The Latest CBD And Hemp Research

It’s an exciting time for CBD users, as evidence from CBD research continues to mount that industrial hemp may be the boon to wellness its proponents have long stated. As science digs into the wellness benefits, more and more people are doing their own research and choosing high-quality cannabis products. This influx of money into the industry has led to a demand for more and better research to advance the field.

Why It Took So Long

Hemp research, until late, has been stunted by a largely hostile regulatory environment. In the United States and many other countries, industrial hemp has been lumped in with marijuana as a single plant. This has led to its demonization, which has included bans for possession, cultivation, usage, and even vital research, like CBD efficacy for a variety of conditions. This has led to polarizing opinions on CBD’s role for better health and wellness, with neither side backed by science as much as by anecdote or opinion.

That has changed in recent years as the public perception of industrial hemp took a positive turn and citizens pushed their legislators to end the smear campaign against hemp. Starting with the 2014 Farm Bill and continuing with the full legalization federally of hemp-derived products in the 2018 Farm Bill, research–and the consumer demand that drives it–began in earnest. Initial reports from the earliest CBD research are continuing to stoke the demand for further investigation into the full benefits of hemp.

What This Doesn’t Mean

While these reports may be promising, it’s not quite settled science yet. These are initial results at best, and will not be enough on their own to sway any regulatory authority. It will take years of peer-reviewed studies before you can expect to see government-approved uses for the CBD you get from reputable manufacturers, so expect the need for your own individual CBD research to continue in the near future. Instead, think of the latest hemp research as even more evidence to use when evaluating CBD’s effectiveness for you or when explaining your use of CBD to those around you.

Some Key Exciting Research

• “Naturally Grown Hemp” is more than just a set of marketing buzzwords. It could be the key to a safer CBD experience for you and an unborn child. A recent study in California looked at the use of CBD products by expecting moms. CBD research has indicated that use during pregnancy is generally considered safe, with many pregnant women choosing to use CBD to promote wellness for both them and their child. It was found, however, that using CBD contaminated by certain pesticides can have an adverse effect on the child.This points to the need for better manufacturing processes in cannabis, like our own naturally grown cannabis and medical-grade processing facilities, as well as independent testing of the product to both assay its concentration of desired compounds and ensure there are no surprises from contaminants, chemical or biological.
• According to research, CBD may be the key to kicking the Meth habit for some individuals. Methamphetamines are a dangerous drug with an aggressive addiction pattern that is hard to escape. In a laboratory environment with rats, scientists showed that CBD administration could prevent or lessen the perceived need for meth, even under stress. While still far from being a recommended treatment (these are rats, not humans) it’s a promising line of inquiry that could help break the cycle of addiction one day.
• One study makes a strong case for the use of whole plant extracts rather than CBD isolates in certain situations. Isolates are a form of CBD with other compounds removed, and a focus of pharmaceutical companies who are seeking patentable drugs. One area where CBD research indisputably shows promise is in the treatment of epilepsy. Researchers pitted isolates versus CBD extracts, where other compounds found naturally in the plant, such as terpenes, remain in the administered dose. The results showed that these extracts had markedly better outcomes for patients than isolates provided.
• Could CBD be the missing link in better management of autism symptoms? An Israeli study points to exactly that. While part of their medical marijuana research program, the study looked at the use of high-CBD strains in epilepsy treatment with THC concentrations as low as 1%–much lower than marijuana consumed recreationally and only 0.7% in a concentration higher than the US designated limit for industrial hemp. The results showed that patients experienced better sleep, less aggression, and less agitation. There were no major side effects reported by participants, making this an encouraging step towards better understanding the potential of CBD in the treatment of neuro-atypical patients.
• CBD isn’t the only active compound in industrial hemp, which is why we offer terpene-rich formulations. Hemp research at Penn State shows why CBD research can’t be the only focus when it comes to cannabis. In a study on the effects of cannabinoids on colon cancer, it wasn’t CBD or even THC which showed an impact, but as many of 10 other cannabinoid compounds. While still early results, indications are that some or all of these compounds may be working to stunt the growth of cancer cells.

Cannabis Research Is More Important Than Ever

As with any emerging industry, there are a lot of expectations, but only time will show exactly how beneficial cannabis can be. There is a need for more and better CBD research to help users understand what hemp can and cannot do to promote better, healthier lives through the safe use of CBD. The good news is, at this stage of industrial hemp’s reemergence, that users finally have the legal means to act on their own independent research and experience the effects of CBD first-hand.

When you want to explore CBD for yourself, make sure you’re choosing a manufacturer who makes scientifically sound CBD products that meet the most stringent safety and quality standards. Order your CBD oils, topicals, and products from Core CBD today