It is no secret that Europeans struggle to get good sleep. Sometimes we just can’t seem to unwind, whether it’s due to work stress, worry, tech overload, or even the inability to relax. It has become an epidemic because of how pervasive the issue is.
According to a new analysis almost one-third of individuals, or 84 million people, report having “poor” to “fair” sleep on a regular basis. Additionally, more than half (55%) of Europeans feel that getting enough sleep is a “big priority,” ranking it higher than other lifestyle elements like social engagement (45%) and good diet (40%).
Industry experts believe cannabis entrepreneurs have the potential to make a significant difference using CBN (cannabinol) as a natural sleep aid, even though there may not be a one-size-fits-all solution to the issue. Industry analysts predict that the National Institutes for Health (NIH) would spend €520 million on sleep research in 2023, nearly double what it did ten years ago.
Additionally, studies show that CBN may be the solution individuals need to overcome sleep deficiency as it continues to spread across the country.
This blog article will discuss the sleep epidemic in Europe and look at CBN’s ability to assist people who are having trouble falling asleep.
Sleep 101: The Fundamentals
Europeans frequently don’t consider cannabis to be relevant when trying to get decent sleep. But because different stages of the sleep cycle are affected differently by different cannabinoids, informed cannabis users are very interested in knowing their bodies and their sleep requirements.
Understanding what they require and why they might experience sleep deprivation can help them determine the kind of cannabis products that will benefit them the most.
Before discovering why Europeans are experiencing such severe sleep deprivation and how the herb might just save the day, it’s good brushing up on some sleep fundamentals since we may not all be experts in either cannabis or sleep deprivation (or night).
A List of Sleep Requirements Depending on Age
As people age, their needs for sleep vary. Generally speaking, professionals advise:
- Infants and children in their first year: up to 18 hours every day
- Ages 1-3: 12–15 hours each day
- 3-5: everyday 11–13 hours
- Ages 2 to 12: 9 to 11 hours each day
- Teens: 9–10 hours each day
- Adults: 7 to 8 hours per day
Overview of Sleep Stages
As a general rule, the stages of sleep are as follows:
Stage W. (Wakefulness)
- N1 Stage
- N2 Stage
- N3 Stage
- R Stage (Rapid Eye Movement, or REM)
During an eight-hour sleep cycle, healthy sleepers alternate between the various stages of sleep every 90 minutes. Let’s take a closer look at each stage to observe how it refuels us.
Level N1
Stage N1 takes place while a person moves from being awake to being sleepy. Dreams may happen during this brief stage, which lasts between five and ten minutes. The mind is still conscious of its surroundings while dozing off and is easily woken back to awakeness.
Additionally, the brain waves, eye movements, pulse rate, and breathing all slow down during this stage. As the body relaxes, the muscles could twitch.
N2 stage.
The process continues on to Stage N2, where respiration and heart rate continue to reduce, after Stage N1. Stage N2 should make up roughly half of the overall amount of sleep duration throughout the night. The following qualities apply to this stage:
- A diminished sense of place
- A lowering of body temperature
- No eye motion
- Modifications to breathing pattern
Additionally, the brain creates sleep spindles at this period, which are characterised by rapid bursts of rhythmic brain waves. Memory consolidation, when the brain gathers, organises, and filters fresh memories from the previous day, depends on sleep spindles.
In order to enter stage N3 and REM, the deepest sleep stages when the body and mind can recoup, revitalise, and be ready for the next day, the body also becomes even more relaxed.
N3 stage.
Due to the slowed delta brain waves that are present during Stage N3, this stage of sleep is sometimes referred to as Slow Wave Sleep or Delta Sleep. Growth hormone production during N3 sleep aids in the body’s amazing ability to mend and restore itself.
The first portion of Stage N3 typically lasts 45 to 90 minutes. The successive N3 sleep cycles gradually get shorter in length as the night goes on. These crucial traits describe this stage:
- Complete muscle sedation
- Reduced blood pressure and slowed respiration
- Entering the period of profound sleep
It’s also vital to remember that N3 sleep declines with ageing, to the point that elders may even experience nighttime absences. Nevertheless, as healthy sleepers also experience this, this does not imply a sickness or disorder.
R stage (REM)
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is referred to as stage R of sleep. After falling asleep, REM sleep typically starts 90 to 110 minutes later, with further cycles taking place every 90 minutes.
The length of REM sleep cycles increases during the night. During this cycle, the heart rate also rises and breathing becomes erratic. Additionally, REM sleep is when dreaming takes place. Healthy sleepers frequently recall stage R dreams.
The ability of the body to produce substances that temporarily paralyse the sleeper in order to stop them from “acting out” in their dreams is a particularly ingenious trait. And for good reason—despite being sleeping, humans tend to be highly active at this period. The eyes rapidly dart back and forth during this cycle, much as they do when awake.
Knowledge of Sleep Disorders and Interruptions
A complete nightmare might result from sleep disturbances and problems. They can indicate more significant issues in addition to causing disruptions to daily living. Given that, here are some of the most typical sleep disturbances and disorders and how they may prevent you from getting a good night’s rest.
Insomnia
If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you may be experiencing insomnia. Also possible are early morning awakenings, in which a person wakes up earlier than usual and finds it difficult to get back to sleep. As a result, people become overly sleepy during the day, which often leads to functional limitations during the day.
Narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness (including periods of uncontrollable sleepiness) and unexpected muscle weakness are symptoms of narcolepsy. Sudden muscle weakness associated with narcolepsy may be brought on by intense feelings or surprise. The start of narcolepsy, also known as a “sleep attack,” can happen even when moving around or engaging in other physical activity.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (RLS)
RLS is characterised by painful “creeping” feelings that frequently begin in the lower legs but are accompanied by pains and aches all over the legs. By moving the legs, such as walking or kicking, it may help with sleep difficulties.
Snoring Apnea
Snoring is more than simply a bothersome habit. It might be a sign of sleep apnea, which is characterised by loud gasping or snorting noises that briefly disrupt sleep. People with sleep apnea may experience extreme daytime sleepiness as a result of frequent interruptions throughout their sleep.
Sleep disturbances
Sleep disturbances can have a substantial negative impact on a person’s performance as well as their physical and mental health, making it harder to concentrate during the day and feeling more lethargic and irritable. For instance, third-shift employees frequently encounter irregularities in melatonin secretion and circadian rhythms. Repeated disruptions can result in much more difficult problems because the body needs melatonin for other hormone regulatory activities.
A decreased capacity for concentration and decision-making can emerge from sleep disruptions brought on by frequent nocturnal bathroom visits or night sweating.
The disruption in biological rhythms brought on by a sudden change in time zones that affects sleep, food, and activity habits is known as jet lag, and it is arguably the most significant of all.
The amount of energy, mood, motivation, and capacity for optimal functioning that an individual has can all be severely impacted by all of this upheaval. All people who want to keep up their health and productivity need to get the restorative sleep they need.
Europeans prioritise sleep, yet the quality of their sleep is still poor.
It comes as no surprise that Europeans prioritise getting enough sleep because it is generally recognised that insufficient sleep is associated with a lack of overall wellbeing. With extended workdays, excessive screen time, and busy lifestyles, it can be difficult to obtain a good night’s sleep because of overanalyzing the day’s events and attempting to silence rushing thoughts. A startling 81% of Europeans believe that their mental activity—thinking, racing thoughts, and feelings—keeps them awake at night in the 2022 sleep study.
Although the importance of sleep is acknowledged, many people still have poor sleep quality. Sleep quality is also directly related to factors including sex, age, satisfaction with the mattress, and mental health. For instance, more women than men believe sleep is a key priority and are more concerned about missing sleep (61% vs. 48%, respectively).
Additionally, Europeans poor sleep habits have an impact on global economic expansion and are associated with slow GDP growth. According to research, the European economy loses €44.6 billion annually as a result of workers’ unexpected absences brought on by lack of sleep.
Epuroare increasingly resorting to sleep aids in their search for respite to increase the quality of their sleep. According to the latest recent data, Europeans spent €437 million on over-the-counter sleep aids in 2021, double what they did in 2011 (€217 million).
However, it is important to keep an eye on the market for natural sleep aids because it is anticipated to continue expanding. Many people are turning to health-promoting cannabinoids to find natural sleep cures as a result of Europeans disintegrating marijuana prohibition.
Cannabinol is one phytocannabinoid that has demonstrated potential as a natural sleep aid (CBN).
What Is CBN, a Cannabinoid?
Aged cannabis plants naturally contain large quantities of CBN, a phytocannabinoid. Most people are unaware that CBN was the first cannabinoid to be discovered; it was done so in 1896 by Thomas Barlow Wood, WT Newton Spivey, and Thomas Hill Easterfield.
CBN was once viewed as a less desirable cannabinoid than CBD or THC because of its sedative effects and predominance in older cannabis flowers. CBN can be viewed as a “sleeper” cannabinoid despite being the “original” phytocannabinoid because it wasn’t historically as well-known as THC, CBD, or terpenes.
The Special Relationship Among CBN and THC
Due to a 1999 study conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, scientists now identify CBN as a significant cannabinoid (UNODC). In the study, cannabis samples that were analysed four years later had THC levels that were only half as high as before. In addition, as THC oxidised and lost its potency, it changed into CBN.
The study found that the most THC degradation happened two years after improper storage began, demonstrating a clear correlation between the plants’ sensitivity and the conversion of THC to CBN.
The study found that THC breaks down into CBN over time. So, the more CBN cannabis has aged, the more CBN it will have. Researchers now know how CBN and THC interact differently with CB2 and CB1 receptors as a consequence of the study.
What Differs CBN From CBD?
Despite sharing a name, CBD and CBN are completely distinct chemicals. Both marijuana and hemp, a cannabis subspecies with less than 0.3% THC, contain the two cannabinoids that come from CBGA. While there are some parallels between them in terms of their capacity to treat pain and inflammation, their primary differences lie in their intended uses.
Furthermore, CBD has been thoroughly studied, and research has shown that it possesses anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant characteristics. As a result, it acts as a pillar of the industry and a potent therapy used by those looking for relief from conditions like epilepsy and anxiety, among others.
While some research suggests CBN may possibly have anticonvulsant qualities, the majority of the most recent studies are concentrated on its capacity to calm the mind and promote sleep.
There are a few key distinctions between CBN and CBD.
Hemp plants contain a substantial amount of CBD, making it more widely available and reasonably priced.
- At the moment, CBD is the subject of more research and understanding than CBN.
- Decarboxylating CBDA, which is contained in raw cannabis flowers, yields CBD, whereas oxidising THC yields CBN.
- In contrast to CBN, one CBD-based medicine for the treatment of epilepsy and seizures has received FDA approval.
- Although technically both substances are psychoactive, CBD leaves the user feeling sober, whilst CBN slightly modifies the user’s state of mind due to its THC origins.
- CBD curbs hunger, but CBN increases it.
Although CBN and CBD alone have particular advantages and effects, their combination is likely to work effectively. A phenomenon known as the entourage effect states that when cannabis are eaten together, they synergistically enhance each other’s effects. The entourage effect has been shown in numerous studies, including one in which CBN and CBD together significantly reduced pain in rats compared to either drug acting alone.
Does CBN Aid in Sleeping?
Many businesses promote their CBN-containing products as sleep aids, but does CBN genuinely reduce insomnia and restlessness? We’re still looking for any real answers at this point.
Despite the fact that it appears to be more effective when mixed with other cannabinoids like THC, there hasn’t been much research done on the cannabinoid because of the long-standing ban of cannabis.
Rodents have historically been the subject of the majority of studies on the effects of cannabinoids, notably sedation. For instance, a 1975 study indicated that in mice and rats, CBN enhanced the calming effects of THC.
Five male subjects were given varying doses of THC and CBN as part of another important clinical research conducted in 1975. Researchers discovered that taking THC and CBN together had stronger sedative effects than taking THC by itself.
Additionally, during the trial, participants’ heart rates rose in response to THC but not in response to CBN, providing additional evidence that CBN might function as a sedative. The trial’s results were encouraging yet inconclusive due to the trial’s limited sample size and age.
Similar results were discovered in a 1995 mouse study, which indicated that synthetic CBN prolonged mice’s sleep intervals. Based on the findings of these investigations, CBN is widely acknowledged by cannabis industry professionals to be a potent sedative. However, experts concur that more clinical trials and study are required before drawing any firm conclusions.
Why You Should Take Into Account Providing CBN Products To Your Clients
Although research on CBN’s potential as a sleep aid is still ongoing, the general public appears to believe that CBN can enhance sleep, driving up sales of CBN-containing items that promote sleep. Additionally, information concerning studies on CBN’s potential as a painkiller has gained some traction. Due to the entourage effect, it is preferable to use this substance in combination with other cannabinoids.
While the typical consumer is unaware of the possible advantages of CBN, CBD has quickly established itself as a household name, and many CBD enthusiasts are aware of the entourage effect. As a result, when CBD is coupled with other cannabinoids, such CBN extract, its value may be increased in the eyes of consumers.
What is extract of CBN?
Cannabis flowers with a high concentration of cannabinoids, including the cannabinoid CBN, are used to make CBN extract. The most common forms of this hemp component used in bulk are distillate and isolate. Each extract type, CBN distillate and CBN isolate, can be used in a variety of products and range in potency from 70 to 97% of the total cannabinoids.
What is distillate of CBN?
With CBN distillate, a distilled cannabis extract contains significant quantities of CBN. The CBN distillate still contains all the terpenes, minor cannabinoids, and other beneficial substances that are present in hemp flowers naturally, although being much more refined than crude extract. This quality makes CBN distillate a top choice for goods including candy, tinctures, and vape items.
With CBN concentrations of up to 80%, CBN distillate often has a honey-like feel and look. Even while certain CBN distillates contain small quantities of THC, this extract can be further refined to produce no detectable THC.
