Scientists Make Groundbreaking Discovery of CBD in Trema Micrantha Blume Plant
In a surprising turn of events, a team of researchers has unearthed cannabidiol (CBD) in the fruit and flowers of the Trema micrantha blume plant, a shrub found across most of South America and often dismissed as a mere weed.
Biologist Rodrigo Moura Neto from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro revealed to AFP in 2023 that their team stumbled upon CBD in this common Brazilian plant, paving the way for a potential new source of the increasingly popular compound. CBD, known for its use in treating various conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and anxiety, is one of the primary active compounds in cannabis, alongside tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the substance responsible for the high associated with marijuana.
The effectiveness of CBD as a medical treatment is still under intensive research. Neto explained that chemical analysis confirmed the presence of CBD in “Trema” without any traces of THC, hinting at a new, abundant source of CBD that sidesteps legal obstacles associated with marijuana, which remains prohibited in many regions, including Brazil. Neto emphasized, “This is a legal alternative to using marijuana. It’s a plant that grows all over Brazil. It will be a simpler and cheaper source of cannabidiol.”
Previous discoveries of CBD in related plants in Thailand have set the stage for this groundbreaking revelation. Neto, who is yet to publish his findings, now aims to expand his research to identify the best methods for extracting CBD from “Trema” and assess its effectiveness in patients currently treated with medical marijuana. His team recently secured a $104,000 grant from the Brazilian government to fund this research, estimated to take at least five years to complete.
A study by Vantage Market Research projected the global CBD market to nearly reach $5 billion, surging to over $47 billion by 2028, primarily driven by its extensive use in health and fitness. This unexpected discovery of CBD in a plant previously overlooked for its medicinal properties could revolutionize the industry and provide a legal and accessible alternative to traditional marijuana-based treatments.
With the hashtags #GanjaCompound, #CompletelyDifferentPlant, and #TremaMicranthaBlume making rounds on social media, this breakthrough in the field of botanical medicine is sure to spark curiosity and excitement among researchers and consumers alike. Stay tuned for more updates as this discovery unfolds.
