A Short History Of CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940 and it marks a long and rich history! However, humans have been cultivating cannabis since almost 4000 years BCE, as both colloquial cannabis and industrial hemp used in textiles, papers, and ropes. The mankind’s development has been circulating around cannabis, but its legal and medical uses seen today are a phenomenon of recent times! In 1563, Portuguese physician Garcia da Orta observed that his servants who took cannabis were very happy and very hungry. Around the same time, Chinese doctor Li Shizhen documented the anti-nausea effects of cannabis. There was also a story saying that Queen Victoria used to smoke cannabis in order to ease her menstrual cramps!
However, the actual CBD history begins in 1940 when American organic chemist Roger Adams isolated the CBD compound without knowing for sure what he had isolated. In 1960, Israeli organic chemist Raphael Mechoulam was both able to isolate and describe the chemical structure of CBD. The chemists then could confirm that CBD was a nonpsychoactive constituent of cannabis. By the mid-1970s, the British Pharmacopoeia was referring to CBD tinctures for medical use. The medical effects of CBD were made public in America with the appearance of the Charlotte Figi’s story – a young girl’s rare seizure disorder was treated by a CBD potent treatment. And this story was quickly followed by the battle for legal CBD. By the 1950s, CBD had been outlawed in all 50 states, but the science and medicine development brought the legality of CBD back into question. In 2017, FDA took the first steps towards approving CBD for medical uses and today it is legal in all 50 States. Now it is well known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, relieve pain, promote sleep, and encourage a happier and healthier life.