It seems like CBD is everywhere these days. A recent Google search of CBD in the news yielded more
than 28 million results. And according to Hemp Business Journal, the market for hemp derived CBD has
jumped from $50 million in 2014 to $591 million in 2018. But what exactly is this miracle molecule and
why is its star rising so fast?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in both cannabis and hemp plants. It binds
with the CB2 receptors that are part of our body’s endocannabinoid system that is designed to maintain
balance, or homeostasis, between the body’s many physiological processes. When our bodies fail to
produce enough of our own endocannabinoids, known as Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency, many
diseases, such as fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, can occur. By supplementing with Phyto-
cannabinoids, like CBD, we can correct these deficiencies and mitigate many of the symptoms of these
diseases.
According to Project CBD, cannabidiol is sought after by patients seeking relief from anxiety, pain,
inflammation and seizures without having feelings of dysphoria. And scientific research has shown that it
has the potential to treat a wide range of conditions including arthritis, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis,
epilepsy, diabetes, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism and opioid
addiction. Research also shows that CBD is safe, even at high doses.
But unfortunately, not all CBD is created equal. As previously mentioned, CBD can be found in both
cannabis and hemp plants. Other plants, such as flax, also make CBD. Large quantities of CBD are also
being imported from China and other countries with little or no regulatory oversight. We have also
learned how to synthetically produce the molecule. However, studies have shown single-molecule CBD
to be less effective than whole plant CBD. In addition, many oils and extracts are made from hemp seed
oil. And while hemp seed oil offers many nutritional benefits, medicinal cannabinoids are practically non-
existent in these extracts.
So how do you decide what CBD products to buy? Here at The Station, we recommend using CBD that is
cannabis or hemp derived from the mature plant, and of course, grown in the USA. Furthermore, if using
a CBD oil or tincture, look for one that is clearly labeled, full spectrum and tested by a third-party
laboratory.