Effectiveness of CBD
The massive surge in interest and legalization of CBD (cannabidiol), a compound found in full-spectrum hemp oil, has urged the FDA to fund studies on the effectiveness of the compound and what it can be used for in the medical world.
Currently, federal studies for CBD are slim to none and there is a lot of pressure for there to be more scientific evidence to support the reports of users.
“The science is lagging behind the public use and interest. We’re doing our best to catch up here,” said Dr. David Shurtleff, deputy director of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, which is funding the projects.
The entire nation has exploded into a frenzy over CBD how the effects is has, but there is very little known about how cannabis and CBD is helping people feel so much better.
While CBD does not have the same psychoactive effects as THC, it is still unknown whether THC plays a role in the positive effects felt with full-spectrum hemp oil. It is thought that when the whole plant is used, like with full-spectrum hemp oil, that there is a complementary effect taking place that is dependant on all the compounds, cannabinoids, terpenes, etc, being present in the tincture.
This is otherwise referred to as True Entourage Effect TM. True Entourage Effect TM refers to the combined effect of the cannabinoids, terpenes and other beneficial compounds in the plant working together in synergy. The combined effect of all the phytonutrients is greater than the sum of the individual effects. Only a full spectrum hemp oil can deliver a complete entourage effect.
Previous CBD Research
Previously in clinical studies, animal subjects are used more than human subjects at this point, and that’s simply not enough to go on for the FDA. Now that CBD hemp oil is federally thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, there is a lot of work that needs to be done to fill in the missing holes between reported effects and scientific research. That is why the FDA is spending $3 million to research cannabis, but not THC. While this may be doing a disservice to the true effects of full-spectrum hemp oil, it is surely a step in the right direction.
This funding will indeed give scientists and the medical industry more concrete information, but to disregard THC solely because of its psychoactive effects and the fact that it gets people “high” is cutting out an important part of the plant.
Nine research grants were awarded in the fall of 2019, funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), to investigate the effects of minor cannabinoids and terpenes (CBD included, THC excluded) especially for chronic pain.
“The treatment of chronic pain has relied heavily on opioids, despite their potential for addiction and overdose and the fact that they often don’t work well when used on a long-term basis,” said Helene Langevin, M.D., director of NCCIH. “There’s an urgent need for more effective and safer options.”
This research and effort to better understand cannabis and its medicinal benefits will help the FDA to regulate products and brands that are delivering what they’ve said they would, and will also empower consumers to make a more educated decision while shopping for CBD and full-spectrum hemp oil.
Recently, the FDA cracked down on 15 companies who were illegally selling and marketing CBD related products. This warning is the beginning of regulation on CBD to ensure that only the highest-quality products, marketed and sold with clear and correct ingredients, are being sold to the public.
Previous to this recent funding, FDA research was almost exclusively limited to drug trials around its efficacy to treat certain types of epilepsy, and the only FDA approved CBD product is the prescription drug Epidiolex for the treatment of two forms of epilepsy. Apart from that, the FDA has not approved any other usage of CBD – be it medical or as a dietary supplement.
Why Don’t We Know More About CBD?
Research and trials are rudimentary and limited, and this puts a lot Because of the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, cannabis was classified as a Schedule I drug, so research was halted into its medicinal benefits. This was a massive disservice to the country and the world. Cannabis was listed as having “no accepted medical use” which was detrimental, but independent researchers didn’t give up.
For thousands of years and up until the 1970s, cannabis was used as medicine. From the Greeks and the Romans to the Spanish Conquistadors, cannabis was widespread and accepted as a powerful antidote for many ailments. All of the knowledge on usage and healing potential of cannabis was lost, and we are working hard to recover that education through scientific research and human trials.
The reports of users can’t be denied, but for the FDA to legalize the usage of CBD and cannabis for specific medical ailments, more research must be done.
The Future of Cannabis and CBD
Now that the FDA is going to be expanding the research, we hope to have more definitive answers on the scientific reasons people feel so many positive effects from cannabis. While our modern society depends on the approval of the scientific community and the FDA, our species has long known and accepted the benefits and psychoactive delights of cannabis.
We are living in incredible times where we are seeing a demand for alternative and supplemental medicines that we can use in addition to western medicine. And now that we know about the existence of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and its CB1 and CB2 receptors, discovered in 1988, opened up a whole new world into the understanding of not only the human body, but also how we can be influenced by nature for better health. Today, we know they are some of the most abundant neuroreceptors in the brain.
Along with this funding for research, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for CBD and full-spectrum hemp oil to finally be recognized as the powerful healers they are. Before modern medicine, nature was our home and our doctor. Moving back into that mentality, with the support of western medicine, will create a cohesive environment where people feel empowered about their health.
