CBD (cannabidiol) oil is a product derived from the cannabis plant that has gained significant attention in recent years for its purported therapeutic benefits. The history of CBD oil can be traced back thousands of years to ancient civilizations that used the cannabis plant for medicinal purposes.
Uses
- The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes can be traced back to ancient China, where it was used to treat a variety of ailments, including pain and inflammation. The first recorded use of cannabis for medicinal purposes dates back to 2737 BC, when Emperor Shennong of China used it as a treatment for a variety of conditions.
- The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes then spread to other parts of the world, including India, where it was used as a treatment for anxiety and insomnia. The ancient Greeks and Romans also used cannabis for medicinal purposes, with the Greek physician Dioscorides describing it as a treatment for earaches and swelling.
In the early 20th century, cannabis was widely used as a medicine in the United States and Europe. However, in the 1930s, there was a shift in public opinion towards cannabis, and it was eventually banned in many countries around the world.
Medicinal Properties
Despite the ban on cannabis, researchers continued to study its medicinal properties, and in the 1960s, they discovered the two main active compounds in cannabis – THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the compound that causes the “high” associated with cannabis use, while CBD is non-psychoactive and does not produce a high.
In the 1990s, researchers discovered that the human body produces its own cannabinoids, which are similar to the ones found in cannabis. This led to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, which plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes in the body, including pain, mood, and appetite.
Discovery
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system sparked renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabis, and researchers began studying the effects of CBD oil on a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, and epilepsy.
In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first CBD-based medication, Epidiolex, for the treatment of two rare forms of epilepsy. This was a significant milestone in the history of CBD oil, as it was the first time that a CBD-based medication had been approved by the FDA.
Today, CBD oil is widely available in many countries around the world and is used by millions of people for a variety of conditions. There is growing evidence to suggest that CBD oil may be an effective treatment for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, and researchers continue to study its potential uses.
Despite its growing popularity, there are still many misconceptions and stigmas surrounding CBD oil, largely due to its association with the cannabis plant. However, as more research is conducted, it is becoming increasingly clear that CBD oil has significant therapeutic potential and may be a valuable tool in the treatment of a wide range of conditions.
