A popular cannabis-derived sleep supplement may affect the body in surprising ways. New research suggests its biological effects extend beyond sleep, with potential consequences that remain poorly understood. Credit: Shutterstock

A cannabis compound sold to help people sleep caused withdrawal symptoms in mice after just three days of repeated use.

Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that repeated doses of cannabinol, or CBN, produced tolerance and withdrawal symptoms in mice. The study, published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, raises questions about a substance whose popularity as a sleep aid has outpaced research into its risks.

“CBN is everywhere right now. Gummies, tinctures, capsules, and it’s marketed as a safe, herbal sleep supplement,” says Steven Kinsey, a professor in UConn’s Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing. “Our findings suggest consumers should be aware repeated use may carry risks.”

CBN Shows Signs of Dependence

Like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), CBN occurs naturally in cannabis. It is generally described as less psychoactive than THC, but the researchers found that it acts on some of the same biological systems involved in cannabis dependence.

Mice given CBN twice daily for three days developed tolerance, meaning the drug’s effects weakened with repeated exposure. They also displayed withdrawal signs when it was removed, including head twitches and paw fluttering that the researchers compared with trembling hands in people.

A separate experiment examined whether mice could distinguish CBN’s effects from those of THC. Animals trained to respond in a particular way after receiving THC responded similarly to CBN, suggesting the substances produced comparable internal cues. These findings suggest that milder intoxicating effects do not necessarily mean a lower risk of dependence.

Sleep Claims Outpace the Evidence

“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,” says lead author Olivia Vanegas, who earned her Ph.D. at UConn in 2026.

Although CBN is increasingly sold to help people sleep, little is known about the quality of that sleep or the consequences of regularly taking the doses used in sleep products.

Whether regular CBN use can lead to addiction remains unknown, but the history of sleep aids gives researchers a reason to investigate. Some drugs once promoted for a better night’s rest later proved dangerously habit-forming, making CBN’s unanswered safety questions harder to ignore.

Potential Benefits Need Closer Study

The researchers also observed anti-inflammatory effects at lower CBN doses that did not produce psychoactive effects in the mice. During a simulated bacterial challenge, however, CBN dampened the immune response, suggesting that its effects on inflammation could also influence the body’s defenses against infection.

Researchers still need to determine when CBN’s effects might be useful and when they might create risks. Kinsey emphasizes that the study involved mice, leaving substantial uncertainty about its effects in people, particularly at high doses or with prolonged use.

“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.”

Reference: “Tolerance, physical dependence, and Δ9-THC-like interoceptive effects of cannabinol in mice” by S.O. Vanegas, J.A. Marusich, J. Maturano, D. Sarlah and S.G. Kinsey, 6 September 2026, Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113341

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