Cannabinol methyl ether (CBNM)

WHAT IS CANNABINOL METHYL ETHER?

Belonging to the cannabinol (CBN) family, cannabinol methyl ether (CBNM) is one of the purest compounds found in the cannabis plant.

It has a crystalline form and is one of the compounds that can be easily isolated. Although similar to the THC family with its phytocannabinoid properties, it has nothing else in common with those compounds.

Research has shown that its nearest approximation in relation to chemical structure is the mother group known as cannabinol (CBN).

With no specific date as to who or when CBNM was discovered, it is believed that following the original discovery of cannabinol (CBN) in 1940 by Robert S. Chan, researchers stumbled upon the CBNM during the study of the multiple compounds and strains of cannabinoid or terpene that exist in the cannabis plant.

The isolation of compounds for the study is how the CBNM was discovered. 

Related: CBN vs CBD

Like every other compound found in the cannabis plant, CBNM is formed naturally from the mother plant. It is formed from the same precursor as other CBN compounds, i.e., the oxidation of CBNA gotten from cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA).

Research has shown that the CBNM is a canonical form of the CBN. 

Unraveling the potentials of CBNM is an ongoing phase of work. Researchers cannot pinpoint the exact function of this compound. If the compound does act like CBN, it is safe to assume that its future in the field is guaranteed considering how functional the CBN is in treating bacterial, inflammation, etc.

The medical world is pushing for more research into the cannabis plant, but the constant misuse and abuse by society has been a constant defense for governments and medical boards like the FDA, UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, etc. to put a stop to the use of marijuana.

HOW DOES CBNM WORK?

Due to the lack of clinical trials and tests done on CBNM, there are no specifics to what this compound can or cannot do.

Researchers do not yet know how it works or what functions its unique features will make it perform.

There is no test to show how the CBNM works in the human body, what reaction, and what diseases it can be used to treat. 

POSSIBLE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS

Unlike the psychoactive THC group of the cannabis plant used in treating neuropathic pains, CBN is used for more subliminal purposes like fighting insomnia, burns wound, bacteria, appetite stimulation, amongst others.

Since the CBN belongs to this group of cannabinoids and is formed through the oxidization of CBNA, it is safe to assume or speculate that they will also have the same effect.

The degree of its potentiality is what we hope the continuous research will provide for the field and the betterment of medicine and relating fields of study.

INTERESTING FACTS

• It has a mass of 324.464 g/mol.
• It is a canonicalized compound.
• It is a single covalent bond compound with an atom count of 24.
• It is formed through the oxidation of cannabinolic acid (CBNA).

References

Grotenhermen, F (2003). “Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids“. Clin Pharmacokinet. 42 (4): 327–60. doi:10.2165/00003088-200342040-00003. PMID 12648025.

Pauling, Linus (1960). “The Concept of Resonance”. The Nature of the Chemical Bond – An Introduction to Modern Structural Chemistry (3rd ed.). Cornell University Press. pp. 10–13. ISBN978-0801403330

National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 628150, Cannabinol methyl derivative.