CBD: Panacea or Hype
CBD has taken centre stage in the world of pharmaceuticals, and it has barely begun to sing. In recent years, the once taboo CBD industry has revealed a plethora of ways in which we can reap its rewards. Whether you apply it to your skin as a topical ointment, vape it, or prefer the sublingual under the tongue method, the ever-lengthening list of health benefits are testimony to the associated headline that swept the media: ‘CBD: The new avocado on toast.’ But have we really discovered a diamond in the dirt, or is it simply social media-influenced hype? The recipe below would argue for the former.
The year 2018 was a head-turning year for Cannabidiol (CBD). According to The Grand View Research Journal, the global market for hemp-based CBD products alone was worth 4.6 billion. Today, the global market value of cannabidiol is estimated at $9.3 billion, and in 2025, it is forecasted to reach 23.6 billion. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the industry is pretty much guaranteed at 107% until 2025, (compared with a 25% CAGR for cannabis) with the likelihood of it rising further still in the future. It is no wonder, with the legalisation of marijuana becoming customary across the globe, that governments are scrambling to claim their slice of the pie. CBD is here to stay.
The positives to introducing CBD into our lives are sprouting like the avocados on the plains of Western California. Unlike THC, CBD’s medical popularity stems from its absence of psychoactive effects. CBD oil has been successfully used in clinical trials to treat anxiety and depression, stress relief, pain relief, sleep deprivation, alleviation of cancer symptoms, acne reduction and even diabetes prevention. Its benefits are impossible to ignore, and the number of medical conditions that seek its benefits are growing. As well as its oil form, CBD is being manufactured in various cosmetic products, such as skincare, haircare, intimate lubricants, pharmaceuticals, pills, gummies, infused beverages, ice cream, bath bombs, even dog treats have proven to relieve neuropathic pain and reduce the risk of seizures in our beloved pets.
During a time of unprecedented doubt and uncertainty, it is no wonder that stress and anxiety has crawled under the skin of even the most ‘together’ of us. Whether Covid-19 has put your job at risk, prevented projects from coming to fruition, confined you to your home and interrupted precious exercise routines, or simply forced you to live with some mind-numbing individuals, CBD oil has demonstrated its ability to relieve you of your symptoms. Salunabis’ range of CBD oils specifically cater to each and every need with its 5% tincture targeting anxiety, 10% combatting sleep deprivation, and 25% alleviating aches and pains.
CBD is attracting attention from every corner of the world. However, it sometimes feels as though we don’t hear about it from anyone we know and trust. Here are some friendly faces speaking about their experiences:
Tom Hanks
The two-time Oscar-winning actor and film-maker has Type II Diabetes. He teamed up with Heather Pyces, a student at Cornell University to investigate the benefits of cannabidiol for people suffering from diabetes and stress-related illnesses. Hanks started to use CBD to soothe anxiety and later discovered its bonus effects on pains and aches.
Jennifer Anniston
Actress and businesswoman, Jennifer Aniston has taken her health into her own hands; choosing CBD oil to treat the symptoms of anxiety and depression. In a 2001 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, she admitted to dabbling with weed: ‘I enjoy it once in a while… There is nothing wrong with that. Everything in moderation. I wouldn’t call myself a pot-head.’ Since then, she has switched to THC-free cannabis products without the ‘high’ effect.
Jason DeLand, executive of the cannabis company, Dosist, that manufactures disposable vape pens with CBD, says, ‘Right now, CBD is the chemical equivalent to Bitcoin in 2016 […] It’s hot, everywhere and yet almost nobody understands it.’ Only, we are now understanding it, and learning to harness its seemingly limitless life-changing effects to boot.