CBD is still a relatively new product in-today’s market, and you may have come across this article being someone that has just found out about CBD and you’ve decided to do your own research into the history of CBD and it’s uses. You may be surprised to know that the history of CBD actually spans back over 6000 years, with archaeological findings showing that hemp fibers from the cannabis plant were used in Mesopotamia as early as 8000 BCE.

Many records actually suggest that hemp is one of the earliest plants cultivated by humanity. In many different cultures across the world there are clear details relating to the use of cannabis and hemp.

The ancient history of CBD & Hemp uses

The cannabis plant is indigenous to Central Asia, and particularly the Indian subcontinent, although it’s historical usages actually spread much further. Archaeological records suggest that the cannabis plant was probably one of the earliest plants to be cultivated which was probably due to hemp being a strong and fibrous material, which was extremely useful during ancient times. It is thought that hemp was being cultivated up to 12,000 years ago following the end of the first ice age.

There are differences between the hemp and CBD plants and their usages, however their is also recorded use of CBD from over 6000 years ago. Although it’s not known the exact first time that CBD was used in ancient history, there are well documented uses of CBD from Chinese Emperor Sheng Nung, who used CBD for it’s medical benefits by infusing it with tea.

The ancient Chinese and folks from Mesopotamia were not the only historical CBD users. There’s evidence of the Greek and Roman empires using cannabis to dress human and livestock wounds. In Greek literature, the first mention of CBD was in the fifth century BCE, when Herodotus wrote about hemp vapour baths that the ancient Scythians used. From there, the Greeks used dried leaves from the plant to stop nose bleeds, and hemp seeds were a popular treatment for tapeworm infections.

Moving to the more modern era, hemp was until considered an essential crop. King Henry VIII actually fined farmers for not growing industrial hemp in 1533!

The historical banning of CBD

In the 19th and 20th Centuries, a global ban on all cannabis products (including CBD) began to spread. It became a prohibited substance in the UK in 1928 due to fear-mongering and racist societal undertones. Following the ban, the medical community turned a blind eye to the healing properties of CBD, rejecting it as a deviant drug.

Things went downhill from there. In 1971, the British government further prohibited all forms of cannabis use, making it a Class B drug. It stayed that way until 2004 when it strangely became Class C and then reverted to Class B in 2009.

What is CBD?

CBD is also known as cannabidiol, which is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Unlike other elements found within the plant, CBD doesn’t get you high and is not psychoactive. This is what makes it safe and legal to take in the form of your choice. You can find many different forms of CBD available to help with pain, such as oils and gummies.

It does this, as well as providing a host of other beneficial effects, by promoting homeostasis within the body. This is essentially a healthy balance of all the elements needed to promote healthy living in humans.

CBD User Guide

Benefits of CBD

Although research into CBD is still in its early stages, the data that’s currently available tends to show that CBD may have a range of interesting and unique health benefits. CBD is linked to a range of pain relief effects, making it a potentially useful natural treatment for a variety of forms of chronic pain. It’s also believed to have positive effects for people who suffer from anxiety, depression and other psychological conditions.

The main benefits of CBD are:

  • Help to tackle pain & inflammation
  • Help against anxiety & depression
  • Fights against skin ageing and skin conditions
  • Improves sleep quality
  • Helps with muscle recovery

Potential side effects of CBD

There are several potential side effects of taking CBD. These are:

  • Dry mouth.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Dizziness. This is maybe due to CBD  relaxing the walls of blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
  • Diarrhoea
  • Changes in your appetite
  • Nausea.

There is still more research to be done into CBD to help fully understands its side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CBD a drug?

Due to it’s link to marijuana, some people may be worried that if they are taking CBD, they are taking a drug. The first thing to know is that in the UK CBD is completely legal.

When thinking about a drug, we typically think of narcotic or pharmaceutical agents. CBD has, at times, been leveraged in pharmaceutical formulas but is not a narcotic or medically controlled drug.

Is CBD addictive?

Once question we are often asked is, is CBD oil addictive? The answer is that CBD does not have an addictive effect, as it is not psychoactive. In the UK, CBD is made exclusively with the hemp plant, which does not contain THC. THC is the main psychoactive compound that is found in marijuana.

CBD has a rich and controversial history, however one thing that can’t be denied is the continued evidence that showcases the many medical and health benefits that CBD can provide for the human body. If your somebody that is interested in finding out more about CBD then please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team.