CBD, aka cannabidiol is the non psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. You might be more familiar with its counterpart tetrahydrocannabinol aka THC, the cannabinoid that makes you feel good and happy. CBD is actually really important, especially for taking advantage of the medicinal benefits of cannabis. There’s probably a lot you didn’t know about CBD. For instance, I bet you didn’t know that…
CBD Can be Used to Fight Addiction
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that cannabis, in particular CBD can be used to combat addiction. Surveys of cannabis patients have shown that when given the option, they are going to choose cannabis over their prescription pills. Now, researchers are looking into whether CBD can actually help fight the worsening opiate crisis. This study by the National Institutes of health, showed that addicts’ cravings gradually went down after being given CBD.
Research Shows CBD Could Stop the Spread of Cancer
Several laboratory models have shown that the use of THC and CBD can kill cancer cells. There has never been a clinical trial with cancer patients, but plenty of cancer patients have claimed that using CBD oil helped them beat cancer. One of the ways that this is accomplished is through cell death. This research shows that cannabinoids help trigger programmed cell death, thus inhibiting the growth of cancer. As to whether or not CBD can actually cure cancer, that remains to be seen.
Download my free marijuana grow guide and start growing high CBD strains.
High CBD Strains are a More Recent Thing
It took a little while to catch on, but non psychoactive cannabis, i.e., cannabis that is low in THC and high in CBD is becoming more and more popular. Breeders have now perfected their technique and are able to produce strains that have virtually no THC in them. Prior to the cultivation of the low THC strain Charlotte’s Web in 2013, the only low THC strain that was readily available or well known was Harlequin.
Charlotte’s Web Wasn’t Always Called Charlotte’s Web
Speaking of Charlotte’s Web, I bet you didn’t know that it used to be called “Hippie’s Disappointment.” Before this CBD strain became famous for saving Charlotte Figi’s life it was known by the moniker “Hippie’s Disappointment” because smoking it did not get you high. People began referring to it as the much more inspiring Charlotte’s Web.
Cannabidiol is Only one of 113 Cannabinoids
Cannabidiol is only one of 113 cannabinoids in the average cannabis plant, though it is one of the major ones. It amounts to almost half (40 percent) of extracts from the cannabis plant. Other cannabinoids include Cannabinol, aka CBN, Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA), Cannabigerol (CBG), and Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid, or THCA.
CBD is Still a Schedule I Drug
Probably the most surprising thing people didn’t know about CBD is that it’s still a Schedule I drug, despite not being psychoactive at all. Even CBD that has been derived from hemp, which contains only trace amounts of THC, is considered a Schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs are those that are thought to have no medicinal benefit. Ironic, considering the only benefit of CBD is its medicinal qualities. The government has even admitted that there is medical use for CBD, yet it still remains on the same level as heroin.
Unsurprisingly, there’s still a lot that we don’t know about CBD. Who knows what we will discover in the next five years, or even the next year?
Featured Image Source: dailyleafdeals.com
How many of these were things you didn’t know about CBD? Got any other interesting facts? Tell us below!
