The history of CBD (cannabidiol) as medicine dates back thousands of years. CBD is one of the many chemical compounds found in cannabis plants, and it has been used for various medicinal purposes in different cultures throughout history. Here is an overview of the historical milestones related to CBD as medicine:
Ancient Times:
- Cannabis has been cultivated and used for its medicinal properties in ancient civilizations such as China, India, and Egypt.
- In ancient China, around 2700 BCE, Emperor Shen Neng prescribed cannabis tea for various ailments, including gout and rheumatism.
19th Century:
- Cannabis extracts were commonly used in Western medicine during the 19th century. CBD was not isolated as an individual compound at this time, but cannabis extracts were used for pain relief, muscle spasms, and other conditions.
- In 1839, Irish physician William B. O'Shaughnessy introduced cannabis to Western medicine after studying its use in India. He found it effective in treating various conditions like muscle spasms, epilepsy, and pain.
Early 20th Century:
- The use of cannabis-based medicines began to decline in the early 20th century due to the introduction of new pharmaceutical drugs and the increasing restrictions on cannabis.
- In 1937, the United States passed the Marihuana Tax Act, which imposed strict regulations on cannabis, effectively limiting its medical use.
Late 20th Century:
- In the 1970s and 1980s, researchers started to investigate the chemical composition of cannabis and discovered the existence of different cannabinoids, including CBD.
- In 1980, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and his team at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem isolated CBD for the first time.
- In the 1990s, scientists discovered the endocannabinoid system in the human body, which led to a better understanding of how cannabinoids interact with the body's receptors.
21st Century:
- In the early 2000s, interest in CBD as a potential therapeutic compound grew, and research on its medical applications expanded.
- In 2018, the United States passed the Farm Bill, which legalized the cultivation and sale of hemp-derived CBD products with a low THC content (less than 0.3%).
- CBD has gained popularity as a natural remedy for various conditions, including pain, anxiety, epilepsy, and sleep disorders.
- As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, CBD has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for two rare forms of epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
It's important to note that while CBD has shown promise in certain medical applications, more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and long-term effects. As research continues, the medical uses of CBD may evolve and expand.
