As an expert in the field of cannabinoids, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible potential of CBD. This natural, non-psychotropic compound found in the hemp plant Cannabis sativa L. has been shown to have numerous physiological and pharmacological effects. While CBD is available as a prescription drug, it is also widely sold over-the-counter in the form of dietary supplements, cosmetics, and e-cigarette liquids. However, due to its origin as a narcotic plant and its status as a new, unapproved food ingredient, there have been regulatory difficulties surrounding CBD.
One of the main concerns is whether or not CBD can degrade into psychotropic cannabinoids, specifically tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), under certain conditions. This has sparked an ongoing scientific debate and the purpose of this article is to summarize the current knowledge on CBD degradation processes. After carefully studying the literature on the psychotropic effects of cannabinoids, it was found that data on CBD degradants and metabolites is scarce. While there are contradictory findings, most studies suggest that CBD does not convert to psychotropic THC under in vivo conditions. However, it has been shown to degrade in acidic environments, which raises concerns about the storage stability of commercial formulations. One solution to these challenges is CBD synthesis.
Whether it is synthesized from citrus terpenes grown from yeasts or extracted as a gas from cannabis, synthetic CBD is identical to plant-based CBD. The only difference is that plant-based CBD may contain residual cannabinoids. This is why the EU requires all cosmetic products to use synthesized CBD instead of hemp-derived CBD. It should be noted that most studies on CBD degradation were conducted over long-term storage periods that exceed typical storage times for CBD products. Therefore, it is crucial for manufacturers to conduct lifespan studies dedicated to the long-term stability of CBD in finished products, taking into account the formation of psychotropic compounds due to CBD degradation. Synthesizing CBD from sources other than cannabis not only solves these challenges, but it also provides the purity, consistency, and yields necessary for a wider variety of medical and consumer applications.
In fact, more than six million people in the UK are already using CBD products to help with issues such as anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. Most high-quality synthetic CBD is bioidentical to natural CBD and is not an analog. This means that it acts on the same receptor as natural CBD. Synthetic bioidentical CBD is chemically identical to natural CBD, which is synthesized by the cannabis sativa plant. The global market for CBD food supplements and nutraceutical products is rapidly growing due to its extensive pharmacological benefits and good safety profile. Despite the advantages of synthetic CBD, the majority of products on the market still contain plant-based CBD.
However, these products are likely to contain minimal or even trace amounts of THC, as well as other known and unknown impurities. This is especially true for "broad-spectrum" products. While there have been some studies on in vitro reactions of CBD with animal or human cells or enzymes, there is still a lack of research in this area. It is important to understand how CBD may convert into other cannabinoids in these conditions. Some manufacturers have been able to produce CBD without any detectable unwanted cannabinoids, but there is still a risk of contamination or degradation during storage or under in vivo conditions. In addition to acidic conditions, it has also been found that basic conditions can lead to the production of CBD conversion products.
This further adds to the ongoing debate about whether or not CBD can be converted into other potentially psychotropic cannabinoids under certain storage conditions.
