These days, it’s common to hear someone talking about suffering from pain and someone else asking them if they’ve tried CBD. Cannabidiol is rising in popularity as a not-so-secret way to treat chronic illnesses and other health problems.
You can find CBD in so many different products these days, from pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals to personal care items, cosmetics, and food and beverages.
And it’s only going to become more popular.
The Medical Cannabis Network says recent research shows CBD consumption for the treatment of neurological disorders is about to rise.
The report, by Health Europa, credits a more positive public opinion and an increase in availability for the projection.
And according to Global Market Insights, Inc., the CBD market will be worth an estimated $89 billion by 2026!
CBD in a Nutshell
CBD comes from the cannabis plant, but unlike THC, it is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t get you high.
The first recorded use of CBD to treat pain dates back to 2900BC in China. It was also used in ancient times in India and other Asian countries.
The psychoactive capabilities of the cannabis plant, however, meant that strict laws and regulations were eventually put in place, making CBD nearly impossible to access. Up until very recently, CBD medicine was illegal in many countries.
A wave of change is taking place around the world, though, as seen in the 2018 Farm Bill, which made growing hemp legal in the United States.
The Present and the Future
Modern science has taken a closer look at the human body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps with appetite, pain, sleep, and immunity. Researchers discovered that CBD could help the system defend against various health conditions.
For example, CBD is widely used by people suffering from anxiety and depression, chronic pain, the side effects of cancer treatments, and even acne.
More recently, studies have shown CBD oil can also be quite effective in helping people with neurological disorders such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
Health Europa’s projection of an exploding CBD market has a lot to do with Europe’s aging population and the growing number of people with neurological diseases.
According to the European Brain Council, 220 million people in Europe currently suffer from a neurological condition, including seizures, migraines, stress or anxiety, and insomnia.
If the research is right, many more people will be trying nature’s medicine soon.
Have you ever used it? And did it help?