What comes in mind when you hear the word “marijuana?”

A bunch of potheads with Bob Marley-esque hairstyle? A dopey college trip? Or just some lone time with great music?

For most people it’s either of these three. Sometimes all three of them.

Popular culture tends to associate marijuana with paltry habits, totally ignoring the fact that it has a rich, spiritual and culturally substantial history behind it.

Here on CBDMyth, we discussed the cultural aspects at length. We also discussed why it is sought after today by the medical community. In this article…well, this article is actually for dummies. Assuming you are new to our site, here’s an overview of Marijuana’s history and CBD – the component found in it, dubbed as the next panacea that is about to sweep the field of medical science.

History of marijuana

It’s only in recent time when Marijuana is being treated like a dangerous and addictive substance. Looking back at the longstanding history of Marijuana, an eye-opening lesson can be learned. That nature can heal the most difficult-to-treat diseases. Marijuana is a product of nature. People in the past used it as food, as a healing component and also for entertainment and spiritually enlightening experiences.

The oldest history of marijuana dates back the neolithic period. The inhabitants of the-then China knew how to separate hemp fibers from stems originating in marijuana plants. They manufactured clothes and fishing nets using fibers. China is the first country to invent paper. They used hemp fibers in the early days to produce it, not parchment.

The recent history of Marijuana dates back to the 19th century. Cultivation areas were mostly in the colonial lands. Some European countries cultivated cannabis, but colonies were mass-producing it.

History of CBD

The history of CBD is very recent. CBD’s effectiveness in treating diseases was discovered in the 20th century. In the 1940s, CBD and CBN were identified by scientists. Study of CBD led to the discovery that endocannabinoid receptors play an important role in mental and psychological health.

A look at CBD

Interestingly, CBD has been used by doctors to help addicts recover. In 2015. Doctors gave CBD to a cannabis addict suffering from bipolar disorder. The man who received this treatment reported reduced addiction and less anxiety.

CBD’s anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, epilepsy-preventive, tumor-inhibitory properties have been acknowledged by several studies. But CBD’s role in addiction treatment is has been discovered only recently.

The medical benefits of CBD will be listed down shortly. Before that, let’s take a look at some of the important characteristics of CBD:

CBD is not psychoactive. It doesn’t bring the high feeling that’s more commonly associated with smoking or vaping raw cannabis. This is the reason doctors are unhinged to suggest CBD to their patients for pain relief. CBD impacts the brain, but its effects on the psychomotor is nil. CBD doesn’t cause any health-hazard, at least none reported so far.

Research on CBD is ongoing and by no means complete. With each new discovery, increases CBD’s relevance. Researchers are positive CBD is the holy-grail of medical science.

Medical benefits of CBD

The list is so long that it’s hard to mention all. The key benefits include:

Cancer prevention Pain reduction Diabetes management Better cardiovascular health Lowers stress and anxiety Antipsychotic and treats an assortment of neurological disorders

CBD has been found to limit the growth of cancer cells. Its pro-apoptotic effects prevent cancer cells to migrate. Its usefulness in preventing cancer has prompted medical experts to prescribe it to cancer patients.

That being said, not all doctors are convinced that CBD can be an alternative to chemotherapy. Some believe it requires more clinical trials, some in the medical community dismiss CBD as hogwash as they call it snake oil. Despite all these, anecdotal evidence shared by people who’ve allegedly benefited from CBD has created a visible enthusiasm among cancer patients to try it.

Because of sedentary lifestyle, prevalence of chronic pain is rising among US adults. More than 80% of the population will experience chronic low-back pain at some time in their life. CBD can be a safe alternative to NSAIDs and it can relieve chronic pain.

Most doctors in the US treat chronic pain with Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). NSAIDs are deemed safe, but their long-term consumption can lead to allergic reactions, problem in liver and kidney, stomach ulcers and increased blood pressure. CBD is a great alternative to chronic and severe pain.

Laws regarding CBD

Cultivation and sell of CBD is a thing now, at least in the United States. However, not all states are equally convivial to CBD. Some states have laws against consumption and distribution of CBD oil. It’s wise to know the states that fall into this category. The last thing you want is to find yourself in legal trouble.

Summing up

So that was the CBD starter pack for ya. If you want to know more about it, keep reading this blog.