To CBD or not to CBD?

by Aryn Sieber, Founder of CannaCauses Foundation

Why some CBD products work better than others? 

As a cannabis pioneer, I’ve been growing cannabis and making infused products for more than 40 years but I’ve never been a “pot-head”. My friends often referred to me as a “cannabis snob” aka a lightweight, in 2001 because of my passion for quality cannabis. In 2001, I found myself volunteering as a first responder at ground zero on in NY on 9/11. As a result, I developed and survived inoperable stage IV cancer in 2014. I endured radiation, chemotherapy, and a ton of self-prescribed cannabis therapy treatments over a six-month period. As a result of surviving, I launched the CannaCauses Foundation and began providing cannabis therapy consultations and collecting data on what now has been thousands of physician referred patients from around the country. Patients suffering with everything from anxiety to Alzheimer’s, psoriasis to Parkinson’s, MS, cancer, athlete (muscle/joint) recovery, and everything in between.  

Unfortunately, as with any new and or burgeoning industry, there is tremendous hype and misinformation spread by get-rich-quick schemes to create sales and demand. So, it’s not surprising that when the 2018 Hemp Farm Bill was signed into law – the industry was inundated almost overnight with new players making unsubstantiated claims, further confusing those seeking the true therapeutic benefits of the plant. This is commonly referred to as the “Green Rush” of our time. And as in most cases, “you get what you pay for”. 

As the hemp/cannabis industries gather momentum for the production of products infused with cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, CBN, and yes THC the level of investment has been enormous. So, what does any of this have to do with wellness? Well, if you believe CBD has become the greatest “natural medicinal discovery” of our time, the cure-all for everything, as some would have you believe. There lies the crux of the problem. Some of us are simply looking for that “sweet spot” taking the edge off without taking the edge off – meaning elevating the symptom while staying focused without getting high. This is referred to as, micro-dosing. Using the right product, potency, ratio, and dose are critical to this process. In other words, we don’t know what we don’t know, “start low go slow, and don’t be afraid to go all the way”.  

CBD, and more specifically, the compounds and terpenes found in cannabis can be therapeutic, medicinal if you will. Legally speaking, it is the hemp plant <0.3% THC that offers an abundance of the therapeutic compound known as CBD but don’t underestimate the power of the other compounds and terpenes for consumers seeking physical and/or emotional relief. So, if the CBD products you consume and depend on are made from extracts that have been over-processed, imagine the results you would feel from products made from properly processed extracts that have maintained all of the plant’s goodness. So, why are product developers using processing terms like “full-spectrum” (all of the plant’s native compounds) “broad spectrum” (native compounds like THC processed out), “CBD isolate” (a single isolated compound all others processed out) and “hemp seed oil” (little to no CBD value) for their CBD products? It’s widely understood that many companies are branding products with “CBD” to mislead the unsuspecting and or uneducated masses to generate interest, demand, and sales.

The compounds that are responsible for efficacy are largely destroyed when over-processed. A consumer who uses a CBD product to alleviate pain or anxiety doesn’t really care about how the product was “processed” as long as – it works. It’s true, in a perfect world everything is perfect but that’s simply not the world we live in. The reality is, medicine’s purpose is to cure provide relief. In any case, no product, particularly therapeutic intended products should ever be mislabeled and altered with masking agents as the real “active ingredient”. 

When searching for a CBD product limit your search to well-established companies that have extensive experience in cannabis therapy treatments and processing cannabis botanicals and history of, paying it forward. The individuals behind these types of companies are less likely to lose sight of their core principles and the mission set forth to guide their businesses. 

Many CBD brands have the right intentions though it’s astonishing how many of them continue to follow the “herd-mentality” when it comes to the production of “efficacious” products. It’s not that genetics and processing are unimportant they too much emphasis is placed on profits vs. people. There is more to producing natural botanical products without masking agents or adverse side-effects. Increased cannabinoids and terpenoids can lead to higher bioavailability, a superior entourage effect, and improved results.

One other important benefit of a properly processed extract is its content of cannabinoids in their native acid forms (CBDA, CBGA, CBCA, etc.). As stated in Dr. Ralph Mechoulam’s pronounced, Mek-shu-lum (godfather of CBD who discovered the endocannabinoid system) keynote https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/2020/07/12/dr-mechoulam/#28a00e796a45  on the chemistry behind cannabinoid acids there is growing evidence that cannabinoids in their acid forms are promising, efficacious compounds.  

When choosing a CBD product that may be right for you to consider the following; 

1. Ask yourself, what benefit am I looking for from using CBD? If it’s, pain, spasticity, tremors, or migraines then higher ratios of THC may likely be needed, whereas anxiety, inflammation, or recovery of aching muscles and joints a higher ratio of CBD may be the ticket. It all depends because one size does not fit all. This is the primary reason so many “CBD” products are anecdotally inferior to others.
2. Ingredients matter, read the label; for example, if “hemp seed oil” is used, there is literally no CBD benefit because the hemp seed only contains 50 parts per million of CBD, at best.  Therefore, there will be little to no therapeutic benefit of products only containing hemp seed oil. However, hemp seed oil is a great nutrient or moisturizing supplement for the skin. 

Another example; If the label says, CBD then CBD should be the active ingredient, right? Wrong, many companies use lidocaine, camphor, and menthol as masking agents in their topical CBD products, which numb the area applied to trick the brain into thinking the pain has subsided. Masking agents are now being used to make pain relief claims and chances are, the CBD if any, is not the active ingredient. *

The CBD industry is so hot, many companies have been known to put CBD on the label of any product just to sell products. Several have had the FDA issue cease and desist letters for those practices. Those companies have no meaningful data backing their claims real-world, peer-reviewed, lab trialed, or otherwise. 

1. Knowledge has the power to heal, educate yourself; If you or someone you know has been medically diagnosed with a chronic condition or illness and is seeking physical and/or emotional relief then consider a Cannabis Therapy Consultation by a medicinal cannabis expert.   

Companies like the CannaCauses Foundation www.CannaCauses.org specialize in advanced cannabis therapy and the ABC’s of CBD and THC. 

About the Author:

Aryn Sieber, Founder   

CannaCauses Foundation

In 2014, Aryn developed inoperable stage IV cancer from his time spent volunteering at ground zero on 9/11. After (33) radiation, (8) chemotherapy, and numerous treatments with his cannabis he miraculously became disease-free. Surviving he turned to his 40+ years of cannabis experience and his award-winning cannabis flower to lab produce and formulate his proprietary line of CBD Nectar tinctures, select blends of therapeutic cannabinoids and terpenes. Upon establishing an intake protocol, he launched the CannaCauses Foundation. The Foundation works with all types of medical professionals providing 1-on-1 Cannabis Therapy consultations for patients seeking cannabis therapy and expert guidance. 

In 2016, Aryn created a line of therapeutic hemp-derived CBD topical products using his CBD Nectar and launched CBD Essentials (CBDE) by Cannaisseur Brands. CBD Essentials are derived from full spectrum female Hemp flower <0.3% THC. And, in pioneering tradition his topical formulas have been nominated “Best Product” three years in a row, winning two out of three times. CBD Essentials are available online and at retailers, luxury spas, and wellness and fitness centers across the U.S.  

Aryn is a peer-reviewed and medically published author and speaks globally about his journey, medicinal cannabis, and cannabis therapy. The evidence-based data that CannaCauses collects is used to support his case studies and doctors seeking “real-world” data on the efficacy of CBD: THC products. In addition to patient consultations, the Foundation offers educational workshops for non-profits, wellness support groups, medical symposiums, cannabis industry conferences, and political advocacy forums alike.  

“Everyone deserves the medicine they need”™

Visit www.cannaisseurbrands.com and www.cannacauses.org for more information