Category: Blog

7 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU READ THIS:

• We are not talking about marijuana. We are talking about Hemp products you currently find in your local grocery store and the CBD that comes from the hemp plant.
• Cannabis Sativa L produces 2 plants: hemp and marijuana
• CBD (cannabidiol) is produced by both plants
• The Hemp plant contains less than 1% THC, usually less than .3%, and cannot get you “high”.
• The Marijuana plant contains more than 1% THC, the cannabinoid that will get you “high”.
• Hemp is not illegal and is not considered a drug.
• The CBD we sell comes from the legal, non-intoxicating hemp plant.

Hemp CBD becoming a hot topic for those that want to provide healing and those that are greedy. Unfortunately many influential agencies are trying to manipulate the conversation for corporate financial benefit. This evolving dialogue will have a huge impact on society.

THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO “PROTECT” YOU FROM CBD

Government agencies such as the DEA, FDA, and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention continue to discover and publish the value of natural hemp CBD. So our government understands (to some extent) the health benefits associated with CBD but they also know the dangers of quick-profit businesses that are producing synthetic CBD products, like Spice, and introducing them into the marketplace. They are synthetically recreated in pharmaceutical labs for a huge profit.

Although cannabis is legal to grow and use in many states, it is still not legal in all states. This is one of the reasons why many sellers are stocking synthetic CBD over the naturally-derived kind: it doesn’t place them in potential legal jeopardy. It often comes from China, costs less, and is lobbied by pharmaceuticals to monopolize the market. However, with synthetic CBD comes a long list of “approved” side effects that natural, hemp-derived CBD does not possess.

During a 2015 study, the most common adverse side effects of synthetic cannabinoids, as reported by the CDC, were:

• Agitation.
• Vomiting
• Tachycardia (abnormally rapid heart rate).
• Confusion.
• Drowsiness or lethargy.
• 15 reported deaths.

Pharmaceutical CBD will more than likely be manufactured in a lab, once again providing the exact kind of synthetic CBD that the government is trying to protect us from, and introducing the side effects that caused the panic in the first place.

ILLEGAL SYNTHETIC CBD

The promise of the therapeutic effects of hemp CBD cause greedy companies to create a synthetic version of CBD (Spice or illegal designer cannabinoids) saying they will improve potency, efficacy, pharmaco-kinetic properties and make a huge profit from this natural substance that has all the holistic benefits in the plant itself.

FDA APPROVED SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

Marinol is a well known “legal” synthetic cannabinoid that is endorsed by the FDA for pharmaceutical use, but it also has a long list of side effects, as expected from pharmaceutical companies. Side effects are not common with natural hemp CBD.

Regarding these synthetic cannabinoid drugs approved by the FDA, the FDA reports side effects that include but are not limited to:

• mood changes;
• weakness, lack of coordination;
• dizziness, trouble concentrating;
• anxiety, confusion;
• feeling “high”;
• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• warmth or tingly feeling; or
• disturbing psychiatric symptoms
• sleep problems (insomnia).
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• syncope (fainting),
• tachycardia (fast heartbeat)
• death 

We encourage you to become educated about the products you are buying.

• Ask questions: What is the source of the CBD? Where is the hemp grown?
• Read the labels.
• Most importantly be aware of what is going on in the cannabis industry. Become an active voice in the conversation, and protect this amazing plant from the profiteering of those that are only interested in their profits and not interested in the health of our civilization.

SYNTHETIC CBD. Just Say No!

Did you know that there is more than CBD in your CBD Oil.

CBD is not very bioavailable since it needs to be in the presence of fat to be effectively absorbed.  Bioavailability refers to the proportion of CBD your body can process compared to what it takes in.

That’s why CBD oils contain a carrier oil, whether it’s MCT oil, hempseed, avocado, coconut, ghee, grapeseed, olive, palm kernel oil or another oil.   CBD’s bioavailability is largely determined by the types of fat molecules contained in the carrier oil.

There are many different types of fat, and the way they vary on a molecular level affects how well it can transport CBD into your system. Besides bioavailability, individual differences between oils such as flavor consistency, may affect their viability as carrier oils. 

What’s a carrier oil?

A carrier oil is what the name implies. It’s an oil that carries another substance.  The same way that a perfume contains a base that carries the scent.

But with CBD, a carrier oil does more than just act as a base. It powerfully influences how much CBD your body absorbs and utilizes.

If you were to extract and dry the CBD from hemp, it wouldn’t do you much good.

• First, pure CBD powder would be hard to measure accurately because the doses are so small. (It’s very powerful!)
• But second, powdered CBD is not very bioavailable since it needs to be in the presence of fat to be effectively absorbed. Thus, the carrier oils.

Does it matter which kind of carrier oil is used?

We think so. RESTART CBD uses Organic MCT coconut oil and here’s why?

MCT oil is one of the best carrier oils for CBD. MCT stands for medium chain triglycerides. RESTART CBD uses MCT oil  derived from coconuts (vs. palm kernel oil).  MCTs are easier to digest and absorb than long chain triglycerides (like the ones in olive oil). As a result, the CBD they carry is released into your system quickly and easily absorbed directly through the liver. MCT oil also preserves more CBD during the extraction process than other oils. In fact, coconut oil has been called a “near perfect medium for cannabis” products because of the ease with which CBD binds to it.

All carrier oils ARE NOT created equal. We prefer organic “coconut” MCT oil for the following reasons: 

• Coconut oil, derived from the fruit of the coconut tree, is a super-oil full of naturally present antioxidants and has  excellent anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
• Coconut Oil has little to no flavor, which makes it a great choice. Additionally, it is thinner than most oils, making it easy to dispense and measure. 
• It is exceptional for nourishing the hair, nails and skin. Its almost 50% content of lauric acid means that coconut oil can retain a long shelf life and improve good cholesterol (HDL).
• It is also great for dry skin and treating skin conditions as it has natural deep moisturizing properties. Which is why we love using it in our topicals as well.

RESTART CBD PURE CBD Oil starts with organically grown, co2 extracted CBD and combines it with Organic MCT coconut oil. That’s it.

NOTE: For those allergic to Coconut Oil, we do offer a few custom blends using olive oil in both our Pure CBD and Full Spectrum Products (30ml – 600mg – 20mg/ml)

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT MCT OIL:

“In order to boost your energy levels, consuming “a tablespoon of MCT oil” is a great alternative to inhaling cups of coffee, because “it’s a very concentrated source of energy.”

Other Carrier Oils:

Olive Oil

Olive oil has a light fruity taste, which may be noticeable. Additionally, olive oil tends to be thicker, which may affect the measuring process. Monounsaturated fats are the premier fat molecules in olive oil, generally in the form of oleic acid. These larger fat molecules require more processing which may reduce the amount of CBD your body absorbs. However, oleic acid may help reduce inflammation and olive oil is packed with antioxidants. For those who are allergic to coconut oil, olive oil makes a good alternative.

Avocado Oil

Similar to olive oil, avocado oil has high concentrations of oleic acid, however, it is much thicker. Avocado oil has a nutty taste and can be added to CBD oils to increase the viscosity. Avocado oil is often chosen for topical applications due to its slow drying time and abundance of vitamins A, D, & E.

Hemp Seed Oil

Although hemp seed oil may seem like it should always be the carrier oil of choice, it is a generally inefficient carrier of CBD on its own.  To reach its full potential, it must be mixed with oils with higher bioavailability, such as MCT oil. That is why we add organic MCT coconut oil to our full spectrum products as well.

Hempseed oil does not contain any CBD. This constituent occurs in other parts of the hemp plant. So when you use hempseed as the carrier oil, you are reuniting some of the various components of the whole plant, which may work in synergy together.  However, we recommend keeping it in the refrigerator, and using it within 6 months as it is one of the few oils that have a very short shelf life once open and exposed to air.

Another thing to note, hemp “seed” oil, from the hemp seeds, is not the same as CBD hemp oil from the whole plant. Some companies try to pass hemp seed oil as being the same as CBD oil. This is not true, so make sure you are buying a product with verified levels of CBD in it. Any reputable CBD company should clearly display the amount of CBD in their products and preferably have test results to support their claims.

Grape Seed Oil

Grape seed oil is thin and has a wine-like aroma. It is isn’t very greasy, so grapeseed oil is often incorporated into skin and hair products. Unfortunately, grape seed oil primarily consists of polyunsaturated fats which doesn’t make it the best carrier oil for CBD.

Palm Oil

Palm oil can also be used to make MCT oil, just like coconut oil. That is because MCT oil is a somewhat general term which refers to the type of fat molecules in an oil, not the natural source of the oil. This is an important distinction because palm oil’s manufacturing process is often connected to animal cruelty, deforestation and climate change. For this reason, we recommend MCT oil which originates from coconuts, or other sustainable and eco-friendly sources.