Popular Weed Sleep Gummies May Carry More Risk Than Advertised

New research in mice suggests that cannabinol, or CBN, may be more habit-forming than many cannabis product labels imply.

CBN is a lesser-studied compound found in cannabis-related products, but recent findings indicate it may not be as harmless as some marketing suggests.

Scientists at the University of Connecticut examined how CBN affected mice in the laboratory. Their results showed signs that the animals could develop a physical dependence on the compound, and that CBN may produce some of the same psychoactive effects associated with tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. While further research is still needed, the authors say the findings suggest that products with high levels of CBN should not automatically be considered risk-free.

“The steep rise in demand for minor cannabinoid products in recent years has considerably outpaced empirical research on their purported health effects,” the authors wrote in a paper published in the November issue of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Questions surrounding CBN

THC and cannabidiol, or CBD, are the best-known active compounds in cannabis, and THC is mainly responsible for the plant’s intoxicating high.

Other cannabinoids, including CBN, have drawn growing attention in smaller amounts. CBN products are often promoted as milder than THC and sold in gummies or edibles as THC-free sleep or relaxation aids that are said to be non-habit forming. But the study authors say there has been relatively little research into CBN, especially its possible long-term effects.

In the study, the researchers gave mice CBN twice daily over five consecutive days. The animals appeared to build tolerance, meaning the compound’s effects weakened over time. On the sixth day, when the team administered another medication that blocks certain cannabinoid receptors, the mice showed signs consistent with withdrawal, including head twitches and paw tremors.

Some of the other tests suggested that CBN creates a milder high than THC. Even so, mice that had previously been trained to respond to THC also reacted similarly to CBN, which the researchers say points to shared pathways in the body that can contribute to THC dependence.

“These data indicate that repeated CBN administration induces tolerance and physical dependence,” they wrote.

What the findings could mean

Because the work was done in mice, it is not clear whether the same effects would appear in people. And even if dependence on CBN is possible, that would not necessarily amount to a major health concern. For example, many Americans are dependent on caffeine and may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches if they stop suddenly. Still, caffeine is generally considered safe for most people when used in moderation.

At the same time, some substances can lead to unhealthy dependence that interferes with daily life, and THC and cannabis in general are known to pose that risk. At minimum, the new findings suggest that claims describing CBN as non-habit forming may not be entirely accurate.

The researchers say much more study is needed to understand CBN’s potential benefits and risks. Until then, they caution consumers not to take product marketing at face value.

“CBN may still have therapeutic value,” said study author Steven Kinsey, a professor at UConn’s Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing, in a statement released by the university. “But until we know more about dosing and long-term effects, the message for consumers is simple: buyer beware.”