Nowadays, cannabidiol (CBD) seems to be everywhere. Cannabidiol extracts in oil and capsule form, CBD balms and cosmetics, and CBD edibles are among the latest and most popular health trends. Young and older adults enjoy the calming and balancing properties of this cannabinoid, and many patients with chronic pain and anxiety issues are convinced of its benefits. But for how long did we know about this remarkable plant molecule? Let’s look at some of the most critical milestones in the medical history of CBD!
The discovery of CBD and other cannabinoids
In the 1930s, biologists were starting to look in detail at the chemical makeup of cannabis, and in 1940, the organic chemist Roger Adams first isolated cannabidiol – among other cannabinoids – from a Cannabis sativa plant.
It took more than 20 years from its first isolation until CBD was known to science in molecular detail. In 1963, a group of Israeli scientists led by one of the pioneers of cannabis science, Raphael Mechoulam, was able to examine the structure of CBD and synthesized the compound for the first time. Mechoulam also discovered that CBD is non-psychotropic. This insight led to more research on the physiological benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids.
Discovery of CBD as an epilepsy medicine
Historically, it has been known for a long time that cannabis has relaxing properties and may be used to treat certain kinds of seizures. The role of CBD in this became apparent in 1977. The study „Cannabidiol — antiepileptic drug comparisons and interactions in experimentally induced seizures in rats” suggested for the first time that cannabidiol can work as an effective anticonvulsant. Insights like these led to CBD-derived pharmaceutics like Epidiolex that can treat certain forms of epileptic seizures.
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system
It’s not every day that new structures are found in the human body which have been unknown before. This is the case with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which was only discovered in recent medical history – in the 1990s. Scientists were specifically looking for previously unknown receptors to which cannabinoids like THC and CBD are binding.
The first cannabinoid receptor (CB1) was discovered by Dr Lisa Matsuda of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 1990. This was followed by the finding of the molecule anandamide – the first known endocannabinoid – a molecule similar to plant cannabinoids produced by the human body.
In 1993, the discovery of the second cannabinoid receptor, CB2, led to the realization that there is a complex system similar to the central nervous system within us – the endocannabinoid system.
The future of CBD
There is a lot more we need to find out about CBD. While many recent studies point to physiological and mental benefits, there is still some hard evidence needed about how it can work as a reliable medicine. CBD has a broad spectrum of effects within the body. And because people have very individual ailments, that may also be treated with CBD, and it is hard to pinpoint its exact effects. There is still much research going on – the future of CBD is undoubtedly auspicious!
