As a leading voice in CBD products and education in the South Bay, Cloud City Supply is celebrating National CBD Day with a little history lesson today. In this post, we will explore the history and origins of CBD, and explain how the compound became such an attractive option in alternative medicinal practices today.
Although CBD seems to have only gained popularity in recent years, did you know there’s actually a rich history that dates back thousands of years in various ancient cultures that have used cannabis for its plethora of healing properties?
The origins and evolution of CBD in medicine
Originating documentation begins in 2737 BCE in ancient Chinese medical texts. Chinese physicians used the cannabis plant as a natural remedy for various conditions including pain relief, inflammation, and indigestion. In the ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicinal practice – one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems – cannabis was also used for pain management, anxiety, and even epilepsy. Around the 7th century, the plant gained recognition in the Middle East and quickly became a staple herbal remedy throughout Islamic cultures. Arabic medical texts mention it was utilized for many of the same therapeutic purposes, most notably for pain relief.
Eventually, cannabis’ gleaming reputation reached Europe during the medieval period and was listed in many pharmacopeias throughout the 19th century. During this time cannabis was also used for copious common medicinal purposes in the United States until it was later criminalized in the early 20th century. It wasn’t until the 1940s when CBD garnered the interest of researchers who first discovered the compound in the cannabis plant. Approximately 50 years later, after scientists ascertained knowledge of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the 1990s, data about specific cannabinoid extracts (like CBD) and how they interact with the human body to produce these magical effects became available.
Modern research and legalization
The medical marijuana movement gained momentum in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, which led to the legalization of medical cannabis in several countries and states within the United States. Research shows that medical marijuana has made a significant impact on the treatment of chronic health conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. CBD is most affectionately known for providing the same therapeutic benefits as marijuana without the psychoactive effects. This has earned the compound’s credibility as an effective, non-intoxicating antidote in modern alternative medicine.
As the stigma around cannabis decreases, more countries and states have moved to legalize its medicinal and even recreational use. Legalization has opened doors for new findings in research and development that suggest CBD as a notable treatment for conditions ranging from anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. Today, relaxing legal restrictions for the use and production of CBD continues to allow new learnings about the compound and its potential medical applications to surface.
The future of CBD
The history of CBD in alternative medicine reflects a long-standing tradition of cannabis and its derivatives for restorative purposes in ancient healing practices. While research is still underway and the secret powers of CBD continue to unfold, there’s one thing we can be sure of: CBD is an esteemed treatment option and curative supplement for anyone looking to improve their mental or physical health.
