On Top of Everything, It's Medicine

The pharmacological power of substances present in Cannabis, such as CBD and THC, has been known since the origin of civilization, as recorded in the oldest pharmacopoeias in the world. But in the last decade, there has been an explosion in scientific research, and the plant has come to be used to treat dozens of medical conditions, including epilepsy, autism, anxiety, pain, fibromyalgia, neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, the effects of cancer treatments, the signs of aging.

The new wave of Cannabis as a medicine gained strength a little more than a decade ago, with the discovery that the plant is excellent in controlling seizures, including in cases of epilepsies that do not respond to any other treatment. The substance that is the protagonist in this medicine is cannabidiol, or CBD, a molecule that is present in Hemp.

Since then, CBD has gained prominence in culture, not only in the treatment of serious neurological ailments but also, in many countries, as a wellness supplement, used even by healthy people to calm the mind and maintain body balance.

But the medicinal utility of Cannabis and Hemp is not limited to CBD. There are many active substances in the plant — the so-called cannabinoids — with great therapeutic utility. This includes the infamous THC, which has always been frowned upon for its potential for abuse, but which is now known to be an excellent remedy for several medical conditions, including for pain control.

Millions of patients worldwide already benefit from Cannabis to treat a long list of diseases and discomforts, including chronic and neuropathic pain, autism, mood and sleep disorders, the side effects of cancer treatments and autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, and much more. The medicinal use of Cannabis is rapidly being legalized worldwide. And Hemp, being much cheaper than psychoactive Cannabis with THC, has the potential to be an important supplier of cannabinoids, especially CBD.