Specific Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabidiol Validated by FDA
In a landmark announcement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a drug derived from pure cannabidiol (CBD), Epidiolex, to treat seizures associated with certain forms of severe epilepsy, setting the stage for huge changes in the world of cannabidiol (CBD).
• FDA approval of a cannabis-based drug represents seismic political, legal and economic shifts
• Approval likely will lead to more clinical research and further validation of CBD therapeutic efficacy
• CBD market projected to explode to more than $2 billion in two years with 39 percent CAGR
What's most transformative about this drug approval is that this is the first time the FDA - the governmental arbiter of safe and effective medicine in the United States - has approved any substance derived from the cannabis sativa plant and validated certain therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol. The FDA is, to some extent, endorsing what has been anecdotally accepted by the masses for millennia.
CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that can be extracted from the industrial hemp plant, is understandably generating worldwide interest from both the scientific and investment communities. A large part of CBD's mass appeal is that it's believed to aid with a broad range of wellness concerns. CBD is known to interact with the human endocannabinoid system, which is found throughout the body's nervous system, organs, connective tissues, glands and immune system. Research indicates CBD may have the potential to treat a wide range of conditions such as anxiety, high blood pressure, skin issues, and chronic pain. It's being researched to treat Alzheimer's, and one study even suggests CBD might be a useful addition when given with conventional antipsychotic medications in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Continued rigorous clinical research is being conducted to further confirm all the potential therapeutic benefits that may be found in this cannabinoid extract. In the meantime, the mass appeal of CBD remains unabated, and the market for CBD products continues to grow at an astounding rate.
Seismic Shift
Modern science has begun to substantiate both the anecdotal history and the therapeutic efficacy of cannabidiol. The FDA's recent approval of a cannabis-based drug represents a seismic shift and is further indication of the enormous curative potential that may be found in CBD. As more scientific validations ensue, the market for CBD products could easily exceed expectations, and well-positioned companies in the space could outperform the market.
