Ep 165: CBD Toilet Paper
A Brief History of Weed and… Toilet Paper?
Ancient Roots: From Sacred Tea to Spiritual Highs
Cannabis has been used for thousands of years, both medicinally and spiritually. It all started in Ancient China around 2737 BCE, where Emperor Shen Nong reportedly brewed cannabis tea to treat ailments like gout and malaria. That’s some pretty elevated herbal medicine.
The Egyptians weren’t far behind, using cannabis for eye infections, pain relief, and even childbirth—yep, babies entering the world with a head start on chill.
In India, cannabis became a sacred plant called Bhang, used in religious rituals and Ayurveda to ease pain, anxiety, and digestive issues. So yes, hitting the bong may have deeper roots than your college years.
And in Greece and Rome, docs like Hippocrates and Dioscorides praised cannabis for healing wounds and soothing pain. Roman soldiers may have even used it after battle—CBD salve, anyone?
Cannabis Across Cultures: Medieval to Modern
By the Middle Ages, cannabis had gone global. Islamic scholars, including Avicenna, touted it in medical texts, while European herbalists brewed it into remedies for headaches and digestion. This went on for centuries until the 19th century, when cannabis-based tinctures were sold in pharmacies across Europe and the U.S.
Big names like William B. O’Shaughnessy (shoutout to “O Shack Hennessy”) helped bring it westward after studying it in India. Even Queen Victoria reportedly used it to ease menstrual cramps.
The Fall (and Rise) of the Devil’s Lettuce
Things took a turn in the 20th century. The 1937 Marijuana Tax Act started cracking down on cannabis, and by 1970, it was a Schedule I drug in the U.S., lumped in with the big bads and deemed medically useless. (Despite thousands of years of people saying otherwise…)
But researchers kept digging. In 1940, chemist Roger Adams isolated CBD, and in 1963, Raphael Mechoulam identified its structure—proving it doesn’t get you high. That’s THC’s job.
Then came the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in the 1990s—a discovery that explained how cannabis interacts with the human body to affect pain, anxiety, and more.
And let’s not forget Charlotte’s Web, the high-CBD strain that helped a young girl with epilepsy and sparked a new wave of public support in 2013.
Enter: CBD Toilet Paper… Kind Of
Now to the weird part. With CBD making its way into oils, gummies, skincare, and even pet treats—it was only a matter of time before someone thought, “Why not toilet paper?”
In 2020, a company called Nordic Botanics announced CBD-infused toilet paper. But plot twist—it was an April Fool’s joke. No actual product, just a clever prank that fooled more than a few high-minded hopefuls.
But could it work? Maybe.
Soothing relief for irritated skin
Anti-inflammatory properties for things like hemorrhoids
Moisturizing ingredients for added comfort
And some eco-friendliness, especially if it’s made from hemp
Speaking of hemp—that is a real thing. Hemp toilet paper exists, and it’s sustainable, biodegradable, and chemical-light. But sorry folks, it won’t deliver any mellow vibes to your backside.
Final Thoughts
While cannabis has a long and storied medical history, and CBD is definitely real (and useful), CBD toilet paper isn’t. Not yet, anyway. What is real, though, is the potential for cannabis to help with digestive discomfort and maybe even make your bathroom time a bit more relaxed.
But for now, if you’re hoping to chill your cheeks with infused TP… you’re out of luck.
