Are you looking for an all-natural sleep solution that can be made from the comfort of your own home? Read more about cannabinol, known as CBN, discover why this cannabinoid has earned the nickname ‘the sleep cannabinoid,’ and learn how to make your own CBN oil at home following a simple oil infusion process.
Table of Contents
Article Features
- Made with two simple ingredients: THC flower & oil
- Perfect if you want a homemade alternative to sleep medications
- Want to skip the hard work? Shop with me and have my premium CBN Sleep Oil delivered directly to your door. Now shipping across the United States!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
The cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids, which give the plant its powerful properties.
While you usually hear about CBD and THC, the minor cannabinoid called cannabinol, or CBN, has been getting a lot of attention due in my Well With Cannabis Community to its unique sleep effects.
But what is CBN, why is it nicknamed the sleep cannabinoid, and is it right for you?
In this guide, we will quickly review CBN’s potential benefits, and I will show you how to use your THC-dominant flower to make your own CBN oil at home.
What You’ll Need
- THCA-dominant cannabis flower – To make a CBN oil at home, you must start with a cannabis flower that has THCA or CBNA already present. Aged cannabis is a great option, too.
- Lecithin, optional: If you’re new to working with lecithin, you can learn more about adding lecithin to edibles here. If needed, you can purchase liquid lecithin or powdered lecithin. This ingredient is optional and used for bioavailability purposes.
- Carrier oil of choice– There are many oil options to choose from. Unsure what to pick? Check out my guide to understanding different types of cannabis oils here.
Note: A complete list of ingredients with amounts and printable instructions is located in the recipe card below.
The Step-by-Step Process
- Step 1 – The goal is to create a water bath that stays at approximately 180-190° F for the cooking process. The printable instructions in the recipe card below are for using a crockpot to create the water bath, but you can use anything you want, like an Instant Pot or sous-vide.
- Step 2 – While the water bath is heating in the crockpot, measure and decarb the THC flower. To decarb in the oven, bake the material at 240°F for 180 minutes. See more information on how to decarb for CBN below.
- Step 3 – Add the decarbed cannabis flower and MCT oil to the mason jar you plan to use. If you plan on using sunflower lecithin, add it now.
- Step 4 – Carefully place the jar into the water bath. Then, place the lid on the crockpot and leave it alone to infuse for 4 hours. After 4 hours, remove the jars from the hot water and allow them to cool.
- Step 5 – Set up a straining station to separate the plant matter from the oil using a paper filter and funnel, cheesecloth, French press, or a simple coffee filter.
- Step 6 – Once cool enough to handle, strain the prepared oil with your method of choice. You can save the leftover cannabis pulp for future recipes.
- Step 7 – Return the prepared CBN oil to whatever jar you want to store it in; I use a small blue tincture dropper bottle.
- Step 8 – Store the prepared CBN oil in a cool, dry place. It will last longer in the refrigerator and even longer in the freezer.
Note: Complete step-by-step printable instructions are located in the recipe card below.
Storage Instructions
Store your prepared CBN oil in a cool, dry place. A dark cabinet is good.
It will last longer if stored in the refrigerator and even longer if stored in the freezer.
About CBN
Unlike CBD or THC, CBN is typically found in cannabis in trace quantities – also known as a minor cannabinoid.
CBN is what you might call the product of patience, slowly developing as THC transforms over time.
With a little nudge from UV light, heat, or just plain old neglect, THC starts a transformation that leads to the creation of CBN.
CBN’s claim to fame lies in its potential to produce sedative effects, offering a natural bridge to restful sleep and relaxation.
Anecdotally, members of my cannabis community often attribute CBN with the power to soothe insomnia and anxiety.
How to Create CBN at Home
Fortunately for us, CBN can be achieved through the degradation of THC, which can be done in a home kitchen through the process of decarboxylation.
This means if you have old cannabis or have exposed the THC to oxygen and/or heat, you likely already have plant material that has developed a higher concentration of CBN.
If you want to try to make your own CBN products at home, you will want to start with THC-dominant flowers.
Remember, the more THC available, the more opportunity for THC to CBN conversion.
The traditional decarboxylation recommendation for THC to CBN conversion is to decarb at 240°F for 180 minutes.
*Please note: I do not have lab tests to confirm these times and temperatures for CBN formation.
These recommendations are based on reports of what works for consumers inside my Well With Cannabis Community.
Follow this process at your own discretion, and consider starting with a small batch to start.
Small-Batch CBN Sleep Oil
Ingredients
- 2 ounces MCT oil
- 3.5 grams THC cannabis flower
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid sunflower lecithin optional
Instructions
- Lay a clean tea towel down on the bottom of the crockpot. This will create a buffer between your mason jars and the crockpot, potentially preventing any jar from moving or cracking during cooking.
- Fill your crockpot with enough warm to hot water to cover the top of the mason jars you plan on using by an inch to create a water bath.
- While the water bath is heating in the crockpot, measure and decarb the cannabis flower in the oven at 240° F for 180 minutes. Click here for a full cannabis decarboxylation tutorial, if needed.
- If you plan on using lecithin, add it to the mason jars now.
- Evenly divide the decarbed flower between the MCT oil-filled jars. Stir well. Wipe the rim of the jars with a clean paper towel and place the lid on. Tighten the metal ring to finger-tip tightness, it does not have to be tightened all the way. Do not tighten too tightly.
- Once the water bath reaches a temperature of 185° F, carefully place the jars into the water bath.
- Place the lid on the crockpot and leave it alone to infuse for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, carefully remove the lid, followed by the jars from the hot water. Set them aside to cool.
- Save the leftover cannabis pulp for use in future recipes. Then, return the prepared cannabis oil to whatever jar you want to store it in. We use a small amber tincture jar.
- Store the prepared CBN oil in a cool, dry place. It will last longer if stored in the refrigerator and even longer if stored in the freezer.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
You can choose whatever carrier oil you desire to make your infused oil, it does not need to be MCT oil. You can experiment with the following cooking oils: coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and safflower oil.
In theory, using lecithin will make valuable cannabinoids like CBD, THC, or CBN more bioavailable or ready for use by the body. You will still have a great infused CBN oil if you don’t use lecithin; this recipe is not a make-or-break ingredient. If you use lecithin, I recommend using a liquid lecithin option rather than a powdered or granulated version, as it will mix in easier.
Store your prepared CBN oil in a cool, dry place. It will last longer if stored in the refrigerator and even longer if stored in the freezer.
More Sleep Resources For You
Articles & How-To Guides
The Ultimate Guide to CBN » For Sleep
Articles & How-To Guides
Cannabis for Sleep: Your Guide to Restful Nights
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hi, im interested in making CBN oil
i have some vintaged weed (about 3 years old) which from what i understand should be good for making the oil, do i need to decarb it still?
im new to the world of making oils and edibles so would love some help
TJ
Hi TJ. Since your cannabis is about 3 years old, it should indeed have some CBN already present due to the natural degradation of THC over time. However, to maximize the potency of your CBN oil and activate any remaining cannabinoids, it’s still a good idea to decarb your cannabis.
As you’re new to making oils and edibles, the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide can be incredibly helpful for navigating the process. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need further assistance. Happy oil-making!
Great presentation. Just confirming my process which makes me feel more comfortable sharing my knowledge
Thank you for your kind words, Julia! It’s fantastic to hear this article has reinforced your process, making you feel more at ease with sharing your knowledge.
Once the oil is made how do you dose it or make it ready to use for sleep
Great question Joe! After creating your CBN oil, determining the right dose for sleep is key. Start with a low dose, such as a few drops, about an hour before bedtime. Monitor how you feel and adjust gradually. It’s all about finding what works best for your body’s unique needs. Happy dreaming!
How do you determine how many drops to put into recipe for cookies, gummies etc
Hi Joe. Determining the right number of drops of CBN oil to add to your recipes depends on a few factors. Firstly, consider the potency of your CBN oil and the desired strength of the final product. A good rule of thumb is to start with a smaller amount, such as one drop per serving, and adjust based on your personal preference and the effects. Always remember to mix the oil thoroughly into your ingredients to ensure even distribution. I hope this helps!