:1 #116) for uplifting anxiety relief. Both these tinctures are very mildly psychoactive especially at low doses.

For the most tailored and precise dosing tinctures are the best option. Using a sublingual dropper, you can easily manage consistent dosing. Any of our CBD-rich tinctures can be helpful with anxiety, particularly our CBD:CBG blend (CBD:CBG 3:1 #230), which includes a lesser known but powerful cannabinoid (CBG) that is particularly indicated in addressing anxiety.

160# CBD Medley is a blend of 4 CBD -rich strains (ACDC, Valentine X, Electra and  Therapy A. Each strain has its own terpene signature and a blend offers the benefit of an enhanced entourage effect. 

If you are suffering from anxiety and have not obtained the relief you seek, look into cannabis and CBD. It could make all the difference.

Anxiety can also be a triggered response to social pressure, if you suffer from pre-event anxiety, if parties or a dental visit set you on edge CBD will relieve anxious symptoms effectively. 

Before starting a treatment program, it’s best to do so under the supervision of a medical provider. If you would prefer to work with us rather than another provider, we are always available for consultations to develop treatment plans and recommend the most suitable products.

CBD for Health and Recovery

Our understanding of the human body has changed significantly in the last hundred years. Thanks to modern medical science the inner workings of our physiology have been revealed in innumerable ways. Consequently new treatments and interventions have made many chronic conditions either curable or manageable with medication. Treatments for diabetes, cardiovascular dysfunction and cancer have extended life expectancy for many and are part of our common understanding of illness and disease. These days a diagnosis of a heart condition will lead to medication and often surgical intervention instead of inevitable physical decline.

Awareness of how our lifestyles and the choices we make affect our health have also evolved. We understand that too much sugar in our diet will create imbalance and lead to obesity and diabetic conditions, that too much cholesterol will harm our hearts and that too much alcohol will damage our livers. Our belief that exercise is key to our health as well as a good diet and adequate sleep has been reinforced by medical science.

This is the health culture of the present, we strive for moderation to keep ourselves in balance and there is consciousness about lifestyle choices. Many nutrients are recognised as beneficial; vitamins , essential fatty acids, amino acids, fiber are all acknowledged as supplements that support general health. How all this works is less well understood but medical research into cannabinoids has revealed the mechanism of how our bodies maintain balance and health function.

Humans, and all mammals, maintain balance between the integral systems of the body through a homeostatic system known as the ECS (Endogenous Cannabinoid System) Our bodies make our own endocannabinoids from essential fatty acids which moderate endocrine levels and keep our internal systems balanced and regulated. The main source for the production of endocannabinoids comes from omega 6 and omega 3 -rich essential fatty acids, these are ‘essential’ as we cannot produce these compounds ourselves.

The modern western diet is significantly different from our ancestors, for thousands of years the human diet had a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids which came from food which was varied and largely unprocessed, this meant that our intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids was equal, a 1:1 ratio.

Modern diets with high levels of processed oils and sugars has meant that the ratio is very unbalanced, 15:1 is now the norm, this high ratio imbalance promotes the pathogenesis of many diseases; cardiovascular, pulmonary, inflammatory,autoimmune and cancers.

Minimizing our intake of processed oils and sugars which are unhealthy sources of omega-6, and making sure that our diets included omega- 3 rich foods supports production of endocannabinoids.

Plant-based cannabinoids are invaluable as supplements which directly support the functioning of the ECS. Cannabinoids create the same response in ECS receptors as the endocannabinoids our body produces. Supplementary cannabinoid support has been shown in clinical trials to improve omega-6 to omega-3 ratios and reduce chronic conditions.

Research into the prevention of cardiovascular conditions showed a 70% decrease in mortality when omega-6 to omega-3 ratios were reduced to 4:1. Realigning these ratios of fatty acids has been proved to reduce cancerous cell proliferation in colorectal cancer and suppressed inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Using cannabinoids as a healthy supplement to support our ECS bolsters the effects of good diet and adequate exercise, allowing our bodies to function most effectively.

When the body is recovering from disease the ECS is under significant pressure to bring balance back to regain health. Again clinical trial results show us that bones regrow quicker and stronger when cannabinoids are present. CBD which reduces inflammation have been shown to significantly speed up recovery from operations like hip replacement or ACL knee surgery.

A few years ago I had two friends, both women and both in their forties who had the same ACL surgery. One decided to medicate with CBD tincture while the other chose conventional painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. The woman who chose to use CBD used two ounces of CBD tincture and at the end of a month was able to ride her bicycle again. The other friend had a much slower recovery and subsequently needed physical therapy to strengthen her knee.

The science of endocannabinoids and cannabinoids is growing and is still in an evolutionary stage where we have much to learn about functionality. Different cannabinoids are indicated for different conditions, CBD, CBG, CBN, THC and THCV have all been identified as having particular properties and significant overlaps in effectivity.

All the recent and current research points firmly to the understanding that maintaining our ECS with the right nutrients will keep our bodies healthy and balanced. Making sure that the ECS has the cannabinoids that fuel its ability to work is paramount. A balanced diet with a good ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 supports endocannabinoid production and full spectrum cannabinoid supplement like CBD-rich tincture or infused oil is an additional support to your endocannabinoid system.