By Caleb Wright, Owner of Orozona Oils
My aging, Hispanic grandmother, affectionately named Weta, called me one day desperate for help with her overweight dachshund, Precious. She had fallen off the steps to the bed and hurt her spine, causing paralysis. When I arrived, Precious was dragging her hindquarters and was in obvious distress. At Weta’s request, I took Precious to the vet where x-rays revealed a herniated disc as well as high levels of enzymes in her liver. They prescribed prednisone and offered the dim hope that she wouldn’t walk again for many weeks.
Concerned about the high levels of enzymes and the compounding negative side-effects of prednisone, Weta decided to try the ‘miracle drops’ instead. She called them miracle drops because she personally knew the powerful, cell-nourishing results of taking high quality full-spectrum CBD herself.
She had been using the drops regularly to ease the pain of MS, Lupus, frequent muscle spasms, chronic pain, and systemic inflammation. It had helped her tremendously without any negative side-effects, dreariness, or psychoactive high of any kind, so she intuitively knew Precious would do well with it also.
She was right. Within two days of beginning a CBD regimen, Precious was walking again! After a week, she was going in and out her doggy door and even up and down the steps to the bed. No one would have known there was ever a problem!
Weta kept Precious on a daily dose of CBD oil for years, until she eventually and peacefully died of old age. Weta is on the other side now, too. But I have the assurance that my CBD increased the quality of both of their lives until it was their natural time to go.
While visiting the beach in Costa Rica one year, I met a young family with an elderly, once-in-a-lifetime lab named Marlee. She was having trouble enjoying her beach walks and would frequently have to sit down. Like most people these days, they were familiar with CBD and had even tried it on her, with limited results.
I asked if they would be willing to give Marlee my brand of organic, full-spectrum hemp extract. They agreed and began administering it immediately. After just days, they reported that she was doing far better than expected, not just walking but finding her run again and had even jumped into the back of the truck unassisted!
Being in this industry for nearly eight years, I have heard multitudes of heartwarming testimonials regarding the benefits of quality, full-spectrum hemp oil. From great Danes to chihuahuas, retrievers to cavaliers, the benefits of hemp derived CBD are experienced by them all. The following is an excerpt from a letter I received from a cavalier owner:
“Both of my cavaliers have Syringomyelia, and your CBD oil is their main source of pain control. The typical medications prescribed for this horrible condition caused lethargy, gastrointestinal upset, drooling, loose stools, no desire to eat, hiding in corners, and the list goes on.
“I worked very hard for many weeks to change their lives, and Orozona Oils CBD, along with other supplements and alternative therapies, acupuncture, and cold laser, have completely changed their lives for the better. We walk two to three miles a day, swim, play ball, huge love for food, and just overall such happy girls. I wish others could open their minds to seeking alternative pain control methods”.
~Lynn R. Brighton, MI
Why do some CBD products work so well and others underperform?
Why do some CBD products seem to do nothing, or have limited results, while other products completely change the lives of those consuming it? I have identified four main contributors that correspond to efficacy, potency, processing, purity, and proper dosing.
To start with, there are three types of CBD that relate to potency; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. A true full-spectrum oil will contain as many of the plant constituents as possible, with nominally high CBD. Other cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, and CBC, terpenes, amino acids, lipids, vitamin E, and flavonoids are also present. Broad-spectrum oil will boast of higher CBD percentages, up to 90%. This is abnormal and is achieved by refining the lipids, amino acids, and other plant material out of the hemp oil. It becomes hard and sticky like tree sap and is difficult for the body to absorb.
The 99.9% pure CBD, called isolate, is a water soluble, pharmaceutical grade powder, stripped of all other elements, leaving only isolated CBD. Full-spectrum oil provides the most benefit.
Now, looking only at full-spectrum oil, the CBD content can vary, ranging from 3% to 90%. Think of gasoline. You can buy different octanes of fuel that burn more or less efficiently. Or how about alcohol: you can buy a 3.2% beer or a 9% beer. Both are 12 ounces of hopped–up suds, but one will have a more pronounced effect versus the other. However, don’t fall prey to thinking that more is always better. I have found that a 25-35% CBD content, along with all the other naturally occurring cannabinoids and lipids, is ideal.
The next thing to consider is the type and amount of processing the plant material is exposed to during extraction. Primary extraction methods include the use of hydrocarbon solvents like ethanol and butane, natural solvents like coconut or olive oil, steam distillation, super-critical CO-2 and wiped film evaporation. The last two are the cleanest, most efficient extraction methods available, using no solvents.
As a general rule, the more refined a product, the less effective it becomes. A good example is white bread. Not exactly health food—especially when compared to sprouted whole grain bread.
The CBD products that are mass-produced are mostly made with hydrocarbon, solvent-extracted isolate. All of the other constituents of the hemp plant have been harshly removed, leaving behind a white, water-soluble powder. It can easily be formulate into treats, beverages and other foods. It’s also cheaper to produce.
The downside is that it doesn’t work as good or linger in the system like a less refined, full-spectrum hemp oil that has been extracted using clean methods, such as wiped film evaporation or super-critical CO-2 extraction. The reason for this is that the lipids in the hemp oil bond with the lipids in the body, where they are absorbed and can provide systemic cellular nutrition to every organ.
Water-based isolates wash over the cells, but can’t effectively absorb into them like oil-based extracts can. It’s literally asking water to bond with oil. A full-spectrum oil has what’s known as an entourage effect. This simply means that when there is a group of constituents from the hemp plant remaining in the extracted oil, they assist one another in a synergistic way that enables uptake and efficacy in the body. It may have a bitter herb or earthy taste, but CBD should be consumed for the benefits, not the flavor!
The third factor is purity. It is common to see products loaded with too many and/or the wrong ingredients, often attempting to mask the strong flavor of hemp extract.
Complex formulas can slow the absorption process and diminish the potential effects of the CBD. Artificial flavors, preservatives, colorings, additives, and sugars can also get in the way of metabolizing—actually countering the effects of CBD and compromising the purity.
Another thing to consider is that when CBD is exposed to high temperatures for too long, it evaporates, reducing its strength. That’s why I stay away from most CBD treats, unless they are made at low temperatures and with the right CBD. Also take into consideration the quality and processing methods used by all other ingredients in a treat.
Once you have identified a clean, full-spectrum oil with a CBD potency of 25% to 35%, you must dial in your unique, proper dose. We approach this by weight or severity of the condition, along with experimentation.
Since CBD is non-toxic, it’s practically impossible to overdose, so taking too much during the experiment is not to be feared. Once you discover the ideal dose, simply remain consistent, taking it daily. I like to split the dose, 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the evening. As a starting point, I like to administer .1ml to .2ml per pound, one to two times per day. Increase or decrease that dosing after a couple weeks depending on the response rate.
In my opinion, any viable CBD company will exist not just to turn a buck, but to support those who are serious about pursuing systemic, cellular health via natural plant essence. I recommend looking for products that are adequately potent, use clean, solvent-free extraction, promote bioavailability, and are formulated with only a couple organic, non-GMO ingredients, free from preservatives, additives, flavorings, sugars, etc.
Full-spectrum hemp extract with a 25% to 35% CBD content delivered in one other clean oil is your best bet. Pass on the flavored products, processed treats, and isolated CBD. They are gimmicky and will leave you disappointed, where you could be telling a life-changing story like those above and like Weta told of Precious.
