You asked for it!
Thank you everyone for your question submissions! In this blog, I am going to go over the questions that weren’t addressed in the Grab Life by the Plant 3-part lesson series or just questions that are worth going over again. There were so many questions that I am creating two blogs in response. This is part one.
How do you know the correct dosage? How do you know you are optimal and "more" would make you feel even better?
Since I am not a doctor or a pharmacist, I am not allowed to prescribe dosages. I can, however, suggest a serving size, to begin with. That suggested serving size varies by the product but can be found on the packaging label.
Dosages of CBD depend on a lot of variables including body weight, current health condition, the state of you endocannabinoid system, and desired effects. You can’t overdose on CBD, and there have been ZERO CBD fatalities! As always, check with your health care provider to be on the safe side.
The general rule of thumb is to start with a low dose and gradually increase over time until the desired effects are obtained. That way you aren’t taking more than you need and wasting valuable product and money. Depending on the person and the state of their Endocannabinoid System a perfect dose could be anywhere from 3mg to 50mg-or even higher.
More is not always better! You may have better results with a lower dose, so it is very important to keep track of how much you are taking, how you are feeling, and play around with serving sizes until you find your individual sweet spot. Give each serving size about a weeks trial before changing it up. If you experience headaches or fatigue back off your dose a little bit. If you experience an allergic reaction discontinue use right away.
What are the benefits of each CBD, CBG, CBDV, Etc...
There are over 100 cannabinoids discovered so far…with probably more to come. Because of hemp prohibition over the last century, the discovery and study of cannabinoids were stifled. That has now changed, and there is a lot of studies happening, but our knowledge of cannabinoids is still in its infancy. That being said, what we do know about them is more than I can share here, but there are a few books and websites that go into that detail.
We have CBD, CBDA, and CBDV in our broad-spectrum capsules. Found in raw cannabis, CBDA can provide abundant health benefits, thanks to it's natural anti-proliferative, antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Like CBD, CBDV significantly reduces the frequency and severity of seizures. It also reduces or even eliminates nausea associated with several conditions, and helps to reduce inflammation throughout the body. CBDV is also beneficial in the treatment of pain and mood disorders.
After being on CBD for awhile, is it good to stop for a few days and start again to let yourself reset?
There is not an official protocol for this with hemp like there is with some other herbals such as echinacea or goldenseal. So, the answer is that it depends on the person and the state of their individual endocannabinoid system. Personally, I like to give my body a break from all of my vitamin and herbal supplements which is easy as just not taking them for a week. Others, who may be taking them for chronic conditions, may experience a relapse of symptoms when going off of their supplements. I recommend working with your doctor and naturopath to design a customized plan and above all else listen to your body. It tends to tell you what it needs.
Is it legal to stock it in my office? I’ve heard stores have been raided because of ignorance (authorities not knowing the difference between hemp & marijuana CBD).
Hemp and its byproducts including CBD are now federally legal thanks to the 2018 farm bill while marijuana-derived CBD continues to be federally illegal. As states scramble to regulate this new legislation, misinformation and confusion happens. Sellers of Hemp-derived CBD have the burden of educating their customers and even sometimes their local authorities. Always have the products COA’s (certificates of analysis) on hand to prove the origin of the product (hemp not marijuana) as well as the THC content which legally needs to be .3% or less. Be ready to let the local PD test some of your products for THC levels. Also, stay up to date on your local ordinances and laws. Be professional and courteous to those that challenge you, even if they’re not. We are in a changing time with huge cultural shifts happening. It can be scary and confusing for some. Be mindful of adding to the enlightenment and not the chaos of society.
CBD is everywhere it seems now, so how do we know who has the best product?
Top 4 things to know about a CBD company and its products before buying them.
1. Where does the hemp come from?
This is important because hemp is an amazing bio accumulator which means it absorbs the toxins such as heavy metals and chemicals from the environment that it is grown in. This is great news for the Earths health, but the sad news is that that same hemp can then be made into nutritional supplements. Yuk! Countries such as China and Russia and currently growing hemp to clean up industrial waste and even nuclear fallout. You don’t want that hemp going into your CBD products! Lots of countries are currently growing organic hemp including Sweden, Denmark, Canada, and the USA. Selecting a product comes from certified organic hemp is the surest way to know you are getting a clean product.
2. What is the purity?
Ask to see a Certificate of Analysis (COA).
The COA should come from an independent 3rd party lab. The average industry standard right now is 25% purity with some products being less than 3% pure CBD. The COA should also show that the product is clean of any microbial, heavy metal, or solvent contamination. You don’t want to put any of those things into your body! The COA also will tell you if there are of the over 100 other cannabinoids in the hemp extract such as the psychoactive THC (legally there cannot be more than .3% THC in a CBD product to be federally legal).
3. How is the CBD extracted from the hemp?
CBD is extracted from the hemp plant generally in one of two ways. Solvent extraction and CO2 extraction. Solvent extraction uses chemical solvents and heat to extract the CBD which degrades the product and risks leaving behind the solvents in the finished product. CO2 extraction is a cold method that produces a higher quality CBD with no risk of solvent contamination.
4. How bioavailable is it?
Nano-Amplification means that the CBD molecules are made smaller so that our human cells can use them more efficiently! Nano-amplified CBD means 80+% more bioavailability! That means less CBD + less money = more results! Nano-emulsification makes the CBD water-soluble as well.
Does the company show integrity in other ways?
Are the inactive ingredients of high quality?
As an avid label reader I have been disappointed in many food and nutritional supplement products for their “healthy” marketing and then their inferior ingredient lists. (Yes, I am that crunchy mom). I have seen CBD oils with hydrogenated oil bases, artificial dyes, sweeteners, and flavors! Yuck! Not today, Satan! If these dietary points are important to you, ask if the products are Vegan, GMO-free, Gluten-free, kosher, or contain any artificial ingredients.
Does the company use eco-conscious packaging?
Currently, there is no reason for toxic packaging. It takes extra thought, time, and probably money for a company to commit to eco-friendly packaging such as using post-consumer content and recyclable paper and cardboard. Dissolvable packing peanuts and plant-based inks are readily available.
Does the company test on animals?
Because bunnies. Nuff said.
Where are the products made?
Are they supporting the US economy or exploiting a third world population?
Are the products manufactured in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) compliant facility and ISO certified labs? These certifications mean that the manufacturer operates under high standards for business conduct, quality testing, and facility cleanliness.
Does the company participate in charitable donations or give back to the community in some way such as offering a military discount? Now, this may be hard to find out at first glance, but with a straightforward inquiry, most companies would be happy to tell you about their philanthropic pursuits. If they don’t get back to you, you can probably guess they don’t.
Can you take to much CBD?
While you cannot overdose on CBD, there is no reason to take more than you need. In fact, so some, taking less CBD works better! Start with a low serving size and gradually increase every few days until your desired effects are achieved. After a while, you can start lowering your serving to see where your sweet spot is.
The difference between hemp oil and tincture??
Herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA and do not have exacting label requirements. This means that the wording on CBD product labels can vary widely making it confusing for the consumer. Traditionally a tincture is a water or alcohol extracted herbal supplement which is then kept in a dropper bottle. Now, since most CBD products are in a dropper bottle, many companies call them CBD or hemp tinctures even though they are usually oil based. Hemp oil is a vague term that could mean hemp seed oil which you can buy in the supermarket for cooking and contains no CBD, or it could mean a CBD infused oil. The important thing to look for on the label is CBD content, ingredient list, and ask to see the COA for purity and cannabinoid profile.
Why should I take it?
CBD nourishes your endocannabinoid system and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. That being said, CBD is not for everyone! If you have an allergy to CBD or any of the other ingredients in the product you should not take it. If the product is of unknown origin or purity, do not take it. Also, if you are in perfect health and eat a lot of vegetables, your endocannabinoid system may not need any cannabinoid supplementation.
How do you know where to start as far as which product (capsule vs. oral oil) and quantity?
The various forms of CBD can be selected depending on the reason for usage as well as other factors such as convenience. The sublingual oils are the most popular since they are absorbed through the glands under the tongue the CBD can get to the bloodstream quickly while allowing the CBD you swallow to take a slower route by nourishing your digestive system. Creams and salves are popular for skin conditions as well as fast pain relief. Candies, gummies, and capsules are popular for travel convenience. Vaping is a very quick form of absorption that is popular for sufferers of anxiety attacks. Start with the label directions and slowly over time adjust to your body’s specific needs.
How do I figure out how much CBD I am getting from the drops?
The amount of of CBD listed on the front of the label is the total container's CBD quantity. Depending on the size of the bottle you can then calculate CBD per drop. These amounts are approximate. Here is a guide to 406 CBD's drops:
Is it safe?
CBD in itself is very safe. You cannot overdose on it, and the World Health Organization found it to be non-addictive. That being said, some low-quality products may have contaminants in them such as heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, and microbes such as molds. Always, ask for a COA and buy from a company that you trust with integrity and high-quality products. Remember if it is super cheap it is probably too good to be true.
Thanks to everyone that submitted a question! I will be answering more in our next blog. As always feel free to send me your questions HERE.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page as well for more great info!
Shop CBD here: https://www.406cbd.com/online-store
Blessings,