Researchers have found CBD in a plant other than cannabis

Following the discovery of CBG (cannabigerol)-producing plants and THC-producing mosses in South Africa, scientists have discovered a CBD-producing shrub in South America. But unlike most of these plants, this one is a true relative of cannabis and hops: the plant even belongs to the cannabis family. 

Trema micrantha, a plant native to Brazil and other South American countries, “could expand the medical use of cannabidiol without legal barriers,” researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) announced.

Chemical analysis did not reveal the presence of THC-like compounds in Trema micrantha. But the plant could be a game-changer for CBD production. Rising temperatures are a real headache for the cannabis industry, as the plant contains additional traces of THC when weather conditions are favorable. 

“It’s a legal alternative to cannabis use,” Rodrigo Moura Neto, a molecular biologist at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, told AFP. “The plant grows everywhere in Brazil. It would be a simpler and cheaper source of cannabidiol.”

The plant genus Trema consists of about 15 species of evergreen trees and shrubs belonging to the cannabis family. In the past, they were classified in the Ulmaceae family because they shared characteristics with elms. But in 2003, a complex system (AGP II) was used to classify angiosperms based on their evolution and genetics, starting with Humulus and Celtis.

What do these plants look like? Its leaves are simple and alternate, with a petiole (the structure connecting the leaf to the plant’s stem) 5 to 8 cm long. The edges are slightly serrated, and the upper surface is rough. Its trunk grows straight and cylindrical, with hemispherical scars. As for its flowers, they can be male or female, although both are concentrated in inflorescences and are found on the same plant, which means that Trema is a monoecious plant. 

Trema micrantha is a tree native to Mexico, Brazil, and the Caribbean that can reach a height of 5 to 30 meters and a trunk diameter of up to 70 centimeters. Its canopy is very dense and umbrella-shaped, providing pleasant shade. Its leaves are 5 to 12 cm long. 

Scientists have discovered cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabis compound known as CBD, in a common Brazilian plant. This opens up new potential avenues for producing the increasingly popular substance.
 

In fact, CBD was isolated from the fruits and flowers of a plant called Trema micrantha Blume, explains Rodrigo Moura Neto, a molecular biologist at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. The shrub grows throughout much of the South American country and is often considered a weed. 

Increasingly used to relieve conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and anxiety, CBD is one of the main active ingredients in cannabis, along with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that is prohibited. The effectiveness of this compound as a medical treatment is still being studied.
 

Neto stated that chemical analysis revealed that the Trema plant contains CBD but not THC, raising the possibility of a new, substantial source of CBD. This would be a source that is not subject to the legal and regulatory hurdles associated with cannabis, which remains regulated in many places, including Brazil.

Neto, who has not yet published his findings, said he now plans to expand the research to determine the best way to extract CBD from Trema and to analyze its effectiveness in human patients currently undergoing medically supervised cannabis treatment. His team recently received a grant of 500,000 reais (95,000 euros) from the Brazilian government to fund the research, which is expected to last at least five years. 

A study conducted last year by the market research firm Vantage Market Research estimated the global CBD market at nearly $5 billion and predicted it would reach more than $47 billion by 2028, largely due to its health and wellness applications. 

The sale of CBD is permitted in France. As of a few days ago, products containing HHC (hexahydrocannabinol), a cannabis-derived compound with psychoactive properties, have been banned. Health authorities assert that there are alarming levels of abuse and a comparable risk of addiction.

Although this discovery is promising, caution should be exercised when using Trema micrantha as an alternative source of CBD. Further research is needed to assess the true potential of this plant and to study the possible differences between CBD extracted from hemp and that extracted from Trema micrantha. 
 

Nevertheless, this scientific breakthrough opens up new possibilities for the medical use of CBD and allows us to envision a future in which the benefits of this molecule can be enjoyed without resorting to cannabis, the legal status of which is still being determined. There is still a long way to go, and this has become a hotly debated topic in many countries.

Rodrigo Moura Neto, who trained in forensic genetics and began researching CBD, analyzed the DNA of cannabis seized by the police to help investigators trace its origin. It was when he came across earlier research identifying CBD in a related plant in Thailand (also in the Cannabaceae family) that he had the idea to try isolating it from the Trema plant. 

He says it will take five to ten years of research and clinical trials to turn his unpublished findings into marketable drugs, if that is even possible. 

First cultivated in China more than 10,000 years ago, cannabis has been the subject of decades of scientific research aimed at refining its potential healing properties and understanding its effects on the brain. 

But Mr. Moura Neto warns that the CBD contained in the Trema plant might not work as hoped—or might not work at all. He also points out with a smile that there’s no point in smoking the plant: “It won’t do you any good at all.” 
 

The potential therapeutic effects of CBD are still the subject of extensive research. The compound is controversial, particularly in Brazil, where even the cultivation of medical cannabis is illegal. Patients often have to import it at exorbitant prices and go to court to gain access to it. 

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural plant-based substance found in cannabis that belongs to the cannabinoid family of molecules. Cannabis has been cultivated on every continent for thousands of years and is one of the oldest wild and cultivated plants on Earth. Of the approximately 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis, THC and CBD are the two best-known and most active molecules in the body. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce any intoxicating or long-lasting effects, and CBD itself is not considered a narcotic or toxic substance. 

The human body has an endocannabinoid system that regulates some of our basic biological functions, such as: 

• sleep,
• appetite,
• anxiety,
• mood,
• and even physical pain. 
   

Cannabidiol is unique in that it stimulates the CB1 and CB2 receptors connected to the nervous system. As a result, taking CBD helps our bodies better regulate these major biological functions. In France and across Europe, CBD is now available in many forms. Among them, the flower remains the most iconic and complex; our “CBD Flower of the Month” feature lets you discover a unique, limited-edition strain every month, selected by our experts for its exceptional genetics and rich cannabinoid profile. There are also CBD oils and treats specially formulated for pets to help with their daily routines—whether it’s managing anxiety and stress, improving their coat, or relieving muscle pain. 

CBD is an active compound believed to have many beneficial effects on our metabolism. It is commonly used in various industries, such as: 

• cosmetics,
• the food industry,
• and the pharmaceutical industry.

Scientists and doctors around the world are now studying the many properties of CBD to better understand the molecule’s full therapeutic potential. The WHO has compiled a long list of its potential properties: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipsychotic, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective. 

According to various recent scientific studies, CBD is believed to have numerous properties that hold promise for medical research. These findings require further confirmation, and many researchers and laboratories continue to explore this molecule—which is still relatively unknown in France—in order to better understand it and harness its properties. 

CBD is said to have relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties that interact and reinforce each other to enhance its effect on the body. CBD is believed to promote muscle relaxation, thereby preventing and reducing potential inflammation and pain. CBD has no psychoactive effects. Therefore, it is not addictive. For these reasons, it is not considered a narcotic and is completely legal throughout the European Union.