Experts anticipate that, by 2022, the CBD market will reach $22 million.
CBD has so many benefits to it with very minimal side effects, so it’s no wonder that more and more people are turning to it.
CBD products are on the rise as more states are legalizing it. Here’s a brief history of CBD and why we started using it to solve medical problems.
History of CBD
Believe it or not, CBD has been used even way before modern times. In fact, we’ve been using as early as 4000 B.C.
In Chinese records, it is shown that hemp was a primary crop for their farmers. There are records showing that they farmed it up to 5,000 years ago until about 220 A.D. According to some of the records from those dynasties, it shows that hemp was actually one of the main crops that was grown in their country.
In the 1500s, scientists started studying cannabis and its products.
People in England even used it as well. There are records from 1533 proving that even King Henry VIII used it. He had a portion of farmer’s land dedicated specifically for growing hemp and would fine them if they didn’t do that.
When British people came to America, they also grew hemp here. Just like in England, it was illegal for them not to grow it here. In fact, they were instructed to grow it on the best ground that they could. In fact, the draft for the American constitution was written on hemp paper.
History of Benefits
While the history of CBD is known, the benefits of CBD was also documented and noted throughout time.
In the 1500s, a Portuguese doctor noticed that his servants that used CBD were happier and hungrier more of the time.
Also in the 1500s, a Chinese doctor noticed that CBD had anti-nausea effects.
Queen Victoria even used CBD in the 19th century. She used to smoke it to ease her menstrual cramps, which could even work today.
Modern CBD History
For those who use CBD products today, you have Roger Adams to thank for that.
He was a chemist who graduated from Harvard University, and he was the one who first successfully extracted CBD from the cannabis plant in 1940.
However, when he first did that, he wasn’t aware of what he had actually done. It wasn’t until years later that someone realized the impact of what he had done, which prompted more research into the benefits and science of CBD.
In 1946, Dr. Walter S. Loewe started some of that CBD research. He started testing CBD on animals in a lab, which was the first test on lab animals on the effects of CBD. Some of the research he did gave more insight into the effects of CBD.
From these tests, he proved that CBD does not produce the high feeling that is found in THC.
In the 1960s, more research was conducted on animals for CBD oil.
In the middle of the 1970s, an article was published in America about how CBD was effective in treating a young girl’s (Charlotte Figi) seizures. This was a pivotal point in the modern history of CBD.
A decade later, Dr. Mechoulam proved that CBD could be effective in treating epilepsy.
CBD was outlawed in all 50 states starting in the 1950s, a short time after it was discovered.
After all of the advancements made in science and research, the legality of it brought up once again. There were so many benefits to it, and if there was no mind-altering effect, why would it be illegal?
But in October of 2003, the first patent based on CBD was filed with the U.S. government.
The process was started in 2017 to take steps to begin approval from the FDA for CBD to be used for medicinal purposes.
How CBD Products Are Used Today
Now, CBD is legal in all fifty states; however, there are still some restrictions. It depends on where the CBD is derived from (cannabis or hemp), and it is only legal if it has less than a certain amount of THC found in it.
These different factors will vary from state to state, so you should check with your state’s laws before you start using CBD medicinally.
The stigma that surrounds it is slowly starting to evaporate. More and more people are becoming aware of all the benefits that it has, and more people are realizing that CBD is not the component that gets you high.
People use CBD in many different ways to treat many different things. CBD has so many different benefits which makes it so available for all kinds of different people to use.
In a brief overview, some of the medicinal properties of CBD include:
- Reduce pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Relieve anxiety
- Relieve depression
- Alleviate cancer symptoms
- Has neuro-protective properties
- Aid heart health
Many people have started taking CBD instead of their prescription medications because CBD also doesn’t have many side effects.
Some of the possible side effects of CBD oil may include:
- Fatigue
- Appetite changes
- Weight gain or loss
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
If you think CBD may be the right option for you, talk to your doctor about your options.
Learn More About CBD
CBD has a very long history, but just now are we learning about all of the benefits the CBD products have to offer.
With it being legal now, you also have easier access to CBD.
If you want to know how much CBD oil you should start taking, check out this article.