CBN vs. Melatonin: Why You Should Choose CBN as a Sleep Aid

According to the National Sleep Foundation, as many as 30 percent of all American adults struggle with insomnia. Approximately 35 percent of them report sleeping less than seven hours every night on average. It's a serious issue, whether it's caused by shift work, jet lag, or other factors.

Lack of sleep can have severe impacts on productivity and is linked to many chronic health problems. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, depression, and heart disease.

Melatonin has long been a popular over-the-counter treatment for insomnia and other sleep problems. But it has its limitations and is completely ineffective for some people. That is why alternatives, like CBN for sleep, are growing in popularity.

If you are unfamiliar with CBN, keep reading. This article covers the basics of CBN vs. melatonin and includes information on how CBN works and why it is so effective at treating insomnia. It will help you determine if CBN is a good option for addressing your sleep problems.

What are Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders, or sleep-wake disorders, are a broad category that refers to a galaxy of different conditions. The most basic categories under this umbrella are narcolepsy and disorders that make it difficult to fall or stay asleep (or both). These last two include everything from restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea to various types of insomnia, often affecting sleep onset and quality.

Symptoms of these conditions can be episodic, recurrent, or persistent. They can pop up during stressful life events or exist every night. Each case of sleep disorder is unique to the individual experiencing it and should be treated as such.

Regardless of how severe or mild your sleep disorder is, the first thing you should do is speak to your doctor about it. This will allow them to assess the condition and circumstances and formally diagnose. Learning as much as possible about your condition and its causes can go a long way toward effectively treating it.

What Is CBN and What are the Benefits of CBN?

There are many active chemicals in the cannabis plant. Historically, the most well-known ones contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the substance in marijuana and other derivatives, like delta 8 and 10, that produces a "high."

More recently, CBD, or cannabidiol, has risen to prominence. This is mainly due to its ability to deliver varied therapeutic effects without causing the high.

CBN, or cannabinol, has similar benefits but also ones that are distinct from CBD. This is due in part to its unique makeup and production methods.

Unlike CBD, CBN comes directly from THC. It is what remains when THC's psychoactive components oxidize. Some combination of heat, air, and/or light causes it to degrade, leaving behind CBN.

Recent studies have shown promising impacts of CBN in treating various ailments. These include glaucoma and myriad conditions that cause chronic inflammation. Topical CBN has proven effective at treating skin disorders, including epidermolysis bullosa.

CBN is also effective at treating muscle pain, reducing anxiety, and reducing insomnia. It can aid in relaxation and recovery from strenuous exercise, among other benefits. Specifically, CBN has shown potential in enhancing sleep quality by acting on the body's endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating sleep and circadian rhythms. Research suggests that CBN can help prolong sleep time and reduce nighttime awakenings, making it a promising option for those looking to consistently get a good night's sleep.

Like CBD, CBN can be found in various forms, including oils, tinctures, and edibles. It also comes in capsule form, which is a more discrete, transportable option and easy to take.

What Is Melatonin and What are the Benefits of Melatonin?

Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the brain's pineal gland that plays a crucial role in regulating sleep onset—the time it takes to fall asleep. It is closely linked to the body's internal clock and signals the body when it's time to sleep, helping to promote a more restful sleep. As darkness falls, the body's natural production of melatonin increases, reaching its peak during the late night hours, aiding overall sleep improvement.

Due to its effectiveness, melatonin has become a popular sleep aid, available in various forms, including pills, liquids, and gummies for sleep. These supplements are sought after by those looking to support sleep without prescription drugs. Unlike CBN (Cannabinol), melatonin supplements are primarily targeted at enhancing the natural mechanism of sleep regulation, thus offering a means to tackle sleep disturbance with minimal reliance on external substances. However, it is essential to note that, like any supplement, you should consider the side effects of melatonin use should be considered, and it is often recommended to pursue under medical advice.

Extensive sleep study research has shown that while melatonin can be effective in promoting sleep and reducing the time it takes to fall asleep, claiming sleep support and sleep improvement, the effects of melatonin can vary widely among individuals. The claim that melatonin is unsafe is largely overblown, but awareness and understanding of potential side effects are essential. Remembering that sleep is critical to overall health is crucial, and you should approach any supplement use with an informed perspective.

CBN vs. Melatonin: Which is Better for Sleep?

While they both act as sleep aids, there are significant differences between CBN and melatonin. Each compound has benefits, but whether one is better for sleep than the other may depend on the individual's unique sleep disruptions and needs.

Melatonin helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle and is often recommended for those with circadian rhythm sleep disorders, making it a highly effective sleep aid.

However, because melatonin supplementation can affect the body differently, consulting a doctor before starting a melatonin regimen is advisable due to potential side effects. Conversely, CBN may offer a gentler alternative with fewer side effects reported by users. The option to take CBN and melatonin together in a mixed formulation exists, potentially combining their benefits to improve sleep quality more effectively.

Ultimately, melatonin and CBN offer avenues for addressing sleep issues, whether separately or in conjunction, underscoring the importance of personalizing sleep aid choices to fit one's specific needs for a more effective sleep solution.

Why Melatonin Supplements Do Not Always Work

Melatonin was the go-to over-the-counter treatment for insomnia for years. It has been, until recently, the only option for people who do not want to take strong prescription medications that often have serious side effects, like blackouts.

Melatonin supplements may not help people fall or stay asleep for several reasons. In general, they help treat a particular aspect of sleep–the lack of melatonin in the body–and nothing more. Taking a supplement will do little to affect conditions that do not stem from or go beyond this deficiency.

For instance, if your insomnia is related to anxiety or depression, the presence or lack of melatonin may be all but insignificant in the ability to fall or stay asleep. Taking melatonin supplements does not address these issues in any way, so sleep problems stemming from them will persist.

In fact, most people's bodies make enough melatonin to trigger sleep, and lack of production is very rare.

Finally, like many drugs, melatonin supplements can lose effectiveness over time. The impacts on the body can dissipate, warranting increased doses (which may or may not work).

This is why melatonin is often a good option for occasional sleep challenges, like jetlag or changes in schedule, but not for long-term treatment. Chronic insomnia and other serious sleep difficulties demand alternative therapies and solutions.

Taking CBN as a Sleep Aid

Like all cannabinoids, CBN binds with a specific human receptor (CB1) expressed in the central nervous system. While CBN comes from THC, it does not bind to the CB1 as tightly.

This means that, much like CBD, it does not produce a "high" with psychoactive effects like THC. But it has all the other benefits rendered by THC.

One is that, like THC, CBN is more potent when it comes to inducing drowsiness and sleepiness. It has a sedative effect, with a greater ability to prompt relaxation, which can help with insomnia.

Unlike many over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids, CBN has no adverse side effects. In fact, the only "side-effects" it has, like drowsiness, are those that combat insomnia.

Another significant distinction from other sleep medications is that CBN does not interfere with the body's natural mechanisms. It does not "knock you out" or cause you to be so sedated that you cannot wake up (or make it so that someone cannot wake you up).

There is also no "hangover" effect or grogginess that is so common with most other sedatives. In short, it helps your body get healthy, natural sleep without having a medicating debilitating impact.

Another significant advantage of CBN for sleep is that, unlike standard medications, it is not habit-forming. While people can become addicted to almost anything, CBN's extremely mild chemical and physiological effects make it very unlikely that addiction will occur.

CBN's final significant advantage is its effectiveness does not dissipate over time. Unlike melatonin and other medications, it will remain effective even with regular, long-term use.

While some tolerance can build up over time, it is slow and can even be "reset" with a short period of abstinence. This also means there is no reason to expect you will have to dramatically increase doses once you find the right one for your sleep needs.

Can You Take CBN and Melatonin Together?

Another advantage of CBN is that it is entirely safe to mix with other options for sleep aids, including melatonin. (Although, if melatonin is ineffective for you, there may be no good reason to continue taking it).

Many people have seen fantastic health impacts from CBD but feel that it is lacking as a sleep aid. They wonder if it is safe to add CBN while continuing to take CBD. It is––you might take CBD for anxiety or depression during the day while using CBN at night to produce a more sedating effect.

It is important to emphasize that CBD and CBN are both cannabinoids. As with any medication, you should always start with smaller doses to see how the combination impacts you. This will ensure that you reach the proper CBN dosage without going over.

Get the Best CBN Products for Better Sleep with MONTKUSH

Dive into the world of better sleep with CBN, a remarkable sleep aid that may transform your nights! Having learned about CBN's potential to enhance sleep quality, you might wonder if it's the right addition to your bedtime regimen. Choosing a reliable source for your CBN products is crucial for maximizing their benefits.

At MONTKUSH, we pride ourselves on quality and transparency. We meticulously manage every aspect of our production—from the sustainable farming of our hemp to the expert extraction processes—ensuring you receive only the purest products. Whether you're considering our soothing CBN gummies, potent oils, or convenient softgels, we have crafted each product with your ultimate sleep in mind.

Explore our extensive range of CBD and CBN solutions on our website. Unsure about which product might be the best for your sleep needs? Our friendly team is always here to help guide you through your choices. Reach out today, and let us help you discover how you can elevate your nightly routine with MONTKUSH. Experience the difference quality makes—start sleeping better tonight.