What is CBD?
The Cannabis plant contains more than 80 chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids. Most of these are Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). While the former is best known for its psychoactive properties, CBD does not appear to alter consciousness.
Cannabis as medicine
Before the rise of the industrial era, it was common to use Cannabis as a remedy to treat a wide range of diseases and illnesses. The ancient Chinese civilization used it to fight malaria and gout. In the Middle Ages it was used against pain and nausea and in Western medicine it was commonly used as an analgesic. Even in the USA, before restrictions were applied in the 1930s, doctors prescribed cannabis to treat multiple diseases.
Academic research on CBD
In the 1970s, the world's leading governments classified marijuana as an illegal substance with no medical value. Research suffered a violent setback as a result. In the first decade of 2000, only 9 articles were published on the subject. This trend is now radically reversing: 30 articles have been published between 2012 and 2017.
CBD in the modern age
Research is giving the most promising results and more people are benefitting from the positive effects of CBD: at an early stage, it is demonstrated that CBD is very effective in fighting physical and psychological diseases without any substantial side effects. Epilepsy, pain management and anxiety treatment are just a few examples of application fields currently being studied.
Effects of CBD on sleep cycles and in controlling anxiety
The scientific results are promising and, in some ways, even surprising: the use of CBD has led to substantial improvement in both cases, after just one month of use. The current research, however, is not sufficient and should be strengthened as there are no precise indications regarding dosage, ideal intake methods and treatment duration. Pathological cases should therefore be treated using traditional methods with the help of professionals. However, our body seems to tolerate CBD much better than traditional alternatives.
CBD in everyday life
Apart from severe cases, the evidence so far confirms that the use of CBD helps managing anxiety and improving sleep cycles. Problems in these areas can then be addressed with the help of this natural remedy and in full autonomy. CBD helps to overcome periods of high stress which unsettle the emotional balance.
Sources: Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: A large case series. Perm J 2019;23:18-041. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041
