A good night’s sleep is invaluable, setting the stage for a smooth, productive day ahead. This is when your body and mind recover, so poor sleep can have the opposite effect - leaving you feeling physically and mentally drained, running on fumes alone.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great sleep aids at your fingertips, many of which come straight from Mother Nature - like THC vs CBN for sleep. Each of these cannabinoids has the potential to support a better night’s rest, helping you wake up the next day refreshed and invigorated.
Which is better between CBN vs THC for sleep, though? We’ll show you where each has an edge over the other below, but here’s the kicker: you really shouldn’t be choosing one or the other. The best approach is to combine CBN with THC for sleep.
Our sleep shot, sleep mints, and sleep gummies bring these two compounds together along with other sleep-supportive ingredients, such as CBD, passion flower, valerian root, elderberry, agave, lemon, and more.
Try them all and find your new favorite bedtime ritual, or learn more about using THC vs CBN for sleep below. Let the day drift away effortlessly with Mr. Moxey’s!
How THC Supports Sleep
It’s no secret that cannabis can have a profound effect on how you feel, and much of this can be traced back to the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp and marijuana: THC.
So many people use it for unwinding after a long, stressful day - feeling the physical and mental tension melt away. THC helps quiet mental chatter and soften the physical discomfort that can keep you up at night.
It works by binding to CB1 receptors in the brain, encouraging the release of sleep-supportive neurotransmitters like adenosine while dulling the body’s sensitivity to stress signals like cortisol.
This combination makes THC really helpful for people whose sleeplessness stems from overstimulation, anxious spiraling, or chronic aches and pains. The right dose of THC can essentially act as an “off switch” for the day.
That said, more THC doesn’t always mean better sleep - and that’s where people run into issues. Higher doses can actually tip the balance in the wrong direction, sometimes sending you into an anxious spiral. That’s why microdosing is the way to go.
Large amounts of THC may sedate you at first, but you won’t be able to reach REM sleep. That’s where dreams and cognitive restoration occur, and why REM sleep is the gold standard for recovery.
Then there’s the next-morning issue. Some people do feel clear and rested no matter how much THC they use, but others wake up groggy or mentally foggy. The “weed hangover” isn’t universal, but it’s common enough to note.
This is why dosage matters - but so does combining THC with OTHER ingredients. On that note, let’s introduce the other half of our comparison on THC vs CBN for sleep.
How CBN Supports Sleep
CBN is a bit more obscure than cannabinoids like THC and CBD, but it certainly has its place - as we explored in our comparison of CBD vs CBG vs CBN vs CBC. This cannabinoid is actually best known for its impact on sleep.
Also known as cannabinol, CBN is somewhat psychoactive (not on the same level of THC, though) and this is because it forms as THC ages and oxidizes. It doesn’t bind to the CB1 receptors in the brain as strongly as THC, but interacts in more subtle ways to support sleep.
We want to be clear in saying the current science is still evolving, so most of what we know is attributed to anecdotal evidence and animal studies. BUT - early research points to CBN’s interaction with not only CB1 receptors but GABA, a key calming neurotransmitter.
CBN also appears to help extend sleep duration, so it’s worth trying if you have no problem falling asleep but struggle to stay asleep. Frequent night wakings are frustrating and prevent you from actually recovering.
People who are afraid of getting high from THC but still want to tap into the therapeutic benefits of cannabis are drawn to CBN. Its subtlety can be a benefit for new or sensitive users who don’t want to feel “off” the next day.
But just as THC on its own won’t necessarily move the needle, CBN is just one piece of the puzzle. It likely won’t provide that same immediate sense of calm that low-dose THC does for anxiety or tension.
THC vs CBN for Sleep: Which is Right For You?
If it wasn’t already clear, both THC and CBN have their place in your nighttime ritual - helping relax your body and mind, setting the foundation for a good night’s sleep.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of choosing one or the other. We advocate for combining CBN with THC for sleep. One helps you fall asleep, the other keeps you asleep. It’s a dynamic duo for drifting away and waking up refreshed every morning.
Onset and Duration
One of the clearest distinctions between THC vs CBN for sleep is how quickly and how long each works.
So how long does it take for THC to kick in? It all depends on how you’re consuming it. But it tends to act pretty fast compared to CBN. For instance, our weed mints and THC shot formulations hit in 60 minutes or 20 minutes, respectively.
Inhaled THC, like in a vape, hits faster but doesn’t last nearly as long. That’s why smoking or vaping isn’t great for extended relief, like you’d need for a good night’s rest. It also puts your lungs in harms way, for what it’s worth.
On the other hand, CBN has a slower, more drawn-out presence. It doesn’t rush you into rest but instead lingers in the background, supporting a deeper and more continuous sleep experience. You may not even know it’s there - you just know you’re waking up feeling more refreshed.
The Psychoactive Side of Things
Another major difference between CBN vs THC for sleep is how each makes you feel from a psychoactive perspective. Technically, both can alter your sensory perception, but THC is definitely the more powerful of the two.
Here’s the thing, though. You’re not trying to get high when using THC or CBN for sleep. We always advise a microdose so you get a light, relaxing, euphoric effect without feeling totally impaired. Being stoned while lying in bed can be distracting, having the opposite intended effect.
In contrast, CBN is a lot more subtle in terms of the psychoactive impact it has on individuals. Most people don’t feel altered after taking it - just calmer, softer, and ready for bed.
Who Might Prefer THC vs Who Might Prefer CBN
CBN and THC work differently to ease you into a sleep-ready state or keep you asleep - and that’s one more nuance we want to point out.
Low-dose THC is usually your best bet when you struggle falling asleep because your brain won’t stop racing or your body just can’t unwind. It quiets tension quickly and helps transition you into rest, especially if you’re fighting anxiety, pain, or stress-induced overstimulation.
Meanwhile, CBN may be the better fit if you tend to fall asleep fine but wake throughout the night - or feel like your sleep isn’t as restorative as it should be. Its calming effect lasts longer and works better for those helping you sleep through the night.
But remember, the answer isn’t one or the other between THC vs CBN for sleep. The best sleep involves combining the two. You can let THC handle the heavy lifting at the beginning while CBN helps the brain stay in a sleep-friendly state until the sun rises!
Don’t Choose One or the Other: Use CBN With THC For Sleep For the Best Results!
Sleep is a delicate process. Sometimes you’re dead tired and still can’t get the rest you need. There are so many biological signals at play. While both THC and CBN support that transition, the harmony between them really creates the most balanced, complete experience.
THC helps you let go. CBN helps you stay gone. Using them together gently guides your nervous system through the arc of sleep: from quieting the mind and relaxing the body to staying in deep, uninterrupted rest.
But, it’s not as simple as taking a hefty dose of both and letting them work their magic. We advocate for the benefits of microdosing THC and CBN.
Microdosed Pairing for Controlled, Predictable Sleep Support
We touched earlier on how too much THC can cause more harm than good. It also fries your tolerance so you end up needing more and more to get the same effect.
There’s a sweet spot you need to find. High doses of THC can sometimes overstimulate. CBN on its own can feel too mild for some. But in a low-dose, evenly balanced formulation, you get a subtle but effective lift into rest that you can build on as needed.
So how much CBN for sleep should you take? What’s the ideal dose for THC-induced sleep support? We’ve found that somewhere between 2.5-5mg of each works best.
But there’s no need to play the guessing game. We’ve crafted our sleep formulations not just with the right ingredients but in the right ratios. They’re designed for people who don’t want to feel sedated or foggy, but simply want better, more restorative sleep they can count on.
The Mr. Moxey’s Sleep Collection: Thoughtfully Formulated With THC, CBN, and Much More!
From our microdose gummies to shots and mints, there’s something for everyone at Mr. Moxey’s - and our sleep collection is just the tip of the iceberg. There are three formulations we invite you to try:
Dream Elderberry Gummies
This 1:1:1 gummy delivers a jammy blend of elderberry with 5mg each of THC, CBN, and CBD. it’s strong enough to nudge you into rest but balanced enough to avoid heavy sedation. Take it when your mind needs a gentle cue to quiet down and let the day go.
Dream Lavender Mints
Prefer something lighter? These 2.5mg mints are thoughtfully paired with lavender, passion flower, and valerian root - each of which is known for its calming effects.
You get a gradual, controllable onset you can tailor to your needs. One mint for subtle support. Two for a little more depth. Either way, these are your one-way ticket to a better night’s rest.
Dream Elderberry Wellness Shot
Maybe you want sleep support to start working now. That’s the appeal of THC drinks vs edibles - our shots kick in fast, like 20 minutes fast. This elderberry-infused wellness shot delivers 5mg each of THC, CBN, and CBD in a low-dose, liquid form.
You can take it straight or mix it into a sparkling water for a calming evening tonic. Organic agave and lemon work in the background to bring their own support as well.
Regardless of the formulation you go with, you can rest assured you’re getting a thoughtfully blended solution that encourages better sleep. Try it today and put sleepless nights in the past!
“Just the right amount of THC to drift off and get a great night's sleep.” Brian
“Love the low dose I take them almost every night to help fall asleep.” - Mark
“I've tried all their products, but this is my favorite for a good nights sleep.” - Janet
Bringing Our Comparison of CBN vs THC for Sleep to a Close
Each of these cannabinoids offer unique benefits for sleep, which is why it’s not a matter of choosing between THC vs CBN for sleep. The best results come from a thoughtful combination of the two.
THC eases you into rest by calming the mind and body, while CBN helps extend that rest by supporting longer, more stable sleep cycles. They work together in synergy to amplify the effects of one another, especially when you throw CBD in the mix.
We’ve brought cannabis together with carefully selected herbs for the most comprehensive approach to supporting good sleep quality, not just quantity. Try a mint, a gummy, or a shot today and find what fits your rhythm at Mr. Moxey’s!
