History of CBD (Cannabidiol)

Cannabinoids are plant compounds derived from cannabis inflorescences. The two most important and best known are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). For many years, their topic has aroused more and more interest in medical marijuana (CBD + THC) and their legalization around the world, especially in the United States.

One of the most discussed cannabinoids in medical marijuana lately is CBD. This non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid has become the subject of numerous studies that aim to further investigate and confirm the potential of medical marijuana as a drug.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at CBD; what is CBD, what is its history and how it happened that CBD is now one of the most significant compounds in the hemp plant.

To better understand the importance of CBD, it is helpful to understand the history of the entire plant.

HISTORY OF CBD

Cannabis and hemp are a type of flowering plant in many parts of the world, especially in tropical, humid and mountainous areas. Plant hemp is extremely versatile in use and despite the fact that it was illegal most of the time it has served as important crops throughout human history.

The earliest mention of the use of cannabis dates back to around 2300 BC and is described in a classic Chinese book known as the 'King of Shu'. It can be read that the Chinese used hemp to produce, among others, strong and hard fibers and ropes. They also used them as a drug to treat various conditions, ranging from rheumatism to menstrual cramps.

Fragments of hemp fiber have also been found in ancient Chinese graves that date back to around 1000 BC. Other archaeological evidence suggests that the cultivation and use of cannabis and hemp in China dates back as far as 10,000 BC, which clearly indicates that cannabis has long been an important element in people's lives.

Hemp has also been grown in India for millennia. They played a particularly important role there in various spiritual ceremonies and in local rituals. For example, the traditional Vedic drink included hemp. Indians also consumed an infusion based on cannabis during annual festivals and celebrations. To this day, in the Indian region, the psychoactive properties of THC-containing cannabis play a key role in meditation.

Hemp later spread around the world and gained immense popularity due to its wide use and ease of cultivation. In the United States, for example, cannabis was openly prescribed as a drug until the 20th century. Very often in the form of tinctures and infusions, which at that time were the basic medicines in the home medicine cabinet.

HEMP AND CANNABIS

Currently, classifying cannabis plants is much more difficult than it seems. Currently, we distinguish two of the most well-known and naturally occurring species: Cannabis and Hemp.

The two most important cannabinoids that come from these two species are CBD and THC.

They are very popular, mainly due to their incredible medical potential. Although THC has attracted more attention in the last decade, CBD is now considered a more medical substance.

CBD or cannabidiol is a compound derived from hemp flowers. CBD was first described in 1940 by Raphael Mechoulam at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. THC, in turn, comes from cannabis flowers.

EFFECTS OF CBD

Today we know that cannabinoids like THC and CBD 'infiltrate' our bodies and interact with our endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system consists mainly of two receptors (known as CB1 and CB2), although new research suggests that they may also affect other receptor cells.

Currently, the ECS is involved in a wide spectrum of physical processes and proves to be helpful in regulating, for example, appetite, mood, memory, as well as pain perception and management.

This system is usually stimulated by endocannabinoids such as anandamide or 2-AG, which are naturally produced by our body. However, if plant-based cannabinoids such as CBD are present, they also interact with this system by binding to CB1 and/or CB2 receptors, causing many beneficial therapeutic effects.

PROPERTIES OF CANNABINOIDS

Since the discovery of the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoids such as THC, CBD and many others (hemp contains more than 100 different unique cannabinoids), scientists from around the world have been trying to study their beneficial effects.

CBD, for example, has strong properties:

• - anti-inflammatory

• - antioxidant

• - analgesic

• - antipsychotic

• - neuroprotective

• - anti-cancer

AMBIENT EFFECT

The effects of cannabinoids vary depending on the dose, use, as well as the presence of other cannabinoids and compounds.

For example, Mechoulam argues that the strength of medicinal cannabis lies in the "ambient effect," which describes the unique way in which cannabinoids interact with other compounds rather than in isolation.

According to this theory, cannabinoids such as CBD and THC, along with terpenes, flavonoids and other compounds, work better than they do separately.

Which CBD oil to choose?

It is best to use a proven and original CBD oil and purified, which does not contain any impurities and does not contain synthetic or separated (crystalline) CBD. For example, Endoca is GMP certified, which ensures the integrity of the production process throughout the range. Such a certificate guarantees safety.

Uncleaned products can cause adverse reactions, e.g. allergies. There can be many reasons for allergic reactions, e.g. they can be caused by poor production, poor growing conditions, the use of pesticides or improper storage.