When you think of the words hemp, CBD, or marijuana, what comes to mind?
High school? College parties? Bob Marley, perhaps?
Hemp and marijuana have their social connotations, but did you know they have medical associations as well? More than just a "feel good" recreational activity, these natural plants offer an array of medicinal properties.
Science is always changing – what was considered a “cure-all” back in the day is now mediocre at best or terrible for you at worst (think the “Cocaine Cure” of the 1880s).
Modern and ancient medicine both trace their roots back to nature in some way or another. Plants such as marijuana and hemp have been around for thousands of years, yet modern medicine is just beginning to recognize their health benefits.
The legalization of CBD in 2018 caused many companies to start rolling out new supplements. In this article we'll talk about what CBD is, where to get quality products, and my own personal experience with a product review at the end!
Keep reading to find out more.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for Cannabidiol, which is a phytocannabinoid that was discovered in the cannabis plant in the 1940s. A phytocannabinoid is a naturally occurring substance found in some plants.
In humans, a similar substance is called an endocannabinoid. Our bodies produce endocannabinoids naturally, and they help assist in many biological functions.
CBD is extracted from plants such as hemp and marijuana. Hemp is the plant of choice when it comes to extracting hemp because it naturally has a higher CBD: THC ratio. Marijuana has a higher THC: CBD ratio.
Is CBD a Drug?
By definition, a drug is "a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body". So is CBD a drug? I guess by definition, sure.
But it works, right?
Because there is still so much research to be done, the FDA discourages food and dietary supplement manufacturers from marketing CBD with any proven benefits. Even still, you see natural supplement companies offering CBD products that seem to promise relief for certain ailments.
How is this possible? As long as they include a disclaimer that their products have not been approved by the FDA and are not for specific treatment purposes, they can continue producing supplements.
Is CBD Legal?
In 2018, the FDA legalized the production of CBD with one caveat: the concentration within the product must no higher than 0.3%.
So fun fact: CBD that comes from hemp in quantities of 0.3% or lower, therby considered legal under federal law. Some states, however, still consider all CBD products illegal for sale. On the other hand, CBD derived from marijuana is illegal under federal law, but legal in some states.
Funny how that works, huh?
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
So we know what it is and where it comes from - what are the benefits? Through years of medical tests, experiments, trial-and-error, patients and doctors conclude that CBD can help with:
Seizure reduction/management
Pain relief
Anxiety
Insomnia
Lowering high blood pressure
Depression
Acne (in some cases)
Tumor prevention
Diabetes
General inflammation
Great, so there are lots of benefits to choose from. Are there any risks or side effects?
Side Effects
While new things seem exciting, consider the potential side effects. For CBD, research reassures the public that it is a generally well-tolerated supplement. It is hard to overdose, but you may be sensitive to it if you develop:
Weight or appetite changes
Fatigue
Diarrhea
If you develop any of these symptoms, cut back the amount you take. If symptoms persist, discontinue altogether.
Risks
If CBD is natural, it’s gotta be safe… right?
Not always. While it has lots of health benefits, some crowds may not want to partake in this natural supplement. Check with a doctor before taking any CBD product, especially if you:
Are on other medications (long or short term)
Consume large quantities (possible toxicity)
Where Should You Buy It?
Nowadays there are so many options out there for CBD products. How do you know where to go, or if one brand is even worth buying?
Quality is key here, so do some solid research before you buy the first CBD you see. Things to consider when shopping around:
Make sure you’re buying hemp-derived CBD
Check customer reviews
See if they have had their products tested by a third party for purity
Make sure all active ingredients are listed
Check for lab-tested results
Some companies may also offer different options such as a liquid form, gummies, or even capsules.
Wrap Up
CBD is extracted from hemp plants. It's used in a variety of supplements to address concerns such as anxiety, pain, and insomnia. Concentrations at or below 0.3% are acceptable to the FDA, although claiming it has proven benefits is prohibited.
Is CBD just another health trend, or will it stick around for a while? It’s hard to say… but after my husband and I tried some for ourselves, we're definitely believers in a natural way!
Product Review – Frozen North Hemp
The Delivery
We got the Mint tincture, the CBD lotion, and a sample of the salve. We also got some cloth face masks on the house! Pretty cool.
Everything arrived quickly and in order – no breaks or spills.
The packaging is clean, and the instructions are pretty self-explanatory.
· For the tincture, we were to take one dropperful under the tongue as needed.
· For the lotion and salve, we were to apply to the affected area as needed.
Nothing needed to be stored in the fridge, which was nice.
The Tincture
The tincture comes in many flavors - we chose the Mint. It arrived in a pretty blue glass bottle, with 1 fl oz of the CBD tincture inside. The color of the tincture was golden and clear. No flakes or cloudiness.
It smelled like... well, hemp mixed with mint. Taste-wise, it was pretty spot-on. You could taste the mint, but it wasn’t overbearing. There was a brief moment where it felt scratchy in the throat, but it didn’t last long.
Nutritional information, as well as suggested use, are on the label. Fun fact: This CBD is based in MCT oil (hellooo keto people!)
The Lotion
The lotion comes in a variety of fragrances. For testing purposes, we went with the unscented (although I will say the additional sample that was sent was Warm Rustic Woods - and I loved it!). The lotions are white in color.
It was a little thick to apply, but once it was blended in the color disappeared. No tacky or sticky feelings afterward – a major plus.
The Salve
The salve sample we got was a sand-colored ointment. You apply it topically to sore areas (don’t eat it!).
It had only a faint hemp smell, and the application was pretty easy. Because it’s a heavier topical, it does leave a sheen on the skin, but that’s to be expected.
Third-Party Tested, Veteran Owned and Operated
I always appreciate knowing who else tests natural supplements. It gives reassurance that this isn’t some guy in his grandma’s basement whipping up random cocktails (I mean, no offense guys who…do that… I guess?)
If you like supporting our veterans (and buying products made in the USA), I definitely recommend these guys! I’m a huge advocate for supporting local businesses.
Customer Service
What’s the point of getting great products if the people who own them treat you like crap? Thankfully, that’s not the case here.
Don, the CEO, is friendly and professional. Any questions I had, he answered thoroughly. I haven’t met his other staff yet, but if the CEO is great I imagine the rest of the team is too.
But Does It WORK?
Ok, now for the juicy stuff. Did his products actually help?
Short answer: YES!
Long answer: Also YES!
I tried the tincture one night to see if it would help me sleep. To be honest, I don’t think I tried it long enough to see if it truly had an effect. But when my husband took it he said it felt like he slept more securely, almost as if he was “in a hole”.
My husband also deals with joint pain at the ripe old age of 29 (thanks to his younger, reckless years playing soccer and who-knows-what-else). Knees, elbows, and back… he’s got it all.
We applied the lotion to his back a few times, and within 30 minutes he said he could tell the pain was either completely gone or had lessened dramatically. It did return a few hours later, but we both thought that was pretty cool.
Overall
Our goal was to see if it would help with pain and inflammation. I don’t personally struggle with anxiety or depression, so I can’t speak to whether it helped us with that, but overall I really enjoyed this experience.
If you’d like to learn more about Don and his work with Frozen North Hemp, check out their website at:
Or their Facebook page: