
08/06/2025
CBD without cannabis? Scientists found the compound in a totally different plant — and it grows like a w**d in Brazil.
n a groundbreaking discovery, scientists in Brazil have identified cannabidiol (CBD)—a key compound in cannabis—in a completely unrelated plant, Trema micrantha blume.
Often dismissed as a w**d, this native shrub grows abundantly across South America and contains CBD without the psychoactive component THC, making it a potentially game-changing source for medical CBD production.
Unlike cannabis, Trema faces none of the legal restrictions that complicate cannabis cultivation in many countries, including Brazil.
The research, led by molecular biologist Rodrigo Moura Neto, opens the door to cheaper, more accessible CBD products without regulatory hurdles. While the compound’s full medical benefits remain under study, CBD is already being used to manage conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and anxiety. Neto’s team, backed by a government research grant, aims to refine extraction methods and test Trema-based CBD in clinical settings. As global demand for CBD surges toward an estimated $47 billion market by 2028, this discovery could reshape the future of cannabinoid therapies.