Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical in the cannabis plant, which is also known as hemp and is the source of the drug known as marijuana. Although CBD is found in the marijuana plant, it is not a psychoactive chemical. CBD has become a popular medical treatment that is used in the same way as medical marijuana to treat ailments such as anxiety and seizures. However, only limited scientific evidence has been found to support or disprove the benefits CBD.
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Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical in the cannabis plant, which is also known as hemp and is the source of the drug known as marijuana . Although CBD is found in the marijuana plant, it is not a psychoactive chemical. CBD has become a popular medical treatment that is used in the same way as medical marijuana to treat ailments such as anxiety and seizures. However, only limited scientific evidence has been found to support or disprove the benefits CBD.
CBD is often sold in the form of oil that people and animals can ingest. In the United States and many other countries, CBD oil is not a federally controlled substance like marijuana, but its legal status differs in different parts of the country because it is made from the cannabis sativa plant. Cannabis sativa. No machine-readable author provided. Bogdan assumed (based on copyright claims). [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]CBD-infused cold brew coffee and tea at a California market. Deceptitom [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]
Background
Cannabis faced legal regulation in the United States beginning in the early twentieth century, and all uses were prohibited under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. However, in the early twenty-first century some US states began legalizing marijuana for medicinal and even recreational use. Although scientists cautioned that there was not yet enough research to determine any potential health benefits from marijuana (or the full range of health risks), many people claimed that marijuana relieved a wide range of symptoms. Growing legal and social acceptance of marijuana led to increased interest in other aspects of cannabis as well, from products made from hemp fiber to chemicals such as CBD.
A mother who wanted the benefits of medical marijuana for her daughter is credited with making CBD popular. The daughter, Charlotte, suffered from debilitating seizures, and her mother wanted her to benefit from the chemicals in marijuana without also having to consume the THC ( delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol , the drug's main psychoactive ingredient) in the plant. Growers created a cannabis sativa plant that contained high amounts CBD but only trace amounts of THC. The plant was used to treat Charlotte's seizures beginning in 2012, and her mother claimed it was more successful than the other treatments Charlotte received. Charlotte's story spread across the internet, and many others wanted to try CBD that did not contain THC. Charlotte and her story are often cited as one of the reasons CBD rapidly gained popularity in the US during the late 2010s.
Research on CBD increased after regulations were eased in 2015. Low-THC cannabis (hemp) was then delisted as a controlled substance in the United States by the Farm Bill of 2018. Hemp-derived CBD products subsequently saw prolific market growth, becoming trendy in a wide range of applications. Also in 2018 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first CBD-based prescription drug, Epidiolex, for treatment of two specific types of epilepsy . However, the FDA noted that it had not approved any other CBD products, and it technically remained illegal to market CBD added to foods or as a dietary supplement.
CBD products continued to see growing demand in the US in subsequent years, with the FDA estimating that the market was worth $4.6 billion in 2021. This occurred alongside a growth in the market for marijuana and THC products, both of which had been legalized in many US states by the early 2020s. However, the surging popularity of CBD also attracted increased attention from the FDA, which in January 2023 reaffirmed its stance that CBD products could not be marketed as food additives or dietary supplements. This came alongside an announcement from the FDA that it would work with Congress to establish new guidelines and policies to regulate the CBD market.
Overview
To make CBD oil, producers first grow the plant. The plant cannabis sativa can be labeled either marijuana (if it contains certain amounts of THC) or hemp (if it contains only trace amount of THC). CBD is typically made from hemp plants because the plants are bred to contain only trace amounts of THC and therefore face fewer legal obstacles. To grow the plants, growers use a cutting of another plant or seeds. They grow the plants (either in greenhouses or on outdoor farms) and closely monitor the pH level of the soil and the amount of water the plants receive.
After the growing season is over, the growers harvest the plants and dry them for weeks. The plant's flowers , which are the part of the plant that contains the chemicals people desire, are stripped from the stocks. The flowers are then ground into a powder. The ground flowers are then processed so that the chemicals are extracted from them. The chemicals go through a distillation process so that only those the manufacturer wants are present in the final product. After the CBD oil is produced, it goes through testing to ensure that it is an appropriate potency and the correct chemicals are included.
CBD is often prepared as oil that people and animals can easily consume it. Some companies also sell CBD hand lotion and other beauty products that people can apply to their skin to receive the chemical. CBD can also be infused in food, such as gummy candies, that people can eat to ingest it. CBD is sold online and in stores. It does not have to be sold in special dispensaries as medical marijuana generally does.
People take CBD for many reasons. Some people believe that it helps relieve stress and anxiety . Others claim that CBD helps patients control the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) . Some people take CBD to treat seizures, and epilepsy was the first condition for which the chemical was scientifically accepted as likely effective. Other medical problems that are treated with CBD include bipolar disorder , Parkinson's disease , and dystonia , although there is little clinical evidence supporting such applications. Some proponents of CBD have claimed that it is a wonder drug that can cure cancer and other ailments, but medical professionals deny these claims. Most doctors and other professionals believe that CBD has some medical benefits but caution patients who want to use it. Since CBD is sold as a supplement, it is not regulated in the same way that medications are regulated in the United States.
CBD does not have many known significant side effects, though the FDA warns it can potentially cause liver damage. In addition, some users may experience dry mouth, decreased appetite, nausea, or drowsiness. Medical professionals also worry about potential negative interactions with other drugs , such as blood thinners. Health officials have expressed further concern about people using CBD as most formulations are not tested or quality controlled by the government. This means CBD dosages can vary among different brands and batches, which could lead people to take more than the recommended amount. The lack of regulation also brings concerns over unsafe manufacturing processes and contamination with other substances, as well as outright fraud.
People who take CBD supplements should be aware that they could contain some cannabinoids other than CBD, which could impact some drug tests. For example, although professional athletes are allowed to have CBD in their system, they are not allowed to have any other cannabinoids in their system. If drug tests come back with any other cannabinoids, those athletes could be banned or fined. Therefore, the US Anti-Doping Agency urges athletes to carefully consider whether they should consume any CBD supplements.
Although CBD is readily available throughout the United States, its official legal status differs in different parts of the country. CBD oil is not in the same legal class as marijuana when it contains less than 0.03 percent THC. With so little THC, the compound is not psychoactive . Nevertheless, CBD is still produced from the marijuana plant, so it often has legal complications. It is unlawful for companies to advertise CBD supplements as being able to treat specific health conditions.
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