Read along and you will get to know the first-ever emperor to use CBD for his physical and mental well-being.
What is CBD?
During the last decade, people have started to take from stores a cannabis derivative named Cannabidiol (CBD) minus the ‘high’ (like marijuana)
We can now find CBD in almost everything, like:
- Oils
- Gummies
- Chocolate bars
- Cosmetics
- Vapes
- Dog treats
CBD is selling like hot cake.
A U.S. 2022 survey on the consumption rate of products containing CBD oil showed that out of 721 respondents ranging between 21 to 80:
- 31% used it once a day
- 14% several times a day
- 27% on a weekly basis
- 21% once in a while, for a specific reason
- 7% on a monthly basis
During 2022, CBD products sold in the United States alone cashed in 4.17 billion U.S. dollars. The CBD market is expected to grow exponentially to 4.23 billion dollars in 4 years.
Types of Cannabis
There are two types of cannabis plants: hemp and marijuana.
Now the thing is that both contain cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This THC is the main addictive and psychotic culprit. Luckily, hemp has a considerable amount of CBD in it. Whereas, it is quite low in THC
Ever since its legalization in 2018, CBD products are hitting online as well as at the storefront and people are buying them like crazy.
The point to notice is that as FDA or any other national organization is not regulating CBD products. So you cannot blindly trust these products. As they may contain high doses of THC and other contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides. Do not play with your health and be mindful while using CBD products.
Do you know that the US Food and Drug Administration–approved CBD product is the only one so far named Epidiolex? (Greenwich Biosciences)
Epidiolex is approved for the treatment of two types of epilepsy.
There are many claims about the potential benefits of CBD, but scientific evidence backs none of them.
Currently, many studies on CBD as a treatment are underway for multiple conditions:
- Diabetes
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Schizophrenia
So, it is better for you to do your thorough research before starting to consume it.
With that being said, let’s have a look at the history of CBD.
History of CBD
Nations and Cannabis
Different nations have celebrated Cannabis in different ways.
Mongols and Siberians harvested cannabis plants in 12000 BCE.
Since 6000 BCE, cannabis seeds and oils are used as a food source in China.
The first CBD-derived medicines were used by Chinese Emperor Sheng Neng in 2737 BC. He used a cannabis-infused tea (instead of CBD oil) to treat malaria, gout, and rheumatism. He also used it as a memory booster.
Queen Victoria used to have CBD for the treatment of Pre-menstrual syndrome.
India took Cannabis to a whole new level and included it in their religious ceremonies and annual celebrations from 2000 to 1000 BCE. They named it one of the five sacred plants which house a guardian angel.
It was a custom to get engorged with cannabis during weddings and other festivals to honor the God Shiva.
During the Hindu devotional meetings, bhajans, a large group will gather to consume cannabis as part of their meditation.
From India, this kind of meditation process moved to East Asia, Tibet, and Mongolia and was widely practiced in Tantric Buddhism.
The Middle East
Pharaoh Ramses 11 (1279-1213 BCE) used cannabis not only in textiles but also used it as a building material as well as for skin care. He even got buried with the cannabis oils buried next to him. Later on, researchers also found other Egyptian mummies with traces of cannabis in their systems.
The Egyptians also had thorough research on cannabis, which was luckily recorded by them on scrolls that date back to 2000 BCE. They referred CBD to as shemshemet in those papyrus scrolls.
Following the footsteps of the researchers from the Greeks, Romans, and Indians, Arab physicians also did a lot of research on cannabis and they backed its use, after noticing its multiple benefits.
From the Middle East, the detailed research of Muslim physicians traveled to other countries.
Cannabis oil was being used in the Middle East even before the birth of Christ.
The Hebrew Old Testament and Aramaic translations have Cannabis mentioned as a form of incense.
Cannabis incense used to be burnt in the Babylonian and Assyrian temples as part of religious rituals.
History of Cannabis Prohibition
So, you read about the highs of cannabis. Now, let’s check out the circumstances of its prohibition around the world that led to its lows.
The first-ever ban on the cultivation and use of cannabis was recorded during the 1300s by the emir of Joneima, Soudoun Sheikouni.
In 1787, the King of Madagascar Andrianampoinimerina announced a death sentence for any person found yielding cannabis.
In 1801, Napoleon prohibited his soldier’s cannabis consumption.
The late 1800s saw cannabis getting banned in numerous Islamic countries.
As the 20th century began, more countries, including the US, UK, and Newzealand, saw cannabis getting strong prohibition.
Discovery of CBD
As we told you earlier that hemp cultivation was banned in a number of places in the World. Still, man is a creature of interest, and his quest eventually led him to discovery of CBD.
In 1839, the study of William B. O’Shaughnessy, an Irish physician, and medical researcher, on hemp’s therapeutic effects caused outrage among the public. At the same time, it churned an interest among researchers to find out more about its medical properties.
It was primarily Shaughnessy’s studies that led us to peep into the greatness of CBD.
As organic chemistry progressed, Roger Adams was successfully able to discover cannabidiol or CBD in 1940.
He was able to isolate CBD and CBN (cannabinol) from the hemp plant. Moreover, he presumed a psychoactive chemical THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) as well.
But the discovery of THC was crowned to Raphael Mechoulam in 1964.
How can I know which CBD is best for me?
It is better that you take a trained medical professional’s advice who has an experience with CBD therapeutics. The appropriate options and dosing in which a person can take CBD depends on the individual and his condition.
You have to check out the amount of THC present in the product.
How many forms of CBD are there?
Commercially, CBD comes in different forms, like:
- Ingestible
- Inhalation-based
- Sublingual
- Suppository
- Topical
- Transdermal
Is CBD psychoactive?
Yes, CBD is psychoactive, as it produces a neuro-calming effect on the brain. That being said, it won’t make you high or intoxicated.
CBD shares its psychoactive nature with that of caffeine, nicotine, and some pain relievers.
- It increases serotonin (the feel-good hormone) and decreases cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
- Helps to alleviate pain and maintain the body’s homeostasis.
- Calms the mind and body.
- Lowers anxiety.
- Elevates sleepiness.
How does CBD oil work?
The Endocannabinoid system (ECS) runs throughout our body. It plays an important role in maintaining the balance of different body processes referred to as ‘homeostasis’.
Our body contains special cannabinoid receptors (cell proteins that respond to different chemicals). Further studies showed that the human body produces some chemicals known as endocannabinoids. ECS and receptors together affect health.
Cannabis happens to produce two of the main active compounds, THC, and CBD, (phytocannabinoids) which serve the same purpose as human endocannabinoids.
Now if you use CBD daily, then it interacts with your endocannabinoid system, resulting in improved health.
ECS is also present in the same way in other mammals, birds, and reptiles.
What is CBD oil?
CBD extract is taken from the hemp plant’s specific parts that are rich in cannabidiol. This extract is in the form of an oily, thick, sticky paste. It is also known as hemp extract or hemp oil. This extract is then mixed with a carrier oil and we get CBD oil.
CBD oil is characterized by being analgesic and anti-inflammatory. People use it for alleviating chronic back pain, neuropathic pain, arthritic pain, cancer pain, and fibromyalgia.
Is it safe to use CBD oil?
Although prescription CBD oil is found great for treating epilepsy and seizures, still its side effects are also evident. The side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Reduced appetite
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
It can also interact with other medications (like blood thinners).
As the CBD market is growing every passing day with no checks and balances so it may also contain less CBD and more THC than the ‘safe’ amount to be consumed. Therefore, always check with your doctor or any CBD expert before purchasing it.
According to a report issued by World Health Organization in November 2017, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential. … To date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
Is CBD oil safe for children?
A purely extracted CBD oil is considered totally safe for children’s use.
Recent years have seen a massive gain in the popularity of CBD to treat children suffering from epilepsy.
In order to get the most effective CBD oil strain, always make sure to discuss it with the children’s physician before using CBD.
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