So you will often hear those who speak about CBD (us included) mention scientific research and studies. But who is studying CBD? And how long have they been doing it for?
We understand that hearing the words “scientific research” may not be enough and that you are probably curious to know the names, and plausibly the qualifications of those who are studying this increasingly popular cannabinoid.
Now, full disclosure, the answer to the question of who is studying CBD is lots of people. Like, a lot of scientists are studying CBD right now, and have over the years.
So, allow us to focus on those that are the most important, and in some cases the most interesting.
That’s enough preamble from us, let’s take a journey (an abridged journey, but a journey nonetheless) through the history of CBD study.
Dr Adams and Dr Mechoulam
Contrary to what you may assume, research into the possible medical benefits of CBD products is not a new phenomenon, in fact, it dates back decades.
CBD was first discovered way back in 1940 by Dr Roger Adams, and like so many scientific discoveries, it was an accident. Not only that, but it was a few years before Adams even realised what he’d found, and a further 20 years until any real research was put into it.
Fast forward to the early 1960s (unsurprisingly) and we get the first big steps into CBD research, with Dr Raphael Mechoulam successfully identifying the cannabinoids stereochemistry in 1963.
A year later, Dr Mechoulam was at it again, doing the same with THC, and proving the relationship between the two, and more importantly, the fact CBD is not psychoactive, and is not, therefore, a mind-altering compound.
Thanks in large part to Dr Mechoulam and his team carrying out copious research, there was a breakthrough in the US in 1978 when New Mexico passed a bill legally recognising cannabis’ medicinal value.
The Dr Mechoulam story doesn’t end there either, with research being carried out by the doctor and his team through the late 1970s and early 1980s into the effects of CBD on epilepsy.
Modern Day Research Studies of CBD
The main obstacle to CBD research during the peak period of Dr Mechoulam’s research was legality and stigma.
CBD was seen by many as a product of cannabis similar to THC, so there were not too many people listening, despite the positive results of many of the studies.
Fast forward to the present day, and that stigma is slowly disappearing. CBD is legal to buy in many countries including the EU and the USA, and there is a great deal of research being carried out on the potential benefits of CBD.
This research into the effects of CBD on anxiety, for example, also yielded some interesting results, showing that panic effects in rats were decreased by regular CBD use.
The research into CBD and epilepsy that started with Dr Mechoulam decades ago has also continued, with this 2016 study showing a reduction in seizures when CBD was used in human trials.
Other possible benefits are in the early stages of research, such as the possibility that CBD can help with acne.
Research into CBD and cancer is still in its early stages, with the National Cancer Institute mentioning potential health benefits of CBD including pain relief, lowering inflammation, and decreasing anxiety, but stopping short of fully endorsing CBD or any other form of cannabis as a cancer treatment at this stage, until more research has been carried out.
There are many other studies into CBD’s potential health benefits being carried out, and a day on Google wouldn’t even be enough to introduce you to all of them.
So, in answer to the question who studies CBD and its potential health benefits, a lot of scientists are, and the results are intriguing.
We can only assume this research will continue, and is likely to increase in the future, and as soon as there is new information, we shall be sure to introduce you to it.
What’s your favourite CBD study? Why not post in the comments below so more people can see it.
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