Though evidence of cannabis consumption by humans dates back thousands of years, CBD was not isolated until 1940 by the chemist Roger Adams, and its chemical structure wasn’t clearly defined until 1963 by Raphael Mechoulam.
Although CBD and THC are by far the most popular and well-studied, there are more than 60 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Many of them are present in such low amounts that they’re difficult to detect at all; modern scientific estimates place the real number anywhere between 60 and 113 cannabinoids.
Because CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the brain, it’s not entirely accurate to describe it as non-psychoactive. However, it will not induce the sense of euphoria for which it’s cousin, THC, is so well-known.
CBD is the same regardless of where it comes from, be it industrial hemp or marijuana. Some strains of cannabis yield a higher THC percentage relative to CBD, and vice versa. The 2018 Farm Bill defines hemp as having 0.3 percent or less THC, limiting CBD production in states where marijuana is still illegal to industrial hemp.
While sometimes used interchangeably, CBD oil and hemp oil are different. While they both come from hemp, CBD is derived from mostly the flowers or buds – although full plant extracts use the entire plant. Hemp seed oil, on the other hand, is derived solely from the seeds of the plant and contains no cannabinoids.
While CBD in of itself has several purported benefits, it works best in conjunction with the many other cannabinoids present in cannabis. This concept is known as the entourage effect and is the reasoning behind the popularity of full-spectrum CBD oil over most other CBD products.
CBD is a negative allosteric modulator of CB1, the cannabinoid receptor to which THC directly binds. This reduces THC’s binding affinity to that receptor, thereby diminishing some of the effects of THC. Studies have demonstrated that users report feeling less anxious and less euphoric overall when administered a combination of CBD and THC as opposed to THC alone.
As if the growing market for CBD weren’t already obvious enough, a recent study by BDS Analytics projects the overall market to reach and surpass $20 billion by 2024. This constitutes a compound annual growth rate of 49 percent, making the total market for all cannabis products (CBD and THC) reach $45 billion by 2024.
The endocannabinoid system by which CBD enacts its effects is present in all mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. This includes cats and dogs, which are known to experience many of the same medical and emotional issues as humans. It is therefore logical – and widely anecdotally supported – to suggest that CBD can help our pets manage anxiety, stress, pain, nausea, and other ailments. The Bearded Hempster believes in the power of CBD for pets and offers a CBD pet tincture for use with your furry friend or friends.
At the time of this writing, only one cannabis-derived product has been approved by the FDA: Epidiolex, a drug containing CBD, is administered to patients two years of age and older as a treatment for seizures. The FDA currently prohibits the marketing of any CBD product as a treatment for any disease or condition and emphasizes that some manufacturers of CBD products are not abiding by FDA standards and are potentially putting consumers at risk.
Though much is already known about CBD and its effects, much remains to be discovered. There is an ongoing global shift in attitudes regarding how CBD is viewed both as a drug and a consumer commodity, whereupon continued scientific study is shedding more light on its therapeutic potential while discrediting the negative stigmas of the past.
Numerous clinical studies and scientific research support the potential of CBD as treatment for a wide range of conditions. The conditions listed here have at least one, and in many cases, several clinical studies on CBD that show it may help. Some of the studies are also on THC in combination with CBD but the majority of the studies are on CBD.
Statements in this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure my disease. Always check with your physician before starting a new wellness or dietary program. Please view our full terms of use agreement for more information and the terms and conditions governing your use of this site. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural derivative of cannabis plants that promote and support nutrition, health and wellness, as well as anti-aging. Source: US Government Patent #6,630,507: "Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants." The Bearded Hempster does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act.
