Breaking The CBD Stigma

How Did CBD Become Stigmatized?

Wherever you live in the United States, chances are you’ve heard of, seen, or already tried CBD at some point. You may have heard stories about CBD being great or quite the opposite. It’s possible that some folks have warned you that CBD was related to marijuana and that you should avoid it. 

This claim is quite common and stems from the fact that CBD comes from the hemp plant, which is similar to the marijuana plant. What is the truth though? It’s hard to know why there is a stigma behind CBD in some circles without taking a look into what CBD is and the history behind it. We’ll discuss below how the CBD stigma has changed over time. 

A Little History Behind CBD

Some of the first research into CBD began back in 1839 when an Irish doctor began studying it for its potential therapeutic properties. Prior to this point, the hemp and cannabis plant had been used unofficially to treat a variety of ailments. While hemp and cannabis were being used across the world, neither of them (including CBD) had never been researched that well. 

Roughly 100 years later, the initial research of William B. O’Shaughnessy began to sprout into deeper scientific studies on what would become known as cannabinoids. In the year 1942, an American scientist named Roger Adams became the first person to isolate the cannabinoid CBD, also known as Cannabidiol. 

Continued Research

During the early 1960s, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam discovered that euphoric effects that can accompany THC were not present in CBD, and that it did not contain mind-altering effects. His work on discovering CBD’s effects on the endocannabinoid system was revolutionary. In the 80s, this same doctor was able to prove that CBD had the possibility of helping relieve seizures in epilepsy patients. Sadly, due to the physical similarities between hemp and marijuana, this research was not taken advantage of. This is largely due to prevailing stigmas at the time about marijuana being a gateway substance to hard drugs.  

In the late 2000s, more and more individuals began sharing their stories about how nonpsychoactive CBD had helped them with a plethora of health issues. One such story that made national news was the instance of a young girl from Colorado who had experienced regular, intense seizures. After exhausting a host of traditional medicines, Charlotte Figi’s parents attempted CBD to see if it may help their daughter. 

Almost immediately, the seizures began to cease. This confirmed that the research that Dr. Raphael Mechoulam had conducted may be useful for countless Americans. Stories like these have begun to slowly, but surely work on eroding the ‘weed’ stigma of CBD. 

Is The Culture Of CBD Changing?

The short answer to this question is yes, CBD culture across America is changing. There have been a few cases where CBD has taken some slight negative turns as it becomes ever more popular. With the rapid expansion of CBD being legal in all 50 states with the 2018 Farm Bill, some illegitimate CBD companies have entered the market. This is not the rule though, and is more the exception. We fully anticipate the CBD market to become even more regulated and widespread once the FDA approves CBD use for medical treatments. 

The bottom line is that increasing numbers of Americans are using CBD. They’re sharing their success stories and the country has begun to realize the value of CBD in helping them through their daily lives. 

We’re Focused On Wellness

Danu was named after the Celtic Goddess Danu. She represents water, and by extension, a return to nature and healing. With every one of our old-world style CBD products, we ensure that you are getting a high-quality experience. We want you to not only feel great and achieve a better state of wellness, but also to feel safe. Our products are third-party tested and our hemp is grown only in the U.S.A. To learn more about what CBD wellness products we offer, take a look at our full selection here.