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CBN vs CBD: The Ultimate Guide
Last Updated: August 6, 2023
When you struggle with sleep, it’s natural to want to find a remedy that will help you get the rest you need and leave you feeling calm and refreshed. In your search for products that can help, you’ll likely have come across CBN and CBD. CBN and CBD come from hemp plants.
Both have components that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps to regulate a number of our bodies’ functions, including sleep, mood, and appetite. Of the two, you’re likely more familiar with CBD, which features in many products designed to help improve anxiety, stress, and other conditions.
While research into CBN is ongoing, at Slumber, we are leading the way by exploring how CBN can be used to improve sleep, for every sleeper. But what is CBN and how does it differ from CBD? Learn everything you need to know about CBN versus CBD and discover the benefits of Slumber.
CBN vs CBD: What’s the difference?
CBN and CBD share many similar properties, but their effects and benefits can be very different.
CBN

CBN is Cannabinol, which is found in hemp plants. While it is derived from THC, it is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, which means it doesn’t produce a high as THC would. \
CBN is created over time, as the result of the oxygenation and decomposition of THC – a natural process that dilutes the effects of THC.
CBD
CBD is Cannabidiol. It is found in hemp plants but it doesn’t contain THC. One of hundreds of components in marijuana, CBD does not cause a “high” by itself.
It is usually used as an extract mixed with base oils to create a range of CBD-based products including oils, drinks, and gummies.
What is CBN and CBD used for?
CBN and CBD each have their uses. Many people use them as a lifestyle product, helping to tackle different conditions such as anxiety and stress, and even to relieve pain caused by medical conditions.
What is CBN?
CBN is used as a sleep aid, helping people to experience a deeper, more restful sleep. It can also be used as an aid to treat inflammation. A lack of sleep causes all kinds of issues, making it easy for people to lose focus, experience mood swings, and a weakened immune system. Finding solutions to improve sleep can leave people with greater clarity, more energy, and an overall healthier body and mind. Read more in our in-depth guide to What is CBN.
Use cases for CBD?
There have been many studies into the effects of CBD. CBD is used to treat anxiety, chronic pain as well as insomnia. Many people with chronic or debilitating health conditions highlight the benefits of CBD and the effect it has on their symptoms.

Benefits of CBN and CBD
While CBN and CBD are similar products, they each have benefits that make them useful to people experiencing different health conditions.
What does CBN do?
- CBN’s biggest known benefit is as a sleep aid. Some studies have shown that CBN can help people have a deeper, longer, and less disturbed sleep.
- CBN has also been found to have some pain-relieving properties. Combined with CBD oil, CBN could help provide relief for a number of pain-based symptoms.
- CBN has also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, helping to relieve various symptoms.

What does CBD do?
- Many people who experience anxiety or depression have experienced reduced effects after taking CBD, with many people preferring CBD to prescribed medications.
- CBD could help reduce neurological seizures caused by conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and others.
- Like CBN, CBD has been found to help people improve the quality of their sleep.
- Many people use CBD to help relieve symptoms of pain caused by different conditions, particularly chronic pain.

Is CBD or CBN better for sleep?
The question of which is better, CBD or CBN, is an interesting one. Instead of choosing one product over another, you should instead look at the way both products can work together to maximize their benefits.
Using both CBD and CBN together can help boost the effects of the cannabinoids, complementing each other to provide further benefits. Studies call this the ‘entourage effect,’ meaning plant compounds that work together can have a bigger impact than a single product by itself.
Both products are legal in the United States and are beginning to become more widespread as people come to understand the benefits of using these products.
At Slumber, we sell products that contain CBN, in addition to CBN + CBD + THC. Our Sleep Gummies and Full Spectrum CBD CBN Tincture harness the benefits of each compound to help our customers enjoy a better night’s sleep, while also targeting pain and inflammation. Using a combination product could be what’s needed to help you sleep through the night, or you may prefer to take a product that only contains CBN.
Instead of being a question of which is better, it’s a question of which product is better for your individual needs. Explore our full product range to give you more information on the best product for you.
The Slumber effect: how CBN improves sleep

CBN & CBD Sleep Study
If you’ve tried multiple sleep aids in the past, you’re probably wondering whether CBN is as effective as it seems, and whether Slumber really can help you get a better night’s sleep. Being able to improve sleep in over 80% of people is a bold claim, but we’ve conducted our research to back this up. We partnered with MoreBetter Ltd. (dba Releaf App) and conducted a sleep study that would test the effectiveness of Slumber to help customers feel more confident that the product can help improve sleep. The results provided some fascinating insights into the ways CBN can work to improve the sleep of every sleeper.
Our participants
We asked our participants to try our Full Spectrum Sleep Gummies for 30 days, monitoring them for 7 days without and 14 days with the product. Our sample featured people aged 8 to 79, and was made up of 65% female, 34% male, and 1% unspecified participants. This broad range allowed us to test the effectiveness of CBN and Slumber amongst many different types of people.
55% of our participants had never taken CBN before, an important finding that helps show the impact of taking CBN on sleep versus not taking it.
Key results
Our study has produced some incredible results that help support the effectiveness of CBN, CBD, and THC for improved sleep. Some of our most significant findings include:
82% reported Slumber helped them stay asleep
One of our most significant findings came from the high number of participants who reported that Slumber helped them stay asleep. For people who have trouble sleeping through the night or sleeping for a long period, this is a crucial finding.
Disturbed sleep can be caused by many factors, and if you regularly struggle to stay asleep throughout the night, Slumber could be what you need to finally help you stay asleep.
80% found it easier to fall back asleep
A high proportion of our sleep study participants said they found it easier to fall back asleep while using Slumber.
If you’re someone who regularly suffers from disturbed sleep, you’ll know the misery that can come with not being able to fall back asleep. It can leave you tired, frustrated and stops your body from getting the full rest it needs. Using CBN could be the answer to help you fall back asleep more easily if you do wake during the night.
71% felt calmer taking the product
In addition to the sleep benefits of Slumber, nearly three-quarters of our participants said they felt calmer taking the product. As our Full Spectrum Gummies contain CBD and THC in addition to CBN, this helps support the research that cannabinoids have a positive effect on those with anxiety.
82% achieved more quality sleep
Another key finding was that 82% of our participants achieved more quality sleep. Many people struggle to achieve quality sleep, which can sometimes feel as though you got no sleep at all. Quality sleep is important for the body and mind to recharge and repair themselves ready for a new day. If this is something you’re struggling with, Slumber could help you get the sleep you need by helping you achieve more quality sleep.
70% found Slumber better than other sleep aids
A high number of our participants found that Slumber performed better than any other sleep aids they’d tried before. As more than half of our participants had never tried CBN before, this is an important finding to help demonstrate its effectiveness. If you’ve tried multiple types of sleep aids in the past but have failed to get the results you want, then Slumber CBN could be the answer to help you get a better night’s sleep. Research into CBN is still in its early stages, which is why we conducted our own study to help us highlight the benefits. Our study shows that CBN can have a positive impact on sleep, helping those who have tried other types of sleep aids to enjoy a longer, better quality night’s sleep.

CBD vs CBN: FAQ's
How does CBN help sleep?
CBN has been shown to help aid sleep in several studies. As a cannabinoid, CBN works with the body’s endocannabinoid system which helps regulate sleep, amongst other functions like appetite and focus.
Using CBN regularly could have a positive impact on sleep. And as our study shows, many people who take Slumber CBN for sleep products have seen an improvement in their sleep.
What ingredients are in Slumber?
Slumber sells a range of products designed to help people sleep better. We have products that only contain CBN, like our Extra Strength CBN Gummies, while our 3:1 Full Spectrum CBD & CBN Tincture contains CBD, CBN, and other cannabinoids CBG, CBC, and less than 0.3% THC. This combination helps promote the ‘entourage effect’ where different cannabinoid compounds can work together to enhance their effectiveness.
We also stock a CBN Gummy With Melatonin, which helps address further sleep problems to help encourage a better night’s sleep. Melatonin is the hormone that helps regulate your body clock to help you achieve better sleep. Many people who struggle to sleep at night may benefit from melatonin supplements to help enhance the body’s response to light and dark.
How is CBN different from CBD?
CBN and CBD may sound the same, but they are in fact different. CBN is a Cannabinol derived from THC, although minus its psychoactive properties. CBD, meanwhile, is a Cannabinoid that is found within hemp plants without the need to undergo a transformative process.
CBN has been found to help promote better sleep in addition to reducing pain and inflammation, while CBD could help reduce anxiety, treat pain for a number of conditions, and reduce seizures in conditions like epilepsy.
CBD is more widely researched than CBN, and at the moment, much more is known about the benefits of CBD. Research is increasing on the effects of both CBN and CBD to further explore their benefits for mental and physical health.
What are the other benefits of CBN and sleep?
Improved immunity*
A lack of sleep can impact your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and other viruses. It can also potentially lead to other health problems, putting you more at risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other serious conditions. Better sleep gives your body the rest it needs to keep your immunity system in check.
More focus*
Anyone who’s had a poor night’s sleep will be familiar with the morning-after effects. From feeling tired and groggy to having a lack of focus, a night without proper sleep can take its toll. Better sleep can improve your focus to leave you feeling fresh and in control the next day.
Slumber works to boost sleep without the groggy feeling, so you can wake up the next day feeling refreshed.
Reduce your accident risk*
Poor sleep can leave you feeling tired and drowsy, which may mean your responses aren’t as sharp as they should be. This could lead to an accident, which could put yourself and others at risk. Better sleep sharpens the mind and supports cognitive functions, which are important to prevent your body from having an accident.
Better appearance*
Our complexion is one of the biggest giveaways of a poor night’s sleep. Who hasn’t heard a ‘you look tired’ after a late night or an evening of broken sleep?
Sleep helps boost the body’s production of collagen, a protein that helps make the skin plumper and fuller-looking, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. More sleep will also boost your skin’s ability to retain moisture, helping to give your skin a soft, smooth and, glowing look.
Using a product like Slumber could help you improve your sleep quality, which could help your appearance too. They don’t call it ‘beauty sleep’ for nothing!
What are the benefits of CBD?
CBD is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, allowing people to experience some of its benefits without the high that comes with THC. There have been many studies into the benefits of CBD and its impact on different health conditions, while many people who use CBD have also praised its benefits, some of which include:
Relief from anxiety and depression*
Some studies have shown that CBD can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Many CBD manufacturers highlight the benefits for those who have anxiety about flying, for example, as well as anxiety in many other situations. Research is ongoing into whether CBD oil could be a suitable alternative to many medications developed to treat anxiety.
Reduction of seizures*
One of the biggest benefits of CBD is its impact on seizures in conditions like epilepsy and Parkinson’s. There have been many studies into the effects of CBD on seizures, with many finding that CBD could relieve some symptoms of seizures. There are many researchers looking into its effectiveness in the hope of using it as a treatment for seizures in the future.
Improved sleep*
Like CBN, CBD is also known for helping people improve their quality of sleep. Studies have shown an improvement in sleep duration and quality, and our own sleep study saw participants take a product that contained both CBD and CBN to help further improve sleep.
Pain relief*
There have been several studies on the effects of CBD on chronic pain, with many finding that CBD can have some impact. This could be due to its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which can affect the body’s response to pain. Those who suffer from chronic pain are also claiming that CBD has had a significant impact on their symptoms.
Is CBN psychoactive?
CBN is derived from THC, which is the psychoactive element of hemp plants. However, CBN undergoes a long process to be extracted from THC, meaning it becomes much weaker and diluted by the time CBN is produced. The CBN used in Slumber products is a low dosage which isn’t classed as a psychoactive product.
How to use CBN
The good news is that there are different ways you can use CBN. There are gummies and soft gels you can take before you go to bed, or there are oils you can take via an oral dropper to help you control your dosage. Sleeper products should be taken before bed to help them do their work while you sleep.
What varieties of CBN do you stock?
Slumber has an excellent range of products designed to help you sleep easier and better at night. We sell Oils, Soft Gels, Gummies, and Topicals to help you find a product that suits your needs.
Our products are available as CBN-only products, or we have CBN combined with other compounds such as melatonin, CBD and THC to help you experience different benefits.
We also have CBN products for cats and dogs, helping your furry friend to relieve stress too.
When should I take CBN?
You should take CBN before bed, around 30 minutes before you go to sleep. This will give time for the product to work. As CBN and CBD products can make you drowsy, it’s not recommended to use Slumber during the day.
What dosage should I take?
As with any supplement, it’s important to take your time and let your body adapt to it. Everyone is different, so you’ll want to take things at a pace that works for you.
If you’re taking gummies, start by having one gummy at night. For a dropper, you’ll want to take 1 drop (approx 1ml). Over time, you may want to increase it.
You should also look at low dosage options to ease you into taking Slumber. Most of our products contain 10mg, with 20mg options available. See how you get on with the lower dose before you move on to the higher dose. If you want to read more about dosage read our CBN Dosage for Sleep article.
How can I try CBN?
At Slumber, we want you to be happy with your products and help ensure you get a better night’s sleep. We have a 3-Day CBN Sleep Kit and 6-day Sleep Kits to help you check out the benefits of CBN without committing to a full bottle. If you’re interested in discovering the benefits of CBN, check out the full Slumber product range.


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