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Does CBN Show Up in a Drug Test?

Although the world is beginning to accept cannabis for medical and recreational purposes, there are still some restrictions. CBN is one of the substances derived from the cannabis plant that has been helpful in the treatment of several diseases, but its users are concerned that this cannabinoid may show up in a drug test for weed.


Table of Contents

cbn drug test

What Is CBN?

Just like THC and CBD, CBN or cannabinol is one of the hundreds substances found in the cannabis plant. It is formed by decomposition and oxidation of THC. This means that when THC is heated or exposed to oxygen, it is converted to CBN. Unlike CBD, this compound has a psychoactive effect, which, however, is much milder than that of THC. Also, it has a sedating effect making it a promising sleep aid along with other potential uses.

What Is the Difference between CBD and CBN?

CBD and CBN are fundamentally different and have different origins. While CBD comes from high CBD marijuana strains and industrial hemp plants, CBN can be found in THC rich strains. Its levels in cannabis flowers depend on several factors such as the amount of light and heat they were exposed to. Age is also a factor, because as mentioned above, CBN is a product of degradation and oxidation of THC.

Still, these substances are similar in some ways. When it comes to medicinal effects, they offer a lot: they both help you sleep better, relieve pain and reduce inflammation. However, unlike CBD, CBN does not treat seizures, anxiety and depression.

How Long Does CBN Stay in Your System?

There is no simple answer to this question because the body can react to cannabinol in different ways depending on the user and the product used. Here are the main influencing factors:

  • Amount taken: higher doses may take longer to metabolize than lower doses.
  • Strength and purity: higher potency means higher concentration of the active ingredient, which will take longer time to leave your body.
  • Frequency of use: how often you use CBN will affect how long it stays in your system. Frequent use increases the drug withdrawal time.
  • Consumption method: it affects the bioavailability or the rate at which substances are absorbed. A tincture dropper is the most popular way to administer CBN due to its high rate of absorption. It provides a longer lasting effect, but on the other hand, drug residues also remain in your body longer.
  • Personal metabolism: it determines how fast your body will process the substance. Body weight, age and lifestyle have a significant impact.

Given the available information, we can argue that the average time CBN stays in the body is 2 to 5 days. This range, however, can vary significantly depending on the factors mentioned above.

Can CBN Make You Fail a Drug Test?

Recent research has shown that CBN can make you fail a drug test. A team of scientists from the University of Utah has found that immunoassays designed to detect THC can cross-react with CBN. A concentration of at least 5 times the THC cutoff level is required to produce a false-positive result, which means that 250 ng/mL of CBN in you urine can show up in a standard THC test that has a cutoff of 50 ng/mL. And that's assuming you have a pure CBN isolate with zero THC. If, however, your CBN product contains at least a little THC, even 100 ng/mL may be enough to fail a drug test.

So, it is better to detox from CBN before taking a drug test.

How to Detox from CBN?

Detox from CBN is similar to detox from other cannabinoids such as THC and CBD: you should eat high fiber foods, exercise and sweat, but the most important thing is to drink plenty of water and urinate as much as possible. These methods help remove some CBN from your body, but they do not guarantee concentrations below 100 ng/mL at the right time. If you need a clean urine sample for passing a drug test, using a fast marijuana detox kit is a safer option.