Cannabidiol was first discovered as a cannabinoid in its own right as far back as 1940. It is, therefore, one of the most studied and best understood natural chemical compounds to have been found in cannabis plants to date. Scientists have been looking closely at its chemical structure for decades to try and work out how it interacts with the body when it is consumed. Like other hemp extracts, however, its use has been highly regulated around the world, and it remains a controlled substance in many countries. That said, it has some properties that have prompted medical science to investigate its usefulness. These days, some products containing CBD are now legal in certain jurisdictions, primarily for their medicinal rather than recreational use. Among the most widely used functions of medical cannabidiol is in the treatment of certain types of epilepsy.