A lot has happened in history, and only a handful is worth recalling. One of those events would be CBD’s discovery as a potential beneficial compound that excludes getting stoned in the process. According to this blog, CBD wasn’t officially recognized as a legal compound until 2018, albeit with severe restrictions. It can be grown industrially, and the strict policies all lie in the growing process, according to the 2018 Farm Bill.
CBD can be grown in designated hemp farms, but not casually like basil, a backyard plant. This can cause severe issues against the bill and may fine you. A producer or farmer can be banned from producing hemp if they do not comply with the state’s hemp production plan. How did this one plant with a lot of benefits make its way to being legalized? Read on to find out.
What Is CBD?
CBD is also known as cannabidiol. It is a compound found in abundance in hemp plants. Around 40% are accounted as cannabidiol, and the rest are the 112 other cannabinoids, including THC. THC is Tetrahydrocannabinol, a phytocannabinoid that is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis in the body. Unlike marijuana, which has almost 65% of THC content, cannabidiol has a minuscule amount.
Cannabidiol is the preferred choice of cannabis users for a lot of products. This is because of its small amount of THC that can be removed immediately during manufacturing. A pet company is expected to see to it that THC does not reach their formula, THC being extraordinarily toxic and hard to remove inside an animal’s body. Unlike our human bodies that can metabolize a moderate THC, an animal’s body will react differently during its introduction.
Some adverse effects it causes to dogs, cats, and even horses range from moderate to severe symptoms. It can be in the form of dilated pupils, uncoordinated and unsteady gait, copious vomiting, incessant howling, and coma. In the worst scenario, these symptoms can cause death to your pet. 3rd party lab results to ensure the pureness of formula is an excellent sign of a reputable company. Looking out for reviews and asking for recommendations from family and friends helps, too.
The History Of CBD
- Ancient China
The first use of hemp was recorded in ancient China during the Shang Dynasty. It was a versatile plant that can be medicinally used, but it’s generally for ropes and textiles. According to this page: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-teenage-mind/201105/history-cannabis-in-ancient-china, CBD was used extensively. The flowers, seeds, stalks, and leaves were used to treat many conditions, like menstrual aches, and can be used as laxatives and even an antidote.
The flowers and seeds were mainly used for food and cooking rice. The overall plant was used for skin conditions and wounds and used as anesthesia during the 2500 BC. Modern China, however, has banned the use of cannabis.
- The 1800s
The Queen of England, Queen Victoria, had used a tincture of cannabis to relieve her menstrual cramps. That tincture had a substantial amount of CBD, and the royal had used that tincture a lot during her days with aches and pains.
In 1841, William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, an assistant surgeon, brought fame to CBD in the west. He wrote several articles citing the use of CBD for symptoms of tetanus, including spasticity. He also made books dedicated to the compound and studied it thoroughly. Unfortunately, 1911 came and put an end to his career.
- The 1900s
Roger Adams was an American chemist that returned the spotlight to CBD. He was able to isolate cannabidiol from the other compounds and study its structure. Years later, he realized the impact of his discovery and sparked many interests to other scientists. 6 years later, Dr. Walter S. Loewe had taken the lead into animal testing, which will ultimately lead to another incredible discovery: cannabidiol is non-psychoactive.
In 1978, New Mexico legalized cannabis as a free treatment for many diseases. Though the public was outraged, the government did not intervene but watched closely for any abuse in growing it. During 1980, Dr. Melcoulam had treated a little epileptic girl named Charlotte with CBD and was amazed by its potency, bringing her seizure episodes to a mere three seizures per month instead of her usual 300. Then, 1996 came, and California had legalized cannabis as medically usable.
- Modern Time
Today, cannabis still stands as one of the treatments for epilepsy, joint pains, and any other illnesses. Though it lacks scientific studies to back up its trending success, cannabidiol continues to bring many testimonies of positive effects to the table. With little time and more freedom to study hemp, the science side might be able to see its benefits as well.