All the CBD questions you’ve been reluctant to ask have been answered by a professional.

It’s safe to say that this year has not gone like we planned. Surely there were some ups and downs, but as 2020 is wrapping up and coming to an end, we at Cliché  want to make sure you end the year on a chill note.

As if the physical stress of the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t bad enough, now different forms of stress are starting to show up on my skin. Dry patches, itchiness, redness, and irritation— That’s where I draw the line. It wasn’t long before I learned that there’s a way to reduce my stress levels and calm the side effects shown on my skin. The answer? CBD.

Fun fact: CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects may help soothe dry skin and help hydrate. Whether it be infused gummies, edible oils, or sunscreens and serums, this market is redefining how we relax. After the year we’ve had, I think we all could infuse a little chill to our lives. The 2020 CBD survey conducted by Single Care reported that 45% of current CBD users have increased their use of CBD since the global coronavirus pandemic, (wow!). 

After doing some extensive research on this hot commodity item, it turns out this multi-billion dollar industry is not just another health and wellness fad inspired by the marijuana industry— it’s here to stay. And since it’s not going anywhere anytime soon, we all better get comfortable asking some pretty uncomfortable questions. I took the liberty of putting together a very digestible Q&A with a CBD pro to answer all those questions that you might feel a little weird to ask or research about.

 

Amy McDonald, President and CEO of Alternative Biologics (also known as ALTWELL), has worked in the flavor, food ingredient and pharma/biotech industry for over 25 years. She has led multi million-dollar global companies to success and built herself a career in the CBD world. Lucky for you, this #bosswoman is here to talk about all things CBD, including how to incorporate CBD products into your daily beauty routine and how to determine if CBD is right for you. 

Check out my Q&A with Amy McDonald below.

 

What does CBD stand for, and what is it?

CBD stands for “cannabidiol”, which is just one of the many cannabinoids found in hemp. CBD is non-intoxicating and has been associated with many health and wellness benefits. Cannabinoids have been used for centuries and they interact with the endocannabinoid system in our bodies which is associated with these compounds.

What is CBD compared to THC?

CBD and THC are cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but they are very different. THC is the psychoactive component found in hemp, while CBD is non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive, so it will not make you high.

What is the difference between hemp and hemp seed oil? Are they the same?

They are not the same! Hemp seed oil is produced by and extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant, which does NOT contain CBD. CBD is extracted from the whole hemp plant, mainly the flower itself.

Will CBD alter my state of mind?

It certainly may! We’ve heard many positive reviews from our customers that CBD helps calm their nerves, reduces anxiety and gives them an overall sense of calm and balance. Something we all need these days! CBD will not alter your mind the way that THC does; it is non-intoxicating.

What are the health benefits of CBD?

We’ve heard a variety of positive feedback from people who have incorporated CBD into their daily lives. Some report that CBD helps manage anxiety, improves sleep, eases physical discomfort or muscle pain, reduces inflammation and lessened PMS or menopause symptoms.

Can I give my dog CBD to calm down?

We have definitely heard of many instances where CBD was helpful for pets with anxiety and other issues. Check with your vet to see about a good treatment plan for your furry friend!

What are some of the different ways I can use CBD? 

The possibilities seem endless! Ingestibles are very common, either through a gummy or a softgel/capsule, or even more creatively ALTWELL has a protein powder with CBD, so you can have it in your morning or post-workout shake! Tincture is another really popular ingestible, which is CBD mixed with a carrier oil (like MCT). You use CBD tincture with a dropper bottle, and place a few drops under your tongue (sublingually). You can also use CBD topically, in a Sports Balm or lotion/cream, as well as beauty products like serums. CBD is often available through vape/inhalation products.How much should I take? 

This differs person to person and truly there is no magic answer. We like the saying “start low and go slow”, meaning start with a small dose and stay consistent for a week or so to see how you feel. Then make tiny adjustments up or down until you find the right amount for you.

What time of day should I take it?

This also greatly differs by personal preference. Some prefer taking CBD in the morning to start their day off in the right direction. Others take it a few times throughout the day as needed to help stay balanced and even keeled, no matter what the day entails! Evening or bedtime is a popular time where CBD may help you relax and drift off to sleep.

CBD Edibles: How Long Do Effects Last

The effects of edibles can last from 4 hours up to 12 hours, for the most part, you’ll feel peak effects for around 4 to 8 hours before the high starts to wear off.

How long do edibles last is also affected by your tolerance to THC, body mass index, and how much you took. Smaller users who haven’t consumed much marijuana in the past will be hit much harder than seasoned vets.

What role does CBD play in the beauty industry?

CBD in beauty products are popping up everywhere! It has been said that CBD can help minimize redness & inflammation by providing antioxidants and helps with hydration. Some have even said it helps fight acne. For these reasons, many brands have been exploring adding CBD to everyday beauty products, such as creams, lotions, serums, masks, you name it.

I have dry skin, does CBD help certain skin conditions such as eczema and dry skin?

CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects may help soothe dry skin and help hydrate. We have a few people in our office who swear it helps with itchy skin as well! One of downsides of the changing weather.

How can I incorporate CBD into my beauty routine?

To see if CBD could have some of these positive effects on your skin, we’d suggest trying out one CBD beauty product and seeing how your skin reacts. Don’t swap EVERY beauty product you use for a CBD infused version – take it slow and go from there!

Are there negative side effects to CBD?

According to mayoclinic.org, CBD is generally well tolerated but some of the side effects could be dry mouth, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue.

Why is CBD so expen$ive?

CBD has a complex supply chain, a multiple-step harvest and extraction process, and several important testing regimes…. And this is all before the CBD itself is even put into the ingestible or topical end-product.  For example, at ALTWELL we test each product at least three times before it is on the shelf and available for you to purchase.  CBD is available at many price points, and we encourage you to do your research.  Look for a CBD product with transparency and even a Certificate of Analysis of 3rd party testing results that can be found online. Find companies that utilize child-resistant packaging.  Keep an eye out for those that use hand-picked flower versus traditional farming methods meant for crops like wheat and corn.  All these things make a difference in efficacy and quality.

Panic mode, I’m new to this! What brands do you recommend?

We have quite a laundry list of questions to ask yourself before deciding which CBD brand to purchase from. Has this company done this before? Are they nutrition / supplement professionals? Do they test their products and do they believe in transparency (i.e. sharing their testing results with you). Our team at ALTWELL has worked in food and beverage manufacturing for decades, where safety and regulatory excellence are expectations. We also triple test our products through a third party lab, and make all testing results available for the consumer to review through our website.

Tell us a little bit about ALTWELL.

ALTWELL was founded by the Pickett family who have been in the wellness industry for years, best known for creating and selling the Muscle Milk brand of sports nutrition products. They were intrigued by the benefits of CBD but could not find a brand that met their standards. ALTWELL was born! We’ve created a line of honest, simple products that meet the highest standards of quality and taste. Our mission is helping people live their healthiest and most balanced lives naturally.

Sounds great, where can I buy ALTWELL?

You can buy ALTWELL CBD products at Altwell.com, and be sure to join our online community for blogs and promotions! You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook, @altwellcbd

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Images provided by ALTWELL.