After more than a half century of prohibition and negative propaganda, the mainstream is finally beginning to recognize the curative powers of the cannabis plant
In 2011 when the Stanley Brothers created Charlotte’s Web – a cannabidiol-dominant sativa strain with extremely low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol – it quickly came to be known as “Hippie’s Disappointment.” This was because of its virtual inability to cause a high. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive component of cannabis, and has a presence of about 0.3% in Charlotte’s Web. Without the high, thought the hippies, what was the point?
It wasn’t long before that question was answered. In 2013, Charlotte’s Web earned its name and made national news by dramatically reducing the epileptic seizures of Charlotte Figi, a young girl with Dravet syndrome. The story brought the medicinal and therapeutic value of the cannabis plant front and center on the public stage – specifically that of cannabidiol (CBD). Since then, media coverage, medical research and public demand have all skyrocketed for high-CBD cannabis products.
What is CBD & What Sets It Apart From THC and Terpines?
CBD is one of the two primary cannabis-derived compounds responsible for the benefits of cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive properties. One could argue that the mind-altering effects of THC (think DUIs, long-term cognitive decline and loss of productivity at work) are the main reason the cannabis plant has been so misunderstood for so long in the first place. Instead, CBD has a wide range of curative and therapeutic properties including. Terpenes are oils from the marijuana plant that interact with THC to alter the type of high a person gets. They are also the “flavor” of marijuana. They are legally sold on the Web (https://www.true-blue.co/) and in stores nationwide.
- Anti-Carcinogenic CBD is commonly prescribed to cancer patients today. This is because it’s shown to combat symptoms of the disease and even relieve the pain that can come with cancer treatment. CBD has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that go beyond chemotherapy, ameliorating the chronic pains of debilitating conditions such as gout and arthritis.
- Anti-Spasmodic CBD is also effective against Parkinson’s and other conditions that cause epilepsy or intermittent seizures. This is due to its ability to alter the uptake of ions into the neurones. Several different studies (even randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled studies) have been able to confirm the link between light CBD medication and a 38.9% average drop in seizure frequency.
- Anti-Psychotic CBD is even used to treat psychological symptoms including paranoia, stress and insomnia. Clinical and independent studies show a link between CBD and reduced stress via regulation of the limbic and paralimbic areas of the brain – they also show that CBD is the active compound that counteracts the effects of THC (loss of time, anxiety etc) during cannabis consumption.
CBD & CBD Products: Invaluable for All Lifestyles
While the consumption of cannabis was regularly demonized as a pastime for gangsters and misfits as recently as two decades ago, CBD products (such as isolates, tinctures and salves) are now increasingly touted as indispensable. Whether by celebrities with uniquely on-the-go lifestyles, big city professionals on the stressful metropolitan grind or even mixed martial artists in convalescence, CBD garners plenty of praise for its beneficial qualities — and with good reason. As medical and scientific research into this miracle compound is completed, it’s likely we’ll see it incorporated into new and exciting methods of disease prevention and treatment.