The History Of CBD
In 1940, a team from Illinois University isolated CBD for the first time. Bringing to life the fact that there were active compounds in the cannabis plant that did not contain the psychoactive qualities commonly associated with the plant.
In the 1970's, following the war on drugs and the passage of the Controlled Substances Act. Marijuana became difficult for scientists, doctors, and any other persons to obtain. The Act established various “schedules” that drugs and substances were placed in, varying according to potential benefits, potential for abuse and more. Schedule 1 (as its referred to), is the most restrictive and marijuana fell into this category.
In the 1980's and ’90s, CBD, started to gain more interest, specifically for pain relief and CBD was noted and documented as independent of the negative effects associated with THC usage. In 1998, a British pharmaceutical group - GW Pharmaceuticals, began official medical trials to better understand the capabilities of CBD. This early research led to international studies conducted by numerous medical societies around the world.
A significant milestone in the CBD story was also when an Israeli researcher, Raphael Mechoulam, began to uncover the chemistry behind multiple cannabinoids around 50 years ago. Specifically, how to isolate individual cannabinoids like THC and CBD from the plant as a whole. This allowed for additional research. Mechoulam received numerous international awards for his research, research which helped bring the medical benefits of CBD to the forefront.
Through these studies, working with patients with a range of challenges. Various observations were noted, including lower pain levels, fewer seizures in epileptic patients and even lower levels of anxiety in those prone to it. Cultivation on a small scale of low-THC, high-CBD crops and products began.
Furthermore, evidence of the way CBD interacts with the human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) became clear and promising. As CBD does not create the same intoxicating, psychoactive effects as traditional marijuana and THC.
As technology develops, the spread of information and interest in the potential for CBD use in the medical setting continued to grow. As people began to push for the right to treat chronic conditions and pain – especially in terminal conditions.
CBD has come a long way. It’s potential for medical use and therapeutic use, along with the treatment of various medical conditions is more than promising, based on decades of reports, documents, anecdotal and clinical evidence.
