Since its decriminalization and legalization, CBD, obtained through hemp cultivation, has become a widely marketed molecule in various forms. Its components have shown potential benefits for treating numerous conditions and promoting well-being. However, recent discoveries have revealed that the molecule can be found in a plant other than cannabis .The question then arises: is this new discovery as effective as CBD extracted from hemp? Discover everything you need to know about this topic in this guide.
What is cannabidiol?
Here are the therapeutic properties, varieties of cannabidiol and the different types of CBD that are on the market.
What are the benefits of cannabidiol?
Better known as CBD, cannabidiol is a substance derived from the hemp or cannabis plant. It was first discovered in 1940 by American researchers. At that time, the molecule could not be isolated from tetrahydrocannabinol, another substance present in the hemp plant, which is psychoactive.
However, in the years leading up to its discovery, CBD was the subject of various studies by numerous researchers and underwent improvements. Over time, it has demonstrated its potential benefits in treating several medical conditions and wellness issues.
These components have shown promise in treating epilepsy. Thanks to its anticonvulsant properties, CBD can relieve symptoms in people suffering from Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. It has also proven effective in supporting chemotherapy by combating the nausea and vomiting it causes. The therapeutic use of the marijuana plant has also shown potential results in treating schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.
Cannabidiol also possesses therapeutic properties for relieving ailments such as anxiety, weight gain, loss of appetite, nervousness, and chronic insomnia. It is marketed in various forms and has become very popular with consumers since its decriminalization. Indeed, products derived from the cannabis plant were long considered illicit narcotics.
However, many countries, including France, have adopted a legalization process that has allowed the use of hemp seeds for medicinal purposes. Despite the legality of cannabis, its cultivation and sale are regulated by strict laws and regulations. A key characteristic of CBD is that it does not produce psychotropic effects in users. The molecule is devoid of THC, a psychoactive substance capable of creating euphoric sensations and hallucinations.
From which varieties of cannabis plants is CBD extracted?
There is a wide variety of cannabis plants, each with its own specific characteristics. Among those from which CBD is extracted are Sativa, Ruderalis, and Indica. Sativa is a type of cannabis that thrives in mild and temperate climates. Its cannabidiol and THC levels are quite similar.
Sativa is a variety with abundant foliage, capable of growing to a considerable height. Its cultivation is greatly enhanced by the reflection of sunlight. Ruderalis is another type of cannabis with a higher CBD content than THC. As for Indica, it is a variety with a relatively short flowering period. It is able to withstand extreme climatic conditions. Its tetrahydrocannabinol concentration is very high, but the CBD molecule is also present in sufficient quantities.
For the hemp seeds used to produce cannabidiol to develop, male cannabis plants fertilize the females. This occurs through the dispersal of pollen. It is these seeds that, once they reach flowering, are harvested for cannabidiol extraction.
What are the different categories of cannabis found on the market?
The three main categories are medical marijuana, industrial marijuana, and hybrid marijuana. Medical cannabis, as its name suggests, is used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. Highly concentrated in CBD, its sale is strictly regulated by laws that vary depending on the country where it is legal. It can also be prescribed by a doctor.
As for industrial marijuana, it is primarily used in the textile industry. The CBD it contains is beneficial in the production of materials such as fabric and paper. Hybrid hemp, on the other hand, is a cross between the three varieties used to produce cannabidiol. It is therefore a combination of Sativa, Ruderalis, and Indica. Hybrid marijuana is cultivated under meticulous conditions to promote a very high concentration of CBN . It is intended for specific therapeutic purposes.
The discovery of Trema Micrantha Blume
For many years, cannabis cultivation has been the only way to obtain CBD. However, recent discoveries have revealed that cannabidiol is present in Trema Micrantha blume, a plant that grows in Brazil. This has sparked considerable interest among both researchers and consumers of the molecule.
The cultivation of Trema Micrantha
The unique aspect of this discovery is that Trema Micrantha does not contain THC, unlike cannabis. This substance is what gives hemp its psychoactive and euphoric effects. Its distinguishing feature is that, in addition to tetrahydrocannabinol, the plant contains several other cannabinoids. This means that the discovery could offer a completely legal way to consume CBD.
Furthermore, it could represent an alternative for diversifying sources of cannabidiol. Research into the plant's potential benefits is ongoing. Researchers are still trying to discover how to extract CBD from the leaves and fruits of this plant. Should the experiments and results be conclusive, it could assist the cannabis plant in cannabidiol production.
Trema Micrantha blume is a tropical species with a similar concentration of cannabinoids to those found in hemp. Its non-psychoactive nature could make it a safe and effective therapeutic treatment for several conditions. Furthermore, it is simpler and easier to handle than cannabis, where the cannabinoid extraction process is complex.
Its advantages and benefits
Since the legalization of cannabis, CBD sales have become incredibly popular with consumers. Whether in the form ofoil, capsules , or flowers, it is marketed and used to relieve ailments that affect a large part of the population on a daily basis. Cannabidiol even has potential cosmetic benefits.
Its discovery in Trema micrantha could make it an inexhaustible source of production. This will help meet the ever-increasing demand. Cannabis will therefore no longer be the only plant species capable of producing the molecule whose therapeutic properties have contributed to the relief of many people.
Furthermore, many countries continue to prohibit the cultivation of hemp plants. If the effects of CBD found in Trema Micrantha are as therapeutic as those of CBD extracted from hemp, this could be a significant advantage. These countries could then authorize the use of CBD for their populations through a completely legal process.
The discovery of Trema Micrantha could also provide a more environmentally friendly and sustainable production source. This plant has a rapid and natural growth process. Furthermore, its components allow it to resist pests and harsh weather conditions. Its cultivation is likely to significantly reduce the energy and hydrogen requirements for growing cannabis and extracting its cannabinoids.
The characteristics of this new plant could also open up interesting employment opportunities for many growers. Since Trema Micrantha is considered a weed, its CBD content could be the subject of extensive agronomic studies. Research will likely be conducted to assess its ability to grow in unfamiliar environments. This could involve experiments on its growth patterns and different soil types and climates.
Its regulatory status
Given its very recent discovery, Trema Micrantha has not yet been subject to any legal regulations. Consequently, considerable controversy has arisen regarding its regulation, which revolves around three key points. The first concerns its authorization. Studies are still in their experimental phases. Therefore, it is currently difficult to determine its classification and the restrictions related to its legality.
The second point concerns the cultivation of the plant. Before the discovery that its leaves and fruits contain CBD, Trema Micrantha Blume was not a valued plant species. It was even considered a weed by some. The question then arises as to whether a new variety of the plant will be cultivated in order to maximize its benefits. The growing and development conditions of this species are the subject of much discussion.
The third point of contention surrounding the plant is its use for medical, therapeutic, and cosmetic purposes. Finding the most reliable method for extracting CBD is crucial to ensure it poses no potential risks to consumers. Furthermore, the presence of other cannabinoid compounds is an important factor to consider. However, the absence of THC is already a significant advantage.
CBD hemp and CBD trema micrantha
The cannabidiol found in the new Trema Micrantha plant showed the same similarities to that found in legal cannabis. Based on this finding, it is possible to suggest that the two molecules could be combined in the near future. The goal would be to conduct clinical studies to obtain a pure concentrate of the substance extracted from each plant. This could be a potential treatment for certain medical applications.
However, this hypothesis raises some significant issues. The restrictions and limitations associated with CBD derived from cannabis could apply to that produced by Trema micrantha blume. Yet, the latter has not yet been subject to any legal regulations. Furthermore, since it does not contain THC, its use could be entirely legal. Moreover, the other cannabinoids present in Trema micrantha blume and those found in cannabis could pose a compatibility problem.
It is therefore crucial to wait in order to obtain further useful and important information on the properties and components of the new CBD plant discovered in Brazil.
Hops: another source of CBD
Since the discovery of Trema Micrantha, the idea that marijuana is the only plant capable of producing CBD has been challenged. This is because some plant species are also capable of producing cannabidiol. This is the case with certain varieties of hops, from which CBD can be extracted.
Cannabinoids, whether obtained from hemp or hops, possess the same anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. These properties have beneficial effects on several conditions, such as those treated with Sativex or multiple sclerosis, anorexia, and Alzheimer's. The effectiveness of CBD obtained from hops is the same, or even the same, as that extracted from hemp. However, the concentration level reveals a significant deficiency in the cannabidiol content of hops. Indeed, the content is very low, making its industrial production and commercialization impossible. To obtain pure CBD, it is essential to extract it in large quantities. This is what makes hemp, and very soon Trema micrantha Blume, the best sources of cannabidiol production. Even though some hop varieties contain CBD, this does not make the plant another source of the molecule.
Co-founder of CBD.fr
Julien Cordobes is the editor of CBD.fr. Born in 1978 in the Paris region, he first trained in e-commerce before turning to natural health approaches, a dual perspective that now structures his way of writing about cannabidiol: reading the scientific literature as it is, without hardening the conclusions, and presenting it in a language that everyone understands.
He discovered CBD at a time when the French market was developing faster than the information available to it. He acquired CBD.fr in 2022 and then took on editorial responsibility for the blog. Since then, he has published numerous articles covering the daily use of CBD, the interpretation of laboratory analyses, the evolution of the legal framework, and precautions for use.
