Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) is one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants. Archaeological findings show that it was grown more than 6,000 years ago in China, where its fibers were used for rope, clothing, and paper, while the seeds were eaten as food. Throughout history, hemp has also played an important role in Europe — for example, the sails and ropes on many ships were made from hemp fiber.
In addition to its industrial uses, hemp has long had a place in traditional herbal medicine across different cultures. It was only in recent decades, after scientists managed to isolate CBD, that its unique properties became widely known.
CBD is just one of many cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. Here are some of the best-known ones:
Modern CBD products often use broad-spectrum extracts that contain several of these cannabinoids rather than isolated CBD alone. Many believe they work together through what’s known as the entourage effect — where the combined effect is greater than that of each compound on its own.
One of the key reasons CBD has gained so much attention is the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) — a natural signaling system found in all humans and animals.
The ECS is made up of receptors located throughout the brain, nervous system, immune system, and many other parts of the body. These receptors interact with the body’s own cannabinoids (known as endocannabinoids), as well as plant-based cannabinoids like CBD.
Researchers believe the ECS plays an important role in helping the body maintain internal balance — a process called homeostasis. This is why CBD and other cannabinoids have attracted such strong scientific and public interest around the world.
CBD comes in many forms, and the choice mostly depends on what you prefer:
CBD oils come in two main types: broad-spectrum, which contains several cannabinoids and terpenes from the hemp plant, and isolate, which is pure CBD with no other compounds.
Everyone reacts differently to CBD, so it’s best to start low and increase gradually. A good approach is to take a small amount each day and slowly raise the dose until you find the level that works for you.
It can also help to keep notes about your dosage, timing, and how you feel — that way, it’s easier to see what gives you the best results.
The CBD market is growing quickly, and product quality can vary a lot. Here are a few things you should always look for:
Reputable producers always provide a lab report (Certificate of Analysis) showing exactly which cannabinoids the product contains.
The final part of our series on the Hippie Trail: how seeds, smugglers, museums and ideas from the road east shaped the cannabis culture we see today, from Amsterdam to Uruguay.
Part four of our series on the Hippie Trail: how hash was made in the Himalayas, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Morocco, and how Mila Jansen, Frenchy Cannoli and others brought the craft to Europe.
Freak Street in Kathmandu, the licensed hash shops, charas from the Himalayas and the beaches of Goa. Part three of our series on the hippie trail.
