CBD Health

CBD crystals sure sound exquisite. And even though they have nothing to do with jewel-type crystals, they are one of the purest forms of CBD you can buy.

Appearance

CBD crystals come in the form of powder.

Creation Process

CBD crystals are basically the next natural step in the purification evolution of CBD isolate.

After extracting CBD from source material and obtaining a CBD isolate, an extra step of purification is performed. This aims to purge all other plant material, including terpenes. Some companies do this by way of chromatography and others via winterization. Perhaps the general rule of thumb is the latter, since it’s precisely that extra step of winterization that CBD crystals are most likely named after, being that this process is also known as fractionate crystallization.

The result is 99% CBD purity.

Quality

CBD crystals are also completely devoid of odor and taste.

Modes of Intake

A lack of taste and odor provides versatility.

Cooking

You can infuse your coconut or olive oil with CBD crystals and then add the mixture to anything you like. Just keep in mind CBD’s boiling point if you’re going to heat it: 160-180 Celsius or 320-356 Fahrenheit.

DIY Tincture

On the “oily” note, you can also dissolve CBD crystals into medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil, for example, the gold standard for carrier oils, and use it as a tincture.

Topicals

You can also mix CBD crystals into your existing creams, simple as that.

Sublingual 

You can also put CBD crystals under your tongue and wait for the mucus membrane to soak it up and transmit it to your blood stream. This is generally the easiest and most effective mode of intake from a bioavailability standpoint.

Drinking

Simply dissolve CBD crystals into a drink. Just keep in mind CBD doesn’t mix with water all that well, so you should probably go for fatty, creamier beverages like milk, and make sure nothing is left on the bottom of the glass.

Dabbing/Vaping

You can dab CBD crystals like you would wax or any other similar extract. Just place it on a hot surface so that it starts melting, and then vape or dab it, using the necessary equipment.

What CBD crystals may lack in terpenes and other cannabinoids and respectively the entourage effect that occurs between them, they make up in purity, versatility, and user-friendliness.

Image Credit: Hilga

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Few chronic issues can be as debilitating as back pain. While opioids, invasive surgeries, and other treatments are certainly an option, preliminary research indicates cannabidiol (CBD) may represent another solution.

CBD is anecdotally known for its pain-relieving properties. In fact, many healthcare providers indeed recommend this cannabinoid for different types of pain.

But back pain is a tricky thing to manage. There can be multiple underlying symptoms responsible for chronic back pain, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, chronic spinal pain, or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

In 2016 review, researchers looked at four separate studies that evaluated 159 patients with rheumatic disease-related pain and sleeplessness; the conditions treated included RA, FMS, and non-cancerous spine pain.[1] These studies measured symptoms before and after use of cannabinoid-based treatments.

Different cannabinoid products were evaluated, including synthetic pharmaceutical products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD. Herbal cannabis derivatives were not used.

Results from three out of four studies indicated that cannabinoids was effective in reducing pain levels. However, since these treatments also contained THC, it is difficult to conclude the specific contributions of CBD. This is often the case in the literature.

A study published this year conducted a review and highlighted case reports to further shed light on how a CBD topical may address pain.[2] Two patients used the same CBD cream (400mg per two oz) – one was a 40-year-old man with intense low back pain due to a compression fracture in his spine and one was a 61-year-old female with several conditions causing back pain.

The first patient felt relief from pain for 10 hours following topical application of CBD; in fact, after four weeks of treatment, his pain subsided. The second patient achieved pain relief as well for seven to eight hours following treatment.

While these findings are promising, they are not conclusive. Data on CBD alone for pain are sorely needed so patients and physicians can better understand how it can be used safely and the best method of use.

That being said, people should talk to their doctor if they are interested in trying CBD for pain, as it may provide much needed relief.

References

1. Fitzcharles M-A et al. Efficacy, tolerability and safety of cannabinoids in chronic pain associated with rheumatic diseases (fibromyalgia syndrome, back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis). Der Schmerz. 2016;30(1):47-61.
2. Eskander JP, et al. Cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment of acute and chronic back pain: A case series and literature review. J Opioid Manag. 2020;16(3):215-218.

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CBDfx launches CBD Pet Treats that support canine calmness, mobility and joint comfort.

Los Angeles, CA (December 17, 2020): Leading CBD products company, CBDfx, is expanding its wildly popular, vegan CBD pet line with the addition of all-natural, crunchy Pet Treats targeted at two of the most common canine ailments: anxiety and joint pain.

The pet cannabidiol (CBD) industry is seeing significant growth, with an expected market valuation of over $1.7B by 2025, according to the Brightfield Group. Pet ownership is also increasing, with more than half of US households having a pet dog or cat, and 64% of CBD consumers are buying pet CBD to reduce levels of anxiety or stress for their pets.

“Pet owners are seeking more natural remedies to keep their furry family members calm in stressful moments and improve their overall quality of life,” said Jameson Rodgers, Co-Founder. “CBDfx is committed to creating high-quality, safe and effective CBD products, and those standards extend to all of our pet products, first with our CBD Pet Tinctures and now our Pet Treats. Our best friends deserve the same relief that their owners have found with our products.”

The new line of CBDfx Pet Treats features two all-natural, vegan variations: Joint & Mobility and Stress & Anxiety.

• Joint & Mobility: A combination of Turmeric, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid to help ease pain, reduce inflammation and repair cartilage.

• Stress & Anxiety: A mix of anxiety-busting botanical extracts like Chamomile, Passion Flower, and Valerian Root with L-Tryptophan and GABA to help calm even the most stressed pooch.

These crunchy, soy-free treats are naturally flavored with sweet potato and loaded with antioxidant powerhouse superfoods — blueberry, spinach and parsley — along with 450mg of broad spectrum CBD (15mg of CBD in each treat). Both treats are vegan, made with non-GMO hemp extract, batch certified for guaranteed purity, and packaged in resealable 30 count bags that follow CBDfx’s standard approach to transparency with a QR code linking to the corresponding lab report.

CBDfx Pet Treats are the company’s second pet product, joining the line of vegan CBD Pet Tinctures launched earlier this fall. Available in three concentrations, CBDfx Pet Tinctures are made to the same exacting standards as their human tinctures, but with all-natural bacon flavor for tail-wagging approval. Learn more about CBDfx and shop all CBDfx Pet Treats and Pet Tinctures at www.cbdfx.com.

 

About CBDfx: CBDfx is a Southern California-based company founded on providing high quality, organically sourced hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) wellness products to customers in a wide variety of formats; from tinctures to topicals, and gummies to capsules. Founded in 2014 with a mission to push quality to the forefront of the CBD industry, CBDfx continues to provide some of the finest, purest, and most effective CBD products in the world. CBDfx products are sold in more than 32,000 points of distribution in 21 countries, and online through the company’s website at www.CBDfx.com.

A report by Brightfield Group found that cannabis use increased to 44% during the pandemic in November, up from 34% in March. Gen Z saw the most significant change at 52% with Millennials not far behind at 49%; Baby Boomers saw the lowest change at 25%. Still, no matter the generation, all segments increased usage.[1]

The report also found that, of heavy cannabis users (5+ days per week), 52% further increased their usage; 87% of these users noted that cannabis has helped them deal with stress from the pandemic. Not to mention, some users found cannabis helpful in fighting boredom during lockdowns.

About 37% of users are smoking and/or vaping cannabis, with about 35% using edibles more often. Only 21% find themselves using other products, such as tinctures and creams. It’s worth noting that the majority of those smoking and/or vaping are Gen Z and Millennials.

Another Brightfield Group report evaluated how people were purchasing cannabidiol (CBD). With social distancing and an overall effort to avoid in-store purchases, it comes as no surprise that online sales skyrocketed. With that, there has been greater popularity in curbside pickups and deliveries.[2]

Throughout the first quarter of 2020, about 23% of CBD consumers purchased products online. However, that number more than doubled to 47% by Q2 and Q3. Still, specialty retailers also saw an increase in sales throughout the first, second, and third quarters. Generally speaking, there’s simply been even more interest in CBD products.

Most notably, 2020 saw a number of new CBD users enter the marketplace. In Q1, 12% had been using the cannabinoid for three months or less; by Q3, that number rose to 14%. While these aren’t anything comparable to 2019 statistics, it shows that CBD is continuing to garner interest. It’s worth mentioning that most of these new users were purchasing CBD edibles and tinctures.

It’s also interesting to note that beauty and skincare product usage also increased from 18% in Q1 to 33% in Q3; in fact, their usage surpassed theapeutic topical use in Q3.

2020 has been one of the most difficult years in modern history. Yet, cannabis and CBD use and sales have prevailed and even surpassed expectations, likely attributable to its anxiolytic and sleep-inducing benefits. While the upward trend we’re seeing may not be as notable in 2021, it will definitely continue, proving that the industry is certainly booming and will be for some time.

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References

1. Brightfield Group. “Changes in Cannabis Consumer Behavior Due to COVID-19.” November 2020.
2. Brightfield Group. “Buying CBD During a Pandemic: Channel and Consumer Trends.” November 2020.

For many years, the cultivation of hemp was illegal in different parts of the world. However, this has changed in the last couple of years and many countries have relaxed their laws on hemp production. This has contributed to positive growth, as in the US alone, the sale of hemp-based products is projected to reach 2.61 billion dollars by 2022. The nutritional segment is one facet of the hemp industry that represents great potential.

Legal hemp is defined as plants with very low levels of the cannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The European Union defines hemp as cannabis cultivars that contain less than 0.2% THC, while in the US the threshold is set at 0.3%.

Hemp is a crop with diverse applications in industries such as manufacturing, and cosmetics in the production of textiles, biodegradable plastics, paper, paint, animal feed, and medicine, as well as ingredients for nutritional supplements.

Hemp is packed with biologically active cannabinoids such as the popular cannabidiol (CBD), which offers significant therapeutic benefits including anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, and spasmolytic effects.[1]

As hemp is becoming mainstream, the nutritional segment is carving out a niche aside from industrial and therapeutic segments. This nutrient-rich plant has been consumed as a food for thousands of years. Hemp leaves, sprouts, and flowers are used to make juices and green salads for nutritional benefits.

Hemp seeds are a rich source of amino acids including methionine, cystine, and arginine. They are also loaded with fiber, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids. This can be used to fortify foods and increase their nutritional value.[1]

Hemp seeds are also used to make flour, which is rich in moisture, protein, and carbohydrates. Hemp seed oil can be used in cooking as a substitute for olive oil, and hemp seed oil may positively impact cholesterol levels.[1] Hemp sprouts are also rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and flavonols, which have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health.

The described nutritional benefits of hemp qualifies it be classified as a superfood and has the potential to revolutionize the nutritional industry.

Image Credit: Nicky Pe

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Reference

1. Cerino P, et al. A review of hemp as food and nutritional supplement. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 2020; in press.