THE PAST OF CBD
How long have cannabinoids have been important to man, and how important are they?
Cannabinoids have been vital to human existence for as long as there have been humans, as they are an integral part of human biochemistry. The Cannabis plant may have been used by man for only thousands of years, but endogenous cannabinoids, also known as endocannabinoids, have always been an integral part of our being.
In the United States, doctors began prescribing Cannabis extracts to treat various conditions as early as the 1800’s, but did not know which molecules in the plant were giving beneficial effect. By 1896 cannabinol had been discovered, with cannabidiol (CBD) following in 1940. In 1964, Drs. Mechoulam and Gaoni isolated tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), the principal activate component in Cannabis. In 1988, Howlett and Devane discovered CB1 cannabinoid receptors at which THC was active. It was later found to be active at CB2 receptors as well. Research between then and now also revealed distribution and function of cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes regulating endocannabinoid metabolism.
Medications and supplements derived from Cannabis are proving of tremendous medical value.
As an example of the multiple benefits that cannabinoids can provide with appropriate treatment, numerous studies show CBD can provide analgesic, anti-anxiety, antibacteria, anticancer, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-insomnia, anti-ischemic, antioxidant, antipsychotic, antispasmotic, and stimulatory effects. Additionally it can aid the immune system, act as a neuroprotectant and nootropic, and improve cardiovascular health.
Scientific literature supports that effective administration could provide benefit in cases of diabetes, pre-diabetes, metabolic disorder, cigarette addiction, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, schizophrenia, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and insomnia. And a growing body of user experience supports that supplementation with CBD can support human health in each of these conditions.
THE PRESENT
THE FUTURE
Optimizing treatment with improved delivery and improved cannabinoids.
Cannabis and cannabis extracts have poor bioavailability – the great majority of the active components never reach the systemic bloodstream, resulting in far higher costs to the patient or consumer than is necessary, and too much variability in effect from dose to dose and person to person. Extracts also limit the patient to receiving mixtures of multiple cannabinoids and other active species according entirely to what is present in available strains of plant, rather than the specific cannabinoid or specific mixture best suited to the particular need.
The future is in improved delivery of cannabinoids providing higher bioavailability, and tailored combinations of cannabinoids and natural actives according to the need of the patient or supplement consumer.
OF CBD
