Scientists have confirmed the composition of cannabis cannabinol (CBN) can increase sleep in rats, highlighting new avenues for future sleep treatment in humans.
Researchers at the University of Sydney found that the compound’s breakdown products lengthened the duration of both non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in rats, demonstrating the effects of common sleep aids. was found to be comparable to
Both stages of sleep are important for maintaining physical and mental health. REM sleep is also considered the dream stage and helps process emotions, while NREM sleep helps process emotions. essential body repair.
Purified CBN products are sold as sleeping pills in the United States, but solid evidence supporting their calming effects has until now been lacking. The findings laid the foundation for future research into how this compound could help treat sleep disorders.
“For decades, cannabis folklore has suggested that aged cannabis produces drowsiness in consumers through the buildup of CBN.” say Pharmacist Jonathan Arnold.
“Our study provides the first objective evidence that CBN increases sleep, at least in rats, by altering the architecture of sleep in a beneficial way.”
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the main psychoactive element in cannabis, slowly forms CBN in the plant when exposed to heat, oxygen, and light.
THC has an intoxicating effect on the brain, but CB1 cannabinoid receptorthe researchers found that CBN’s effect was much weaker.
In fact, by closely observing brain activity, the research team found that 11-hydroxy-CBN, a metabolite produced by the breakdown of CBN in animals, has a stronger effect on the CB1 cannabinoid receptor than CBN itself. I discovered it.
Given the importance of these brain receptors in sleep management, metabolites of CBN may have a greater impact on sleep than CBN itself.
“We were surprised that CBN metabolism in the body could have a much greater impact on the cannabinoid CB1 receptor than its parent molecule, CBN, which has much more limited activity.” say Arnold.
Drugs containing CBN may help with sleep with relatively few side effects on other parts of the brain, but this possibility still needs to be investigated. Human clinical trials in insomniac patients are already underway.
“At this stage, our results are limited to studies in rats.” say Arnold. “Further research is needed to see if this affects humans.”
“Our study will encourage further basic and clinical research on CBN as a new treatment strategy for sleep disorders, including insomnia.”
This research neuropsychopharmacology.
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