Why is CBD so successful?

CBD continues to receive a ton of attention, but why is this natural compound becoming such a favorite among consumers, researchers, and more? To find out, read on as we discuss why CBD is so popular.

discovering CBD

To understand the rise of CBD, we need to know a little about its history: where it came from, who discovered it, and what catapulted it to fame.

Hemp, cannabinoids and ECS

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an organic compound found in Cannabis sativa, better known as cannabis. Fortunately, the C. sativa family also includes industrial hemp, a subspecies that contains high levels of CBD and low concentrations of THC.

However, despite the fact that this plant has been used for centuries, researchers did not discover the abundance of organic compounds in hemp until the 1940s. American chemist Roger Adams was the first person to isolate CBD, and as a result, opened the door to the fascinating world of cannabinoids. However, the discovery of cannabinoids was only half the equation. For CBD and the other compounds to have practical applications, researchers had to find a mechanism of action; And that discovery didn’t come until the early 1990s.

The missing link was the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The researchers determined that each of the cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa, including CBD, causes a series of biological changes by interacting with ECS receptors. By taking advantage of this interaction, researchers could bring about potentially beneficial changes to the body and mind.

The Story of “Charlotte’s Web”

With more pieces of the puzzle fitted together, it was only a matter of time before the general public became interested in CBD; but not without a little help from Charlotte Figi. Undoubtedly, one of the main catalysts for the popularity of CBD was the publication of a report in 2013 on “Charlotte’s Web”.

Charlotte’s Web is a powerful CBD extract produced by the Stanley Brothers of Colorado, USA. This extract is named after the late Charlotte Figi, a girl from Boulder, Colorado who took the oil to treat severe seizures. Charlotte’s story made headlines in 2013, when CNN published a detailed report on CBD’s potential for improvement, especially for seizures and tremors caused by severe types of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome.

This report made the world pay attention to Charlotte and more boys and girls like her, but also to CBD. Since its broadcast in 2013, there have been many other reports further exploring CBD, its chemical composition, its effects on the body, and its therapeutic potential.

Why has CBD become so popular?

Ever since Charlotte, and consequently CBD, captured the hearts and minds of the people in 2013, interest in this compound has grown to become an international multi-billion dollar industry. Fascinated by the potential of CBD, researchers are continually working to discover all the effects of this compound.

Given its influence on mood, appetite, and sleep, as well as its lack of toxicity, all indications are that the buzz around CBD will continue to grow. But don’t just take our word for it. Here we highlight several reasons why CBD will continue to attract great interest.

Legality and accessibility of CBD

Legality is one of the main factors that explains why CBD consumption has spread. Unlike THC, in many countries CBD is not as restricted. This is because it is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid, which means that it does not alter the physical or psychological functioning of the user.

For example, in the United States, CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are completely legal and can be purchased online and shipped across the country. The same is true in many European countries, although in this case the THC limit is 0.2%. As long as CBD products do not exceed the established THC limit, they can be legally purchased and consumed.

Each country has a slightly different stance on the accessibility of CBD. Still, cannabidiol generally has fewer restrictions than THC and other cannabinoids, making it more attractive to those looking to consume cannabis and hemp products. The legality and accessibility of CBD also makes it easier for manufacturers to distribute and market these products.

Health benefits of CBD

To fully explain the potential health benefits of CBD would require loads of articles; but all in all, this cannabinoid packs a punch. The special interaction of CBD with the ECS influences the functions of the immune system, the digestive system and the central nervous system. Although cannabidiol has several uses, its main attraction is its balancing effect on the ECS. By strengthening the interactions between various biological systems, CBD can help you feel better.

As a natural wellness supplement that is non-high and can regulate mood, appetite and sleep, CBD greatly appeals to those looking to improve their daily wellness. The biggest caveat about the potential benefits of CBD, however, is that we still don’t fully understand its mechanisms and interactions.

Although research has come a long way, there is still a lot to learn about dosing, cannabinoid ratios, and how to tailor CBD to specific needs. Fortunately, the legality of this compound and its lack of toxicity mean that consumers are free to try it out and find out what works best for them.

The growing market for CBD

In 2021, the value of the global CBD market^[1] reached a staggering $2.8 billion, with an estimated value of $13.4 billion by the year 2028.

The United States is seeing a large increase in CBD food supplements, CBD-rich tinctures, cosmetics, and body creams/lotions, among others. In Europe there is also a great demand for CBD in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland or France.

With more companies and products on the market, consumers are more exposed to information about CBD than ever before. In fact, some stores are starting to sell CBD products as part of their wellness range. Although there is still no solid standard to unify these products, with the growing interest in CBD and better regulation, industry standardization is inevitable.

Famous people promote the consumption of CBD

Comedians, podcasters, actors, musicians… many celebrities support CBD. Today, with people interconnected through social networks, influencers have great power over consumers. Well-known CBD proponents include Joe Rogan, Michael J Fox, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, and Whoopi Goldberg.

And let’s not forget the athletes. As a compound accepted by the World Anti-Doping Agency, CBD has become a staple of many training programs thanks to its balancing effects, both on and off the track, court or field. In fact, the great popularity of CBD in the sports world is the reason why Cibdol created its athlete sponsorship program. The support of athletes from various disciplines who consume CBD on a regular basis is promoting interest and research.

Popularity of CBD in different sectors

The beauty, wellness, and even the food and beverage industry are raving about CBD. Combining this compound with various cosmetics, topical products, and supplements is interesting for three main reasons.

First, CBD creates great synergy with other compounds and ingredients, so it can be easily incorporated into a wide variety of products. Second, its lack of toxicity and few side effects mean that it is generally well tolerated by the body. But don’t just take our word for it; this information comes from a comprehensive study by the World Health Organization^[2] (WHO). Finally, there is the sheer breadth of CBD’s influence. Its main mechanism of action is through the endocannabinoid system, which spans the digestive system, the immune system, the skin, and parts of the brain.

With everything to gain and virtually nothing to lose, it’s easy to see why CBD’s popularity continues to grow across industries, celebrities, and continents. In fact, considering all the beneficial factors described in this article, the question should be: why isn’t CBD more popular?

Are you ready to try the growing offer of CBD products? Take a look at the Cibdol store where you will find a complete range of CBD creams, cosmetics, supplements, oils, capsules and much more. And if you want to know more about cannabinoids, the SEC, or the industries that take advantage of CBD, check out our CBD Encyclopedia.