CBD Was Always Considered a Remedy
Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations in China, Egypt, and India. The plant was used to treat a variety of ailments, from pain relief to anxiety and sleep disorders.
But despite its long history of use as a remedy, cannabis and its derivatives have only recently begun to gain acceptance in the modern medical community.
Nowadays, we can find them in many forms and convenient products and its use is more popular every day.
A Remedy Without Unwanted Side Effects
One of the compounds found in cannabis, CBD (cannabidiol), has been the focus of much research in recent years due to its medicinal properties.
Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, CBD does not produce a “high” and is non-intoxicating. This has made it a popular choice for those looking for the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without the unwanted side effects.
CBD Usage Throughout Ancient History
CBD has been used as a remedy for centuries. The first recorded use of cannabis dates back to 2737 BCE when Emperor Shen Nung prescribed marijuana for medical purposes.
Additionally, other ancient cultures have used cannabis and hemp for spiritual, medicinal and recreational purposes.
In traditional Chinese medicine, cannabis was used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve sleep. The Chinese also used the plant to treat a wide range of conditions including gout, rheumatism, and malaria.
The Chinese herbal text “Shennong Bencaojing”, which dates back to around 100 A.D, describes the use of cannabis as a medicine.
In ancient Egypt, the plant was used as an anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, and a treatment for eye-related ailments.
Egyptian papyri dating back to 1500 B.C. mention the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. The Ebers Papyrus, a medical text from ancient Egypt, describes the use of cannabis as a treatment for glaucoma and inflammation.
Ancient Indian culture also had a significant history of using cannabis for medicinal purposes in Ayurvedic medicine.
Cannabis was used to treat a wide range of conditions including headaches, digestive issues, and anxiety. Ayurvedic texts dating back to 800 B.C describe the use of cannabis as a medicine.
CBD Research and Development in Modern Medicine
The history of CBD research can be traced back to the 1940s when a team of researchers at the University of Illinois discovered its anti-inflammatory properties. However, due to the legal restrictions on cannabis and the lack of funding for research, progress was slow for many years.
It wasn’t until the 1990s that the first CBD-based pharmaceutical drug, Epidiolex, was developed. The drug, which is used to treat seizures in children with certain forms of epilepsy, was approved by the FDA in 2018.
This was a significant milestone for CBD research, as it marked the first time a cannabis-derived compound had been approved by the federal government for medical use.
In the years following the development of Epidiolex, interest in CBD research began to grow.
Scientists started to study the compound’s potential uses for a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, pain, and inflammation.
Many states in the US have passed legislation to legalize the use of CBD for medicinal purposes, which has also led to an increase in funding for research.
As a result, there has been a significant increase in the number of studies on CBD in recent years. These studies have explored the compound’s potential therapeutic benefits and have provided new insights into its mechanisms of action.
Studies have shown that CBD may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-anxiety, and anti-seizure properties.
However, despite the growing body of research, much remains unknown about CBD and its effects. Many studies have been limited by their small sample sizes, lack of control groups, or poor study design.
Further research is needed to better understand the compound’s potential benefits and risks, as well as to identify the optimal dosing and administration methods.
The recent years have brought a lot of progress in terms of CBD research and understanding of its medicinal properties and how it may interact with the body.
Still, there is a lot more to learn, and hopefully, the future research will bring more conclusive results, making CBD available as a treatment for more conditions.
The Recent Resurgence of Cannabidiol for Medicinal Purposes
The growing acceptance of CBD as a medical treatment has also led to the widespread availability of CBD products such as tinctures, oils, edibles, topicals and more.
CBD has become a popular remedy for many conditions, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, inflammation and more. It is being used as an alternative to over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications with fewer side effects.
With the legalization of CBD in many states across the United States, more people are able to access this natural remedy legally.
Takeaway
While the use of CBD as a remedy has come a long way in recent years, there is still much to be learned about the compound and its effects.
However, the growing body of research and the increasing acceptance of CBD as a medical treatment suggest that it will continue to play an important role in the field of medicine in the future.
Cannabis was always considered a remedy throughout history, but only recently science started catching up and studies showed CBD specific properties that have been helpful for many medical conditions.
The journey of CBD acceptance and regulation is ongoing but the potential benefits are undeniable.
