Do you suffer from stress, anxiety, insomnia or chronic pain? CBD could be the natural alternative to over-the-counter medications you’ve been looking for. But like anything that is on the periphery of wide-spread acceptance, is often misunderstood, and doesn’t yet have FDA approval, we thought it made sense to provide information and guidance.
It’s important to note at the outset that Suburban Living magazine is neither advocating for nor rejecting the use of CBD products.
In the hopes of answering a few of the most common questions everyone asks (or wonders about but is afraid to ask), I spoke to Nicholas Pione, a natural wellness expert and co-founder of Trek CBD, a Triangle retailer.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the 100+ cannabinoids that can be found in the hemp plant. Another one, and one you may be more familiar with, is THC, which is the most recognizable cannabinoid. It’s also the one that gets people high (i.e., marijuana). CBD will not get you high. CBD has very low THC (<0.3%) and works with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to help regulate balance (or, homeostasis) throughout your body.
Why take products with CBD?
There are three common reasons why people use CBD:
Treat anxiety and stress
Pain relief
Sleep aid
According to Pione, there is a synergistic effect when CBD and THC come together. They complement each other in very positive ways.
Does the delivery method matter?
Yes, it does. The effects of the CBD are expedited and enhanced by virtue of the medium (e.g., gummy or edible, tincture, etc.). If you take CBD via an oil tincture, which is ingested sublingually, the effect is fast but the duration shorter. Conversely, if you eat a CBD gummy, digestion and metabolization takes time and delays the full effect.
If you compare the delivery methods to the problem being solved (for example, stress, pain, or sleep) you can see why you would choose one over another. You may decide that pain relief requires an immediate, but perhaps short-lived, impact but a different approach is needed to help with falling asleep, one that while slow to take full effect, lasts for an extended time. “It’s a self-guided journey,” Pione noted.
And, while consumers need to be aware of federal and state regulations, they also need to focus on finding reputable sellers, which includes getting the answers to these questions:
Where does the retailer buy from?
Where does the hemp come from, where is it grown?
Is there a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on all products? This is typically a QR code to scan.
Is CBD safe?
Though CBD remains unregulated by the FDA, it is generally recognized as safe, even by the World Health Organization. Closer to home, every five years, Congress passes the Farm Bill. In 2018, a provision in that bill made hemp legal. The law says that CBD or anything derived from hemp—as long as it contains .3 of a % THC—can be sold. This means that CBD products, whether topical or ingestible, are legal so long as they do not exceed the THC threshold. In general, the effects CBD are fairly benign. The most prominent risk is taking too much and feeling very sleepy.
There’s no harm in letting your doctor know when you’re trying a new treatment or supplement, and in Pione’s experience, “People will sometimes get referrals from physicians but that generally depends on the doctor’s knowledge level. CBD is generally not a bad idea since it is naturally homeopathic.”
When you’re ready to start on a CBD regimen, Pione suggested, “The approach should be low (dosage) and slow. It’s not really a body weight thing. Start off, for example, with a half of a gummy. There is no reason to jump into the deep end of the pool when you are naive and just getting started. You can [increase] the dosage as you go and as you experience the effects.”
Where can a consumer comfortably and confidently purchase CBD products in NC?
“This is more of a consumer education thing and some of it is obvious,” Pione noted. “If the [store] is dirty and is poorly organized, I’d first gauge by appearance. Then you should ask questions, as the intelligence of the staff is a great indicator. What is their knowledge level? At Trek, we put new employees through a six-week track to train and educate them.”
Another important question for any CBD retailer is how do the products get on the shelf? What is the quality of their products? What are their criteria featuring one product over another — do they prioritize quality over cost?
While Pione can’t speak for all retailers in this space, he stated that Trek does not keep products in a case or behind glass, which is another way to break down barriers and demonstrate transparency to the consumer.
The CBD sold in North Carolina does not have to come from NC. Rather, it is sourced from a host of US producers, including ones in Kentucky, Tennessee, California, Oregon and Washington, to name a few of the larger state producers. But, CBD products can also come from producers around the world. Regardless of where the CBD originates, you should always look for the Certificate of Analysis.
A CBD Certificate of Analysis is a document that verifies the contents and quality of a CBD product, including cannabinoid levels, potential contaminants, and other important information. It’s essentially a lab report confirming the product meets specific standards and provides transparency for consumers and manufacturers.
Pione said that properly packaged CBD products, “should have childproof packaging with clear labeling, list of ingredients, and a QR Code to access the COA. There should be warnings about the product being for adults who are 21 and over. And the retailer should clearly note/display that they don’t sell to anyone under 21.”
CBD, like other forms of alternative medicine, isn’t for everyone, but it could be a natural option for easing anxiety, stress, chronic pain and insomnia. As Pione noted earlier, it’s a self-guided and personal journey that requires research, education, due diligence and a measured and thoughtful approach.
While CBD is generally well-tolerated, you should always be fully aware of the side effects of any substance you put into your body and knowledgeable regarding potential medication interactions. Wherever your journey takes you, we hope we have shed some light on a topic that is often misunderstood and sometimes controversial.
