The History of CBD [Overview]
Cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant, has grown a lot in popularity during the last half a decade. However, the journey of this effective cannabinoid dates back thousands of years. In this article, we shed some light on the history of CBD and what the future holds for hemp-based products.
Going Into the Past
The first signs of hemp cultivation seem to come from an ancient village located somewhere near Taiwan, nearly 12,000 years ago. Hemp cultivation began around the same time as other staple agricultural items started to be grown. It was considered a necessary plant in ancient Asian culture. At that time nobody even thought about CBD gummies, CBD vape oil, CBD honey sticks or even what are the real CBD oil effects.
However, while hemp farming started 12,000 years ago, the first reported use of the plant for medicinal purposes comes from 2900 BC in Ancient China. The Chinese have always been known for having amazing capabilities with innovation in the field of medicine, so it makes sense they would be the ones to begin using the plant for its therapeutic benefits.
Shen Yeng – the renowned Chinese emperor– is attributed with discovering the medicinal applications of cannabis and believed that the plant could aid with a wide variety of ailments. Shen Yeng, who is considered by many as the founding father of China’s dominance in medication, was an expert in gauging natural plants and seeing if they were feasible for medicinal purposes. It is also believed that Yeng used to drink tea that was concocted using the leaves of the hemp plant.
Yeng is also believed to have authored and written a popular text known as Pen Ts’au in Chinese history. The book is of great importance because here Yeng made assumptions and claims that the cannabis plant hosts a significant number of medicinal applications.
Chinese doctors treated many priests and other spiritual leaders from that time using Cannabis as a healing agent. These pillars of society likely brought cannabis back to their own tribes and regions. While back then they still did not use it in candies and cookies as we already have today, they did already started using it in the famous Chinese teas.
Cannabis Comes to Europe
With hemp finding its roots inside China, one might have questions over how the plant first came to Europe or the West. Actually, it was the Romans who first came across the magic herb during one of their devastating military campaigns conducted across the North of Africa and Asia.
One Greek physician, Pedacius Dioscorides, accompanied the Romans in their conquests. He gathered as many plants as he could along the way and made a book titled Materia Medica, highlighting the importance of each new species he found.
Dioscorides mentioned over 600 different species of plants in his book, and Cannabis was one of them. Once it was introduced into Europe, hemp grew increasingly popular around Europe and parts of Africa. As Europeans expanded across through invasions and crusades, they would leave behind fragments of their popular culture and hemp was one such fragment.
Such was the popularity and the benefit of hemp cultivation during the 15th Century, that growing hemp was a requirement that all English farmers were expected to adhere to. Not growing the crop would ultimately lead to a substantial fine of sorts. The same decree was furthered to all of the developing colonies of New Found Land, or America.
Hemp Becomes a Standard
Once hemp became a standard in American Colonies, it was used as a means of creating clothing, fabric, and rope, among other materials. Hemp was considered an important staple crop, and the ever-growing market meant that farmers got good returns on their efforts.
It was during 1753 that hemp first got its scientific name by Linnaeus, a Swedish scientist. After due contemplation, Linnaeus set the scientific name for hemp as Cannabis sativa. Cannabis slowly became common for medicinal purposes throughout the 19th century and was used as a treatment option for gastrointestinal issues.
Welcome the Propaganda
With such smooth sailing, someone in the 19th Century might have predicted cannabis to be the face of medicine in the coming 100 years. However, trouble was soon brewing and took over the world in the 20th Century.
The first signs of bias towards cannabis were seen during the early 20th Century in the US. The Mexican Revolution saw many Mexican Immigrants bring with them stockpiles of the marijuana plant that they would smoke for recreational purposes.
There was an intense fear of Mexican immigrants in the American public, and that resentment soon became associated with hemp. It was not CBD hemp oil that was banned, nor were the CBD effects well understood, but States within America felt the heat, and by the end of 1931, around 30 States within the country had outlawed and banned marijuana.
A man named Harry J. Anslinger fueled much of this fear and resentment. Anslinger, who was one of the founding members of the Bureau of Narcotics, remained as the director of the Bureau from 1930 to 1962. During this period he was a staunch critic of hemp and its medicinal properties.
Astringer ignored all the medical and scientific research about hemp and instead fabricated news to suggest that the plant should be banned for all. Anslinger referred to cannabis as marijuana (the Mexican name for cannabis) because he knew that doing so would foster the narrative that the plant was associated with an evil and foreign tool invading the United States.
CBD’s Discovery
CBD was first extracted from cannabis in 1940 by Roger Adams. And just because it was illegal in the USA didn’t mean that people all over the world would suddenly stop caring about it. Scientists and researchers everywhere wanted to know what made Cannabis so special and what are the real CBD oil effects.
What gave the plant its mellowing effects over the human psyche?
From where did it draw its uncanny ability to whisk away pain? Why is CBD oil for pain?
How was it able to banish an oncoming seizure, or draw the infection from a wound? Is CBD oil for anxiety?
In 1960, Isreali organic chemist Raphael Mechoulam was able to isolate and give us a brief description of CBD’s genetic structure, proving it to have no psychoactive effects. This, along with a few other scientific studies and findings throughout the globe, again brought into question the legality of CBD.
After many studies and much deliberation, the United States patented the first cannabis medicine of its kind- a neuroprotectant containing high levels of CBD. Fourteen years later motions were taken towards the FDA’s approval to use CBD as a medicine.
Today, a mere two years after the first steps were taken for the FDA’s approval of medical CBD, industrial hemp is legal in all 50 states in the US. According to multiple studies, CBD may reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, prevent seizures and lower pain levels.
The Future of CBD
The CBD industry is booming and set to reach a net worth of twenty billion dollars by the year 2022. The industry is now talking about CBD Vape Oil, CND Gummies, CBD Hemp Oil, CBD Oil, CBD Edibles, and much more.
Much has changed in the world over the past few years. Two decades ago, the majority of people had no idea what CBD was, let alone how it could help them. Now it is a wildly popular holistic remedy learning more about its amazing healing properties every day. WE see today numerous products, ranging from the famous vape pens, through anti-inflammatory creams, gummies, and even coffee.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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