So, what’s up with CBD, anyway?

Why is CBD oil one of the most important nutritional supplements to become available to consumers in a generation? As an ER doctor in an incredibly stressful profession, I needed a natural and healthy way to complement my lifestyle, nutrition, and meditation practices to reduce the chaos, decrease inflammation, support my digestion, and improve my immune health. With the widespread acceptance of CBD oil, I found what I was looking for. Yet, despite the benefits, there still needs to be more clarity regarding hemp plants and their golden oil.

There is a vibrant history of hemp. Our founding fathers grew and utilized many of the plant’s byproducts. Drafts of the US Constitution were penned on hemp paper (final copies were made on parchment). Hemp cordage was essential for the day-to-day sailing of ships. I could write about many examples of the historical usage of this versatile plant. Today, we manufacture paper, clothing, lubricants, and my favorite, CBD oil from this hardy and helpful weed. Despite the utility of hemp, it is frequently confused with its near-look-alike cousin, marijuana. Though similar, hemp has just traces of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), or the “psychoactive” chemical found in marijuana. Because the hemp plant has minimal traces of THC, the Federal Government and many States have certified CBD (cannabidiol) as a nutritional supplement. And, because of the change in legislation, the use of CBD and its popularity has exploded. Forbes magazine (August 2017) predicts hemp cannabis product sales to exceed $1 billion in the next three years.

My interest in CBD oil is related to its tremendous health advantages, including digestion, mood, anxiety, and sleep support. Many critical body systems, like the cardiovascular, neurological, and dermatologic ones, are enhanced by the use of CBD. Rich with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory plant extracts, over 100 cannabinoids have been isolated. Terpenes, bioflavonoids, fatty acids, and other phytochemical derivatives have exceptional health properties that create a natural balance in well-being and health.

So, without discussing CBD oil’s complete and broad physiological spectrum, I want to offer guidance on selecting a premium oil. First, let us make the premise that you want, like me, to make CBD oil a part of your daily health and fitness routine; then, how do you proceed with your selection?

In this second part of the CBD story, I want to cover what you need to know to make an educated decision about CBD oil.

First and most critically, the quality of the grown hemp is of singular importance. Hemp is well-studied and known to be a “bioaccumulator.” Bioaccumulation means that the plant is very good at taking up into the stem, leaves, and flower any nutritious minerals and substances found in the surrounding soil – that is good! But, and here is the bad news, the same remarkable power of accumulating the good things can work on the bad stuff in the soil as well; stuff like glyphosate (Roundup herbicide that was recently litigated and found to be a carcinogen), chemical fertilizers, airborne toxins from surrounding power plants, chemical runoff from industry, and any number of contaminants lurking in the soil. Organic soils are free of toxins and artificial fertilizers, and buffered by miles of agriculture-free land is an absolute requirement.

Next supply chain. Look for a company that controls the hemp crop from seed to distribution. The vast majority of hemp grown has no provenance of origin, often provided to processors from several and often unknown sites. A company with a developmental program from seed genetics to planting, drying, extracting, and purification is also essential to providing a premium oil.

More than just producing a premium full-spectrum CBD oil, complete with all the many entourage terpenes, bioflavonoids, and related cannabinoids, a company must have the means to deliver that oil to the body in an efficient and bioavailable way. Standard oil extracts have about a 10-20% absorption rate, liposomal systems usually add a little to that percentage, but a nanoemulsion absorption process increases the assimilation by the body to 50-70%! Therefore, the delivery of oil is a significant consideration.

Company and management expertise in the field is an important consideration. Retail sales, wholesale buying, direct marketing, or multilevel marketing are all viable ways to bring a product to the consumer. Regardless, a company based on values of quality, customer service, premium products, foundational science, and opportunities to help others physically, mentally, and financially are also paramount in deciding from whom to buy.

Lastly, price. Sure, you could buy the cheapest CBD product on the shelf, but in the marketing of CBD oil, you can’t just depend on the adage, “you get what you pay for!” After researching the product for nearly two years, I have found that cost is not a reliable quality indicator. Some cheap products may have higher concentrations of CBD per bottle, while expensive ones may be made in a kitchen laboratory with inconsistent controls. As I have outlined above, you need to look at products that are grown organically, produced with a vertical supply chain, have honest and dedicated company management, and are priced competitively. If you can share the product with those you feel will benefit and can make an independent income doing it, that’s all the better – icing on the gluten-free cake.

Be well…

If you are interested in learning more about the CBD that I use, click on this link CBD