Scientists Develop New Class Of CBD Using A Common Kitchen Spice—Not Cannabis

OG article by Kyle Jaeger October 22, 2025

Researchers at the University of Nevada Las Vegas genetically manipulated caraway seeds, a common kitchen spice, to create synthetic CBD-like compounds that mimic the structure of non-intoxicating CBD from cannabis.

Pre-clinical trials showed these compounds are more effective than natural CBD at stopping seizures, reducing seizure-related deaths, and promoting brain cell development, with low risk of adverse effects and no sedative side effects.

The study, published in Neuropsychopharmacology and funded by NIH grants, highlights potential for new epilepsy treatments, especially for childhood disorders resistant to current drugs like FDA-approved Epidiolex.

Authors emphasize this is early research, with promise for safer therapeutics, but note that raw caraway seeds do not contain CBD and cannot provide the benefits without genetic manipulation.