Reviews – �۲�ӰԺ

Top 5 Strongest �۲�ӰԺ Oils On The Market in 2022

Johnny Baldwin — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 22:36:15 +0000

The higher the �۲�ӰԺ content, the less of it you need to hit the higher doses of �۲�ӰԺ.

People with more severe health concerns have a lot to benefit from using stronger �۲�ӰԺ oils.

However, just because a �۲�ӰԺ oil lists a higher number of �۲�ӰԺ on the bottle doesn’t mean it’s the strongest. There are other factors to consider — such as what other compounds are included in the formula, how it was made, and what carrier oil is used.

In this guide, we’ll share with you some of the strongest �۲�ӰԺ oils we’ve tried. We’ll also teach you what to look for when shopping for high-potency �۲�ӰԺ oils in 2022.

Our Top 5 Strongest �۲�ӰԺ Oil Recommendations

Royal �۲�ӰԺ’s 2500 mg �۲�ӰԺ Oil — Editor’s Choice, Best Overall
Gold Bee’s 2400 mg �۲�ӰԺ Oil — Runner-Up
�۲�ӰԺistillery’s 5000 mg �۲�ӰԺ Oils — Best Value
Charlotte’s Web’s 60 mg/1mL — Most Popular Brand
�۲�ӰԺPure’s 1000 mg �۲�ӰԺ Oil — Easiest for Beginners

1. — Strongest �۲�ӰԺ Oil Overall

Rating: 5

Royal �۲�ӰԺ has always been the go-to for many �۲�ӰԺ users. They are, after all, one of the most trusted brands in the market.

Royal �۲�ӰԺ carries its own high-potency �۲�ӰԺ oil. At 2500 mg of full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil per 30 mL bottle, a single serving of this oil provides a high-dose of 83 mg �۲�ӰԺ.

Their high-potency �۲�ӰԺ oil is perfect for people with mild to moderate symptoms. This is a popular option for people suffering from chronic pain, muscle spasms, sleep problems, stress, and anxiety.

What we love about this brand:

2500 mg of full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil extracted from organically-grown hemp
83 mg of �۲�ӰԺ per serving
Gluten-free, non-GMO, all-natural ingredients
Natural flavor
Laboratory-tested

2. — Runner-Up

Rating: 4

Gold Bee’s strongest �۲�ӰԺ oil may not be as potent as the first �۲�ӰԺ oil, but it most definitely deserves a spot on our list.

What makes this oil particularly potent — despite having a lower �۲�ӰԺ content compared to other products on this list — is the exceptionally high concentration of terpenes in the oil. Terpenes like bisabolol, myrcene, and linalool provide an added boost to the various health benefits of this oil.

One 30 mL bottle of Gold Bee’s �۲�ӰԺ oil contains 2400 mg of full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil suspended in organic MCT oil.

What we love about this brand:

1200 mg and 2400 mg of full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil
A high concentration of terpenes in the oil
Extracted from US-grown, 100% natural hemp
Available in two flavors — kiwi with honey and natural hemp
Third-party lab tested

3. �۲�ӰԺistillery 5000 mg �۲�ӰԺ Oil — Best Value

Rating: 4.5

�۲�ӰԺistillery offers the strongest �۲�ӰԺ oil in terms of raw �۲�ӰԺ content at 5000 mg per 30 mL bottle. The compounds are suspended in fractionated coconut oil to increase bioavailability and facilitate better absorption.

This �۲�ӰԺ oil is one of the most potent on our list, with one full serving giving you 167 mg of full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ.

�۲�ӰԺistillery’s maximum-strength �۲�ӰԺ oil helps relieve persistent pain made worse by chronic inflammation. It also helps reduce mood problems and lessen stress and anxiety. Their �۲�ӰԺ oil is perfect for people suffering from moderate symptoms.

What we love about this brand:

5000 mg of full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil
167 mg of �۲�ӰԺ per serving
Non-GMO, naturally-cultivated industrial hemp
Natural flavor
Third-party tested

4. Charlotte’s Web 60 mg/1 mL — Most Popular Brand

Rating: 4

Charlotte’s Web carved a niche for itself in the industry after the founders created their own �۲�ӰԺ-rich cannabis strain to help a little girl suffering from a rare and severe form of epilepsy.

Even now, Charlotte’s Web remains one of the most recognizable brands in the market.

The strongest �۲�ӰԺ oil this company offers comes in two sizes — 30 mL and 100 mL bottles. One serving gives you 60 mg of full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil sourced from all-natural, USA-grown hemp.

What we love about this brand:

1800 mg of full-spectrum hemp extract
60 mg of �۲�ӰԺ per serving
No additives or artificial dyes
Available in four flavors — orange blossom, lemon twist, mint chocolate, and olive oil
Third-party tested

Charlotte’s Web’s �۲�ӰԺ oil works best for people with mild to moderate health problems. It helps relax the body after a tiring day, ease stress, and decrease pain and inflammation.

Because it’s made from whole-plant extract, you also benefit from the entourage effect. This is a concept where the entire range of compounds produced in the cannabis plant (cannabinoids, terpenes, amino acids, fatty acids, etc.) work together to produce a stronger action than any of these compounds on their own.

5. �۲�ӰԺPure 1000 mg �۲�ӰԺ Oil — Great Option for Beginners

Rating: 3

This �۲�ӰԺ oil is strong, but not nearly as strong as the other options on our list. This makes it a little better for people new to �۲�ӰԺ who likely need a higher dose — but aren’t yet sure how their body will respond to high-strength �۲�ӰԺ.

These 30 mL bottle contains 1000 mg of premium-grade, full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil extracted from organic hemp. One dropper gives you enough cannabinoids and terpenes to provide relief for several hours at a time.

What we love about this brand:

1000 mg of full-spectrum hemp extract per bottle
33 mg of �۲�ӰԺ per serving
No preservatives or artificial flavorings
Natural flavor
Third-party tested

What are the Benefits of Using a Strong �۲�ӰԺ Oil?

�۲�ӰԺ is known for its long list of beneficial properties.

It’s been shown to be effective against pain, inflammation, stress, and anxiety. Studies have also shown �۲�ӰԺ can help regulate mood and sleep problems.

While a low dose of �۲�ӰԺ may help relieve symptoms, some people need higher levels of �۲�ӰԺ to feel the same results.

The potency of your �۲�ӰԺ oil matters most when using it for more severe or chronic (long-lasting) health issues. The stronger the �۲�ӰԺ oil, the greater the benefits, even with smaller doses of oil.

If you’ve been using �۲�ӰԺ for a long time, it’s possible you may have developed some tolerance to �۲�ӰԺ. This may be the reason why your usual dose is no longer working for you and why you’ll need to adjust the dosage.

Buying the strongest �۲�ӰԺ oil can also save you some money in the long-run.

Stronger �۲�ӰԺ oils usually cost more upfront, but the cost per milligram of �۲�ӰԺ is much lower overall. You need a smaller volume of oil per dose, so a single bottle will last much longer.

What to Look for When Shopping For The Strongest �۲�ӰԺ Oil?

Here are four points to consider while you shop for strong �۲�ӰԺ oils online or in-store:

1. The Type of �۲�ӰԺ Matters

Most experts agree full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oils have a much more versatile set of effects than pure, isolated �۲�ӰԺ products.

Full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oils provide more health benefits because of something called the entourage effect. The active ingredients found in these products work together to produce a greater level of benefit when used together than taken separately.

2. Read Customer Reviews and Feedback

When choosing your �۲�ӰԺ oil, be sure to read reviews customers made about the product. You’ll get tons of information about the product, the manufacturer, and the effects (and side effects as well) of the �۲�ӰԺ oil from these reviews.

Look for mentions on reputable websites, expert review sites, and forums with experienced �۲�ӰԺ-users like Reddit.

3. Check Third-Party Laboratory Results

Visit the manufacturer’s website to learn more about their products’ quality.

Trusted brands are transparent about the quality, potency, and safety of their �۲�ӰԺ oil. They send samples of their products to accredited and licensed laboratories for testing. These tests look for the presence of toxins, harmful residues, heavy metals, and pathogenic microorganisms.

It’s important these labs are listed as “third-party” labs. This implies that the facility doing the testing has no affiliation with the �۲�ӰԺ company itself. This ensures that all the results are completely unbiased and honest.

Reputable �۲�ӰԺ oil manufacturers provide online copies of their products’ laboratory results. The test results can be found on the manufacturer’s website.

4. Compare Prices & Assess the Value of the Oil

You should also consider the product’s price and determine its value compared to similar products.

When comparing value, you need to get the cost per milligram of �۲�ӰԺ. This is the best way to compare two or more oils with different potencies and bottle sizes. It shows you the cost for every milligram of the active ingredient in the formula — which, of course, is the �۲�ӰԺ.

To do this, you’ll have to divide the selling price of the product by the total milligrams of �۲�ӰԺ found in the bottle.

For example, if product A costs $100 and contains 1000 mg of �۲�ӰԺ — it means every 1 mg of �۲�ӰԺ costs around $0.10 ($100 divided by 1000 = $0.10).

If product B, on the other hand, costs $250 and contains 5000 mg of �۲�ӰԺ. This gives you $0.05 per 1 mg of �۲�ӰԺ.

When you compare the two, you’ll find that product B costs more upfront but has nearly twice the value overall ($0.05 per mg compared to $0.10 per mg for product A).

How to Use Strong �۲�ӰԺ Oils?

If you don’t like the way �۲�ӰԺ oil tastes, it can help to disguise the oil with some food. The effects can be felt between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on your metabolism.

However, for faster symptom relief, we recommend placing the oil under your tongue and holding it there for a couple of minutes. Small capillaries (blood vessels) located under your tongue will absorb the �۲�ӰԺ and allow it to enter the bloodstream much more quickly.

Most products tell you to take a full dropper once or twice daily, but if you’re using high-potency �۲�ӰԺ oil for the first time, you might want to start with a lower dose.

You could start with half a dropper at first and then simply increase the dosage if you didn’t feel any improvement after about three to five days. Doing this helps you avoid some unwanted side-effects from accidentally taking too much.

It also allows you to assess your body’s reaction to the higher �۲�ӰԺ dose, making it easier for you to find the most effective dose that controls your symptoms.

Remember, �۲�ӰԺ is a personalized form of therapy, and the only way you can find your “sweet spot” is to be patient and consistent.

High-Potency �۲�ӰԺ Oils vs. Low-Potency �۲�ӰԺ Oils

Using the strongest �۲�ӰԺ oil may be better for more severe symptoms and chronic health problems.

However, �۲�ӰԺ is known to present a bell-shaped dose-response. This means that �۲�ӰԺ is most effective at a certain dose. Taking too much �۲�ӰԺ oil could end up reducing the overall benefits you receive in a similar way to taking a dose that’s too low.

It’s better to find the correct dose for your body and sticking to it.

To find the right dose, it’s best to start low and increase gradually over time. When you start to feel signs of improvement, you’ve likely found your optimal dose.

For �۲�ӰԺ to become more effective beyond its threshold dose, it will need the help of the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in the plant. This is why full-spectrum and broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oils work better than pure �۲�ӰԺ oils. The entourage effect makes the �۲�ӰԺ oil more potent in reducing symptoms.

Staying Safe While Using High-Potency �۲�ӰԺ Oil

�۲�ӰԺ is a safe, non-toxic, and non-psychoactive cannabinoid, but it also produces some side effects.

These side effects may include dry mouth, dry eyes, drowsiness, headache, changes in appetite, and alterations in digestive function.

Fortunately, the side-effects of �۲�ӰԺ are generally very mild and short-lived. As the effects of �۲�ӰԺ wear-off, so do the side-effects.

If you experience side-effects, try reducing your next dose or taking your �۲�ӰԺ oil with a meal.

�۲�ӰԺ also interacts with other drugs, so before trying the strongest �۲�ӰԺ oil, be sure to speak with your physician first, especially if you’re taking other medications.

Final Thoughts: What’s The Strongest �۲�ӰԺ Oil in 2022?

The list we’ve shared with you are our top 5 strongest �۲�ӰԺ oils. We’ve particularly chosen them based on the reviews we’ve gathered and our own experience in using them as well.

Of the five brands, our top favorite is Royal �۲�ӰԺ. Their �۲�ӰԺ oil is potent, and we’re pleased with its premium quality.

Our second favorite is Gold Bee. They offer a smaller range of �۲�ӰԺ oils to choose from but contain the strongest potency of terpenes and other hemp-derived phytochemicals.

Choosing strong �۲�ӰԺ oils is sometimes more advantageous than buying lower-strength �۲�ӰԺ oils. With just one serving, its high �۲�ӰԺ content already gives you better control over your symptoms.

Buying stronger �۲�ӰԺ oils also allows you to save money, especially if you don’t need a high dose of �۲�ӰԺ for your daily needs. One bottle can last you a long time.

The post Top 5 Strongest �۲�ӰԺ Oils On The Market in 2022 appeared first on �۲�ӰԺ.

SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ Review: Does It Give You A “Mega Good Vibe?”

Johnny Baldwin — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 17:51:54 +0000

One of the first things you might learn in a marketing class is that a memorable brand or product name is crucial to success. In fact, there are branding consultants who charge enormous fees to create perfect names for new products.

Those experts probably wouldn’t have chosen the name “SabaiDee” for a product marketed to American consumers. It isn’t particularly catchy, it doesn’t evoke familiar emotions or sensations – in truth, it doesn’t seem to mean much of anything.

SabaiDee doesn’t just market to Americans, though. It sells �۲�ӰԺ products to customers throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and the company’s name is meaningful to many people in Asia or with an Asian heritage. In Thai, the word sabaidee means “to be well” or “to be happy.” In Laos, it’s often used as a greeting in the same way that “Aloha” is used in Hawaii, but with a more inclusive meaning; in addition to hello, it can also ask “how are you?” or respond “I’m fine.”

But let’s be honest. American branding experts might not have endorsed company names like Hyundai or Mitsubishi, either. Once consumers became familiar with the quality of Hyundai cars or Mitsubishi electronics, however, the brands quickly became accepted in the U.S. At this point, consumers certainly don’t have to figure out how to pronounce their names.

SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ isn’t a huge company like those – at least, not yet. Based on the quality of its products and widespread distribution through retail outlets, though, it may soon be a name that’s easily recognizable in America. (And come to think of it, SabaiDee does sound a lot like �۲�ӰԺ, so maybe the name isn’t that much of a reach after all.)

Let’s get you ahead of the curve and introduce you to SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ.

SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ: The Background

Despite the name’s Asian origins, SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ was founded in Los Angeles, by Alon Shabo in 2017. His story is similar to many of those who have started their own �۲�ӰԺ company, Shabo discovered cannabidiol (the complete name for �۲�ӰԺ) through personal experience. His step-mother used it to successfully treat the side effects of painful chemotherapy, and after doing some research he tried it himself to deal with his social anxiety.

Shabo found that �۲�ӰԺ helped him. But he was discouraged by what he saw as the slipshod manufacturing practices, use of questionable ingredients and fillers to boost profits, and unscrupulous marketing used by many producers. So just like many others who’ve founded high-end �۲�ӰԺ companies, he decided to do it better.

SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ says that the company is focused more on superior quality and company happiness than profits. Its business philosophy is “The more happiness we deliver, the more success we will experience.”

That may be at least a slight overstatement since the company is naturally focused on proper business practices to build its brand, its sales, and its nationwide distribution as well. But the quality of SabaiDee’s products and customer support, as well as its full transparency, show that the underlying approach is a sound one.

The company’s production processes also demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, which is supported by a unique initiative: a “one million tree” mission. For every purchase, SabaiDee makes a donation to groups who plant new trees in areas that have been hit with deforestation due to floods and forest fires.

SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ seems to be a company driven by the best of intentions. It also appears to be fulfilling them.

SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ: The Approach

There are a number of best practices used by high-end �۲�ӰԺ producers, and SabaiDee uses all of them.

The hemp plants from which the company sources its cannabidiol are grown organically on a Colorado farm dedicated to growing for SabaiDee. It’s not just any hemp, either. The strain was bred specifically for high �۲�ӰԺ content, and the plants are all grown from cloned seeds to assure consistent quality in each crop.

Cannabidiol is extracted from the hemp by the supercritical CO2 method, widely viewed as the extraction process that retains the highest amount of the �۲�ӰԺ’s potency. SabaiDee then removes the minuscule amount of psychoactive THC that’s naturally present in hemp but leaves the plant’s other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

That process creates what’s known as broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ, which some belief is the “best of both worlds.” Here’s why. The other compounds in hemp work together, in what’s known as the entourage effect, to boost the effectiveness of cannabidiol. THC contributes to the entourage effect even more, but when it’s left in �۲�ӰԺ there’s a slight chance it could trigger a positive drug test. (If the THC is left in, the �۲�ӰԺ is known as full-spectrum; if all other components are removed, it’s called �۲�ӰԺ isolate.)

In effect, broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ is a trade-off. Many users prefer the full spectrum’s incremental increase in its effectiveness. Those who are regularly drug tested, though, are willing to give up that slight advantage to make sure they’re “safe” by using broad-spectrum or isolate products. Some high-end producers offer a choice, but SabaiDee has decided to use broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ in all of its products.

The company is careful to use all-natural ingredients in its formulations, including the best choice as a carrier oil, MCT coconut oil. It does add the natural sweetener stevia to help cover the raw taste of hemp, but generally speaking, no unnecessary ingredients are added. All products are tested in house for quality and �۲�ӰԺ content, before being sent to a third-party lab for independent testing and the generation of COAs (certificates of analysis).

We prefer full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ because the possibility of failing a drug test is extremely low even when a minuscule amount of THC is present. That aside, we can’t take issue with SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ’s approach. The company designs and manufactures its �۲�ӰԺ in a nearly-impeccable manner. And it deliberately keeps its product line lean and means by focusing on producing high-quality oils and topicals, instead of trying to maintain standards while creating dozens of additional products.

Well done.

SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ Oils

“Good Vibes” was the name of the company’s first product. There are now three major varieties of SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ oils, the original “Good Vibes” plus “Super Good Vibes” and “Mega Good Vibes.” (You can also buy “Great Vibes” or “Mega Vibes” bundles combining some or all of those products.)

Each version of this oil contains only broad-spectrum cannabidiol and MCT carrier oil, plus peppermint oil and stevia for flavoring. The difference between the “Good,” “Super Good” and “Mega Good” oils is potency; they contain 8.33mg/ml, 33.5mg/ml, and 83.3mg/ml of �۲�ӰԺ, respectively. That’s an excellent range.

The company offers one additional choice: “Pure Good Vibes,” which is simply Super Good Vibes broad-spectrum oil without any additional flavorings added.

SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ Topicals

In keeping with the producer’s approach of creating a small number of high-quality alternatives, SabaiDee sells only two �۲�ӰԺ topicals.

The Relief Rub contains broad-spectrum cannabidiol and several botanicals, including camphor essential oil and wintergreen leaf which provide a slight cooling effect and pleasant aroma, and blue tansy which contributes a calming effect. SabaiDee Comfort Cream is a lotion with a pleasantly-sweet scent; it contains broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ plus bergamot, camphor, and peppermint essential oils for cooling, calming effects, and additional pain relief.

Notable for both products: they are completely natural products, unlike those sold by many competitors which contain extra ingredients for consistency, aroma, or color.

SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ: The Verdict

When you dig deeper into the high-quality �۲�ӰԺ producers in the industry – and we’ve dug into quite a few – you’ll usually find one or two things they could do better. They may use a second-best option for a carrier oil, they may sneak an artificial ingredient or two into some of their topicals or edibles, or they may have excellent products in one category but slightly less-impressive entries in a secondary category like edibles or facial creams.

SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ has avoided all of those potential pitfalls. They’ve concentrated on doing the best possible job of creating just a few high-end products, and they haven’t skipped any steps or cut any corners to boost their profitability a little bit. That’s why SabaiDee’s �۲�ӰԺ prices are somewhat higher than those charged by some companies – but they’re prices that are worth paying.

Some might wish that SabaiDee offered both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum options, or that they had branched out into �۲�ӰԺ vape products or edibles, but that’s not what this company is all about. SabaiDee simply creates some of the very best �۲�ӰԺ products available, in the categories where they’ve chosen to focus their efforts.

In a nutshell, founder Alon Shabo has done exactly what he promised: creating a caring, transparent company that produces a few �۲�ӰԺ products of praiseworthy quality.

The post SabaiDee �۲�ӰԺ Review: Does It Give You A “Mega Good Vibe?” appeared first on �۲�ӰԺ.

�۲�ӰԺistillery Review: Brand and Products (2022)

Johnny Baldwin — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 17:44:20 +0000

You never know what you’re going to find if you stop by a �۲�ӰԺ store, or a health food store, a gas station, or a drugstore that’s started to sell �۲�ӰԺ products.

Some will carry a wide range of oils, topicals, edibles, and vape juice. Others may offer – at most – only a few types of �۲�ӰԺ products, manufactured by just one or two companies.

Whether the store’s selection is tiny or plentiful, one fact is almost always true: you’ve never heard of any of the brands. To be honest, you’re likely to face a similar issue when shopping online for cannabidiol (the full name for �۲�ӰԺ). An enormous number of producers have jumped into the marketplace since �۲�ӰԺ’s legalization for sale nationwide in 2018, and none of those companies has really established itself as a dominant brand name.

If you do happen to recognize a brand that you see at a store or online, however, chances are good that it’s �۲�ӰԺistillery. The producer has been profiled in a number of publications and on TV news shows. And after getting its start as an online vendor, the company has expanded its reach dramatically and is stocked by more than 2,000 retail outlets nationwide.

You won’t find these products everywhere. Many stores simply stock the �۲�ӰԺ brands that offer them the best profit margin, so you’ll often see shelves filled with what seem to be generic products. Cannabidiol isn’t a commodity, though. The quality of the product will usually determine whether you find �۲�ӰԺ to be a godsend or just a disappointment.

And if you see �۲�ӰԺistillery products on a store’s shelf, or find their online website – you’ve gotten lucky. This is an outstanding �۲�ӰԺ producer.

Let’s see what makes them so good.

�۲�ӰԺistillery: The Background

The story starts in 2016, several years before the passage of the Farm Bill that made �۲�ӰԺ legal for sale in all fifty states. Andrew Papillion and Lincoln Sorenson were in Colorado, which was a legal cannabis state. That allowed them to start �۲�ӰԺistillery and sell cannabidiol locally, under the corporate umbrella of Balanced Health Botanicals (its sister companies are �۲�ӰԺistilleryRX and BOTA Hemp, which creates hemp-based skin care products). Over the years, they began selling to customers across America and in other nations.

Papillion remains as the company’s Chief Product Officer, and �۲�ӰԺistillery has grown from a five-person operation to a much larger one with nearly 100 employees. It now operates a state-of-the-art 25,000 square foot manufacturing and fulfillment center that’s cGMP and ISO-9001 certified to meet national and international quality standards.

The producer’s mission statement is rather vague, vowing to “bring �۲�ӰԺ to the world” and “provide an alternative path to a healthy and balanced life.” But there’s nothing wrong with those goals as long as a company does it ethically and responsibly, and �۲�ӰԺistillery seems to walk the walk.

The company is among the industry leaders belonging to the advocacy organization The Hemp Roundtable, it provides a wealth of �۲�ӰԺ education resources online, it was one of the first producers to put its third-party testing results online, and it has always offered discounts to first responders and current and former members of the military. �۲�ӰԺistillery has also placed pro-�۲�ӰԺ billboards in high-traffic locations like Times Square and spearheads a media and social media #�۲�ӰԺMOVEMENT campaign aimed at making �۲�ӰԺ more visible and socially acceptable.

You won’t see �۲�ӰԺistillery in a lead role when it comes to research into the benefits of cannabidiol, or the development of innovative new production methods. But the company creates top-notch �۲�ӰԺ products while being a good example of how to do things right, in both the industry and the community.

�۲�ӰԺistillery: The Approach

There’s no shortage of “budget” choices when you’re shopping for �۲�ӰԺ. It’s easy for producers to cut corners in order to manufacture a sub-optimal product, and then sell it for an attractive price.

�۲�ӰԺistillery is one of the notable exceptions. They set out to sell �۲�ӰԺ at affordable prices, and they still do so today without sacrificing quality. We’re not sure how they manage that difficult balancing act, but we assume that volume has a lot to do with it. The parent company now ships more than 10,000 �۲�ӰԺ products daily (directly to customers and to resellers) from its Colorado facility.

With an operation that big, we didn’t expect to find that �۲�ӰԺistillery follows all of the best practices. It does.

The company depends on vertical integration, meaning it controls everything from seed to shelf. Hemp is organically-grown on nearly 1,000 acres of farmland in Colorado, Kentucky, and several other states; �۲�ӰԺistillery doesn’t own all of that land, but the crops are grown according to their specifications.

Two different processes are then used to extract cannabidiol from the hemp. Supercritical CO2 extraction, widely viewed as the method that preserves the greatest amount of the plant’s potency, is used to create full-spectrum and broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ. Ethanol extraction, believed to provide the greatest control over the plant’s chemical components, is used to make �۲�ӰԺ isolate.

Different �۲�ӰԺistillery product lines feature different types of cannabidiol. Some contain full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ, which retains all of hemp’s natural components and provides the most robust “entourage effect” to boost the effectiveness of �۲�ӰԺ. Broad-spectrum and �۲�ӰԺ isolate remove just the minuscule amount of psychoactive THC that’s naturally present in hemp (and could inadvertently trigger a positive drug test). Broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ still retains the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids intact. �۲�ӰԺ isolate contains only the cannabidiol.

�۲�ӰԺistillery uses the best choice of carrier oil (in products that require it), MCT coconut oil. And the company avoids using artificial ingredients; in fact, it rarely adds ingredients of any kind to its �۲�ӰԺ products unless they’re absolutely necessary for performance.

To sum up those last seven paragraphs: these products are terrific.

�۲�ӰԺistillery �۲�ӰԺ Oils

The �۲�ӰԺistillery lineup offers a choice of full- or broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil in three different potencies: 17mg/ml, 33mg/ml, and 83mg/ml. The oils containing full-spectrum cannabidiol contain only �۲�ӰԺ and MCT coconut carrier oil, while extra terpenes are added to the broad-spectrum oils to make up for the lack of THC content. The minimal number of ingredients means the maximum performance of the �۲�ӰԺ, and we like that. The only downside is that there are no flavoring agents, so all of these oils have a somewhat raw hemp taste.

�۲�ӰԺistillery offers two other “specialty” oils.

The first is a combination of full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ and CBG; �۲�ӰԺ (cannabigerol) is a “minor” cannabinoid found in hemp but is now believed to have health and wellness benefits that are somewhat different than those contributed by �۲�ӰԺ. The cannabinoids are present in the oil in an even 1:1 ratio (either 17mg/ml of each, or 33mg/ml of each), and terpenes are added to the mix as well. Once again, this is an unflavored oil.

Finally, the �۲�ӰԺistillery Sleep Tincture contains 15mg/ml of �۲�ӰԺ and 5mg/ml of CBN (cannabinol). The latter is a lesser cannabinoid that’s created when THC ages, and it’s believed that its mildly intoxicating effect can help make sleep easier. Be aware that CBN may trigger positive drug tests for marijuana.

�۲�ӰԺistillery �۲�ӰԺ Capsules

The company’s �۲�ӰԺ capsules come in softgel form, and in the same two varieties as its oils: full-spectrum and broad-spectrum. Each contains 30 milligrams of cannabidiol plus MCT carrier oil, and since the only information provided on the softgels is that they’re made from “gelatin,” we assume that they’re not vegetarian or vegan products.

�۲�ӰԺistillery �۲�ӰԺ Edibles

The only edibles produced by �۲�ӰԺistillery are gummies, and there are just two choices. They’re good ones, though.

Each variety contains 30 milligrams of broad-spectrum cannabidiol, each is fruit-flavored, each contains all-natural ingredients (including cane sugar and tapioca syrup), and each is kosher and vegan. What’s different about the second variety is that the gummies also contain two milligrams of melatonin, for use at bedtime as a sleep aid.

An additional alternative is the �۲�ӰԺ isolate powder that �۲�ӰԺistillery sells by the gram and can be mixed into food or drink as desired, or blended into other skin care products. The company offers full-spectrum powder, broad-spectrum powder, and CBG powder as well, also sold by the gram.

�۲�ӰԺistillery �۲�ӰԺ Topicals

The selection of topical products available from �۲�ӰԺistillery is much larger, in part because it includes some produced by its sister company, BOTA. There are salves, sticks, warming and cooling creams for localized relief and skin support, as well as skin care creams for hydration and protection, body creams with added shea butter, nourishing body lotion, hand lotion, and lip balms.

The topical salves and skin care creams are made with full-spectrum cannabidiol; most of the rest contain �۲�ӰԺ isolate.

�۲�ӰԺistillery �۲�ӰԺ for Pets

There’s one entry here as well: a 5mg/ml full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil for dogs and cats. This is a much lower potency than the oils the company sells for human consumption, and the dosage is a good one for all dogs except small ones. Small dogs or cats should be given less than a full milliliter dose. The only other difference between �۲�ӰԺistillery’s human and pet oils is that the one for pets uses hemp seed oil instead of MCT coconut oil; hempseed is a good choice because some pets can be allergic or sensitive to coconut.

�۲�ӰԺistillery: The Verdict

This is probably not hard to guess: we think �۲�ӰԺistillery is one of the best �۲�ӰԺ producers in the marketplace.

With a long history (measured in �۲�ӰԺ years) of creating high-end formulations, nationwide rollouts without compromising the company’s integrity or quality, strict maintenance of standards, and praiseworthy transparency, �۲�ӰԺistillery is an example for other companies in the industry to follow.

That’s not to say there aren’t a few things we’d like to see added or changed; a wider selection of potencies would be high on our wish list. But we still love �۲�ӰԺistillery products – and their very reasonable prices – just as they are.

The post �۲�ӰԺistillery Review: Brand and Products (2022) appeared first on �۲�ӰԺ.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence Review: High Quality, Limited Products (2022)

Johnny Baldwin — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 17:44:15 +0000

There’s a very good reason why boutique and artisanal products have become so popular – at least, among those who can afford them.

Boutique products are lovingly hand-crafted by experienced craftspeople who are devoted to creating unique, specialty merchandise. Artisanal foods are prepared slowly and carefully using time-honored methods, to ensure their impeccable quality.

There’s certainly a place for mass-produced and mass-marketed products. They’re easy to find, usually inexpensive, and – if you make smart buying decisions – will get the job done.

Boutique products, though, can be special. They’re normally higher-quality options, providing better performance and a greater level of satisfaction than the cheap alternatives you can grab at a superstore or on Amazon.

That brings us to boutique producer �۲�ӰԺ Essence.

Compared to many bigger-name �۲�ӰԺ producers, this company doesn’t have an enormous website or catalog. Instead, �۲�ӰԺ Essence offers a limited number of cannabidiol products (cannabidiol is the full name for �۲�ӰԺ) which are produced in small quantities. The goal of small-batch production is to ensure quality and consistency; it’s a great approach if you can get all of the details right.

So the important question is: how does �۲�ӰԺ Essence score on quality and consistency?

Let’s find out.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence: The Background

This company was formed in 2015 by a Florida man named Don Ballou. He had been trying �۲�ӰԺ – among many other herbal and botanical products – for quite some time, to treat the issues like anxiety, aggression, and lack of focus that had plagued him for decades.

However, he found that most cannabidiol products didn’t provide the daily relief he needed; only a few of the brands available at the time did much good. (�۲�ӰԺ was legalized nationwide in 2018, but it was being sold before that in some states which had legalized medical cannabis.)

After doing some research, Ballou realized that the majority of �۲�ӰԺ producers were cutting corners by using substandard production methods or hazardous chemicals. He resolved to do it better, and that’s why he created �۲�ӰԺ Essence. His deep background in engineering, and his years of personal research into the power of herbs and botanicals to treat medical issues, allowed him to create hemp-based products and processes that helped him treat his own conditions.

Once he was happy with the products, he started �۲�ӰԺ Essence and then expanded the business to create NutraHemp as a parent corporation. NutraHemp sells the company’s products in other countries and has developed other lines of legal cannabis edibles and nutraceuticals like HempTaffy, HempChillPill, HempsPets, and Bulletproof coffee. The �۲�ӰԺ products are still manufactured in basically the same way that they were in 2015, though, despite the continuing growth of �۲�ӰԺ Essence and NutraHemp.

Having a long-term personal interest in �۲�ӰԺ and its benefits doesn’t guarantee quality products, of course. It’s simply one sign that Ballou and his team (which includes his wife, the president of �۲�ӰԺ Essence) care as much about the product as they do about the profits.

That’s why it’s important to examine the way that this company creates and manufactures its products.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence: The Approach

When digging into a �۲�ӰԺ producer’s approach, we usually start by looking at where their hemp is sourced from, how they extract the cannabidiol, and what else they put into their products.

But there’s something even more crucial to know about �۲�ӰԺ Essence. From the very start, the company’s mission was to create small batches of high-quality �۲�ӰԺ, without obsessing on profit margins and how easily production could be scaled up.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence sells vastly more products now than they did in 2015, but they still have the same approach. In fact, they only produce as much as they can sell; they guarantee that all of the �۲�ӰԺ oil they ship has been manufactured and tested within the past 24 hours. We’ve reviewed a lot of �۲�ӰԺ companies, and have never seen that type of attention to freshness.

Now let’s get to the rest of �۲�ӰԺ Essence’s methods.

Unlike many producers who claim to sell only all-natural products – but then sneak in artificial flavors or preservatives – this company stays true to its all-natural promises. They do, however, add natural ingredients like the sweetener Stevia and the binder sunflower lecithin to some of its products. MCT coconut oil (the best choice) and hempseed oil (second-best) are used as carriers.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence sources its hemp from certified organic farms, mainly in Colorado. (“Certified” is a notch higher on the quality ladder than organically-grown, which is the type of hemp most producers use.) Cannabidiol is extracted via the supercritical CO2 method, a safe process widely viewed as the method that preserves most of the �۲�ӰԺ’s effectiveness. Almost all of the company’s products are full-spectrum, meaning they retain the hemp’s other components which provide another boost in �۲�ӰԺ’s effectiveness via the “entourage effect.”

There’s almost nothing in �۲�ӰԺ Essence’s approach to complain about. In truth, their attention to the freshness of their products sets them apart from many of their high-end competitors.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence Oils

There’s usually a downside to keeping product lines small, manageable, and able to be shipped within 24 hours: the selection isn’t as big as the one that most companies offer.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence produces only two potencies of its full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil: 10mg/ml and 35mg/ml. The oil is designed well, although it does contain the stevia and sunflower lecithin that we mentioned earlier, in addition to cannabidiol and carrier oil. (The stronger option uses MCT coconut oil, the 10mg/ml one uses hempseed oil.)

These �۲�ӰԺ oils are available in seven natural flavors (cinnamon, grape, lemon, mango, peppermint, spearmint, and vanilla), as well as natural hemp and unsweetened (without the stevia).

The limited choice of potencies isn’t a huge issue, since you can always use more or less than one milliliter. However, doses of 20mg or 25mg are common choices; we would have liked to see a potency in that range, which would make it easier for most people to measure and dose the oil.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence Capsules

�۲�ӰԺ Essence’s softgels are also sold in two different potencies, and they’re not for the “faint of heart” – in other words, those who only need small doses to help with moderate pain or anxiety. The two choices are 35 milligrams and 100 milligrams of cannabidiol per capsule; by contrast, most commonly-sold �۲�ӰԺ capsules contain anywhere from 10-25 milligrams apiece. Most people using �۲�ӰԺ really don’t need a 100mg dose, but it can certainly help if you’re suffering from severe pain.

Organic MCT coconut oil is used as a carrier for the full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ that’s in the softgels, and the only other ingredient is sunflower lecithin. Sadly, the company doesn’t say what the actual capsules are made from, so we don’t know whether they’re vegetarian or vegan.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence Edibles

Most companies’ edibles are gummies. Instead, �۲�ӰԺ Essence sells cannabidiol-infused taffy that’s manufactured under its sister brand name, HempTaffy. This is THC-free candy, but we don’t know if the �۲�ӰԺ is broad-spectrum (with all hemp components except for THC) or �۲�ӰԺ isolate. The only other ingredients, though, are sugar, corn syrup, cream of tartar, and natural flavorings; the choices are chocolate, mint, chocolate mint, and orange mint. Each piece contains about 10 milligrams of �۲�ӰԺ.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence Vape Juice

This is very clean �۲�ӰԺ vape juice, containing only full-spectrum cannabidiol and the propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine needed to make it vapable. It’s an organic juice with a slight natural caramel flavor, and it’s available in two potencies. �۲�ӰԺ Essence also sells a vape pen/e-juice starter kit for those new to vaping.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence Topicals

Here’s another category that exemplifies the company’s mission of creating a small number of high-quality products. Most producers offer as many two dozen types of topical �۲�ӰԺ options, but �۲�ӰԺ Essence only sells two: an all-purpose cream and a hot muscle rub.

The cream is designed primarily to relieve general body pain, and the use of full-spectrum cannabidiol (highly unusual for a �۲�ӰԺ topical product) makes the product more effective than most competitors’. It’s an all-natural product that contains eucalyptus and a number of other botanicals and essential oils with antioxidant and healing properties and has a pleasant aroma.

The muscle rub also contains full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ, plus capsaicin which is known to help relieve pain and inflammation. The other botanicals and oils in the rub are all-natural as well.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence for Pets

Once again, there’s a limited but good choice of �۲�ӰԺ Essence products for dogs. There are two potencies of “natural smoky flavor” �۲�ӰԺ oil; it’s hard to tell the exact strength from the labeling, but it appears that one is 5g/ml and the other is 15mg/ml. There are also dog treats containing 10 milligrams of �۲�ӰԺ apiece, sold in a mix of natural, chicken, cheese, and charcoal flavors. Both products use full-spectrum cannabidiol. These are high doses for pets, so go easy with them.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence: The Verdict

This company has set a high bar for itself, limiting production to a single day’s worth of high-quality �۲�ӰԺ products that it can sell and ship within 24 hours. That’s a prescription for effective, fresh merchandise – but it’s also potentially a prescription for disaster.

�۲�ӰԺ Essence, however, pulls it off. Their small product line is filled with terrific options, manufactured with best practices, and designed to provide maximum benefit. We do wish there were more potency choices available, but that’s one of the costs of doing business when you deliberately limit what you produce and sell. Perhaps most surprisingly, their prices aren’t astronomical, either.

Putting it simply, this is a company that does it right – and does it well.

The post �۲�ӰԺ Essence Review: High Quality, Limited Products (2022) appeared first on �۲�ӰԺ.

NuLeaf Naturals Review: Products and Brand (2022)

Johnny Baldwin — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 16:10:37 +0000

It’s pretty impressive when you see a store whose sign proudly proclaims “Founded in 1867.” (Insert your own famous year from history if you’d like.)

A long and storied history isn’t a solid guarantee of quality, of course. But it’s certainly a good sign when a business has operated successfully for decades or generations.

You won’t find any �۲�ӰԺ producers with that type of history. The sale of cannabidiol (the full name of �۲�ӰԺ) sourced from hemp wasn’t legalized on a nationwide basis until 2018 – and not coincidentally, that’s when the vast majority of �۲�ӰԺ vendors got into the business. Only a small number of companies, all located in states which had already legalized marijuana in some form, were creating �۲�ӰԺ products before then.

So when you find a manufacturer that became successful in the �۲�ӰԺ industry well before 2018, it means something. It’s not all you need to know about the producer, but it’s a good indication that the company does things the right way.

Meet NuLeaf Naturals, which has been a respected �۲�ӰԺ vendor since 2014. It’s always been focused on producing high-potency cannabidiol for a small product line and has more recently begun selling its products through mostly high-end retailers like Sprouts Farmers Markets.

Is NuLeaf Naturals �۲�ӰԺ the right choice for you? Read on.

NuLeaf Naturals: The Background

Here’s the background information that NuLeaf Naturals provides: the company was founded by two entrepreneurs who planted medicine aficionados.

What does it mean when a company is founded by entrepreneurs? Truthfully, it can mean almost anything. By definition, entrepreneurs start businesses.

What does it mean when a company is founded by plant medicine aficionados? NuLeaf doesn’t tell us any more than that, but two possibilities come to mind.

The first is that the founders spent a lifetime learning the secrets of naturopathic and holistic healing. The second is that they’re using the phrase “plant medicine” as a euphemism for pot.

Since Jaden Barnes and Bo Shirley were barely out of college when they created NuLeaf Naturals, we’d guess the second possibility is the more likely one.

It would certainly be a huge plus if NuLeaf’s founders brought a wealth of health and wellness experience to the table. But it really doesn’t matter if their initial experience came from growing weed, as long as their company is reputable, honest, transparent – and sells high-quality �۲�ӰԺ.

We were pleased to find that – aside from the question of why the founders got into the industry – NuLeaf seems to check most of the boxes we consider when looking at a producer’s background. (We’ll get to quality in the next section).

The company has built a strong reputation among consumers and industry leaders over the years. It has a cGMP and ISO certified manufacturing facility, it’s gone the extra mile to have its products certified pesticide-free by the Detox Project, and it provides strong customer service.

NuLeaf Naturals also provides financial assistance to what may be the largest group of customers we’ve ever seen: veterans, military personnel, first responders, social workers, teachers and students, non-profits, and of course, those with low incomes and the disabled (as well as their caretakers).

Transparency is a slightly different story. The company is transparent about its ingredients and methods, and that’s obviously good. Our one problem is that they don’t make third-party testing reports available on their website; you can only see them if you make a purchase or you make a special request via email. That’s an unnecessary hurdle, in our view, but not a deal-killer.

So we don’t think it matters whether the founders got their initial knowledge from books or bongs, or whether their experience came from growing pot or healthy botanicals. Their operations show that they care about �۲�ӰԺ, and care about doing business the right way.

NuLeaf Naturals: The Approach

We like almost everything about how NuLeaf Naturals goes about producing its �۲�ӰԺ products.

The hemp is grown organically on Colorado farms. The company doesn’t own the farms but does control them, working with farmers to ensure that specific high-�۲�ӰԺ strains (which also have significant amounts of secondary cannabinoids) are grown and harvested properly.

NuLeaf uses the supercritical CO2 method to extract cannabidiol from the plants. That’s the process that best preserves �۲�ӰԺ’s natural potency, and it’s preferred by most high-end producers.

The company manufactures and sells only products containing full-spectrum cannabidiol. That means it retains all of the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that are native to the hemp plant; the combination of those ingredients creates what’s called an “entourage effect” that boosts the effectiveness of �۲�ӰԺ.

Full-spectrum cannabidiol does mean, however, that the minuscule amount of psychoactive THC that’s also native to the plant (less than 0.3%) remains in the �۲�ӰԺ you buy. It’s not enough to get you high, but occasionally it’s enough to cause a positive marijuana test. That doesn’t happen often, but it’s a possibility. Those regularly subjected to drug tests often prefer broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ or �۲�ӰԺ isolate, which has the THC removed – but NuLeaf Naturals doesn’t sell those varieties because they’re not as effective.

One of the other ways to ensure effectiveness is to avoid diluting �۲�ӰԺ products with unnecessary ingredients. NuLeaf takes that approach seriously. For example, there’s nothing in the company’s �۲�ӰԺ oil except the �۲�ӰԺ and the carrier oil required to distribute it. No flavorings, no sweeteners, no other “botanicals with medicinal properties.” It’s all �۲�ӰԺ and all-natural and we like that, even though the producer uses hempseed oil instead of slightly more-effective MCT oil as a carrier. (MCT oil usually comes from coconuts, so NuLeaf chooses not to use it so customers with nut allergies don’t experience problems.)

There’s one more thing to know about the company’s approach: they don’t sell a huge range of products. NuLeaf Naturals only offers �۲�ӰԺ oil, �۲�ӰԺ capsules, and �۲�ӰԺ oil for pets. They could probably make a lot more money if they also produced gummies, topicals, and other �۲�ӰԺ lines, as most companies do. But even though NuLeaf now has national brick-and-mortar distribution, they’ve stuck to the foundational products that made their reputation.

We believe in the “if you do a few things well, that’s what you should do” philosophy – and NuLeaf Apparently does too.

NuLeaf Naturals �۲�ӰԺ Oils

We titled this section “�۲�ӰԺ oils,” but in reality, there’s only one. We’ll be saying that several times as we run down the company’s products since they focus on perfecting just one version of each product.

The NuLeaf �۲�ӰԺ oil contains only two ingredients, full-spectrum cannabidiol and organic hempseed oil (the carrier oil for the product). You can purchase this oil in different sized bottles, but the potency is always the same: 60mg/ml. That’s not an unheard-of dose, but it’s quite high for most people, as the usual starting dose is more in the 25-30mg/ml range. And since it’s administered by dropper, it’s not difficult to take half-a-milliliter of oil to get 30 milligrams of �۲�ӰԺ. If you want just a microdose, each drop contains about 2.4 milligrams of cannabidiol.

This is an all-natural product, of course, since there are no added ingredients. No added flavors, however, means the oil has a distinct hemp taste which takes some time to get used to. And the beautiful golden color of this �۲�ӰԺ oil shows that it hasn’t been “adulterated” with additives.

NuLeaf Naturals �۲�ӰԺ Capsules

The single option for those who want to take their �۲�ӰԺ via capsule is the company’s 15-milligram softgels. Once again, there are no “extra” ingredients; the softgels contain just full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ, organic hempseed oil, plus water and cassava root extract for consistency. The capsules are made from vegetable gelatin, so this product is safe for both vegetarians and vegans.

NuLeaf Naturals �۲�ӰԺ for Pets

The only pet product offered by NuLeaf is a strong �۲�ӰԺ oil. It’s labeled as “pet �۲�ӰԺ” but to be honest, we can’t find any difference between this oil and the one manufactured for human consumption. It contains only full-spectrum cannabidiol and organic hempseed oil, it’s available in just 60mg/ml potency, and it’s unflavored with no other ingredients added.

If you plan to use this �۲�ӰԺ oil for your dog or cat, be very careful and always administer it by the drop. There are 2.4 milligrams per drop, and 2.4 milligrams is about the right dose for a very small cat or dog; 60 milligrams is way too much for even a large dog, so not even a Great Dane should be given a “full” milliliter dose.

NuLeaf Naturals: The Verdict

If you needed proof that people without a rigorous medical background can still create a high-end �۲�ӰԺ manufacturer, NuLeaf Naturals might be exhibit A. To be honest, after reviewing the company’s products we’re actually convinced that the founders really were “plant medicine aficionados,” whether (or not) they also liked to sample a little green from time to time.

NuLeaf sources outstanding organically-grown hemp, uses terrific production processes to create its �۲�ӰԺ oil and capsules, has gone the extra mile to ensure that their facilities are top-notch, and concentrates on producing just a few very well-designed �۲�ӰԺ products.

Those products are strong – perhaps too strong for some customers. They’re also rather expensive, perhaps too pricey for those who are casual �۲�ӰԺ users or trying cannabidiol for the first time.

The high prices are worth it, however, and the products are undoubtedly high-quality. We’d suggest that anyone who’s serious about �۲�ӰԺ should definitely put NuLeaf Naturals on the shortlist of the products they’re considering.

The post NuLeaf Naturals Review: Products and Brand (2022) appeared first on �۲�ӰԺ.

cbdMD Review: Brand and Products (2022)

Johnny Baldwin — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 16:10:26 +0000

Everyone talks glowingly about the medical benefits that �۲�ӰԺ may provide.

Everyone, that is, except doctors and reputable �۲�ӰԺ companies.

There’s a reason for that. A large amount of scientific and medical research has shown that cannabidiol (the longer name for �۲�ӰԺ) can apparently help treat an enormous number of diseases and conditions. Medical issues ranging from anxiety and insomnia to severe pain and high blood pressure, appear to respond well to �۲�ӰԺ. There’s even preliminary research suggesting that cannabidiol may help fight cancer.

Here’s the problem, though. �۲�ӰԺ was legalized for sale across the nation in 2018, but it isn’t yet regulated by the government.

That means agencies like the Food and Drug Administration haven’t approved its use as a medical treatment (except for one form of childhood epilepsy) – making it illegal for �۲�ӰԺ manufacturers to claim that their products provide medical benefits. Many doctors are even afraid to suggest or even discuss �۲�ӰԺ with their patients, for fear of losing their license to practice.

So when you see a �۲�ӰԺ producer with the name cbdMD, it might be natural to trust their products. After all, if doctors are behind a company’s offerings, you could assume that they’re more trustworthy than a random brand you see online or on the shelf of your local store.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case. cbdMD is only a brand name.

Doctors apparently don’t have anything to do with this company’s products. It’s just a name that was seemingly chosen to create the impression that its �۲�ӰԺ was created or approved by medical professionals.

That doesn’t mean, of course, that cbdMD’s products aren’t good ones. Let’s find out if they are.

cbdMD: The Background

�۲�ӰԺ is a huge industry these days, and cbdMD is a huge company. It certainly wasn’t founded by doctors; it was created by Scott Coffman, the founder of Blu Electronic Cigarettes after Blu was sold to a major tobacco company. Coffman later sold cbdMD to a company called Level Brands, which (among other endeavors) licenses Kathy Ireland’s health and beauty products. In fact, the famous model is the company’s chief brand strategist.

Level Brands wasn’t fooling around. After the acquisition, cbdMD became the only “pure-play” �۲�ӰԺ company (meaning �۲�ӰԺ is all it does) listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Today, the company is worth nearly $200 million and its products are distributed in thousands of outlets, as well as sold in cbdMD’s online store.

President Calvin Coolidge has often been credited – somewhat incorrectly, as it turns out – with saying “The business of America is business.” It doesn’t seem incorrect to say, however, that the primary business of cbdMD seems to be business. The company’s marketing efforts have greatly boosted its sales through social media influencers and numerous celebrity endorsements, mostly from athletes who’ve joined what’s called “Team cbdMD.”

So cbdMD is huge. It spends a lot of its efforts on marketing. The company was founded and is run by business people, not doctors. But to be fair, a huge business with widespread product distribution and a wealth of endorsements can still manufacture and sell quality products – as can a company that uses a somewhat misleading (to our mind) brand name.

Let’s see how cbdMD’s product line measures up.

cbdMD: The Approach

What stands out most is that this company produces only broad-spectrum cannabidiol products.

As you probably know, the hemp plant contains a number of substances other than �۲�ӰԺ, including terpenes, flavonoids, and secondary cannabinoids. When the substances are all retained after cannabidiol is extracted from hemp, they work together in an “entourage effect” that enhances the performance of �۲�ӰԺ. That type of �۲�ӰԺ is called “full-spectrum.”

The opposite approach is to remove all of the other naturally-occurring components of hemp, leaving virtually-pure �۲�ӰԺ, known as �۲�ӰԺ isolate.

There’s a middle ground, though. One of the cannabinoids naturally presents in hemp is a tiny amount of psychoactive THC, which contributes to the entourage effect and isn’t enough to make you high. Unfortunately, in rare cases, it can lead to a positive drug test for marijuana. Removing only the THC creates what’s known as broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ; it eliminates the possibility of testing positive but also diminishes the entourage effect a bit.

cbdMD uses broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ in all of its products, but with a twist. They call it “Superior Broad Spectrum,” but in reality, it’s a lab-created version. The company actually creates �۲�ӰԺ isolate first. Then it extracts two other cannabinoids, CBN and CBG, and combines all three with selected terpenes in a specific ratio.

The resulting �۲�ӰԺ is predictable because the ratios are carefully measured. Is it better than “real” broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ? cbdMD claims that it is. We aren’t scientists, though, so we can’t say either way. What we do know is that other companies that produce extremely high-quality broad-spectrum cannabidiol don’t go through all of these gyrations. We also know that a number of the components that contribute to the entourage effect are not present in cbdMD’s version of broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ. In short, we’re somewhat dubious.

The hemp from which the cannabidiol is extracted is non-GMO and organically-grown in America. The size of this company certainly prevents it from owning its own farms or working with a few family hemp farms, as smaller producers often do. However, domestic, organically-grown hemp is a good start.

cbdMD is a little vague about how it extracts cannabidiol from hemp. It says in some of its documentation that it uses the CO2 extraction method, but elsewhere it says that it uses ethanol extraction to create the isolate used in its “superior” broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ. We’re a bit confused by that, but CO2 and ethanol extraction methods are both solid choices (although the supercritical CO2 process is preferable to standard CO2).

The company uses MCT coconut oil (the best option) when a carrier oil is required to distribute the �۲�ӰԺ in its products, and almost all of the other ingredients in its products are natural (including natural flavorings). Third-party testing results are easily available on cbdMD’s website or with a brick-and-mortar purchase.

Our overall impression: this is a good product that’s made well. Does it measure up to those sold by other high-quality competitors? That depends on whether you believe that removing some of the natural components of hemp can actually deliver better results. We’re not so sure about that.

cbdMD �۲�ӰԺ Oils

One of the advantages a large company has over “boutique” producers is that it has the resources to offer many varieties of its products. cbdMD’s �۲�ӰԺ oil (they call it tincture) is available in six potencies, from 10mg/ml all the way up to a too-high-for-most-people 250mg/ml, and in four flavors (natural, berry, orange, and mint). This is “clean” oil, containing just broad-spectrum cannabidiol and MCT carrier oil in addition to natural flavorings.

cbdMD offers one other type of �۲�ӰԺ oil, branded “�۲�ӰԺ PM for Sleep.” It combines broad-spectrum cannabidiol (16.5mg/ml) with melatonin, chamomile, valerian root extract, and other herbs known to help those with sleep issues.

cbdMD Capsules

There are actually two types of �۲�ӰԺ capsules on the company’s menu. The regular capsules are made from a natural polymer and contain broad-spectrum cannabidiol (plus MCT oil) in a choice of potencies from 15 to 50 milligrams. The same ingredients and potencies are also available in softgels made from “gelatin” which isn’t described further; we assume it’s an animal product since the capsules are described as vegan but the softgels are not.

There are “�۲�ӰԺ PM for Sleep” softgels as well, containing 16.5 milligrams of broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ apiece.

cbdMD Edibles

The company’s edibles come in just one form, but it’s the most popular on the market: �۲�ӰԺ gummies. You can choose from candies containing 10, 25, or 50 milligrams of cannabidiol. All varieties are naturally tropical fruit-flavored, and they’re pretty yummy. There’s also a version with an ample amount of vitamin C added to 25 milligrams of �۲�ӰԺ.

cbdMD Topicals

There are two forms of cbdMD’s topical �۲�ӰԺ products. One combines cannabidiol with lidocaine, along with added ingredients like aloe vera, other natural extracts, and denatured alcohol; it’s available in roll-on or spray form, and in several potencies. The second product is a “Freeze Gel” that combines �۲�ӰԺ with cooling menthol as well as aloe vera and a number of botanicals, and it comes in either squeeze tube or roll-on form.

Additionally, the company sells a variety of �۲�ӰԺ bath bombs in a number of natural scents.

cbdMD �۲�ӰԺ for Pets

Here’s another category where having lots of resources allows a company to create a large assortment of products.

cbdMD offers a wide selection of �۲�ӰԺ oils, hard and soft pet chews, topicals, and even �۲�ӰԺ-infused peanut butter (the last one aimed at dogs, of course). The company sells them under the brand name Paw �۲�ӰԺ; the products have been formulated by veterinarians, and some of the choices are designed specifically for pets with hip and joint pain, or anxiety issues.

cbdMD: The Verdict

This is a very big company. Its products are widely available nationwide. It offers a very large selection of �۲�ӰԺ products. And to be fair, its products are quite good.

However, we still have questions. Is the “superior broad-spectrum” approach that cbdMD touts really superior to naturally-extracted broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ? Can a company this large, which is obviously focused on marketing and universal distribution, still create products on a par with smaller competitors? And one more that still bothers us: isn’t the choice of the name “cbdMD” rather cynical, for a company that wasn’t created by doctors and isn’t run by doctors?

Asking those questions is a bit disingenuous on our part since we’ve already made clear our feelings. We’d prefer “real” broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ to the lab-created version, and we’d prefer broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ even more. This company seems a bit too wrapped up in growing its business to convince us that its products are as good as the very best available elsewhere. And its use of the phrase “MD” in the brand name doesn’t really change our minds.

Don’t get us wrong. This is a good �۲�ӰԺ. But it’s not cheap, either – and we think there are better alternatives for the money.

The post cbdMD Review: Brand and Products (2022) appeared first on �۲�ӰԺ.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ Review: Brand and Products (2022)

Johnny Baldwin — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 16:08:29 +0000

Most upper-level �۲�ӰԺ companies offer the same general product lines.

Their quality varies, of course, and producers create those products with different formulations, potencies, and flavors. Their choices of carrier oils, additives, and cannabidiol extraction methods (cannabidiol is the complete name for �۲�ӰԺ) aren’t necessarily the same. And some focus more on all-natural or organic ingredients than do others.

But here’s the important point. Almost all companies producing high-quality �۲�ӰԺ sell the cannabinoid in oil (or tincture), capsule, edible and topical forms. Some offer �۲�ӰԺ vape juice or powdered �۲�ӰԺ isolates as well. But you’re unlikely to see a �۲�ӰԺ product category and wonder: “What in the world is that?”

Every rule has an exception, though, and Sol �۲�ӰԺ is a notable exception to the one we’ve just described.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ’s flagship product is known as liposomal �۲�ӰԺ. It’s theoretically the most efficient way to deliver cannabidiol into the body, and this form of �۲�ӰԺ is believed to be substantially more effective, too. As you’d probably expect, it’s also quite a bit pricier than the ordinary �۲�ӰԺ products you’re used to.

We’ll dig into the science behind this unusual product, as we get into the details of our Sol �۲�ӰԺ review. First, though, we’ll take a look at the company’s background, and how it goes about making both its “traditional” �۲�ӰԺ products and its liposomal �۲�ӰԺ.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ: The Background

A husband and wife team, with very different backgrounds, founded Sol �۲�ӰԺ in 2015.

Larry Ostrovsky has been a natural health advocate – and a cannabis advocate – for years. He’s self-educated on the subjects but has published a number of books and authoritative website resources focusing on nutrition and wellness.

By contrast, his wife Oksana came to discover natural medicine, and later �۲�ӰԺ, through personal experience. As a child in Ukraine, she suffered from a number of autoimmune conditions which doctors said were incurable. Her family, however, believed in natural treatments – and that naturopathic approach led to the successful treatment of most of her medical issues.

Teamed up in America, the couple worked as life coaches with a focus on natural healing. Larry’s belief in the medicinal power of cannabis, and Oksana’s first-hand experience with cannabis as a treatment for her mother’s chemotherapy side effects, led them to research and experiment with hemp. Eventually, they created Sol �۲�ӰԺ.

Their passion for cannabis, hemp, and cannabinoids clearly show. They not only create and sell �۲�ӰԺ, but search for innovative ways to deliver and use cannabidiol, and they “preach” its benefits to the public through their writing. To support their “evangelism,” they provide their products at cost to low-income customers and donate product to those who need it whenever possible. Sol �۲�ӰԺ is devoted to quality and full transparency; we believe those are the two most important factors in judging the true commitment of a producer.

We like what we’ve heard and seen.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ: The Approach

Some �۲�ӰԺ companies, even well-regarded ones, tout their commitment to healthy, natural products. But when you dig into the ingredient lists for their products, you can often find artificial or synthetic additives tucked in between the natural ones.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ isn’t one of those producers. The ingredients they use are obviously selected to ensure high-quality, natural products.

Let’s start with hemp, which is organically-grown in America where growing standards are among the highest in the world. You can look long and hard for hemp that’s “certified” organic but you’re unlikely to find it, so organically-grown is the accepted standard for quality.

The cannabidiol is then extracted with the use of carbon dioxide, widely viewed as the best way to maintain �۲�ӰԺ’s potency as it’s removed from hemp. One note: the most effective type of CO2 extraction is known as “supercritical,” but we’re unable to tell if Sol �۲�ӰԺ uses a supercritical or standard CO2 method. Their educational articles focus on supercritical extraction as the gold standard, but the company never actually comes out and says that it’s the process that they use. Either way, their choice of CO2 extraction is a good one.

Another choice a producer has to make is whether to remove the other components of the hemp plant, like terpenes, flavonoids, and secondary cannabinoids, from the extracted cannabidiol. When they’re retained in what’s called full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ, they work together in an “entourage effect” to boost the effectiveness of cannabidiol. That’s the way Sol �۲�ӰԺ does it.

Many other producers remove only the trace amount of THC that’s naturally present in hemp to create what’s known as broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ, or they remove everything except the cannabidiol to create �۲�ӰԺ isolate. Those forms do ensure that the presence of THC won’t cause a failed drug test, but they aren’t quite as powerful. Sol �۲�ӰԺ doesn’t sell products containing broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ or isolate, focusing instead on a more-effective whole-plant approach.

�۲�ӰԺ is best distributed with the help of carrier oil. There are a lot of alternatives, but Sol �۲�ӰԺ uses the best one, organic MCT coconut oil. The only other ingredients added to the company’s products are all-natural botanicals, most of the essential oils, and some of them organic. Third-party testing of Sol �۲�ӰԺ’s products is robust and transparent, with results posted right on the company’s website.

We can’t really find anything to argue with, although we do wish the company would just come out and say whether it uses supercritical extraction. These are high-quality products, in keeping with the founders’ backgrounds and stated goals.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ Oils

The company’s �۲�ӰԺ oil is quite good, but it doesn’t come in an enormous range of potencies or flavors. The natural-flavor oil contains only full-spectrum cannabidiol, MCT carrier oil, and beta-caryophyllene (basically an extra helping of the terpene naturally present in hemp, added to help activate the body’s endocannabinoid system). The only other flavor option is “cinnamon” which also contains peppermint and cinnamon oil extracts. Each has a potency of 16.6mg/ml.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ also sells “high concentrate” oil which contains 30mg/ml of full-spectrum cannabidiol. It has no flavorings or additives other than MCT carrier oil.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ Liposomal �۲�ӰԺ Oils

Here’s the unusual product offered by very few �۲�ӰԺ producers. Before going into the details, let’s first explain the idea behind liposomal �۲�ӰԺ: it delivers cannabidiol by a faster, more efficient method than dripping traditional �۲�ӰԺ oil under the tongue.

�۲�ӰԺ is used to fill liquid “bubbles” known as liposomes. The bubbles (sometimes described as spheres) are constructed from phospholipids, substances which are basically the same as those that make up the body’s cellular membranes. Liposomes are fat- and water-soluble, so they’re easily accepted by the body without being detoured to the liver, where cannabidiol is normally sent to be broken down. Instead, the liposomes go directly to the gut where they quickly dissolve and the �۲�ӰԺ is absorbed.

The bottom line: when �۲�ӰԺ is contained in liposomes it doesn’t degrade or lose potency in any way before it’s absorbed – at full strength – into the body’s cells, tissues, and bloodstream. Scientists describe that as maximizing the �۲�ӰԺ’s “bioavailability,” making it much more effective than cannabidiol absorbed by the body in the usual way. Liposomes can be constructed with several different materials, some of them synthetic. Sol �۲�ӰԺ uses phospholipids extracted from sunflower, so they’re all-natural.

The producer claims that its liposomal �۲�ӰԺ increases bioavailability by as much as 17x over edible �۲�ӰԺ products. We can’t substantiate that claim, of course. But liposomal delivery is an accepted scientific method for drug delivery, which definitely increases absorption by a wide margin. What’s particularly interesting is that the Sol liposomal �۲�ӰԺ actually has less nominal potency, 10mg/ml, than its standard �۲�ӰԺ oil – but performs better. Needless to say, it costs more, too.

Sol liposomal �۲�ӰԺ is available in the orange twist and hibiscus flavors. It’s also sold in an orange/pineapple-flavored “sleep” formula with added GABA, melatonin, valerian root, 5-HTP, and passionflower, and in a formulation, for dogs and cats, that’s quite potent. Use very little of the pet product if you have a small dog or cat.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ Capsules

We now resume the more “ordinary” portion of our review. Like most producers, Sol �۲�ӰԺ offers its full-spectrum cannabidiol in easy-to-swallow, 15-milligram capsule form. The only other ingredient is MCT carrier oil, and the mixture is contained in a vegetarian capsule. No muss, no fuss.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ Topicals

The latest addition to the company’s lineup is a �۲�ӰԺ-infused herbal balm. This all-natural cream contains 12 botanical oils and extracts in addition to full-spectrum cannabidiol, designed to ease joints and muscles while also providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydration effects.

Two more products (“Nourishing” and “Extra Care”) round out Sol �۲�ӰԺ’s topical lineup. They are revitalizing skin creams, each containing nearly two-dozen organic botanical ingredients plus, of course, �۲�ӰԺ.

Sol �۲�ӰԺ: The Verdict

There are a number of high-quality �۲�ӰԺ producers whose products are designed and manufactured well, and Sol �۲�ӰԺ is one of them. We have no trouble including this producer on the list of those we recommend.

What really makes the company stand out, however, is the inclusion of liposomal �۲�ӰԺ in its product line. It’s not for everyone; if you only use only small doses of cannabidiol for minor anxiety, aches, and pains or sleep difficulties, you probably aren’t searching for a different type of �۲�ӰԺ that acts more quickly and more efficiently.

On the other hand, if you’ve found that more potent doses of cannabidiol work better for you, or you have trouble waiting for �۲�ӰԺ to be absorbed into your body and take effect – Sol �۲�ӰԺ’s liposomal �۲�ӰԺ is well worth a try despite its higher price.

The post Sol �۲�ӰԺ Review: Brand and Products (2022) appeared first on �۲�ӰԺ.

Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ Products Review (2022)

Johnny Baldwin — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 15:54:15 +0000

Reviewing �۲�ӰԺ products can be similar to an Easter Egg hunt. You have to dig under rocks and look behind obstacles to find what you’re searching for.

It’s simply not realistic for reviewers to sample every brand for several months since there are hundreds of producers and thousands of products to try. That would take years. Instead, writing �۲�ӰԺ reviews usually requires a full understanding of how the products are designed and manufactured, as well as detailed research on the company that makes them.

All of the information you need to assess a �۲�ӰԺ brand is out there somewhere, but you may have to search all over the Internet to find it. Sadly, lots of producers just aren’t as transparent as they should be.

Two reasons could explain the lack of transparency. Either the people in charge of marketing and web design aren’t good at their jobs, or the company is trying to hide something.

This lament isn’t a veiled plea for sympathy. We enjoy researching quality �۲�ӰԺ producers and digging out the key details.

This is actually our way of praising Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ, one of the most transparent producers in the cannabidiol industry. (Cannabidiol is the formal name of �۲�ӰԺ.)

Green Roads readily and prominently discloses all of the important details about its products, how they’re created, and how they’re manufactured. That’s easy to do when a company has nothing to hide; Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ products are high-quality, effective, and priced fairly.

Just how good are they? Let’s find out.

Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ: The Background

The evidence clearly shows �۲�ӰԺ’s promise as a treatment for a number of medical issues, but �۲�ӰԺ producers aren’t legally allowed to discuss that publicly. The FDA can slap them down hard if they do since the government hasn’t approved cannabidiol as a medical treatment (except in one very specific instance involving childhood epilepsy).

It’s pretty clear why most people use �۲�ӰԺ, though. And that’s one reason why Green Roads stands out among its hundreds of competitors: the company was co-founded by a licensed compounding pharmacist, with more than two decades of experience.

Laura Fuentes joined with a friend, Arby Barrasso, to create Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ in 2013 after she’d crafted �۲�ӰԺ oils and topical products for family members. Fuentes is the company’s CEO, but she still creates the formulations for all Green Roads products (along with two other pharmacists she’s brought on board). Most of the big players in the �۲�ӰԺ industry have brought medical experts on board as consultants over the years. But as far as we can tell, this is the only company actually owned and run by one.

The dedication to quality and safety that Fuentes developed over her 25 years of preparing medications is still one of the guiding forces in Green Roads’ approach to creating and producing �۲�ӰԺ. Another is the full transparency we mentioned earlier, shown by the company’s full disclosure of all production methods and ingredients. The quality of Green Roads products has been recognized not only by customers but with �۲�ӰԺ industry awards for “Best �۲�ӰԺ Products” and “Most Innovative Product.”

Green Roads started by producing high-end �۲�ӰԺ oil but has gradually expanded its offerings to include capsules, edibles, topicals, and other products. Quality is still paramount, yet the company has also grown its reach beyond online distribution. Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ is now sold across the country in health food stores, �۲�ӰԺ shops, pharmacies, smoke shops, and even yoga studios and juice bars.

From all indications, this is a company grounded in health and wellness – which produces products designed to provide the medical benefits that they’re not really allowed to talk about.

Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ: The Approach

Green Roads sources its hemp from American farms that use organic growing methods, primarily farms in Colorado, California, and Kentucky. “Certified organic” hemp would be even better, but it’s extremely difficult and expensive to receive certification for multiple farms in multiple states. Organically-grown hemp sourced and used by a reputable producer is just fine for the creation of high-quality �۲�ӰԺ.

Hemp plants are shipped to the company’s Florida production facility, where cannabidiol is extracted from the hemp via the supercritical CO2 method, recognized as the best way to retain almost all of the �۲�ӰԺ’s effectiveness. But what comes next in the Green Roads manufacturing process is unusual.

Most companies infuse carrier oil with cannabidiol to create �۲�ӰԺ oil. This company, however, has created a unique way of blending the two with several other ingredients that maximize the �۲�ӰԺ’s absorption. It’s one of the signature touches contributed by the company’s CEO/co-owner, an experienced compounding pharmacist, and it’s one reason why Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ seems to work better than most competing products. It also helps to lessen the natural, raw taste of hemp.

The company offers a wide assortment of full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and �۲�ӰԺ isolate choices. Full-spectrum contains all of the hemp plant’s components, which boost the �۲�ӰԺ’s effectiveness through the so-called entourage effect. Broad-spectrum removes only the minuscule amount of THC that helps slightly with the entourage effect, but also might trigger sensitive drug tests. �۲�ӰԺ isolate is just cannabidiol with no other cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids. Full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ is ordinarily the best choice, but having a choice is even better.

Green Roads relies on the best option for a carrier oil, MCT oil. As we’ve mentioned, though, other ingredients like sunflower lecithin and sunflower seed oil are added to help boost absorption. Nearly everything added to Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ products is natural, with a few exceptions like the artificial flavors added to some of their edibles. Complete COAs (third-party certificates of analysis) are readily available online for all products.

In short, this company not only does everything right in creating and manufacturing its �۲�ӰԺ – it does some things that aren’t typically seen even from high-end producers. We were impressed.

Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ Oils

Perhaps the best choices in the Green Roads lineup are the variety of �۲�ӰԺ oils that are available.

The “flagship” product is the company’s original blend full-spectrum oil, available in three potencies: 10mg/ml, 25mg/ml, and 50mg/ml – an excellent range of strengths. This oil is unflavored so it has a subtle hemp taste, it uses MCT oil as a carrier, and it has several other natural ingredients blended in to boost absorbency.

Green Roads also manufactures broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil that’s THC-free. The potency choices are the same, but you can choose from the natural, mint breeze, or apple-kiwi flavors (all flavorings are natural, not artificial).

The third option is “Sweet Sleep” oil, combining 25mg/ml of broad-spectrum cannabidiol, plus CBG (a different cannabinoid with different properties), and melatonin. This oil is naturally-flavored with blueberry extract.

Each variety of oil is also sold in 25mg/ml single-serving packets.

Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ Capsules

Most companies that offer �۲�ӰԺ capsules or soft gels usually take their oil formulation and put it into a capsule. Green Roads does it differently.

The producer’s “regular �۲�ӰԺ” soft gels are made with �۲�ӰԺ isolate rather than full-spectrum or broad-spectrum cannabidiol, and there are no added ingredients (except water, MCT carrier oil, and hemp seed oil). There are also two types of specialty capsules; “Relax” add GABA and 5-HTP to the �۲�ӰԺ isolate, and “Sleep” contains melatonin in addition to the �۲�ӰԺ isolate. The soft gels and capsules each contain 25 milligrams of cannabidiol, and the specialty capsules (but not the soft gels) are vegan.

Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ Edibles

You can choose from several types of Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ gummies. But unlike many producers, the company offers a much greater selection of edibles.

The gummies each contain 10 milligrams of �۲�ӰԺ isolate, are sold in “Relax” and “Sleep” versions, and come in assorted flavors of blackberry flavor. They do contain artificial colors and flavors. Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ Froggies provide a big dose of broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ – your choice of 25 milligrams or 50 milligrams – in a large piece of sweet candy (again containing some non-natural ingredients). Then there are dark chocolate bars infused with 15 milligrams of �۲�ӰԺ isolate per square – and occasional holiday treats, like Candy Cane Crumble �۲�ӰԺ chocolate available during the holidays.

Finally, award-winning Green Roads Hemp Flower coffee is a blend of Columbian coffee and US hemp; the company says the amount of �۲�ӰԺ in the blend varies by the batch. There are three flavors of this coffee: original blend, French vanilla, and hazelnut.

Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ Topicals

Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ-infused topicals come in several forms. There are creams and roll-ons; there are products designed for muscle and joint relief and for skin relief; there are blends with capsaicin and capsicum to provide heat while the �۲�ӰԺ takes effect, and others with peppermint and eucalyptus to provide a cooling sensation instead. Different potencies of each product are available, and they are all-natural.

The company also offers an “Indulgence” line that features bath bombs containing �۲�ӰԺ and essential oils to provide experiences like “Uplift,” “Peace” and “Refresh,” plus roll-on products with the same basic ingredients.

Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ for Pets

A separate collection of Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ oils has been specifically designed for pets, with a clean formulation containing only broad-spectrum cannabidiol and carrier oil. There’s 20mg/ml oil for large dogs, 7mg/ml oil for medium-sized dogs, and 2mg/ml �۲�ӰԺ oils for small dogs and cats. Green Roads is one of the only producers we’ve found whose dosage levels are actually sensible ones for pets, and the formulas again show the care that the company takes in creating its products.

Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ: The Verdict

We’re guessing that, if you’ve read through most or all of this review, you’ve reached the same conclusion that we have. Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ is the perfect example of a company that produces cannabidiol products for the right reasons and in the right ways – creating outstanding lines of �۲�ӰԺ oils, capsules, edibles and topicals.

The prices you’ll pay for Green Roads products are a little higher than average, but certainly not unreasonable for their high quality. In fact, you’ll find that most high-end producers charge more for �۲�ӰԺ products than this company does.

Add it all up, and you’ve found one of the best �۲�ӰԺ producers in America.

The post Green Roads �۲�ӰԺ Products Review (2022) appeared first on �۲�ӰԺ.

Empire Wellness �۲�ӰԺ Products & Brand Review (2022)

Johnny Baldwin — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 18:58:08 +0000

There are times you don’t have to worry about a product’s quality. Other times, you have to go on faith.

For example, you might be buying a new car, or a dishwasher, or a turkey. In those cases, you can rely on past experience or brand reputation to choose a Mercedes or a Ford, a GE or an LG, or a Butterball.

But when you’re shopping for something that’s only been on the market for a short time – like �۲�ӰԺ, which was only legalized for sale in all 50 states in late 2018 – past experience and brand reputation often aren’t useful benchmarks. An educated decision may have to depend instead on deeper research into a manufacturer’s background and processes, as well as the components or ingredients they use to make their products.

That’s the lengthy process we’re usually faced with when we review cannabidiol products (cannabidiol is the full name for �۲�ӰԺ).

The research isn’t made any easier, however, when a producer maintains an opaque online presence. When a product or market is in its infancy, one of the best ways to build trust is through transparency. The more you know about a company, the better you can feel about trusting the products it sells. The less you know, the more questions you may have.

That brings us to Empire Wellness.

This �۲�ӰԺ producer hasn’t been in the industry since its early days. It isn’t particularly well-known. It doesn’t even publish its address on its website. Yet Empire Wellness products are seen around the country (as well as in the company’s online store), apparently because of a robust wholesaler program.

What’s behind this producer, and can its �۲�ӰԺ products be trusted?

Let’s find out.

Empire Wellness: The Background

You won’t see any major details about Empire Wellness on the company website. They rely on boilerplate statements that they “work closely with a whole range of experts,” they “believe that natural, alternative treatments using �۲�ӰԺ really are the future,” and they “are looking into expanding into a variety of exciting areas including smoke and vape shops, dispensaries, health food stores” and so on.

There’s nothing wrong with any of that, of course – but it doesn’t provide any valuable information. To learn more, we had to dig a little deeper.

It turns out that Empire Wellness was founded by Joshua Newman. He got his start in business, with no money to work with, drop shipping electronics sourced from China. He moved on to start companies selling hoverboards, vitamins, and supplements, investing much of the proceeds in the stock market.

Now, he sells �۲�ӰԺ products. He’s put a lot of effort into marketing through celebrities and social media influencers and wholesaling his products to vendors around the country. Empire Wellness has now grown to the point where the company is pushing out a lot of product, and it’s doing what Newman seems to be best at making money. After all, he’s a marketer at heart.

That’s not necessarily the type of background that would inspire confidence in a product that many customers rely on for medical benefits. Of course, it’s not disqualifying, either.

It simply means we have to look a lot closer at exactly how Empire Wellness sources its ingredients, and how it designs and manufactures its products.

Empire Wellness: The Approach

That last sentence should probably have read “we have to try to look a lot closer,” since Empire Wellness doesn’t make it easy to understand how the company produces its �۲�ӰԺ products.

It claims those products are high-quality, all-natural and GMO-free, but doesn’t say in any company mission statements or product descriptions that the hemp it sources is “organic” or “organically-grown.” Strangely, the product labels do claim that the hemp is organic; we just wonder why they don’t just tell you that important fact while you’re shopping.

From digging around the bowels of the Empire Wellness website, we gather that the hemp comes from Colorado; then again, some of the product labels say “grown, produced and packaged in the great state (sic) of Colorado, Florida, and Oregon.” The company brags that its hemp is grown “on a large scale, to produce plenty to go around.” Our apprehension: that’s an approach most often used to ensure high volume (and high profits) rather than quality control.

Empire Wellness’s lack of transparency really shows when it comes to one of the key questions about �۲�ӰԺ production. How is cannabidiol extracted from the hemp the company sources? Other than saying “we use state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities,” the company is silent on that issue.

That’s unfortunate since some extraction processes preserve more of the �۲�ӰԺ’s potency than others, some maintain the optimal balance of the �۲�ӰԺ’s components better than others – and some are simply unsafe. We’ll give Empire Wellness the benefit of the doubt and assume they use a safe extraction method, but there’s no way to know whether it’s the right choice to create high-quality �۲�ӰԺ products.

We do like the fact that the company offers both full-spectrum and isolate versions of many of its products. Full-spectrum, of course, contains the other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids naturally present in hemp, providing the entourage effect that boosts the performance of �۲�ӰԺ. �۲�ӰԺ Isolate is THC-free, meaning it won’t trigger a positive drug test, but also won’t be as effective as full-spectrum cannabidiol. Giving customers a choice, though, is a good thing.

No ingredient lists are offered for products sold on the Empire Wellness website. Some pages do have small-print versions of the product labels, so with the help of reading glasses, we can tell that some products are indeed made with all-natural ingredients. For others, there’s no way to substantiate the all-natural claim – and no way to know what’s inside.

One final note on Empire Wellness and transparency: most high-quality producers make third-party testing results for all products easily accessible on their websites. This company doesn’t. You have to specifically email them to ask to see the COA (certificate of analysis) for any product you might be interested in. That’s really not a hoop anyone should have to jump through – and could lead some to ask what they might be hiding. Hopefully, nothing. But it would be nice to be able to confirm that with a simple click.

Empire Wellness does offer several products, like smokable �۲�ӰԺ flower, resin, and wax, that aren’t produced or sold by most vendors. And ingredient lists aren’t really necessary for those types of products.

For more common �۲�ӰԺ oils, gummies and topicals, however, there’s really no reason to hide that information, or the COAs, or the details of how they’re produced. Sadly, this is one of the least transparent �۲�ӰԺ producers we’ve found.

Empire Wellness �۲�ӰԺ Oils

We honestly don’t like to harp so much on transparency, but it has to be said: this is one of the only �۲�ӰԺ producers that doesn’t disclose its oils’ milligrams/milliliters doses on the website, on the product label, or anywhere else. We had to do the rough calculations on our own. Why are the calculations rough? Because the company doesn’t specify the size of the bottle on its website or on the label, either.

There are two varieties of Empire Wellness �۲�ӰԺ oils. One, available in what appears to be 16.6mg/ml and 50mg/ml dosages, is made with full-spectrum cannabidiol. The other, available in what appears to be 5mg/ml and 23.3mg/ml strengths, is made with �۲�ӰԺ isolate. On the bright side, there are no other ingredients other than organic MCT coconut carrier oil, making this a “pure” �۲�ӰԺ product. That does also mean there are no added flavorings, so the taste is somewhat raw.

Empire Wellness �۲�ӰԺ Edibles

There’s a large selection of full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ-infused gummies on Empire Wellness’s menu. They’re available in different shapes, flavors, and potencies, from 20 milligrams “Stuffed Straws” to 62.5 milligrams “Fruit Snacks.” These are strong gummies and they taste good, but there’s no complete ingredient list available to confirm their all-natural status.

Also available is �۲�ӰԺ “Relaxation Syrup.” This is simply flavored syrup (cherry or grape) containing a relatively small amount of cannabidiol, to be mixed into water or any other beverage. Again, no ingredient list is provided; it appears to be made with full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ since there’s a THC-content disclaimer on the label. We’re not sure, though.

Empire Wellness �۲�ӰԺ Topicals

The only topical option is a fairly strong �۲�ӰԺ pain relief cream. What else is in it, and is full-spectrum or isolate �۲�ӰԺ used to make it? We wish we could tell you, but the company doesn’t say.

Empire Wellness also sells bags of �۲�ӰԺ isolate powder, most commonly used by consumers in cooking or baking. This product could have been listed in our next section as well since it can also be used to dab. The powder is available in nearly two dozen strains that regular pot smokers will recognize, from Sour Diesel and ACDC to Gorilla Glue and Grape Ape. There’s also an option to buy �۲�ӰԺ isolate without added terpenes. (Oh, the company adds terpenes to the isolate? Apparently so, since there’s a “no terpenes” choice. Did anyone say transparency?)

Empire Wellness �۲�ӰԺ Smokable Products

This lineup starts with the �۲�ӰԺ flower. There are five strains (Tropicano, Gods Breath, Monroe, Waldo, and CBG Glee) sold by the gram, and it’s a full-spectrum flower with all of the hemp’s components still intact. You can also choose 1.3-gram pre-rolls, although the strain of these smokables isn’t disclosed.

Additionally, Empire Wellness sells two types of waxes. The �۲�ӰԺ full-spectrum Live Resin Wax comes from a mix of ACDC and Charlotte’s Web hemp plants, and the CBG Wax contains high levels of the “alternative” cannabinoid CBG and is THC-free. Each is sold by the gram.

Empire Wellness: The Verdict

This is one of the �۲�ӰԺ brands that’s showing up more and more in �۲�ӰԺ and vape shops, convenience stores, and drug stores, and the products are reasonably priced. For occasional users who want to just grab some �۲�ӰԺ off the shelf, it’s not a horrendous choice. And some who regularly use Empire Wellness products are happy with the choice. The smokables, in particular, taste delicious.

However, the company’s stunning lack of transparency in its online presence – and even on some of its product labels – definitely gives us a great deal of pause.

We have no way of knowing whether widespread distribution and profits are the driving forces behind Empire Wellness. There’s not a lot of information available that would contradict that distinct possibility, though. And considering the large number of transparent, high-quality producers in the industry who offer comparable products – we’d choose to spend our money with someone else.

The post Empire Wellness �۲�ӰԺ Products & Brand Review (2022) appeared first on �۲�ӰԺ.

Recepta Naturals �۲�ӰԺ Review: The Right Way of Producing Strong �۲�ӰԺ in 2022?

Johnny Baldwin — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 18:58:03 +0000

When considering these questions, forget about price for a moment.

If you wanted a really great pizza, would you grab something from the supermarket’s frozen food section, or stop by your favorite pizzeria where they bake delicious pizzas to order?

Would you prefer a package of Chips Ahoy or hot-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies baked at a local specialty shop?

The answers are obvious. Products that are handmade with care are almost always going to be of higher quality than those that come from some remote assembly line.

The answer to the next question is just as obvious.

Would you rather buy �۲�ӰԺ from a big-name producer who won’t even disclose where they buy their hemp, and outsource much of the manufacturing process? Or would you opt for �۲�ӰԺ from a small company whose employees even help pick and shuck the hemp before they manufacture their own products?

You’ve probably guessed that Recepta Naturals fits the second description. It’s a cannabidiol operation that’s growing in size and popularity (cannabidiol is the scientific name for �۲�ӰԺ), but it’s still a hands-on operation that produces a small line of high-quality �۲�ӰԺ products.

We asked at the start of this review that you temporarily forget about price, but it’s time to bring it back into the discussion.

Careful �۲�ӰԺ production with rigorous standards and procedures is expensive. And Recepta Naturals products aren’t cheap. So the big question becomes whether the high cost of this �۲�ӰԺ is worth it.

Let’s answer it.

Recepta Naturals: The Background

Recepta’s backstory is similar to that of many other producers but still meaningful. In 2015 founder Rusty Scott was trying to overcome the pain of a serious knee injury but got sick of prescription drugs, and since he lived in Colorado where it was legal, he tried �۲�ӰԺ. He could tell it was helping, but not as much as he’d expected from the hype.

That led him to build his own company, which would use the best hemp and highest production standards to create the very best cannabidiol products available. Recepta Naturals was founded in late 2015 and has since built a reputation for quality, with a staff of true believers dedicated to the company’s core mission of creating “good products from good ingredients” and marketing them with no false claims or hyperbole.

As the business grew, Scott oriented his business more toward “wellness” and less toward relieving specific illnesses or medical conditions. That focus has encouraged a significant following in the athletic community, not just people dealing with issues like stress, arthritis, or other types of pain. And it’s led to partnerships with a number of athletes (or former athletes) from mainstream sports like football and hockey, to up-and-coming sports like MMA and skateboarding.

Recepta Naturals is based in the suburbs south of Denver, and its owners and employees participate in a robust philanthropic outreach program (called Recepta Gives) to help people in their local community, as well as broader social, animal rights, and environmental causes.

Sounds good so far. Next on our review checklist is checking out how Recepta’s products are made.

Recepta Naturals: The Approach

Many high-end �۲�ӰԺ companies brag that they are a “seed to shelf” company, meaning they control everything involved in the process of creating their products. Recepta Naturals goes a step further.

This producer doesn’t just give growers the hemp seeds (or cultivars) to use; Recepta actually owns its own supply chain, meaning it has its own family-owned farm where the hemp is grown before it’s sent to the company’s processing facilities. As we’ve mentioned, staffers participate in the harvesting and shucking off the plants, something we’ve never heard of before.

The organically-grown hemp is shucked by hand and not by machine, and only the hemp flower is harvested. Why does that matter? Most companies include stems and stalks when they extract �۲�ӰԺ from hemp, but those plant components contain less cannabidiol, flavonoids, and terpenes so they “water down” the yield. Using only flower increases costs, but creates a more effective product.

Receptra Naturals relies on the ethanol extraction method to remove �۲�ӰԺ from hemp. There’s some controversy in the industry about the ideal way to extract cannabidiol; conventional wisdom has favored supercritical CO2 extraction, but many premium brands have switched to ethanol extraction; it may produce slightly less-effective �۲�ӰԺ, but preserves more of the hemp components’ integrity. And there’s a good reason why those components (including terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids like a tiny amount of THC) are so important.

When they’re all present in what’s called full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ, they all work together in an “entourage effect” that boosts the performance of cannabidiol. If they’re all removed (creating what’s known as �۲�ӰԺ isolate), the product isn’t as effective – although there’s no THC to occasionally trigger a drug test. Receptra Naturals primarily sells full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ, with a few broad-spectrum options (meaning they have no THC but all other components remain).

It’s common to see high-quality producers include the bare minimum number of ingredients in their products, but Recepta does things slightly differently. They add selected botanicals to many of their formulas, in order to boost the products’ ability to help with specific issues. Importantly, only all-natural and/or organic ingredients are used.

We have two small issues with this company. They don’t always make clear the carrier oil(s) that are used to distribute the �۲�ӰԺ, because they don’t provide ingredient lists for all of their products. They only say they use a “selected blend of carrier oils,” but there are some mentions of MCT oil (the best choice) and hempseed oil (second best) on their website, so we assume those are among their “selected” oils.

The second issue is a smaller one. Recepta doesn’t allow you to access COAs (certificates of third-party analysis) for their products unless you’ve purchased them and have the batch number. That prevents interested shoppers from checking out the documents that show percentages of cannabinoids and freedom from hazardous substances.

Those are small points, though. More important is the fact that Recepta Naturals clearly uses almost all of the very best processes possible to create and manufacture its �۲�ӰԺ products. And they’re definitely among the best we’ve found.

Recepta Naturals �۲�ӰԺ Oils

The company places an extra descriptor on all of its oils (which they call tinctures or drops), so it can be a bit confusing to figure out which one of the products is “regular” �۲�ӰԺ oil. It’s “Serious Wellness,” a rebooted version of Recepta’s original product. It’s strong, with 50mg/ml of cannabidiol and no other potency options.

This oil is designed simply for maximum effectiveness, although the company provides some conflicting information about it. The Recepta website says the only ingredients are full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ and MCT carrier oil, but the label on the bottle says the fresh berry flavor is contributed by organic ingredients.

There are three other varieties of Recepta Natural �۲�ӰԺ oil:

“Serious Relief” is available in 33mg/ml and 66mg/ml dosages and also contains turmeric, avocado oil, and extra vitamins (plus fresh berry natural flavorings). There’s a 33mg/ml THC-free “Serious Relief” choice made from broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ as well, as an option for those concerned about failing a drug test.
“Serious Rest” is sold in 25mg/ml potency and has added linalool, valerian root, chamomile, and natural vanilla flavoring.
“Seriously Relax” is also a 25mg/ml full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil that contains lavender and limonene in addition to ginger and lime flavorings.

As we’ve already noted, these well-made and effective products are rather expensive. They’re also quite strong for new users or those with mild pain or symptoms, so taking fewer drops would be a good idea until you’re used to them.

Recepta Naturals �۲�ӰԺ Capsules

The Serious Rest and Seriously Relax formulas are available in the gelcap form. Each capsule contains 25 milligrams of full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ, along with the collection of additives mentioned in the �۲�ӰԺ oil review section for each formula. The gelcaps are made from bovine gelatin, so they are not vegan.

Recepta Naturals �۲�ӰԺ Edibles

There’s only one option here, Serious Rest Gummies, and they’re pretty strong at 25 milligrams per candy. They have the same added ingredients as the �۲�ӰԺ oil of the same name, plus a small amount of extra CBN, a different cannabinoid that is believed to help with sleep and other health issues. These are full-spectrum gummies with natural strawberry flavoring, and the ingredients used to make the actual gummies are all-natural.

Recepta Naturals �۲�ӰԺ Topicals

Recepta offers six versions of its Serious Relief full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ formula blended into topical products, with arnica added for its anti-inflammatory properties. Four of them are a thick cream, one is a body oil and the final choice is a roll-on stick.

Three of the creams are designed to target specific types of aches and pains: those resulting from exercise, yoga, skiing, and snowboarding. Each contains a different mix of extra natural ingredients and scents. The fourth is a more general pain treatment, as are the body oil and roll-on.

There is one additional topical choice, a THC-free broad-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ cream.

Recepta Naturals �۲�ӰԺ for Pets

The company produces a full-spectrum �۲�ӰԺ oil which it says is suitable for “cats, dogs, birds and other critter companions.” This oil contains just cannabidiol and organic MCT carrier oil and is available in 16mg/ml and 25mg/ml dosages; that’s extremely potent and probably too strong for cats and small dogs. If that describes your pet, only use a few drops for small pets until you establish a dosage baseline.

Recepta Naturals �۲�ӰԺ: The Verdict

Some �۲�ӰԺ producers simply do everything the right way. Sure, we wish there were complete ingredient lists readily available for all of Recepta Naturals products, and that COAs were available for products before purchase. We also wish there were less-potent options for their products since not everyone needs 50 or 60 milligrams of �۲�ӰԺ per dose.

That’s nit-picking, however. These are high-quality products, among the best you can find. They’re designed smartly, produced very carefully to maintain quality throughout the process, and they work well. Sure, they’re pricey – but Recepta Naturals is a great example of the old adage “you get what you pay for.” In this case, you pay for outstanding �۲�ӰԺ.

The post Recepta Naturals �۲�ӰԺ Review: The Right Way of Producing Strong �۲�ӰԺ in 2022? appeared first on �۲�ӰԺ.