As recently as five years ago, it would’ve seemed unimaginable for global celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Dr. Oz to sing the praises of a marijuana derivative. But cannabidiol, or CBD (which is included in medical marijuana but does not contain THC, the ingredient that makes people high), is now a $1 billion industry that has changed all preconceived notions about cannabis.
All across the medical, athletic, culinary, and entertainment industries, experts are touting CBD as a wonder drug – easing symptoms of everything from anxiety and depression to acne, heart disease, pain, and PMS. Users say CBD elicits total relaxation, rather than any change in your mental state. Actress Mandy Moore recently told Coveteur that she used CBD oil to relieve the pain of wearing high heels to The Golden Globes.
The supplement is so trendy, it can now be found in everything from food and drinks to makeup, dog treats, skincare and more. Kardashian had a CBD-themed baby shower, Paltrow’s cult website Goop hosts wellness conferences that promote CBD bath bombs, and Martha Stewart is creating a line of CBD products for pets. Even Coca-Cola is looking into the CBD industry, saying they are “closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world.”
Thanks to CBD’s meteoric growth, the marketplace has unfortunately given new meaning to the term ‘snake oil’. Amazon, for instance, has banned the sale of CBD (likely so they don’t have to police the products) but, if you search for “CBD oil” on their site, you’ll be met with hundreds of products for sale (usually called “Hemp Oil”). These oils, gummies, and tinctures may either contain CBD without listing it or, list the ingredient without actually using it (or using much less than they claim). Confusing, right? We need some CBD just to calm our nerves from this fake CBD hysteria.
Rising popularity has resulted in CBD being sold everywhere from the internet to gas stations. Because of this increased presence, buyers should do their research to ensure they’re getting a legal, clean, and effective product. As is the case with most commodities–such as food, skincare, and wine–the better the CBD source, the better the CBD quality.
The most important piece of the puzzle is knowing where your CBD comes from when considering which brand is best. CBD can be derived from either hemp plants or marijuana plants (we use both). Hemp has almost no THC, whereas marijuana can have as much as 30% or more.
How the plants themselves are grown is also of extreme importance. Hemp is considered a “hyperaccumulator,” meaning it easily absorbs components in the surrounding soil. Because all of our plants, both marijuana and hemp, are grown following organic standards (no pesticides, GMOs, or artificial fertilizers), our CBD products are devoid of any heavy metals or toxic elements like hexane, butane; all of which can be found in the cheaper, falsely marketed brands. So, good news – you can grab our CBD products and go without any worries whatsoever.
Also crucial when researching your CBD source is finding a Certificate of Analysis otherwise known as a COA. The Certificate of Analysis is a document from an accredited laboratory that shows the cannabinoid levels of a specific product. This ensures that the product itself is legal (not too much THC), and will deliver the dosage and effectiveness promised on the level. These lab results also show the presence of any harmful levels of molds, pests, or heavy metals. If you are interested in receiving a COA, you can send us an email that includes the Batch Number present on your product’s packaging to info@getfluent.com.
Perhaps it is our society’s current division and endless cycle of anxiety that has prompted the need for a legal, over-the-counter, substance that takes the edge off. Either way, CBD is here to stay, with the market is expected to multiply sevenfold by 2021 (to $2.15 billion), according to Consumer Reports. It’s legal, it’s healthy (as long as you properly research your brand), and can help you get through a hard day of work, a la GQ’s Brennnan Kilbane.
So, whether you have pain, anxiety, trouble sleeping, or just need help relaxing (all of us); CBD is an excellent, legal, non-psychoactive option. If you don’t use our brand, we strongly urge you to research any others before partaking. And go ahead and play with dosage to find out what helps you the most. After all, is there such a thing as being too relaxed? (Paging Matthew McConaughey).