Knowing how many sick people spend their hard-earned money on CBD products hoping that it may help with their health issues, it is important to know some truths about most CBD edibles and why they may be doing more harm than good. Although CBD is considered by many as a natural medicine, if you're consuming it in candies or sugary treats, in this case, a spoonful of sugar does not help the medicine go down. CBD, or Cannabidiol, is the non-psychoactive compound in both cannabis and hemp that so many health benefits are attributed to. While cannabis (often referred as the female of the plant) is more rich in the psychoactive THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) compound, hemp (often referred as the male of the plant) is richer in CBD, which is why most CBD extracts are made from hemp plants. Back in the day people made pot brownies and cookies to enjoy their psychoactive or sedating effects, but today many of the infused edibles available in the marketplace are made with non-psychoactive, hemp-derived CBD, for people looking for no 'high' at all. Rather, they seek the health benefits many studies have shown that this trendy compound might offer in a method that's safer and less intimidating than vaping or smoking. As cannabis and hemp extracts like CBD become more widely accepted and available as a potential natural health supplement, one will notice that many of the edible companies creating THC-infused candies and dessert snacks for the recreational market are simply swapping out the THC ingredient in their candy and dessert products for CBD. They are then sold to the medicinal market and to people looking towards CBD as a health supplement. Unfortunately, many of the companies creating cannabis and CBD edibles might have lots of experience in methods of extraction and infusions but few have knowledge on food and its impacts on health, which is crucial information if creating CBD edible products as a possible medicine, especially to those who's health may already be compromised. One of the major health benefits of CBD is how it can assist in reducing swelling and inflammation. CBD is also an immune-suppressant, meaning it limits the immune system's ability to operate which is helpful for people with auto-immune disorders, such as HIV, Multiple Sclerosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and many more. Sugars on the other hand (especially processed sugars), when consumed cause insulin levels in the body to spike, which over time creates inflammation. Consuming sugars also affects white blood cell production and efficiency, meaning that the immune system is impaired for several hours. Some studies even show that sugar can impair your body's immune system's ability to function by up to 50%, making it twice as difficult for it to deal with any infection or virus (https://riordanclinic.org/2011/11/seasonal-defense-boosting-your-immune-system/). Given that CBD is already an immune-suppressant, consuming it with sugar will only further impact the body's immune system. When consuming sugar, especially in high amounts such as in CBD candies and desserts, it can cause almost a hyperactive response, which isn't ideal for those looking to calm their anxieties using CBD. Also, after the "sugar-crash" caused by the high spike in insulin, you may be left with less blood-sugar than you started, leaving you feeling less energetic and more fatigued than you began. It's also important to note that around 70% of the body's immune system lives in the gut. So considering how many CBD edibles are actually candies or sugary treats, although a convenient way to consume, it's no surprise if your CBD edible may not be helping you as you expected. While CBD may help with inflammation, it's effects are hindered by the body's negative response to sugar, almost counteracting the health benefits one will receive from what could be an incredibly healing compound. So if possible, stick to savoury CBD edibles. CBD is an active compound that the body can absorb and make use of, but it is a fat-soluble compound, meaning that not only does it dissolve in fats and oils, but it is also stored in the fatty tissues in the body when consumed. This is why it's so easy to infuse into coconut oil or butter. If you're looking to get the most out of your CBD and increase the body's ability to absorb it ("bio-availability"), one should consume it with something fatty rather than something sugary. This doesn't mean that your CBD treats can't be sweet, it just means that sugars (especially processed) should be used sparingly with it. Dessert recipes appropriate for a low-carb or "ketogenic" diet can work well and can still contain tasty and fatty (healthy fats) ingredients like cacao butter, nuts/nut butters, seeds and so much more. Avocados are super-healthy, high in fat, stabilize blood sugar, and can be used as a healthier and lactose-free alternative to butter. If you're looking to sweeten it, go for a healthy sweetener that's low-glycemic, such as stevia, monkfruit or yakon syrup, or at least a natural sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. Alternatively, one can simply infuse pure CBD or CBD oil into the oil of your choice, which can then be added to any salad, meal or recipes (keep temperatures low or add the CBD post-cooking to prevent the compound from breaking down). Avoid canola and vegetable oils which offer no health benefits and are highly modified, and stick to healthier oils from coconuts, olives, grapeseeds or sunflowers to name a few. Most CBD edibles available in the market also don't contain very high amounts of CBD and what many are not aware of is that most chronic health issues require very high amounts of CBD to be consumed regularly. Some natural health practitioners even recommend at least 100mg of CBD daily for chronic issues. But because the effects of CBD are harder to perceive and measure, despite there being no risk of overdose or over-consumption, most producers create CBD products with low amounts of CBD. Typically, for the price a customer pays for one CBD edible that is supposed to contain 300mg of CBD, they could get 1000mg of pure CBD and infuse it into their own food of choice. Recently, there have also been some reports of CBD oils containing contaminants or not being as potent as labelled. So if purchasing pure CBD or CBD oils, try go with one that has a lab report.
----------- Written by Gideon Bentata for Cognition-Studios.com. Gideon Bentata is a graphic designer, consultant, writer and educator working extensively in the emerging cannabis industry. Learn more at www.GideonBentata.com Company Overview: Nattilly Attired Body Polish & Oils is a small cannabis skincare company based out of Cambridge, Ontario. The company specializes in small-batch, craft-made personal care products, infused with THC. Their products are all natural, vegan and use high quality ingredients. In this review, we were fortunate enough to try out several of the products available in the Nattily Attired line! So, you can say we set a day aside for some self-care and pampering in order to give this review because we were lucky enough to try their Toasted Coconut Body Scrub, Citrus Blast Body Massage Oil, Memoirs of a Geisha Bath Salts, Vanilla Villain Tattoo Bomb and Sandalwood & Sox Beard Oil. Finding Nattilly Attired Body Polish & Oils: Nattilly Attired Body Polish & Oils products are only available in Canada and can be ordered online and purchased exclusively from the online dispensary site www.420leaf.ca. You can also learn more about Nattilly Attired Body Polish & Oils by following their facebook page: www.facebook.com/NattillyAttiredBodyPolish Pricing: Products by Nattilly Attired Body Polish & Oils are priced competitively with non-craft, non-infused skincare products available in regular stores, which makes them that much more special. Their oils range between $30-35 and their body products range between $35-40, and vary in levels of THC or CBD but all use natural and vegan ingredients. Unique to Nattilly Attired Body Polish & Oils: Given that this is a small company producing craft products, one can immediately see the care and passion that goes into the making of each product in their line, almost as if the products were being made for a close friend. It's these extra touches added which give the product line some personality to set it aside from the stale and clinical products on shelves people are typically used to. As can be seen in the photos, the Sandalwood & Sox Beard Oil actually contains a piece of tree branch in each bottle, the Toasted Coconut Body Scrub contains a ring of toasted coconut in each jar, the Citrus Blast Massage Oil contains an actual cannabis bud in each bottle, and the Vanilla Villain even has a pinch of glitter in it to make your fresh ink POP. Quite some thought has obviously been put into these products! When we were delivered these products to review, they came as a kit in a goodie bag that also contained a packaged loofah sponge scrub and a wooden applicator stick that was even branded with the company logo! Lovely and very professional! All the products came in commercial grade plastic bottle and jars with simple yet beautifully deigned business card labels attached to each one, displaying the name of the product and the milligrams of THC it contained. With any product I put in or on my body, especially today with so many people prone to allergies, I would like to see the ingredients clearly labeled on the product for easy viewing. We were initially given info sheets with our samples that displayed ingredients and directions on uses, but having this on the product itself would be far better and more convenient. Smell, Texture, Quality: Although I am not typically used to pampering myself with such exquisite bodycare products, trying out the Nattilly Attired line was a rare joy. The first product I tried was the Memoirs of a Geisha Bath Salts infused with 300mg of THC and intense mint and jasmine essential oils. At the time, I was going through a bad cold and my sinuses were quite congested, so an aromatherapeutic, steamy bath seemed quite appropriate. Boy, were these bath salts minty! The bathwater quickly turned a light green colour and my sinuses easily cleared in the dense fog of this minty bathroom mist. The added THC in the bath salts also helped to make my bathtime that much more relaxing as it absorbed through my skin while I bathed. Next was the Toasted Coconut Body Scrub insfused with 250mg of THC. This is typically not something I ever use, but I was excited to try it out. Opening the jar was a nice surprise, as I was hit with an intense coconut and vanilla smell. The product also looks gorgeous, containing a real toasted coconut ring and salts sitting in a rich, golden oil. I applied the scrub in the shower as it can be quite messy to use. The oil mixed with salt and different herbs didn't exfoliate too much, but with the aid of the loofah scrubber, this product left my skin feeling very moisturized, smooth, and smelling of coconut and vanilla. The Vanilla Villain Tattoo Bomb is a body oil infused with 200mg of THC and mixed with vanilla and glitter that's made for tattoos in order to aid in healing and to make them really pop in the light. I personally have no tattoos, but I love the idea behind the product. The oil smells heavenly, and comes in a roll-on vial, that even contains a real marijuana bud inside! Next up is the the Citrus Blast Massage Oil. This bottle of oil also contains a real marijuana bud which is a lovely touch! Given the way the coconut scrub was presented, I was expecting to see some kind of citrus rind in the bottle too. Infused with 200mg of THC, this massage oil smells refreshing and was great to use for a body massage. Given that massages often lead to other things *wink*, and the fact that this oil contains THC, it would be nice to know if it's safe for sexual use, as a lube for example. Another reason why ingredient labeling can be so important. Last but not least is a product more aligned with their male customer base, which is the Sandalwood & Sox Beard Oil. Also infused with 200mg of THC, this oil can be used to soften one's beard and give it some more shine and moisture, and in-line with the other products in the collection, comes with a piece of tree branch in the bottle for aesthetic. If it were actual Sandlwood, that would really be cool. Overall:
I thoroughly enjoyed using this kit of Nattilly Attired products. I felt like I was having a makeover and my own personal spa day trying them all out! The products are high quality, and look good, though labeling could be improved. Aside from the bath salts, I'm not entirely sure on the purpose of THC for each product, as CBD or full spectrum extracts may be more effective for the skin and body. But overall, the brand is professional and presentable, and with a couple of tweaks to packaging and labelling could probably compete with high-end body products available commercially. Texture/Smell/Appearance: 9/10 Quality/Effects: 7/10 Labeling/Packaging: 6/10 Overall - 7/10 Overview
Gold Era Wellness is a new and emerging wellness company based out of Toronto, producing handcrafted CBD products for people and pets since 2017. Their product line includes CBD dog treats, Anubis CBD Drops for dogs, CBD capsules and their MCT369 CBD oil blend. MCT369 CBD Oil Most oils in the marketplace made to be taken orally, whether THC or CBD, tend to be mixed with an oil like MCT or grapeseed. But Gold Era Wellness takes their MCT369 CBD Oil a large step further by adding essential Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids to the mix! Essential Omega oils like these are highly beneficial and are contained in foods like fish and hemp oils, that aren't commonly present in a modern, highly processed diet. Combining these oils with CBD makes this a very useful natural supplement that can be used daily. Unlike most CBD products in the market, MCT369 CBD Oil contains a whopping 1500mg of CBD in every 30ml dropper bottle! This is quite unheard of, as most CBD products contain no where near the amount of CBD and are often very expensive despite this fact. What many also don't know is that most people suffering from serious or chronic health conditions need at least a daily dose of 100mg of CBD, which would make most CBD products in the market completely unaffordable for the average user. The oil comes in a 30ml tamper-evident dropper bottle with attractive gold labelling that is neatly detailed. Better packaging than I've seen on some commercially available products! Finding MCT369 CBD Oil Gold Era Wellness products can be purchased exclusively on the Canadian mail order site, www.metromeds.ca. Pricing & Selection The Gold Era Wellness product line includes CBD dog treats, Anubis CBD Drops for dogs, CBD capsules and their MCT369 CBD Oil. The MCT369 CBD Oil comes in a 30ml bottle and is priced extremely reasonably at $90. Given that CBD generally tends to retail for up to $100 per 1000mg, getting 1500mg combined with 3 essential omega oils for under $100 is incredible. Unique to Gold Era Wellness Given that CBD has no psychoactive effects, it's clear that any CBD user is only using it for medicinal reasons so it's painful to see when CBD products are overpriced, especially when hemp cultivation is so prevalent down south in the USA. It becomes evident that Gold Era Wellness, despite it being a small company with a small budget that makes such high quality products offered at such a low price, shows how much they care for their customers... or should I say 'patients'. Smell, Texture, Taste Gold Era Wellness MCT369 CBD Oil is odourless, colourless and flavourless. This makes incorporating it into one's diet quite easy as it can be added to a variety of drinks or food without it interfering with the flavour. Smell/Flavour: N/A Effects: 9/10 Appearance/Packaging: 8/10 Overall: 9/10
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