You have 0 items in your cart
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid that’s found within cannabis plants. As one of over hundreds of complex compounds that make up the composition of hemp plants, CBD is nonpsychoactive and offers comprehensive medicinal potential.
We proudly share all the basics of CBD and the compelling science behind it.
CBD was actually first discovered in 1940 by Dr. Roger Adams during his time at the University of Illinois. Although Dr. Adams was the first scientist to successfully extract CBD from the cannabis plant, he wasn’t aware of this accomplishment for several years. Dr. Walter S. Lowe began initial research on the effects of CBD on animals in 1946. This research concluded that CBD had no mind-altering effects, unlike its more popularly known cousin THC.
Israeli scientist Raphael Mechoulam made noteworthy strides in CBD research that has revolutionized our understanding of cannabis as well as our own anatomy. During his research, Mechoulam successfully isolated and identified THC. This achievement led to the identification of CBD’s three-dimensional structure. Even though CBD was discovered more than 20 years prior to THC, THC has always dominated cannabis research until recent years. Mechoulam’s significant cannabis research also led to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system.
Due to the popular recreational use of cannabis in the United Kingdom and other Western countries, cannabis research continued in the mid-1960s to early 1970s. However, THC research dominated all cannabis studies at this time.
CBD gained momentum as it became the focus of cannabinoid research in 1998 when British pharmaceutical company GW Pharmaceuticals gained licensing in order to cultivate cannabis for their clinical trials. Geoffrey Guy, the co-founder of GW Pharmaceuticals, decided to test his theory that cannabis with high CBD content could provide a significant medical application in creating a cannabis-derived pharmaceutical with no mind-altering effects. Guy hypothesized that the CBD compound had therapeutic value and could potentially counteract the psychoactivity of THC.
As preclinical research on CBD started emerging in the early 2000s, marijuana still remained federally illegal. This drove a shift towards researching and producing hemp-derived products. While marijuana and hemp are both members of the cannabis family, they differ in appearance, composition, cultivation needs, legality, and phytochemical application. Hemp inherently has a high CBD to low THC ratio, eliminating any psychoactive properties. The 2018 Farm Bill ended hemp prohibition on the federal level, making hemp a legal commodity that can be sold and transported to all 50 states. Whether CBD is derived from marijuana or hemp, it maintains the same chemical makeup and benefit potential. Hemp-derived CBD offers better access to individuals across the nation without the mind-altering effects of marijuana-derived CBD.
The bulk of the existing CBD research available today is still in the preclinical phase. Since the 2018 Farm Bill, most states now have their own hemp cultivation programs or are planning on launching their programs this year. While the available preclinical and anecdotal data has been overwhelmingly positive, significant strides in clinical research need to be completed in order to make conclusive statements regarding CBD’s therapeutic value and potential medical applications.