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One of the two main combat-ready factor in marijuana has been found in a plant other than hemp , researchers take .

scientist in Brazil said they ’ve discovered cannabidiol ( CBD ) in the fruits and flowers of the Jamaican nettletree ( Trema micranthum ) , an evergreen bush that is native to tropic and subtropical regions of North and South America , AFP reported this summertime .

Close-up photograph of the green flower buds and leaves of Trema micranthum

The compound was discovered in the fruit and flowers ofTrema micranthum,pictured above.

T. micranthumbelongs to the Cannabaceae family of plants , which contains11 genera and about 170 species . One genus let in the cannabis plants , such asCannabis sativa , which is used to make marijuana . These plants create chemical substance center called cannabinoids , let in the high up - get content THC ( THC ) and CBD , which does n’t give users ahigh .

UnlikeC. sativa , T. micranthumdoesn’t contain THC , so it could be an attractive new reference of CBD that comes without the sound barriers relate with growing cannabis .

pertain : How does cannabis get you high ?

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" As we continue to see more patients dictate medical cannabis for chronic wellness problems in the U.K. and internationally it is promise to see novel approaches to the production of cannabidiol and other cannabinoids,“Dr . Simon Erridge , the head of research at Sapphire Medical Clinics in the U.K. , who was not involve in the new find , told Live Science in an electronic mail .

" There must be cautious excitement around this intelligence however , as the investigator have yet to write datum around the measure of CBD they have been capable to express fromTrema micranthum , " he said . The proficiency used to optimize the extraction of CBD from the cannabis efflorescence , on the other hand , have been refined over many decades , he said .

There has been growing stake in the voltage for using aesculapian cannabis to treat a number of conditions , swan fromParkinson ’s diseasetoepilepsyandchronic pain . However , although the practice is now legal in some countries , includingin the U.K. , andacross many states in the U.S. , there are stillbarriers to accessing the drug worldwide .

An illustration of mitochondria, fuel-producing organelles within cells

" It was marvellous to find a plant ( with CBD but ) without THC , because you forfend all the mess around psychoactive [ psychoactive ] substances,“Rodrigo Moura Neto , a molecular biologist at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro who led the late enquiry , tell AFP .

" That means the potency is enormous , " he said .

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Moura Neto and his team have yet to print their findings , but he told AFP that they hope to lucubrate their enquiry thanks to a public Ulysses S. Grant . Their upcoming enquiry will involve looking at the best way to extract CBD fromT. micranthumand testing whether it could be an effective substitute for medical marijuana .

Drawing of the inside of an ancient room showing two people taking drugs.

In the meanwhile , " until we have exchangeable data point in relation toTrema micranthum , the vast bulk of CBD will continue to amount from cannabis plant life , " Erridge said .

Ever marvel whysome people work up heftiness more easy than othersorwhy freckle come out in the sun ? Send us your question about how the human body works tocommunity@livescience.comwith the capable line " Health Desk Q , " and you may see your question answered on the website !

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