Dr. Roger Adams and the discovery of CBD

The brilliant mind that discovered CBD, Dr. Roger Adams, was a renowned American chemist and researcher who made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry. He is best known for his discovery of the marvellous compound, CBD, a non-psychotropic compound found in the cannabis plant.

25 January 2023

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Who was Dr. Roger Adams?

Dr. Roger Adams was a pioneering chemist and researcher who made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry. One of his most notable achievements was the discovery of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant.

Adams first became interested in studying cannabis in the 1940s, when the plant was still relatively unknown in the scientific community. He was particularly interested in understanding the chemical compounds found in cannabis and their potential medical applications.

When was CBD discovered?

In 1940, Adams and his team of researchers at the University of Illinois began to isolate and identify the individual compounds found in cannabis. Through a series of experiments, they were able to isolate CBD and determine its chemical structure. This marked the first time that CBD had been isolated and identified as a distinct compound.

The discovery of CBD was groundbreaking in many ways. For one, it helped to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding cannabis, as CBD was found to be non-psychotropic, meaning it does not produce the “high” associated with other compounds found in cannabis, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The Potential

In addition, the discovery of CBD opened up a new area of research in the field of medicine.

Despite the potentially supportive qualities of CBD, research into its medical applications has been limited due to the federal prohibition on cannabis and various laws internationally classifying all cannabis products illegal. However, with the growing legalisation of medical and recreational cannabis in many states in the US and around the world, research into CBD and its potential medical uses is beginning to pick up.

Summary

Dr. Roger Adams’ discovery of CBD was a major milestone in the field of organic chemistry, and it opened up new areas of research in medicine. The discovery of CBD has led to a better understanding of the cannabis plant and its potential medical applications.