Cannabinol (CBN) has become a popular ingredient in sleep supplements, often promoted as a natural, gentle way to relax and get a better night’s rest. However, new research from the University of Connecticut suggests that this widely available cannabis compound may have risks that consumers should know about.
Scientists found that repeated exposure to CBN caused mice to develop signs of physical dependence. The findings, published in the November issue of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, raise questions about the safety of using CBN regularly, particularly over long periods.
“CBN is everywhere right now. Gummies, tinctures, capsules, and it’s marketed as a safe, herbal sleep supplement,” says Steven Kinsey, professor in UConn’s Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing. “Our findings suggest consumers should be aware repeated use may carry risks.”
Popular Sleep Aid Shows Effects Similar to THC
CBN is a naturally occurring compound in cannabis, along with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Although CBN is generally considered less psychoactive than THC, the researchers discovered that it affects some of the same biological systems and can produce several key signs associated with drug dependence.
In the experiments, mice received CBN twice a day for three consecutive days. As treatment continued, the animals became less responsive to the compound, indicating that they had developed tolerance. When CBN was withdrawn, the mice also displayed physical symptoms resembling withdrawal, including head twitching and paw fluttering. These movements are comparable to the shaking that people can experience during drug withdrawal.
Another experiment revealed a surprising connection between CBN and THC. Mice previously trained to recognize and respond to THC’s psychoactive effects reacted similarly when given CBN. This suggests that the two compounds produce overlapping subjective effects, at least in mice.
Together, the results indicate that CBN, despite its reputation as a milder cannabis compound, interacts with some of the same receptor systems that contribute to THC dependence.
Scientists Raise Concerns About CBN Sleep Supplements
The findings are particularly relevant because CBN products have become increasingly common, even though scientists still have limited information about their long-term effects.
The lead author of the study, Olivia Vanegas ’26 Ph.D., notes “The marketing of minor cannabinoids is pretty wild right now. There are so many therapeutic claims about these drugs, but we really don’t know much about their potential risks, especially with repeated use.”
CBN is now widely promoted as a sleep aid, yet important questions remain unanswered. Researchers do not fully understand how CBN affects sleep quality or whether taking it repeatedly at doses commonly found in supplements could lead to addiction in humans.
There is also a historical reason for caution. Over the past century, several medications initially promoted as helpful sleep treatments were eventually found to carry serious risks of dependence and habit formation.
Potential Benefits Come With Unanswered Safety Questions
The researchers also identified potentially useful properties of CBN. The compound demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, including at lower doses that did not produce psychoactive effects.
However, the experiments revealed another possible concern. During a simulated bacterial challenge, CBN reduced the body’s ability to defend itself. This weakening of immune protection could make it easier for an infection to develop, similar to how bacteria can enter through a cut on the foot and cause illness.
These findings suggest that CBN may have medical applications, but scientists need a clearer understanding of its benefits, potential side effects, and appropriate doses before determining how it can be used safely.
Importantly, the experiments were conducted in mice, so the findings do not establish that CBN causes dependence or withdrawal in people. Additional studies are needed to understand how the compound affects humans, especially when taken frequently, at higher doses, or over extended periods.
“CBN may still have therapeutic value,” he says. “But until we know more about dosing and long-term effects, the message for consumers is simple: buyer beware.”
