Study Finds CBN Promising for Glaucoma Treatment
Apr 17th 2024
A recent peer-reviewed study, published in the journal BBA-Molecular Basis of Disease, found that CBN may have the potential to protect neurons in the retina that are associated with vision. The study showed that "CBN normalized pressure levels that otherwise cause damage in cases of glaucoma."
Glaucoma is an eye condition caused by pressure-related damage to the optic nerve, which is vital for vision. Glaucoma is also one of the leading causes of blindness among people over 60 years old.
CBN (or Cannabinol) is one of hundreds of naturally occurring compounds found in hemp and cannabis. It is non-psychoactive, and has been known to help with symptoms of sleep and anxiety disorders.
According to the research, CBN appeared to provide "superior therapeutic effects" against glaucoma compared to other cannabinoids. Additionally, CBN was shown to have a broader therapeutic window than THC, meaning that doses would not need to be administered as frequently.
The study reports that "CBN promotes neuroprotection, [prevents] changes in ECM protein, and normalizes the IOP levels in the eye. Therefore, [the] observations in the present study indicate a therapeutic potential for CBN in the treatment of glaucoma."
The study was a collaboration effort between the University of British Columbia and InMed Pharmaceuticals, "a Vancouver-based company that has developed CBN eyedrops as a potential treatment for glaucoma."
On their website, InMed states that they are prepping for a pre-Investigational New Drug meeting with the FDA, with expectations to file the necessary applications sometime in early 2023 and begin clinical human trials for the CBN eyedrops.
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