The National Mental Health Institute estimates 4.4 percent of adults in the United States will be given a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) in their lifetime. Adults with BPAD experience the highest rate of impairment among psychiatric patients; an estimated 82.9 percent suffer from severe disablement.

Bipolar affective disorder and its variants can be treatment resistant, which may explain the high rate of disability. Anecdotal evidence, supported by preliminary studies, suggest that cannabinoids have the potential to improve the symptoms of BPAD in some individuals by regulating the endocannabinoid system.

WHAT IS BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER?

Bipolar affective disorder is a mental illness that causes significant changes in mood, motivation and energy. A process known as cycling, which involves periods of euphoria (manic episodes) followed by hopelessness (depressive episodes), is a hallmark of the illness.

There are four variants of bipolar affective disorder: bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder and bipolar spectrum disorders. The severity and frequency of symptoms are used to determine which variant is diagnosed. Bipolar I is the most severe form of the disease.

SYMPTOMS OF MANIC EPISODES

Manic episodes, sometimes referred to as mania, are characterized by exaggerated self-esteem, insomnia, racing thoughts and abnormal speech, inability to focus, and impulsive behaviours. True manic episodes only affect those diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. However, patients with other variants of BPAD experience hypomania, a less severe form of mania.Mania, although considered the “high” stage of BPAD, can cause disastrous consequences. Many manic episodes result in hospitalization, psychotic symptoms or grave impairment (e.g., risky behaviour leading to legal trouble). Untreated manic episodes can develop into psychosis.

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSIVE EPISODES

Depressive episodes mimic a severe form of depression known as major depressive disorder. Symptoms can include feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. Additional traits of depressive episodes are changes in sleep patterns and appetite, trouble concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and suicidal thoughts or attempts.

This cycle of bipolar disorder is the “low” point of the disease. Like mania, depressive episodes vary in severity depending on which variant of bipolar disorder is present. In mixed episodes, patients with Bipolar I disorder exhibit signs of both mania and depression.

CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER

Prescription drugs used in conjunction with psychotherapy can help alleviate symptoms of BPAD in most patients. However, bipolar affective disorder can be treatment-resistant, making it difficult to manage in some people. Treatment-resistant BPAD is cause for concern, as up to 50 percent of individuals diagnosed will attempt suicide at least once in their lives.

Medications prescribed for BPAD include anticonvulsants, antimanic drugs and antidepressants. Use of antidepressants alone can lead to the onset of mania or rapid cycling. People often take mood stabilizers or anticonvulsants to negate these possible side effects.

The only pharmaceutical shown to have a consistent, positive effect on suicide rates in bipolar patients is lithium. However, newer research has shown there may be a possibility to control BPAD through manipulating the endocannabinoid (EC) system. These are the neurotransmitters responsible for binding cannabinoid proteins to receptors.

ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM DYSFUNCTION AND BPAD

The endocannabinoid system, discovered in the mid-1990s, is comprised of two receptors, CB1 and CB2. Cannabinoids, a type of compound found in both the human body and cannabis plants, bind to these receptors to alter brain function. The body naturally produces neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids, while cannabis plants contain phytocannabinoids.

Postmortem studies have found that brains of patients diagnosed with mental illness, including BPAD variants, show abnormalities in the endocannabinoid system. A similar study, conducted using brain slices from mice, showed dysfunctional CB2 receptors inhibited the release of serotonin, suggesting a healthy EC system helps to regulate mood.

An investigation of endocannabinoid gene variants in 83 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), 134 with BPAD, and 117 healthy control participants found two marked differences in the patients afflicted with MDD and BPAD. The researchers found abnormalities in the CB1 receptor (CNR1) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) genes of the ill participants when comparing them to the control group.

REGULATING THE EC SYSTEM WITH PHYTOCANNABINOIDS

Because of the distribution of endocannabinoid receptors throughout the brain, many of the areas they affect overlap with regions thought to be responsible for BPAD, along with other mental illnesses. Studies have shown patients with specific abnormalities in the CNR1 gene are at a higher risk of being resistant to pharmacological treatment, leaving them more vulnerable to the effects of bipolar affective disorder.

For these patients, phytocannabinoids could provide a way to manipulate the EC system and regulate the level of chemicals traditionally targeted by pharmacological medications. As always with hemp and cannabis research, these studies are still preliminary. Researchers will need to conduct more research to prove whether CBD and other cannabinoids can help treat bipolar affective disorder.

Anandamide and THC

Anandamide, called the bliss molecule, is naturally produced in the body and is similar in molecular structure to THC. Both anandamide and THC bind to CB1 receptors, altering areas of the brain responsible for memory, concentration, movement, perception, and pleasure.

FAAH genes are responsible for activating anandamide; indicating people with FAAH gene mutations may not have the appropriate levels of anandamide in the brain. Supplementing brains deficient in anandamide with THC may help restore chemical balances. Theoretically, this could alleviate cycling between manic and depressive phases.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabidiol has been shown to inhibit serotonin reuptake in rats, suggesting it repairs abnormalities in CB1 receptors found to inhibit release in mice. If CBD functions the same in human brains, it could provide an alternative to conventional antidepressants, especially for individuals with treatment-resistant BPAD.

A randomized clinical trial found CBD reduces abnormal brain function in regions associated with psychosis, implying it may have therapeutic effects on symptoms associated with the manic phase of BPAD. If CBD regulates both depressive and manic symptoms, it could help treat individuals who do not react well to lithium.

Other Cannabinoids

Cannabis is a complex compound, made up of over 500 chemicals. Cannabinoids suspect over 100 of these compounds. Limited data exists on chemical effects, excluding CBD and THC, due to insufficient studies determining their reactions in the EC system.

Among cannabinoids that have already been isolated, CBG and CBCV seem to show a potential for treating mood disorders, such as depression. Further study may help isolate more of these chemicals and determine what effect they have on the EC system.

USING CBDS & OTHER CANNABINOIDS FOR BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER

CBD rarely causes adverse reactions. Both conventional methods of treatment and using cannabis derivatives as treatment carry risks. The most dangerous side effect of any treatment for BPAD is the potential worsening of symptoms.

Those with bipolar disorder symptoms or previous diagnosis should consult a medical professional before treatment changes. Even those who present with treatment-resistant variations of the disease can benefit from traditional methods (such as psychotherapy).

Regulating the EC system through phytocannabinoids may provide a way to alleviate symptoms in those with treatment-resistant BPAD. Preliminary data requires validation, but cannabinoids show promise as a BPAD treatment in additional human trials.

The post CBD For Bipolar Disorder: Can Cannabinoids Help Treat Bipolar Affective Disorder? appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Over the last few years, CBD (cannabidiol) has become a darling of the natural health world. And with minimal side effects, no addictive potential, and a long list of health benefits, it’s not hard to see why this cannabis extract has become almost as famous as its cousin, THC.

But you might be surprised to learn that CBD and THC are not the only cannabinoids available out there. As CBD’s popularity grows, interest in cannabinoids has ignited, setting the stage for researchers to explore the therapeutic potential of other cannabis compounds.

One cannabinoid that’s attracting a lot of interest is CBG (cannabigerol). It seems to have plenty of health benefits to offer, but how does it stack up against CBD? In this article, we’ll compare these two potent cannabinoids and cover everything you need to know.

A PRIMER ON CANNABINOIDS

Cannabinoids seem almost too good to be true. After all, cannabis, and specifically CBD, has been praised for its ability to relieve pain, reduce seizures, lower anxiety, improve sleep, and more. But there’s actually a simple explanation for why cannabis has so many potential health benefits: the endocannabinoid system.

The endocannabinoid system refers to receptors found throughout the body, and these receptors help regulate physiological processes such as pain, mood, sleep, digestion, and more. Cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and CBG bind to these receptors, interacting with these different areas of human health.

Hemp is the best source for CBD, as it contains much higher concentrations than psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”) (though this can vary by strain). On the other hand, you’ll find only trace amounts (1 percent or less) of CBG in the cannabis plant, although hemp strains can be cultivated to be higher in CBG. Young cannabis plants tend to be higher in CBG than mature plants, because CBG breaks down into other cannabinoids — including CBD and THC — as the plant ages.

COMPARING THE BENEFITS OF CBG AND CBD

Both CBD and CBG are non-psychoactive, meaning they won’t get you high. They’re both all-natural, have minimal or no side effects, and offer a wide range of health benefits.

Like CBD, the benefits of CBG are vast due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. For example, a 2015 study found CBG potentially effective at treating bladder dysfunction, while a 1990 study found that CBG can lower glaucoma-related pressure. CBG also has neuroprotective properties, may protect against colon cancer, and shows promise as a treatment for irritable bowel disease (IBD). It’s also an appetite stimulant with anti-inflammatory benefits and antibacterial properties.CBD has been used to reduce pressure from glaucoma and reduce tumor growth, overlapping with some of these benefits. Like CBG, CBD exhibits neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits and has even been utilized for spot treatment of acne. CBD has shown effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders such as OCD, GAD, PTSD, and SAD. Perhaps most famously, CBD also can reduce epileptic seizures and alleviate pain associated with fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, and more.

While researchers haven’t studied the effects of combining CBD and CBG, it is known that the entourage effect is produced when different cannabinoids are combined. Combining cannabinoids enhances the effects of each cannabinoid. This effect has been well-studied relating to the relationship between CBD and THC; for example, both CBD and THC are more effective at reducing pain when taken together.

Researchers need to conduct further studies to determine if combining CBD and CBG enhances the shared benefits for glaucoma, cancer, and inflammation.

WHAT TYPE OF CBD OIL CONTAINS CBG?

If you’re looking to get the most out of your cannabinoids, and/or take multiple cannabinoids at once to experience the entourage effect, look for full spectrum CBD oil products. The cannabis plant extraction yields this CBD oil type, containing all cannabinoids and terpenes, including THC, CBD, CBG, and more.

Full spectrum products can vary widely in cannabinoid ratios due to the strain of cannabis used.  Harder to control response. React differently based on batch, type, or brand of CBD oil due to variances. Full spectrum CBD oils contain traces of THC. Not enough to get high but may show up on a drug test.

For pure CBD or THC-free options, choose isolate or broad spectrum CBD products. Broad spectrum = full spectrum + processing to remove THC, keeps other cannabinoids and terpenes. Meanwhile, processing isolate CBD oil removes all cannabinoids and terpenes except CBD, resulting in a pure CBD product.

CLOSING THOUGHTS ON CBD VS. CBG

As our knowledge of cannabinoids continues to grow, so will our understanding of their uses and benefits. Although CBD is certainly the front runner, CBG shows a lot of promising uses. We anticipate a promising future for CBG and are eager to explore more about this remarkable cannabinoid.

Questions? Be sure to reach out!

The post CBD vs CBG: Comparing The Many Benefits Of CBD & CBG appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

As it dominates headlines, sparks controversies, and finds its way onto menus in coffee shops across the country, you could even say that CBD is on track to becoming as well-known as its cousin, THC.

With all the focus on CBD, it’s easy to forget that there’s over 100 other cannabinoids out there, of which CBD and THC are only two. And among all of these naturally occurring cannabis-derived compounds, many have their own powerful therapeutic benefits that are on par with CBD. So with that in mind, which cannabinoid is next in line for its time in the spotlight?

Our nominee: CBN, short for cannabinol. In this article, we’ll dive into what CBN is, what its benefits are, and how it compares with CBD.

A QUICK PRIMER ON CBD AND CBN

Just in case you’re new to the world of cannabinoids, CBD is one of the primary compounds found in the cannabis plant (which includes both hemp and marijuana). CBD can make up anywhere from 1 percent to 25 percent of the plant, and in most strains, it’s the second most dominant cannabinoid next to THC. While THC is best known for its psychoactive properties, CBD won’t get you high; rather, its skyrocketing popularity is based entirely on its wide range of therapeutic benefits. Many consumers are touting the benefits of using CBD gummies and edibles for daily stress and anxiety, while others use the oils, balms and capsules for ailments like muscle pain, insomnia, and depression.

CBN is a bit different from CBD for a few reasons. The content in cannabis tends to be pretty low – 1 percent or even less — but external factors such as exposure to oxygen or heat can change it over time. Specifically, as cannabis ages, its THC content breaks down into CBN. Additionally, while CBD has zero psychoactive properties, the same can’t be said for CBN; that said, its psychoactive properties are very, very mild, so you’d likely need to take a massive dose of CBN to feel any sort of high.

CBN, although it may be new to you, researchers identified it as one of the very first cannabinoids ever and successfully isolated it for the first time in the 1930s. In fact, before discovering THC, researchers considered CBN to be the cause of the psychoactive effects of marijuana.

BENEFITS OF CBN AND CBD

Scientists have had CBN on their radar for a long time, but they have conducted very limited research on its use, especially when comparing it to the wealth of information available for both CBD and THC. That said, what we know so far about this cannabinoid is promising.

One of CBN’s biggest benefits is that it’s a strong sedative, making it effective as a sleep aid and anti-anxiety drug. According to Steep Hill Labs, CBN’s relaxing effects are comparable to the pharmaceutical diazepam, while a 1995 study on mice found that CBN can increase sleep time as well. Furthermore, taking CBD alongside CBN enhances its effectiveness for sleep. CBD has received praise for its ability to increase REM sleep, reduce nightmares, and treat sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea.

Aside from sleep benefits, both CBN and CBD are potent anti-inflammatories with powerful pain relieving properties. Again, taking both cannabinoids together appears to make these benefits even more effective. Both CBN and CBD can also relieve pressure related to glaucoma, and both have antibacterial properties, including against antibiotic-resistant MRSA. Among other benefits, CBD is a powerful treatment for epilepsy and anxiety disorders, and CBN shows promise as an appetite stimulant as well.

WHAT TYPE OF CBD OIL CONTAINS CBN?

If you’re looking to get the most out of CBD and CBN, you’ll want to pick up some full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD oil, as these types of CBD oil contain both compounds. Full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD oils are similar, with one crucial difference: THC.

Full spectrum CBD oil contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes that were extracted from the cannabis plant, including CBD, THC, CBN, and a variety of other compounds that vary depending on the strain. Broad spectrum CBD oil, on the other hand, goes through additional processing to remove all traces of THC, while keeping all other cannabinoids intact.

The “entourage effect” makes full spectrum CBD oil a popular choice. Taking each cannabinoid together enhances the benefits. This includes THC and CBD, CBD and CBN, and so on. Meanwhile, broad spectrum CBD oil is ideal for those who desire the benefits of full spectrum CBD oil, but who can’t have any traces of THC.

CLOSING THOUGHTS ON CBD VS CBN

As you can see, CBN shows a lot of promise for a wide spectrum of issues.

We believe, that just like CBD, it can be quite powerful for pain relief, sleep troubles, and anxiety. When you take CBN with CBD, you often experience even more potent benefits.. Researchers are likely to conduct much more research into the benefits of CBN and other cannabinoids in the near future, considering all the attention CBD has received lately.

And who knows – maybe CBN will start showing up in coffee shops next, right alongside CBD. We’ll be keeping an eye out for it!

The post CBD vs CBN: Differences, Benefits, And Uses For Two Potent Cannabinoids appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Maybe you’re just curious about the differences between the two. It’s easy to assume that these two compounds are similar since they both come from the same plant. But while they can both play an important role in managing chronic pain, CBD and THC are very different substances, and each one works differently in the body.

In this article, we’ll explore how these two popular cannabis compounds work to relieve chronic pain — both separately and together.

The Basics of THC and CBD

CBD (short for cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) belong to a group known as cannabinoids, and they are derived from the cannabis plant – either hemp or psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”). There are over 100 different cannabinoids, but CBD and THC are the most dominant substances in cannabis, making them responsible for most of the effects that marijuana is famous for.

Both CBD and THC work by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, which refers to a group of receptors in the body that regulate various physiological processes, including pain, digestion, mood, and sleep. Cannabis is well-known for its versatility, helping people worldwide with problems like insomnia, PTSD, and pain – and it’s all because these endocannabinoid receptors are involved in so many different bodily functions.

By far, the most notable difference between CBD and THC is that THC causes a high, while CBD does not. CBD’s lack of psychoactive effects is one of the reasons it has become so popular as of late. In fact, CBD can counteract some of THC’s psychoactive effects (like euphoria and anxiety). This is why high-CBD strains of cannabis are often popular for pain relief since they allow one to keep a clear head.

THC is also associated with more side effects than CBD, although these tend to be mild and are temporary. Some well-documented side effects of THC are dry mouth, red eyes, and hunger. Most people who use CBD report little to no side effects, with sleepiness being the most common, especially at high doses.

CBD Benefits

Research has established that CBD is an effective anti-inflammatory, with strong evidence that it can relieve pain from inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. For example, a 2017 study concluded that CBD can reduce osteoarthritis-related pain and inflammation, and prevent nerve damage.

Other studies support CBD for the relief of neuropathic pain and incision-related pain. CBD’s effectiveness at relieving different types of pain has led to its popularity among people with conditions such as fibromyalgia, IBS, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.

THC Benefits

Although there is plenty of research supporting the use of cannabis for pain relief in conditions like Crohn’s disease, chronic migraine, and fibromyalgia, less attention has been paid to the specific benefits of THC. The few studies that are available tend to be small and show conflicting results.

A recent study in Neurology found THC is effective for alleviating chronic nerve pain. A larger study, involving 177 cancer patients, found that while THC was not effective at reducing pain, the patients who took a CBD/THC combination had their pain reduced by over 30 percent when compared to placebo. Another double-blind study supported this conclusion when using THC for post-surgery pain. Meanwhile, a 2017 study found both THC and CBD, when taken alone, were effective for reducing chemotherapy-related pain in mice.

The same study also discovered that when combined, previously ineffective doses of CBD and THC could relieve pain. The entourage effect enhances the pain-relieving properties of CBD, and this relates to an important benefit of THC.

There are new THC products available in the market that are available to buy, we have done Delta-8 gummies and Delta-8 carts reviews on the website. Which is a version of THC which is currently legal to buy in the US.

How CBD and THC Work Together: The Entourage Effect

Although CBD and THC are the most dominant compounds in the cannabis plant, they aren’t alone. There are dozens of other cannabinoids and terpenes that work together to provide different synergic effects. For example, the third most dominant compound in cannabis, cannabichromene (CBC) has shown anti-inflammatory benefits similar to those of CBD.

The entourage effect refers to the benefits that one can experience by ingesting multiple cannabinoids together, including CBD and THC. In short, while CBD and THC have their own powerful benefits, they tend to be more potent when combined – especially when it comes to pain relief. An analysis of 18 studies on cannabinoids for multiple sclerosis pain found that the combination of THC and CBD was slightly more effective for pain reduction than CBD on its own.

The entourage effect is why CBD products fall into 3 categories: full-spectrum, isolate, and broad-spectrum. Full-spectrum CBD products incorporate all the cannabinoids and terpenes that extraction included along with CBD. On the other hand, isolate CBD products remove all traces of these other substances, resulting in a product that is pure CBD.

Some people have better success using full-spectrum CBD products for pain relief because of the entourage effect. However, due to the variety of cannabinoids and terpenes, full-spectrum products can be somewhat unpredictable in their effects. Those who can’t tolerate any traces of THC, or need to avoid it due to drug testing, often prefer Isolate CBD products.

Legalities and Limits of THC In CBD Products

The majority of CBD products you’ll find on the market today are made from hemp, which by law can contain up to a maximum of 0.3 percent THC. This means hemp-derived, full-spectrum CBD products are likely to contain low amounts of THC. CBD oils made from marijuana instead of hemp have a higher percentage of THC. Dispensaries tend to restrict these products for legal reasons.

Closing Thoughts on CBD vs. THC

As you can see, there isn’t a simple answer for whether CBD or THC is better for chronic pain. Both compounds bring their own benefits to the table, and in regard to chronic pain, there is evidence that they’re more effective when taken together due to the entourage effect.

Either way, it’s clear that cannabis has plenty to offer for chronic pain patients, and cannabis products can vary widely in effectiveness. So if you don’t have success with one product, don’t give up; try something new, whether it’s a different blend of cannabinoids or a different potency.

The post CBD vs THC: Comparing Two Potent Cannabinoids appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Delta 8 supplements are a new class of products that are rapidly flooding the hemp market. While you may see them sold from brands that also sell CBD, these products create a very distinct sensation. Consumers that try Delta 8 feel stoned, making this more like psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”) than CBD. 

Because these supplements come from legal industrial hemp, Delta 8 supplements may be legal to possess anywhere in the United States. Many experts think this is a legal loophole that the government will close very soon.

“Law enforcement and regulatory bodies don’t necessarily like it when you exploit loopholes that can get people high,” commented Jordan Lams, founder of Moxie Seeds and Extracts. 

Lams, who has over decade’s experience in the cannabis and hemp industries, helped us understand this substance.

Editor’s Note: In November, Jordan Lams visited the Ministry of Hemp podcast to discuss Delta 8. -KO

For now, various companies like Exhale Wellness are producing Delta 8 products and are widely available. We thought it was important to create this guide to help you understand this new cannabinoid, how it’s made, and how to safely use it if you choose to try it. 

While we suspect Delta 8 is safe to use as other forms of cannabis, we didn’t want anyone to try it without realizing how it differs from CBD. 

Table of Contents

• What is Delta 8? How is Delta 8 different from CBD?
• How is Delta 8 made? Is it safe?
• Is Delta 8 legal?
• How do you use Delta 8?
• Will the government ban Delta 8?

What is Delta-8 THC And How Does It Make You Feel?

Most Delta-8 is made from hemp and often sold by CBD companies. If you look at the marketing for these products, it’s not always clear what you are getting into.

For legal reasons, most companies won’t openly advertise the fact that Delta 8 gets you stoned. 

Rather than CBD, Delta-8-THC is much more similar to Delta-9-THC. Commonly just called THC, this is the main active ingredient found in psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”). When consumed, it can cause euphoria, relaxation, pain relief along with giddiness, creative moods, or even potentially make you more anxious … In other words, Delta 8 causes most or all of the effects commonly associated with the regular form of THC. 

Delta 8 is made from hemp but, unlike CBD, it will get you high.

“It’s probably a nuanced difference from Delta-9-THC,” said Lams. “Molecularly, it’s pretty darn similar but it’s not exactly the same.”

The chemical differences between the two forms THC are very small, and they both interact with receptors in our brain and nervous system (the “endocannabinoid system”). For more information, look at our article which compares CBD and THC. 

Some people do experience slightly different effects. We asked our readers on Twitter, and looked at some consumer reports on Reddit. Many people report feeling more of a physical, “body high” from Delta 8, with less of the mental effects of THC/marijuana. 

“My experience with it has been very pleasant, from a consumption standpoint,” said Lams.

Remember though, experiences vary a great deal from person to person.

How is Delta-8 made? Is it Safe?

If you’re new to sensations of feeling high, we recommend you proceed with caution … First, however, we want to address whether these products are safe or FDA approved.

We prefer to recommend plant-based compounds The process of transforming one cannabinoid into another sounds unnatural, but Lams said that’s a misconception. To create Delta 8, chemists expose CBD extract to a process called isomerization. 

“It’s not a scary process with a lot of chemicals,” said Lams. “It’s really just manipulation of the chemistry through heat and pressure.”

Chemists working in the legal cannabis industry have been creating Delta 8 from regular THC for a while, but using CBD is relatively new. 

“The onset when you take too much can really be overwhelming.”

Jordan Lams, Moxie Seeds And Extracts

Even so, hemp brands “quickly scaled up the ability to do isomerization,” he continued. “So the chemical purity of the products they’re converting from CBD … it’s pretty good stuff.”

Cannabis has a very long history of use without any fatal overdoses. So Delta 8 is probably physically safe to consume. Of course, we’re not doctors, and there’s a chance it could interact with prescription drugs or other substances. In addition, getting high causes significant mental changes that make it more dangerous to drive or perform other risky activities. 

Probably the biggest risk is that inexperienced users might take too much and have mentally challenging experiences. 

“I do know of a couple of different people that were inexperienced THC users that used Delta 8 and ended up having an adverse overdose and checking themselves into hospitals,” cautioned Lams. “The onset when you take too much can really be overwhelming.” 

To restate, they probably weren’t in physical danger but were mentally very overwhelmed. 

Is Delta-8 THC legal?

After the government legalized hemp at the end of 2018, lots of people grew hemp and produced raw CBD extract. Too much of it! Combine a glut of raw CBD, with a potential legal loophole allowing brands to sell mind-altering substances, and you can see why lots of brands are experimenting with this.

We’re not lawyers and we can’t say for sure what the legal consequences could be for possessing, or especially the manufacture and sales of Delta 8 products. Since Delta 8 made from hemp is so new, most lawyers can’t say for sure either. 

Police field tests probably can’t tell the difference between illegal marijuana and ‘legal’ Delta 8.

Lams compared this substance to kratom, which is under threat by the government, and salvia, a herbal psychedelic that got banned after widespread use. “If you look historically at attempts to utilize loopholes to commercialize psychoactive products, that doesn’t typically go well.” 

A consumer using Delta 8 products is still going to face serious charges if they get caught driving impaired or otherwise put people at risk. 

“In the eyes of the average public safety official, they’re not going to be able to tell the difference.” 

Most field tests used by police probably won’t be able to tell the difference, either. 

Lawyers seem divided about whether Delta 8 is legal at all. The CBD industry is unregulated, and there isn’t much precedent for this kind of thing in the hemp world. 

“It’s such a polarizing legal issue that I think it will be addressed swiftly,” Lams said.

How to Purchase and Use Delta-8?

Never buy Delta 8 from a gas station or other disreputable location. Only purchase from brands that are transparent about their sourcing, manufacturing process, and offer third-party lab results. These lab results should verify the strength of the product and its purity, showing you that it’s free from contaminants like pesticides, mold and heavy metals. The date on the test results should be recent (ideally 6 months or less) and the brand should carry out new tests on every batch.

Even though their effects are very different, Delta 8 supplements are used in much the same way as CBD. Most commonly, you’ll find tinctures, edibles like Delta 8 gummies, and Delta 8 vape cartridges. 

When it comes to dosing, we recommend that you “start low and go slow.” Begin with a very low dose, especially if you are inexperienced. Consider taking half a dropper full (or less) of tincture. Split strong edibles into pieces.

When it comes to dosing, ‘start low and go slow.’

A vape or tincture will usually take effect more quickly than an edible. Sometimes people take too many edibles beause they think it’s “not working.” In reality, it’s just working slowly and can build up dramatically over time. 

If you do take too much Delta 8, don’t panic and remember the sensations will pass. The same advice people give for getting over feeling too stoned applies here: stay calm and hydrated, make yourself comfortable, and find pleasant ways to distract yourself until you sober up.

Conclusion: Is Delta-8 Legal?

If we’ve seemed harsh towards Delta 8, it’s because we don’t want someone stumbling into these products without the proper education. Lams stressed that Delta 8 can benefit people, just like the more common form of THC.

“Having access to something that can provide a different type of therapy, for those seeking medicinal relief, it could be really great.” He said. “More access is important for scientific research.”

“The looming issue is what’s the FDA going to do? What’s the DEA going to do?”

Jordan Lams, Moxie Seeds And Extracts

Yet it’s a form of relief which could disappear at any time. He doesn’t think this will threaten the CBD industry as a whole. It’s likely to be dealt with in a “standalone” way. Still, the future is uncertain.

“The looming issue is what’s the FDA going to do? What’s the DEA going to do, what are state and local public safety officials going to do?”

He continued, “I don’t believe this should be a criminal issue, when the overall regulatory framework is so new.” 

Even so, it’s possible that we could even see police raids against establishments selling Delta 8 and other serious consequences for the people who manufacture and sell these products. 

We’ll continue to update this article as this fast-moving issue develops.

The post What is Delta 8 THC? Effects, Safety & Legality appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Despite the low levels of CBN found in hemp and psychoactive cannabis (“marijuana”), popularity in this cannabinoid is booming.

More and more information seems to be coming out on the positive effects of cannabinoids. Today, we’re going to look at CBN (cannabinol) and why some companies that sell CBN are calling it the next big thing for those suffering from insomnia, glaucoma, and arthritis.

While you know we’re big fans of hemp and everything made from it, we’re also believers in science, and the science of CBN is very new. As we’ll explain below, there’s still not a lot of evidence to back up brands’ claims when it comes to the benefits of CBN. At the same time, what is there is promising, suggesting CBN can help people feel better like the other compounds found in hemp such as CBD or Cannabigerol (CBG).

Table of Contents

• What is CBN?
• Does CBN help with insomnia?
• Other potential benefits of CBN
• How to take CBN
• Can CBN interact with pharmaceutical drugs?

What is CBN?

Cannabinol is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis or hemp plant. What’s unique about this cannabinoid is that it doesn’t synthesize from Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) like most cannabinoids. Instead, this cannabinoid is formed from aged tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But unlike THC, CBN is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. It won’t make you feel high.

CBN is found in high amounts in older cannabis but is still less than 1% total in the plant. 

Is CBN a sleep aid? Can CBN help with insomnia?

By far, the most popular, and most controversial property of CBN is its use as a sleep aid. It’s controversial because while some users (and hemp brands) swear by its sleep aid properties, the research is much less conclusive. 

In one CBN controversy, a lab retracted a study suggesting it worked favorably when compared with diazepam.

One study, conducted in 1975, looked favorably at the effects of CBN on sleep. However, it involved CBN used in combination with THC, the main active ingredient in psychoactive cannabis. The results seemed to show that subjects felt more drowsy when taking THC with CBN, but didn’t feel much difference from cannabinol alone.

Other than this single study, there’s not a lot of evidence to scientifically prove whether cannabinol helps you sleep better.

In a CBN sleep aid controversy, Steep Hill, a cannabis science and technology company, published a study comparing the effects of CBN to the powerful prescription sleep drug diazepam. Recently, however, they changed the text to read “Initially, it was reported that CBN was a promising adjunct in the treatment of insomnia, but with the advent of a few small trials, sedative qualities have not been observed. Further study is required.”

Right now, it seems like CBN may or may not act as a sleep aid. It might work better when combined with other cannabinoids, especially THC, because of the “entourage effect.” Until more research is done, our readers should try it for themselves and see how it works. Everyone is different and what does work for one doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for another. 

Other benefits of CBN

In other early research, CBN is showing many medicinal properties. Of the different websites we explored, Leafly offered the most comprehensive list of this compound’s benefits.

One thing you’ll notice about this research is it’s very preliminary. Just because something works in a lab or on rats, doesn’t mean it will work the same for humans. With that in mind, let’s take a look.

Potent antibacterial agent

A 2008 study looked at the effectiveness of cannabinoids on antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Cannabinol showed promise in the lab as an antibacterial agent. It’s important to note, we still don’t understand the mechanism of action — in other words, scientists don’t understand how hemp compounds fight bacteria.

Possible neuroprotectant

In a 2005 study of cannabinol in rodents, researchers used the compound as a treatment for ALS. They found it was able to delay the onset of the condition.

The authors note, “Further research is necessary to determine whether non-psychotropic cannabinoids might be useful in ameliorating symptoms in ALS.”

Appetite stimulant

In yet another study on rodents, CBN was shown to increase the amount of food that rats ate. It’s interesting that THC, the cannabinoid known for giving users the “munchies,” is the precursor for CBN.

Mild benefits for glaucoma

CBN might help those suffering from glaucoma. In a 2007 study on rabbits, CBN (as well as THC) reduced intraocular pressure – the biggest risk factor for glaucoma.

Before you get too excited, it’s important to note that CBN did not prove to be more helpful than traditional glaucoma medications. 

Cannabinol as anti-inflammatory agent

As with other cannabinoids, CBN acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and helps those with rheumatoid arthritis. In one study on rodents, it was shown to reduce symptoms of arthritis.

How to take CBN

The most popular way to take CBN is under the tongue (sublingually) via tincture. You should hold the tincture under your tongue for at least 30 seconds and swish it around your mouth a bit before swallowing. This ensures maximum absorption.

Most CBN tinctures contain between 50 – 300mg of CBN per 30ml (1 ounce) bottle. Many of the tinctures available offer a combination of CBN and CBD, most commonly in a ratio of 1 part CBN to 3 parts CBD.  It is also sold in combination with CBD and other cannabinoids as a full-spectrum oil.

‘Start low and go slow’ — begin with half a dropper or less before bed, and try that for a while to see how it affects you.

Although CBD and CBN do work synergistically, especially as a sleep aid and for pain management and inflammation, there is one word of caution when combining these two cannabinoids. While it is perfectly safe to combine them, they do have contrasting benefits. For example, CBD can act as a mild appetite suppressant while CBN works as an appetite stimulant. So, depending on what ails you, it may be more beneficial not to combine them.

You can also find this compound in capsule form, especially intended as a sleep aid. You can also sometimes find cannabinol as an isolate (an odorless, flavorless powder or crystal) or smoke the compound in hemp and cannabis flower.

Dosage advice: As always with cannabinoids, we recommend that you “start low and go slow.” That means you should take begin by taking a very small dose of CBN, and wait to see how it affects you before increasing.

For example, you might start with a half dropper of tincture before bed, and try that for days or weeks, adjusting up or down as needed, to find your optimal dose. Be careful when mixing CBN with other substances that might make you drowsy or dizzy.

Can CBN interact with pharmaceutical drugs?

Presently, there are no known interactions when combining CBN with medications. However, this doesn’t mean things won’t change as this compound becomes more mainstream and is studied more.

Though there are no proven interactions, check with your doctor before starting any new cannabinoid supplement.

In our article on CBD side effects, we talked about the possibility that CBD could interact with drugs that have a “grapefruit warning.” Right now, we don’t know if cannabinol has similar effects or not.

As noted by Project CBD in 2020, a study published in Drug Metabolism and Distribution looked at the risks of interactions between plant cannabinoids and a drug-metabolizing enzyme called carboxylesterase (CES1). CES1 Is important for activating and inactivating drugs that regulate blood pressure, as well as the drug Ritalin.

Researchers at the University of Michigan and Florida showed that the cannabinoids THC, CBD, and CBN all inhibit CES1. However, this is probably not a cause for alarm because of the large amounts needed to cause harm.  For example, they said it would take hundreds of thousands of milligrams of CBD to do any damage. Though CBN is more potent, the dosage needed to interfere with these drugs still far exceeds the dosages used by consumers.

As always, it’s best to check with your doctor before taking this or any other cannabinoid supplement.

A promising natural compound

We hope this article on cannabinol provided some useful information, even though there’s still so much we don’t know.

As mentioned briefly, cannabinoid use affects everyone differently. There is no exact science to this yet. So, while it’s important to do your research, it’s also as important to be patient and try different cannabinoid combinations and dosages until you find what works for you.

Kit O’Connell contributed to this guide.

The post CBN: What Is Cannabinol (CBN) & Why Is It Getting So Much Attention? appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

In today’s article we’re going to be looking at the newest cannabinoid to rock the health and wellness industry since CBD made its splash a few years back. 

What’s interesting about CBG is that it’s sort of an enigmatic cannabinoid. Cannabis plants contain only trace amounts, yet it’s considered the “mother of all cannabinoids.” And, because it’s found in such small amounts, it makes it tough to study and research. 

“You have to be able to get enough to be able to test it and study it.”

With that said, we’re going to share what we do know about this amazing cannabinoid, so you can determine if it’s right for you. 

Table of contents

• Why is cannabigerol the ‘mother of all cannabinoids’?
• Video Introduction to CBG
• What is CBG?
• What are the benefits of CBG
• Why is it so expensive?
• Possible drug interactions
• CBD vs. CBG
• How to take CBG
• Is cannabigerol just hype?

The ‘mother of all cannabinoids’

Before we jump into what all the fuss is about, it’s important to first give an overview of the science behind this cannabinoid, and why it’s considered the “mother” of all other cannabinoids. 

You see, cannabinoids start out in an acidic form. Before CBD becomes CBD, it starts out as Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and through heat or sunlight the acid burns off and you’re left with CBD. The same is true for THC and other cannabinoids; CBG is the precursor for this.

Cannabigerol (CBG) starts out as Cannabigerolic acid and morphs into other acid based cannabinoids, which in turn through heat and sunlight form into their various non-acid cannabinoids, such as CBD, THC, etc. 

Want a quick introduction to CBG? This video will get you started. Our video producer Desiree explains the basics of CBG, including comparing it with CBD, the better known compound made from hemp.

Thanks to our friends at Social CBD for sponsoring this video introduction to CBG!

We explain CBG in a lot more detail in the article below.

What is CBG oil?

So what exactly is CBG? Like CBD, CBG is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid — it won’t make you “feel high.” It’s most abundant in high-CBD hemp plants. High CBG strains also typically contain low levels of THC — the most common cannabinoid that is psychoactive. 

CBG works directly on receptors in our brain and nervous system, including CB1 and CB2 receptors, 5-HT1A and alpha-2 receptors, along with the TRPV1 and 2 receptors, and some other cannabinoid receptors. That sounds complex, so just know that brain receptors affect our senses, thoughts, mood, and even our central nervous system. 

CBG may even lessen the effects of paranoia sometimes caused by THC.

Possible benefits of CBG

Although medical studies are just getting underway, this compound shows great promise in aiding or treating a number of ailments.

We examined a number of published articles and research studies. We found healthline.com had the most thorough list of the medicinal benefits of CBG. Below is a summary of our research:

• Inflammatory bowel disease.  According to a 2013 study conducted on mice, CBG reduced the inflammation that is common with inflammatory bowel disease.
• Glaucoma. According to a 2008 study, CBG showed promise in treating glaucoma because it reduces intraocular pressure. 
• Bladder dysfunctions. A 2015 study examined the effects of five different cannabinoids on the bladder, and concluded that cannabigerol showed the most promise in treating bladder dysfunctions.
• Huntington’s disease.  According to a 2015 study on mice, this cannabinoid might hold the key in treating neurodegenerative conditions such as Huntington’s disease. 
• Bacterial infections.  According to a 2008 study, CBG can kill bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a bacterial infection that is hard to treat and dangerous to those with the infection.
• Colon cancer. According to a 2008 study that looked at colon cancer in rats concluded that CBG might reduce the growth of colon cancer cells and other tumors.
• Appetite loss.  Another study on rats in 2016 showed that CBG might stimulate the appetite.  This could prove valuable to those with HIV or cancer. 
• Regulates Mood. Cannabigerol is believed to regulate mood by boosting anandamide, the body’s native cannabinoid ‘bliss’ molecule.

Of course, initial research is just that: an indication that this substance requires closer study. Just because something shows promise in the lab, or on rats, does not mean it will always help people in the real world.

One of the problems with studying CBG is the price – It’s expensive. 

Why is CBG so Expensive?

Like most things, the price of CBG comes down to supply and demand.  When the popularity of CBD really first hit the marketplace, the price was also high due to a lack of supply versus demand.

“You have to be able to get enough to be able to test it and study it.”

Perry Solomon, M.D., medical cannabis expert

However, CBG is a little different. As we touched on earlier, most hemp plants only contain trace amounts of CBG. In fact, a high-CBD hemp strain might contain as much as 20% CBD and only 1% of CBG. That means it takes huge amounts of biomass (hemp plant material) to a tiny amount of extract. Obviously, this increases the price.

According to Kent Vrana Ph.D., chair of the department of pharmacology at Penn State College of Medicine, that’s because cannabigerol doesn’t stick around for long.

In an article published on MSN.com chair of the department of pharmacology, Kent Vrana Ph.D., says it best “The plant (cannabis) generally doesn’t store it or accumulate CBG because it all gets converted to THC, CBD, and another compound,” Vrana told MSN.com.

There is an opportunity cost that comes down to two choices:

1. Capture CBG before it synthesizes into the other cannabinoids (early harvest)
2. Wait to harvest and get only trace amounts of CBG at full harvest.

No matter which choice is made, something else must give. If you capture CBG before it synthesizes, you aren’t able to harness the other cannabinoids. If you wait until a full harvest, you get only trace amounts of cannabigerol. 

According to Vrana, “plant biologists are now creating strains to increase the amount of CBG.”

Hopefully, prices will come down at some point. 

Interactions with medications

We still need to learn more about how CBG interacts with other medications.

Presently, there are no known interactions when combining CBG with medications. That could change as CBG sees more research and widespread usage. As always, it’s best to check with your doctor before taking CBG or any other cannabinoid. 

Users do need to need to be aware when taking medications that come with a grapefruit warning. We know that CBD can bind to the same enzymes that grapefruit does, specifically CYP450 enzymes. That could theoretically cause the body to take longer to process the drug, increasing levels in the bloodstream. Right now, we’re still learning how this works with CBD, so we know even less about CBG.

The most common medication types with grapefruit warnings are:

• Cholesterol medications
• Blood pressure medications
• Heart rhythm medications
• Anti-infection medications
• Mood medications
• Blood thinners
• Pain medications
• Erectile dysfunction and prostate medications

Be sure to check with your doctor before combining any of these drugs with CBG or CBD.

CBG vs. CBD 

Besides the fact CBD and CBG are different cannabinoid compounds, there are more similarities than differences between the two.

Both CBD and CBG:

• Are Non-Psychoactive (won’t alter your state of mind)
• Can counter the effects of THC
• Have medicinal properties
• All natural
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Anti-Bacterial
• Have neuroprotective properties
• Can lower glaucoma-related pressure

Can these two cannabinoids be taken together? Absolutely! In fact, it’s encouraged. Certain cannabinoids are known to work well together. CBD and CBG are two that do.  

CBD regulates levels of the body’s natural cannabinoids, which bind to brain receptors. CBG works closely with those same receptors. So, in a sense by combining the two, you’re getting benefits from both sides, a synergistic approach. 

For more information about these two cannabinoids, check out our complete CBD vs. CBG comparison.

How to take CBG

There are multitudes of ways to dose CBG. In general, taking this compound will be similar to CBD.

Here are the most common ways to take CBG:

Take a tincture

Just like CBD, tinctures are the most common way to take CBG. CBG, along with other cannabinoids, are extracted from hemp plants. Then, they’re mixed with a carrier oil (like hemp seed oil or MCT oil) to make a tincture.

Cannabinoids can easily be combined in tincture form, meaning some products may contain cannabigerol alone while many more combine CBG with CBD and other trace cannabinoids.

How to consume: Tincture drops should be applied under the tongue and held for 60-90 seconds before swallowing.

Smoking high CBG flower

Instead of undergoing the extraction process, it’s possible to simply smoke strains of hemp that are high in CBG. Smoking is one of the most rapid and efficient ways of absorbing cannabinoids. As long as it contains less than 0.3% THC, hemp flower is fully legal to possess and consume in most parts of the U.S.

How to consume: The method is the same as other smokable hemp or cannabis products. You can buy pre-rolled hemp “joints,” or hemp buds that can be broken up and rolled into joints or smoked in a pipe.

Other ways to take CBG

• You may be able to obtain an isolate powder. Take the powder directly. Just like CBD isolate powder, cannabigerol isolate can be taken directly under the tongue, sprinkled over food, etc. It is fat-soluble so it will dissolve nicely in liquids with a high fat content. 
• Topically in skin-care creams. Since this compound has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, it makes perfect sense to incorporate it into skin care products. There are companies working on CBG infused skin care products, so stay tuned.
• We can expect to see gummies and other innovative products as the market expands.

More than just hype

We sincerely hope this article sheds some light on the newest cannabinoid to hit the marketing since CBD. Just like the splash CBD made a few years back, there is a great deal of hype surrounding CBG and its potential uses and benefits.  

While CBG might be the “buzzworthy” supplement at the moment, early research is promising. However, as with all cannabinoids, the market is still in its infancy. Much more research needs to be done.

In the meantime, try CBG out for yourself, experiment to find your perfect dosage, combine it with CBD and see if it works for you. 

Kit O’Connell contributed to this guide.

The post What is CBG? An Introduction to Cannabigerol (CBG) appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

With thousands of CBD products on the market, different brands are struggling to stand out. One major difference between CBD oil tinctures is whether they contain broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD. It doesn’t help that products are also frequently mislabeled, too.

In brief, hemp plants have hundreds of natural chemicals in them, including the “cannabinoids” that cause their beneficial effects. The most well-known cannabinoids are CBD, the popular supplement, and THC, which is the main “active” ingredient in psychoactive cannabis (a.k.a. “marijuana”). But many other cannabinoids exist.

Both broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD products contain a variety of these natural cannabinoids, but differ in one key ingredient. While neither type of CBD will make you “feel high,” full spectrum CBD has tiny amounts of THC in it while broad spectrum doesn’t have any at all.

But there’s a lot more to learn, so read on to understand more about the different types of CBD oil and why it could matter to you.

Table of Contents

• What is full spectrum CBD?
• What is broad spectrum CBD?
• Why are so many CBD products mislabeled?
• Broad vs. Full Spectrum CBD: Why does it matter?
• Should you take broad spectrum or full spectrum CBD?

What is full spectrum CBD?

We previously published an article touching on “Full Spectrum vs. Isolates” that gave a good overall definition of full-spectrum:

“Full Spectrum CBD or hemp oil generally refers to the products that not only contain CBD but contain the other plant molecules as well.” 

Full Spectrum CBD refers to products that not only contain CBD, but contain the other plant molecules as well.

For the purpose of this article, we’re going to stick with this idea. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all of the natural occurring primary and secondary phytocannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and phytonutrients of hemp, but without other fats, waxes, and lipids that do not offer medicinal benefits. 

These compounds have been shown to have healing properties and a positive effect on the body. Both industrial hemp and “marijuana” contain naturally occurring compounds mentioned above, including primary and secondary cannabinoids. CBD tends to be more dominant in hemp, and THC is more dominant in psychoactive cannabis. It’s important to note, different cannabis or hemp strains will have different levels and profiles of the secondary phytocannabinoids and terpenes.

If a product has only CBD in it, and none of these other compounds, it’s a CBD isolate product. That’s just what it sounds like: CBD isolated from all other hemp compounds.

What is broad spectrum CBD?

CBD extracts that do not contain THC, or its acidic form tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) are not full spectrum, but rather, they are broad-spectrum oils.

Broad spectrum contains all the same natural compounds as full spectrum, minus THC.

A broad-spectrum oil contains all the same compounds as a full spectrum oil minus the THC. These oils go through the same extraction processes used to make full spectrum, but then go through an additional step. Broad spectrum extracts go through a chromatography machine to remove the THC.

By law, legal industrial hemp or CBD oil products can contain at most 0.3% THC. That’s a tiny amount compared to the cannabis products people take to get high. However, some people still want to avoid these small amounts of THC, which is why broad spectrum products can be appealing.

It is also a good alternative between CBD isolates and true full spectrum oils. While THC offers its own set of healing properties and probably acts as a binding agent with other cannabinoids, its presence is not a necessity in order to get benefits from a CBD extract. 

Spectrum matters because of the ‘entourage effect’

Many experts believe that all of these natural compounds provide greater benefits working together synergistically. This synergy is called the “entourage effect.”

Experts believe different natural hemp compounds work together to create the ‘entourage effect.’

S. Ben-Shabat and the “godfather of cannabis research” Ralph Mechoulam first introduced the entourage effect in 1998. The idea didn’t really take hold until 2011, when Dr. Ethan Russo published the paper “Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid-Terpenoid Entourage Effects.” 

From this, it was widely assumed that synergistic benefits are better and full spectrum was the best choice. This is why so many CBD products are labeled as ‘full spectrum’ … even sometimes when they are really broad spectrum CBD.

Remember, a true full spectrum product must have all of the plants naturally occurring compounds, including THC, all secondary cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, etc! Broad spectrum CBD is less well defined, but contains CBD along with a range of these additional compounds.

Of course, research is still ongoing. With so many different cannabinoids to choose from, effects vary widely and can be tailored to suit an individual’s needs.

Buyer beware: CBD products frequently mislabeled

If we had to give inexperienced CBD consumers one piece of advice, it would have to be ‘buyer beware’ when shopping for cannabinoid products. In 2017, Science Daily recently published the results of a study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine that found “nearly 70% of cannabidiol product sold online are either over or under labeled.” Since CBD is still unregulated, the problem continues to this day.

At Ministry of Hemp, we’re seeing the problem of mislabeled products happen more and more. A CBD company sends us a product in hopes of getting our unbiased review of said product. We run lab tests on the CBD extract only to learn that what they show on the label wasn’t what was actually in the extract.

The claim we get most often is of a CBD product labeled “full spectrum,” when in fact, it is not. This can happen for a number of reasons. For example, more people may be aware of the term “full spectrum,” so a brand decides to fudge a little for marketing purposes.

While this isn’t the worst thing in the industry (those would be CBD scams or completely fake CBD products) we still think it’s important to push for accurate labeling.

Should you take full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil?

If drug testing is in your future or if you just don’t want to consume even tiny amounts of THC, broad-spectrum oil might be your best choice.

In theory, you can consume a cannabinoid product that contains the government allowed 0.3% or less THC and have no problem passing a drug test. However, this isn’t always the case. If your livelihood depends on it, you should consider switching to broad-spectrum CBD. When in doubt, check with a supervisor or your HR department. Some active duty U.S. military personnel are currently banned from using CBD at all, or even hemp hair products.

Other than that, it’s really a personal preference. There are even those who claim the entourage effect is a fallacy. Writing in Scientific American, Margaret Haney, a neurobiologist at Columbia University, cautioned, “the lay public has really taken on the notion of the entourage effect, but there’s not a lot of data.”

Of course this is one person’s opinion. There are many scientists who will disagree with her statement. But the cannabinoid marketplace is so new and the research is still forthcoming. So maybe the average consumer shouldn’t get too hung up on full spectrum vs. broad-spectrum CBD, or the entourage effect. What’s most important should be finding a CBD product that works. For some a simple CBD isolate may work just fine, while others may benefit more from a full spectrum hemp extract that contains trace amounts of THC. 

Making better CBD buying choices

We hope this article shed some light on the difference between full spectrum and broad-spectrum extracts.

With so many CBD products mislabeled it’s important to spend some time and research a few CBD companies, and before settling in a particular brand. Remember, what works for one person may not work for another. So shop around and try a few different brands to determine which suits you best.

Kit O’Connell contributed to this guide.

The post Full Spectrum Vs Broad Spectrum CBD: Differences & Benefits appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

In episode 61, our podcast host Matt is learning about a new cannabinoid that’s just now hitting the wellness market, Delta 8 THC. Jordan Lams, CEO of Moxie, a cannabis cultivation, and manufacturing company out of Long Beach, CA, is Matt’s guest.

Jordan was our expert for the Ministry of Hemp’s guide to Delta 8 THC, so we were excited to get him on the show. Matt and Jordan discuss everything you need to know about Delta 8 THC: is it legal, how and why are people using it, where does it come from and what impact will it have on the CBD market.

But that’s not all … to close out the podcast, Matt takes a dose of Delta 8 THC too and records his experience.

Here are our guides:

• Delta 8 carts
• Delta 8 gummies

About Moxie and Jordan Lams:

MOXIE is a recognized leader in cannabis with over 90 global industry awards. They cultivate, manufacture and distribute high quality cannabis products in California, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Arizona with more states coming soon. It is their mission to improve the quality of life and well-being by producing the highest quality cannabis products globally.

At age 28, it’s hard not to say that Jordan Lams has moxie. Ten years ago, Lams was skeptical of cannabis but started researching it as a teenager when a friend challenged his negative assumptions. It took him a year and a review of his findings with his family doctor before he changed his mind. Later, his sister’s tragic struggle with leukemia helped solidify his desire to be a part of the cannabis movement.

Subscribe to our show!

Be sure to subscribe to the Ministry of Hemp podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbay, Stitcher, Pocketcasts, Google Play, or your favorite podcast app. If you like what you hear leave us a review or star rating. It’s a quick and easy way to help get this show to others looking for Hemp information and please, share this episode on your own social media!

Delta 8 Explained: Complete Episode Transcript

Below you’ll find the complete transcript of episode 61 of the Ministry of Hemp podcast, “Delta 8 THC Exploration Podcast”:

Matt Baum:
I’m Matt Baum. And this is the Ministry of Hemp Podcast brought to you by ministryofhemp.com. America’s leading advocate for hemp and hemp education.

Well, it’s finally happening. I’ve been threatening for a few weeks now, but we’re doing it. It’s the whole show about a new cannabinoid, Delta-8-THC. And not only are we going to talk about it? My conversation today is with Jordan Lams, the CEO of Moxie, cannabis cultivator and manufacturer. Jordan is amazing and has a huge breadth of knowledge. And I was thrilled to find somebody who could actually talk about this because there just isn’t much information on Delta-8-THC, right now anyway.

I know I had a much better understanding of what it is and what it does after I spoke with Jordan, but that’s not where this ends. I have actually just taken some Delta-8-THC. So after the interview, this is where I sit down to do the editing process. So it’ll have some time to kick in and whatnot. I’m going to let you know exactly how my experience was. And if you don’t get an episode this week, then I guess you know what to tell my loved ones happened. So that’s a joke. I’m not scared at all, but we’ll see. And like I said, I’ll tell you all about my experience after my conversation with Jordan Lams.

Is Delta 8 THC legal?

Matt Baum:
Perfect. And where are you talking to me from right now?

Jordan Lams:
I am talking to you from Long Beach, California.

Matt Baum:
All right. Bet the weather’s a little nicer there. So, I’m in Omaha, Nebraska.

Jordan Lams:
It is hot today.

Matt Baum:
Oh, really? Well then I don’t want to hear-

Jordan Lams:
It’s like 90.

Matt Baum:
… no complaints out of you, sir.

Jordan Lams:
None.

Matt Baum:
So Jordan, I brought you on the show because we are now seeing Delta-8-THC sort of hitting a similar market to the CBD, CBN, CBG wellness market. And quite honestly, it’s so new that I really don’t know anything about it. And a lot of people have been asking questions, and I was actually really hesitant to even talk about it on the show because I didn’t even know if it was legal. So why don’t we just start… Before we even get into what it is, is Delta-8-THC legal?

Jordan Lams:
I think that probably depends on who you ask.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Jordan Lams:
It’s definitely coming up as an item for debate at the moment. The argument amongst some law firms is that because it’s being, in this context that we’re talking about now, derived as a by-product of a process from CBD oil, that it’s not derived from cannabis, quote-unquote, and therefore it is legal. Chemically speaking, it’s still THC. It’s just not Delta-9-THC, which is the most prevalent psychoactive compound that is derived from the consumption of cannabis after you heat it up. So, yeah, I think it’s still up in the air.

Matt Baum:
So as far as I understand it, and again, I’m not a lawyer, but I live in Nebraska, which has some pretty strict cannabis laws, as you can imagine. And I’m pretty sure the law doesn’t say, “Well, Delta-9-THC, that’s the problem. That’s what’s illegal. And if you’re caught with Delta-9-THC, you’re going to jail, buddy.”, or whatever. I mean, marijuana has been basically decriminalized in Nebraska for the most part, but I don’t necessarily think the differences between a Delta-8 and a Delta-9… Is that where the nebulous thing comes in right now?

Jordan Lams:
That’s I think the… That and the fact that it’s a derivative of CBD in this context is… the wedge with which some attorneys are trying to force their argument through. And that differentiation between Delta-9 versus Delta-8 in some jurisdictions, it is delineated very specifically-

Matt Baum:
Really?

Jordan Lams:
… as still being considered THC. Yeah. So it varies market to market.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Jordan Lams:
Particularly in more regulated markets where you actually have licensed businesses that do cultivate and extract. They’re more likely to specify, but in places where decriminalization those are usually kind of broad stroke legislations. And so you don’t always have that level of specificity.

The chemistry behind Delta 8 THC

Matt Baum:
Now, again, I’m not asking you to play a cop or a lawyer. These are strictly opinions here that we’re talking about but in other cases… And I’ve spoken to not too long ago, actually, I spoke to a guy that works in a lab in Oregon, and they do a lot of testing to make sure that what is actually in the bottle of CBD is in the bottle of CBD. And he was telling me one of the things that he’s noticed with Delta-8-THC, because they are taking the CBD and affecting it chemically and changing it into a different chemical that in and of itself could be illegal as well, based on laws that were made to stop people from say, buying cough medicine and turning it into meth or something. Is there any worry [crosstalk 00:05:04] about that?

Jordan Lams:
Definitely, what it reminds me of is the early days of the California medical market, before we had regulation. It was very specific in the state statute, as well as at the federal level that manufacturing of cannabis products using solvents was illegal. And so there was a contingent of attorneys, again, that took the position that CO2 because it’s not alcohol or a solvent by the maybe the more traditional sense that it didn’t qualify for that. And that was a bit of a, well maybe more than a bit of a loophole that they were trying to-

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Jordan Lams:
… exploit-

Matt Baum:
I was going to say.

Jordan Lams:
… but they got a lot of buy-in across the industry in that thinking because it was fairly dominant law firms, at least in the space at the time that were suggesting this. And so it actually led to the proliferation of CO2 extraction throughout the industry. That coupled with the scientific community really does use super-critical and sub-critical CO2 extraction in a lot of different laboratory applications-

Matt Baum:
Okay, real quick. I don’t mean to interrupt you-

Jordan Lams:
… it didn’t stop people from getting prosecuted.

Matt Baum:
I don’t mean to interrupt you that’s seriously-

Jordan Lams:
No problem.

Matt Baum:
… the reason why CO2 extraction took off the way it did?

Jordan Lams:
It’s definitely one of the big contributing factors, yeah.

Matt Baum:
No kidding.

Jordan Lams:
The flip to that, though, is that if you talk to any analytical chemist or real… organic chemist that’s got a lot of lab experience, supercritical and sub-critical CO2 is usually the go-to methodology. That being said, if you’re a real, real consumer of cannabis products, unless you’re using very hard to find subcritical CO2 extractions, you’re likely to have a version of a product that is vastly inferior, subjectively of course, to what a hydrocarbon extraction or even a solventless extraction or water extraction is what they call solvent less would produce. And even then, on the objective side CO2, you’re forcing a physical reaction that’s just ripping everything off the plant. Whereas hydrocarbon, it’s like nature’s lock and key. Cannabinoids, terpenes, those are hydrocarbons. So that’s a perfect chemical reaction where you’re only getting what you want, and you’re post-processing is far less. Whereas with CO2, you get everything and the kitchen sink-

Matt Baum:
Gotcha.

Jordan Lams:
… depending on the parameters of the extraction.

What is Delta 8, anyway?

Matt Baum:
Okay. So let’s get into it. Delta-8-THC, give me a broad spectrum, [inaudible 00:00:00] doubt view. What is it?

Jordan Lams:
So there’s… It’s just another cannabinoid. It is a tetrahydrocannabinol. So it’s a THC molecule, but Delta-8 is just a different isomer of THC. And oftentimes it’s found not necessarily as a degrative product of a Delta-9-THC, but oftentimes in certain processes where there’s a lot of heat and pressure used to do distillation or various types of… I guess, processing you end up potentially oftentimes by accident converting some of that Delta-9 into Delta-8. And then there was, over the last couple of years, a trend where it was being done intentionally. Now, not intentionally because people wanted the Delta-8 outcome, but in the process that you use to really, really tighten the fraction as it’s called in chemistry, the fraction of the chemicals that you’re trying to remove. As you tighten that down and make it more pure, you’re putting it under really extreme conditions. And what people were shooting for has been come to known as water clear. So it’s a cannabis oil that literally in a jar looks almost as clear as water, even the way it refracts light.
There’s no weird effect to the way that you see through the product. And that being said, in doing that process a lot of times, not always, but a lot of times, you end up causing that conversion from Delta-9 to Delta-8. And then from there, I think that’s what spurred the, “Oh, oh. Hey, isomerization is really a thing that we can do with these cannabinoids. What if you can take CBD, which is abundant and cheap, and turn it into something of higher value.”.

Matt Baum:
So this is a byproduct. It’s not something that occurs naturally? It’s actually a byproduct?

Jordan Lams:
It can occur naturally. So here’s the thing about even Delta-9. Delta-9 is an activated version of the acidic form of THC. So if you were to take a raw cannabis flower that’s loaded up with THC. It’s not usually much Delta-9. It’s not usually activated. It’s in its acidic form. And when you heat that flower up, either in a joint or in the oven, making an edible or in a bowl, when the flame hits it, you’re doing what’s called decarboxylating the THC. Taking that acidic carboxyl chain and removing it, turning it into the active ingredient-

Matt Baum:
That’s my favorite thing to do with it.

Jordan Lams:
… psychoactive. Exactly. And it’s not dissimilar here. That being said, it could occur naturally. It’s just very rare. So similarly to… For decades, nobody did anything with cannabis except for it to get max THC.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Jordan Lams:
So even for a while, CBD strains were not very available. And it took several years of the CBD industry growing into its own for that to become a readily available genome where it occurs in high concentrations. And similarly, now you see people moving into areas of CBG, CBV, THCV, trying to get those expressions of minor cannabinoids and turn them into majors. But Delta-8 is not one that has been bred for that. So there’s not a lot of, maybe even any to my firsthand knowledge, occurrences of it naturally into the available spectrum of strains that exist.

Matt Baum:
Got you. So when you take regular THC cannabis, and you smoke it, you are sort of doing the same process that you would undergo in the lab to create Delta-8 from Delta-9. Okay, I think I said Delta-8 the first time. When you take THC cannabis and smoke it to get high, you’re effectively doing the same type of process that would take place in a lab where they convert Delta-9 into Delta-8 for other reasons.

Jordan Lams:
Yeah, well, again, it’s a combination of certain things, of heat and pressure. Really that’s the easiest way to simplify it. Think different ratios of heat and pressure, different amounts, and different timelines, and what they call residency times, which are the exposure to those conditions, can impact the way that a molecule will change.

Matt Baum:
Got you.

Jordan Lams:
Now what they’re doing with CBD to Delta-8 is not dissimilar from a high-level perspective, but it is a lot more involved. You’re not going to be able to… Where you could take Delta-9 and turn it into Delta-8 for THCA and turn it into Delta-9 at home in a very, very basic setup. To really get pure CBD into very pure slice of Delta-8 is a little bit more involved. It’s a little bit more expertise-driven-

Matt Baum:
Of course.

Jordan Lams:
… There’s a little bit of an art to it, honestly. It is chemistry, but there… We learned anything from Breaking Bad, right? The last 0.3%, it’s where all the magic is.

Does Delta 8 THC Make You High?

Matt Baum:
Right. Right. So the idea here is to basically take plants that would normally create high levels of CBD because they’re cheaper than plants that would create high levels of THC and create a different THC. Is the experience different? Does it get you high?

Jordan Lams:
It definitely gets you high.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Jordan Lams:
I have some firsthand experience using Delta-8, and I got to say it was very pleasant. I was actually asked by a producer of CBD who’s making it into Delta-8… Is interested in us manufacturing products and firsthand says, “Well, let me look into the legality here because this is an interesting one.”. But we played around with the material and made some ingestible products with it. We made some gummies, actually. We do a lot of gummy production using regular Delta-9. And I got to say the experience was really pleasant. Maybe a little bit tempered of a potency, even at the same dosage rate. It didn’t seem and granted, it’s a limited experience, so it’s by no means a clinical trial here-

Matt Baum:
Sure, sure. We’re… Neither of us are… We’re playing scientists on the internet. We’re not actual scientists.

Jordan Lams:
Exactly. Play one on TV. Yeah, but for me, it was really, it was maybe a little bit more mellow, a little bit… less imposing upon my general sense of being. And very relaxing… Myself and my partner use gummies every night for sleep. And when we have the dosage dialed in really, really love it. Sometimes, you do a little too much, and you’re a little groggy the next day or not enough, and then you don’t really get the impact. This one was a shot in the dark of dosage. And the effect was really, really nice. And my partner’s not a heavy user. And her experience was really, really great. It wasn’t an overwhelming thing, and that was, I think, a 10-milligram dose that we each tried.

Matt Baum:
Okay, but very similar to what you would get from 10 milligrams of, say, a gummy of THC. But maybe… Is it a head and body high feeling? You said it’s tempered a little bit. Can you go into that?

Jordan Lams:
Yeah, I can. And I want to caveat it with that, one of my biggest soapboxes that I stand on is that cannabis, CBD, hemp, THC, whatever it is, it’s so personalized-

Matt Baum:
Yes.

Jordan Lams:
… so the way it is-

Matt Baum:
Without a doubt.

Jordan Lams:
… for me may be-

Matt Baum:
Without a doubt.

Jordan Lams:
… completely different for those out there listening. And, to me, that process of discovering for yourself is as important as that end result because it’s changing that paradigm of figuring out your being, your health, your body, and the way it reacts to these-

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Jordan Lams:
… different inputs.

Matt Baum:
I mean, even with [crosstalk 00:14:51] CBD, we say, “Start low and go slow.”. And that’s… We repeat that all the time. So this would be the same, of course, the same theory here, start low, go slow, see how it makes you feel.

Jordan Lams:
Yeah. And remember, it’s still THC. So don’t think just because it’s coming from CBD that it’s so vastly different, but I wouldn’t describe it as a head effect for me. It was more… I would say more general relaxation. Like sometimes, when you take a really great full-spectrum CBD product, you can actually observe a… shift in your perception and all of that.

Matt Baum:
Definitely.

Jordan Lams:
It’s still not, it’s not quite high-

Matt Baum:
Right, [crosstalk 00:15:32] it feels more body-driven almost-

Jordan Lams:
Yeah, and more like-

Matt Baum:
… as opposed to head-driven-

Jordan Lams:
… holistic-

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Jordan Lams:
This is more similar to that, but still with definitely a psychoactive element to it like, “Oh yeah, I’m feeling an intoxicant here to some level.”-

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Jordan Lams:
… but not as… sometimes as overt as Delta-9THC can be if that’s a good way to put it.

Matt Baum:
Okay. Yeah.

Jordan Lams:
Sometimes THC just comes to me like, “Oh, and now I’m high.”.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Jordan Lams:
And this was more like, “Oh yeah, I’m high.” but not too high and very relaxed and just a great sense of well-being, I would say.

Matt Baum:
Do you know, I mean, speaking on a chemical level, does it affect the body the same way that THC would?

Jordan Lams:
In most ways, the way that it binds with the different CB1 receptors, I would say… That I would speculate that it is very similar. That being said, there’s not a lot of data out there. There’s not a lot on cannabis in general, but Delta-8 specifically, there hasn’t been access to any volume of it to even observe anecdotally what it’s doing to people up until really recently. So it’s a little bit of uncharted territories, but if we know anything about the broad spectrum of cannabinoids that do exist, is they all slot into their own unique place depending on you as a person-

Matt Baum:
Sure, sure.

Jordan Lams:
… individually. But, they all have their role, and we’re slowly but surely discovering more and more what part each of them has to play.

Potential legal issues around Delta 8

Matt Baum:
So Moxie, are you guys… You’re in the Delta-8-THC game.

Jordan Lams:
We’re not in the Delta-8 world. We’ve been exploring it with a couple people. I think we always air on a pretty extreme conservative side of legal interpretation.

Matt Baum:
I think you have to. Right? I mean, that’s just safe.

Jordan Lams:
Yeah, well, and we’re a licensed THC manufacturer and cultivator in a number of different states. So sometimes, even in California, for instance, as a THC operator, ironically, we’re not allowed to process hemp. Now it seems pretty silly, but that’s just the way, and it is silly, but that’s the way that the regulations were drafted-

Matt Baum:
Yeah [crosstalk 00:17:31] Well, it’s completely different [crosstalk 00:17:31] though. What are you talking about? It’s completely different.

Jordan Lams:
It doesn’t even look at all the same.

Matt Baum:
No. Or smell the same either. So-

Jordan Lams:
No, I always try to bring it back for people that are really trying to understand. There’s not really a difference in the plant here. There’s different versions of it that grow different ways and have different chemical expressions of their contents, but it’s all the same cannabis plant. And it really just is incredible. The broad appeal and application that it has. And there’s still so much left to discover.

Matt Baum:
Oh, of course. Absolutely. I mean, that’s what the show is all about. One thing I want to ask, do you foresee any trouble? It seems like one of the main things that the CBD and the hemp market has tried to push forward is, “We are not marijuana. We don’t get you high. That’s not what we do. And that is why you don’t have to worry about it. This is a treatment for anxiety. This is a treatment for sleep disorders. This is… Or just whole body wellness or whatever, but it’s not marijuana. It’s not marijuana. It’s not marijuana. Oh, by the way, now we can get you high.”.
Do you see any problem there? It makes me really nervous, honestly. And again-

Jordan Lams:
Yeah, I can.

Matt Baum:
… we’re very green-friendly on the show, and I’m very green friendly. So all of it, but at the same time, while we’re trying to… convince the FDA, while we’re trying to convince states like South Dakota and Nebraska who are super hardcore about this stuff, do you foresee any trouble here?

Jordan Lams:
I can’t imagine there won’t be at least some.

Matt Baum:
Right?

Jordan Lams:
I mean, it’s a pretty harsh reversal. Particularly when you think about, say, Kentucky, right? That’s Mitch McConnell’s back yard, and he’s been a big proponent of hemp but a staunch opponent of cannabis.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Jordan Lams:
And to think that where he advocated for his community to have a new driver of economics and even some level of health benefit, that all of a sudden now that’s going to backdoor into the intoxicant world. I can’t imagine that that’s going to be something that really excites him or others like him.

Matt Baum:
I think this is worrisome, quite honestly. And maybe I’m just being a pessimist, but I’m afraid it could set back… Some other CBD purveyors and CBG purveyors and people that are pushing to get that more mainstream and come into food and beverage and other things. I’m afraid that something like this could scare the FDA and have them back off and say, “All right before we legalize-” I mean, it’s legal, of course, but, “Before we say, here’s your regulations and here’s how we want it done. We need to make sure this never happens. This doesn’t happen. So we’re scrapping everything and starting over.”. Does that scare you?

Jordan Lams:
Yeah. A little bit. And it opens the can of worms of like, “Well, what else can they make from this?”.

Matt Baum:
Right [crosstalk 00:20:17] exactly. Next thing you know, they’re going to be making PCP out of it and feeding it to Antifa or whatever, right?

Jordan Lams:
And too, it’s… it’s interesting because at the end of the day… they’re trying so hard to control something that… is really vastly uncontrollable.

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Jordan Lams:
And up until this point, I think the hemp industry did a pretty good job of drawing a very clear box around it, of what it was and what it wasn’t. And this is a really harsh 180.

Matt Baum:
That’s what it seems like [crosstalk 00:20:55].

Jordan Lams:
Yeah, I can’t imagine it’s not going to come with some trials and tribulations. And moreover, I think the consumers are confused. I think people are looking at it like, “Oh, it’s a derivative CBD, and it’s legal, so it’s not going to get me high in the same way.”, and then you have people that dose too much, and it can, it can scare them off altogether, which is one of the biggest challenges with THC is when people dose too much and then they never want to go back to it.

Matt Baum:
Yeah, yeah.

Jordan Lams:
But the reality is they could get a lot of good from it if they just find that balance-

Matt Baum:
Right. Learn how to use it. I will say, as someone who is very aware of the laws and knows a lot about this from just doing this show, when I opened a box of Delta-8-THC that was sent to me, I didn’t know what I was getting, but they said, “We’re going to send you a bunch of CBD stuff that we have.”, and that was one of them. And I took it out, and I said out loud, “Is it legal to send this through the mail?”. I didn’t know. And I’m still not real sure. And I guess we’re just going to have to wait and see where this goes. Speaking from your company’s standpoint, at what point would a company like Moxy feel safe and feel cool going into this? What are you looking for to happen first?

Jordan Lams:
I think, for us to be able to receive Delta-8 in from a hemp producer, we’d need, at the very least, a strong level legal opinion. But some clarity from the federal government on how the farm bill applies to this would be helpful because there’s the whole… That’s just the first part, getting it in. Then secondarily, we would need clearance from our state or local regulators to be able to process it. Because, as I mentioned, even with hemp, technically in California, you can’t process it. In Nevada, however, we can. You just have to have a separate hemp handler’s certificate. So-

Matt Baum:
Good lord.

Jordan Lams:
… it’s a little… It would be a mixed bag, a little different all over, depending on what operation of ours we were talking about. But clarity in any regard would be helpful. I think.

Matt Baum:
Yeah, just a little bit. I mean, even if it’s someone getting arrested, so we go, “Oh, okay. There it’s… Okay. So now we have to be careful. Got it.”.

New cannabinoids and the war on drugs

Jordan Lams:
And where they need the most guidance is at the law enforcement level, because I mean, imagine the poor, beat cop that has no idea of the difference in the visual-

Matt Baum:
Absolutely.

Jordan Lams:
… it’s oil. It looks just like the CBD, looks just like the THC.

Matt Baum:
Right, I [crosstalk 00:23:07] mean, right now [crosstalk 00:23:09] if you’re like, “Oh look, no, these joints that I have on me, these are CBD joints. That’s all they are. They’re for my back pain or whatever. And they’re completely legal.”. It’s hard enough for a cop to look at that and go, “Okay, I’m going to take your word for it.”. Now, when you pull out a package that says THC on it and go, “No, no, no. This is cool. It’s not that THC.”. Just… It’s-

Jordan Lams:
Where it gets interesting too is, and I’m not sure how it works, but the field tests that they have, which are notorious for false positives for one, but also will this trigger a regular THC field test? And does that mean that you’ll have someone that might have issues of driving under the influence charges based on the way that one of these tests pops up?

Matt Baum:
Absolutely.

Jordan Lams:
And so-

Matt Baum:
Or if your drug tested at work.

Jordan Lams:
… it’s got to get addressed quickly.

Matt Baum:
If you’re drug tested at work? Is this going to come up as THC on your drug test? Is it going to come up as-

Jordan Lams:
I’ve heard that it doesn’t.

Matt Baum:
Really?

Jordan Lams:
I can’t validate that, but that’s what I’ve been told is that, in fact, it does not trigger in a regular drug test, through urine analysis, but-

Matt Baum:
Interesting.

Jordan Lams:
… I’m not sure. It’s early days.

Matt Baum:
Yeah. We’ll have to look into it. I just feel like we’ve got a real sticky wicket here with this one. And I don’t mean to sound prude, and I don’t mean to sound pessimistic, but it just seems like we really, and when I say we, I mean, the larger cannabis space really needs to be careful. Just with the amount of work that they have done saying, “We’re hemp, we’re not marijuana, we’re hemp, we’re not marijuana.” And now, “Oh, yeah. But we can also do something kind of like marijuana.” So, keep-

Jordan Lams:
Yeah, no [crosstalk 00:24:40] I agree. And I don’t want to make the caution of the unclear deter people from even pushing the issue on an advocacy side, because where things get really interesting as we do evolve our understanding of the cannabinoids that exist at large is that various ratios of them together, that affect the entourage affect in different-

Matt Baum:
Oh, absolutely.

Jordan Lams:
… capacities. It’s still such a huge amount of discovery that we have left to do. And getting access to large amounts of pure molecules like this is critical in that development and understanding of how things work and then ultimately in the formulation of combinatorial treatments. So, on one hand, we need to figure out what it is and how we’re going to deal with it now from a legal and marketing, and other perspectives. But on the flip, now we’ve got access to something that we didn’t before at scale and inexpensively, and that-

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Jordan Lams:
… opens up a whole slew of opportunity.

Matt Baum:
Yeah. I mean, it’s definitely cool, and we’ll see where it goes. And I think you… It sounds like you guys are being very level-headed about this, and you’re playing it safe for now because you have to. So, we want to advocate, and we want to push, but at the same time, we got to play this stupid governmental game, unfortunately. And even that will be better for everybody.

Jordan Lams:
Yeah. And it’s a process, right? I think our industry because we come from being the misfits by nature, those willing to stand up in the face of adversity for what’s right. Or what we believe is okay for ourselves as individuals and our capacity as adults. But I got to say too, having… I’m 31. I’ve been in the business for about 13 years, which is a lifetime in this industry, and going into it; I was probably the pessimistic young adult that didn’t really believe in the system and fighting the good fight. And 13 years later, I can say I’ve been able to affect some real change by just getting out there and having conversations like this with the stakeholders who have pen to paper.

Matt Baum:
Absolutely.

Jordan Lams:
And just don’t be jaded at the end of the day. If there’s something there and it can be done safely, you just have to stick to your guns. You have to stand up in the face of adversity and advocate for what’s right. And these natural therapies that are safe, despite even some level of intoxication, when using a small subset of them can have absolutely life-changing impacts for people. So we’ve got a little bit of a road ahead to deal with this one specifically because I think it came fairly unexpectedly.

Matt Baum:
Yeah. It seems like this [crosstalk 00:27:11] year.

Jordan Lams:
But I’m so-

Matt Baum:
It just popped up.

Jordan Lams:
… optimistic.

Matt Baum:
Right. Last… I feel like this just popped up [crosstalk 00:27:14] in the last six months.

Jordan Lams:
Nothing forces ingenuity like necessity. Right?

Matt Baum:
I suppose.

Jordan Lams:
And I think with COVID and the crazy turbulence that our industry and the world has gone through this year, it’s caused some very unique thinking to surface. And this is one of those really intriguing new opportunities.

Matt tries Delta 8 THC on the podcast

Matt Baum:
Yeah… I want to send a huge thanks to Jordan for coming on and doing such a wonderful job explaining all about what is Delta-8-THC. We’ll have links to Moxie in the show notes. If you want to check that out and more information about Jordan too. But now, let’s get into it…

It’s been a little while since I’ve taken the Delta-8-THC, and I’m still here. I have to say; I don’t feel impaired. I have some experience. I mean, with marijuana, I’m not going to lie. This is a green friendly household I live in… And this is a different kind of high. I definitely feel high. It’s there, but it is more of a body high kind of what Jordan explained. I feel very relaxed, very at ease, not so much clouded in my head. I might not take something like this and drive just to be safe, but I also don’t feel drunk or lightheaded or dizzy. Any of the things that someone who doesn’t experiment with THC very often can have happen when they try an edible, for example. The Delta-8-THC that I took was a tincture. I’m not going to name the company, but it was a flavored tincture. And you take it much like you would take CBD.

I put it under my tongue for about a minute. Let it sit. The suggested dosage on the bottle was one milliliter, which, according to the label, is 11 milligrams of nano Delta-8-THC. And it also has three milligrams of nano Delta-9-THC, both of which we spoke about in our conversation.
Now, maybe when I go back, and I listen to this, I’m going to think, “Oh, wow. I sounded really funny.”, but I feel like I’m talking, okay. I feel like I’m still parsing out this information as best as I normally do. I’m not going to say I’m an excellent podcaster, but I do the job.

Now normally, whenever you’re trying new products, we always say to start low and go slow. Which, of course, I did not because I wanted to get a real feel for what happens when you take the suggested dose of… And I got to say; this isn’t bad at all.

I feel very relaxed. I have these sort of waves that are running through my body of relaxation that sort of start, what feels like just below my neck maybe. And they carry down through your chest and through your hands. And it’s really just nice and a chill way to end the day, I guess.

It seems like this hit a little slower than THC, that you would smoke or vape. And it really gently just sort of rolls into it. Whereas sometimes if you’re smoking or vaping, boom, you’re just high. The same thing can happen with an edible that you take for the first time. You feel fine. You feel fine. You feel fine. Wham, you’re way too high.

That doesn’t seem to be the case here. Now, again, I’m an experienced THC user. So that’s why I went ahead with the one-milliliter dose. But if you’re going to try this, I would definitely start maybe at half a dose just to see how you react to it. My first experience reactions here, I got to say this isn’t bad at all. And I kind of enjoy it.

So far, I’m giving my first experience with Delta-8-THC a thumbs up. Is it good for the market? Is it going to give CBD a bad name? Well, that all remains to be seen, I guess.

Final thoughts from Matt And Does He Recommends Delta 8?

Matt Baum:
That brings us to the end of this episode of Matt Does New Drugs On The Internet. I hope you enjoyed it. And if my parents are listening, I’m not going to apologize. You know who I am.
Next week on the show, we are going to be talking about pharmaceutical CBD, but specifically a co-crystal that has been used to make CBD more bioavailable, meaning easier for your body to absorb. We’ll tell you all about it next week. And if it is what the people that I talk to says it is, then this co-crystal could blow the whole CBD market wide open.

If you need more Ministry Of Hemp news in your life before that, head over to our site ministryofhemp.com, where we’ve got a fantastic article, all about CBN. It’s another new cannabinoid, that’s very hot. That is being marketed as helping people sleep.

We’ve got a whole article called CBN. What is cannabinol, and why is it getting so much attention? And you should also check out a show that I did a couple episodes ago with Ethan Carr, from Slumber CBN, all about how it can help you sleep. Really cool stuff. And again, those will both be in the show notes. Speaking of show notes here at the Ministry of Hemp, we believe that an accessible world is better for everyone. So we have a full written transcript of this show in the notes as well.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and check out our Instagram because we’ve got another giveaway coming up real soon here. And I think they’re going to let me announce the winner on the show, which is cool, makes me feel special, right? And if you really want to help us out, please rate this show wherever you’re getting your podcasts from, give us a star or even a little written review, because it helps move us up in the search algorithm and get this show in front of people that are looking for hemp news and information about things like CBD, CBN, and Delta-8-THC, even.

But if you really want to make a difference, head over to Patreon/ministryofhemp and become a Ministry of Hemp insider. It gets you access to podcast extras, to early news articles, to articles and information that we don’t even put on the site. But most importantly, it makes you a hemp crusader helping us to spread the good word of hemp and how it can change the world.

All right, that’s it. For now, remember to take care of yourself, take care of others, and make good decisions, will you? This is a slightly stoned Matt Baum with the Ministry of Hemp signing off.

The post We Explore Delta 8 THC: Weed’s Little Brother, Does It Get You High? [Podcast] appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

With more than 70% of U.S. citizens suffering from sleep deprivation, new hemp-based solutions have stepped up to replace pharmaceutical grade sleep aids. Just like CBD, some people report CBN can offer better sleep without the side-effects seen in prescription sleep aid medications.

To understand how CBN is helping everday people, Matt talked with Ethan Carr, director of operations at Slumber CBN in Denver, Colorado. Slumber is one of a number of companies that have entered the hemp health market recently focusing on CBN, rather than CBD.

We’ve already covered some of the differences between CBN and CBD, but we plan on publishing our own detailed introduction to CBN soon.

Brought to you by Ott Coffee

The Ministry of Hemp is proud to partner with Ott Coffee.

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Ott Coffee combines their artisan coffee with CBD for a whole new experience in your cup. Ott Coffee provides you with an alert, focused, and mellow state of mind minus the annoying jitters, anxiety, and crashes. They handcraft their products, made with high-quality ingredients that leave you with a relaxed and focused state of mind.

Use the code ott15 to get 15% off your first purchase at Ott Coffee.

Be sure to check out episode 43 of our podcast for Matt’s interview with Alwan Mortada, CEO of Ott Coffee, too. Thanks Ott Coffee, for making today’s episode possible!

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Send us your hemp questions and you might hear them answered on one of our Hemp Q&A episodes. Send your written questions to us on Twitter, Facebook, matt@ministryofhemp.com, or call us and leave a message at 402-819-6417. Keep in mind, this phone number is for hemp questions only and any other inquiries for the Ministry of Hemp should be sent to info@ministryofhemp.com

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CBN for better sleep: Complete episode transcript

Below you’ll find the complete transcript of episode 56 of the Ministry of Hemp podcast, “Can CBN be used for better sleep?”:

Matt Baum:
I’m Matt Baum. This is the Ministry of Hemp Podcast, brought to you by ministryofhemp.com, America’s leading advocate for hemp and hemp education.

Matt Baum:
Today on the show, we’re going to talk about CBN (cannabinol). It’s a new cannabinoid that helps you fall asleep. There is a lot of different companies out there that are starting to specialize in CBN all by itself. It’s ironic, because the show today is brought to you by our partners Ott Coffee, who combine CBD with coffee, which makes your cup of coffee so much more. I’m super happy to be partnering with these guys.

Matt Baum:
You may remember back in episode 43, I talked to their founder, Alwan Mortada. I’ll have a link to that show in these show notes, so you can go hear more about it. Later in the show, I will tell you how you can get a free sample for just $5.00 shipping, or 15% off your first order from Ott Coffee. I am a big fan, and I’ve been begging him for more. Alwan even got me drinking decaf, which is a first for this old man, let me tell you. But, we’ll talk more about coffee later. Right now, let’s talk about sleep.

Matt Baum:
I’m sure at some point in your life you’ve heard that we’re supposed to get seven to eight uninterrupted hours of sleep a night. Now, if you’re a light sleeper like me that probably rarely happens. In fact, according to sleephealth.org, “In America, 70% of adults report that they obtain insufficient sleep at least one night a month, and 11% report insufficient sleep every night.” Count me amongst that 11%, for sure. They estimate that sleep-related problems affect 50 to 70 million Americans of all ages.

Matt Baum:
Sleep deprivation has all kinds of terrible effects too, from just wearing down your immune system to permanent psychosis if it lasts too long. Now, a lot of people, and me included, have turned to different sleep aids like some of the major ones you see from commercials on TV where a cartoon butterfly flies in the window and lands on someone’s face and they drift off to sleep. Those are fine. They do their job, but they can also result in some groggy mornings and odd behavior like sleep eating and sleepwalking. A lot of over-the-counter sleep aids are nothing more but knockout drugs.

Focusing on CBN

Matt Baum:
The good news is, there is more and more scientific evidence that’s showing that CBN or cannabinol is excellent for helping you fall asleep. Today on the show, I am talking with Ethan Carr. He’s the director of operations at Slumber Sleep CBN in Denver, Colorado. Ethan and I are going to talk about what is CBN and why it works, how it works, and how to get it working for you. Here is my conversation with Ethan Carr. You’re talking to me from the lab right now, right?

Ethan Carr:
Yes, sir. Yeah, I’m speaking right out of the lab, right where the magic happens.

Matt Baum:
So, if we hear anything, it’s science stuff. Don’t worry, Ethan’s okay.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. If you hear any big bangs, as long as they’re not explosions, I’ll stay right here.

Matt Baum:
So, you guys only deal in CBN and we’re going to get into that real soon here, what CBN is and how it works. But, tell me about the choice to start a company that only works with CBN. Where does that come from?

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, totally. When our founders had the brainchild to create Slumber, I believe their goal was to establish an awesome sleep aid product that did not focus on pharmaceuticals. Their focus was with CBN. CBN worked really well as a sleep aid for a lot of their friends and family. That’s when they decided to dive in and try to create an awesome new product.

Matt Baum:
Sleep aids are really gnarly. I don’t think a lot of people realize it. You wake up with a hangover. They knock you out, or they get you so stoned that you can drive your car in your sleep sometimes, or end up eating butter out of the refrigerator like an animal.

Ethan Carr:
Right, right.

Matt Baum:
It’s crazy.

Ethan Carr:
Right, yeah.

Matt Baum:
I will say, I’ve starting using CBN to sleep at night and I really like it. Now, here is the thing, I don’t know what CBN is. I know that it’s a cannabinoid.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah.

Getting to know Ethan Carr

Matt Baum:
I’m hoping you can help us out today. Before you do though, tell me a little bit about you. Why are you the guy? How come I can trust you to tell me this?

Ethan Carr:
Of course, yes. I was born and raised on the East Coast. I went to college in New Hampshire. I found my way out to Colorado with an interest in nature. I went to school for environmental studies. So, I was really focused on finding a new home and getting something new. I found myself working in a CBD lab in Boulder. Within a few weeks, I became very passionate about it. I found it as a very interesting avenue for myself. I liked the work. Through a few various positions over the past couple of years, I was lucky enough to land with Slumber. And as a relatively new company, they relied on me to put forward some nice science and figure out their operation side, and so that’s what I’m doing. I’d like to think that I am a reasonably trustworthy person when it comes to this topic. But, [crosstalk 00:05:31].

Matt Baum:
You don’t seem you’re shady. I’ll tell you that.

Ethan Carr:
Well, thank you. Yeah. Yeah, I’d like to keep up that persona.

Matt Baum:
Did you come from any type of science background, or is this like, you just dove right in?

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. Environmental science, I took those few scientific courses throughout school and I found it very, very interesting. I thought it was an awesome way to begin to treat odd diagnosed illnesses.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
We don’t get too, too deep into the wrongful diagnoses and treatment of illness, but there is a lot of science that pushes that there is a lot of therapeutic benefits for cannabinoids. So, I found that really, really interesting and I wanted to learn more myself. So, I did some digging and through the boom of CBD everybody became acquainted. There is so much more to the space than just CBD.

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Ethan Carr:
CBN is one of those.

CBN is CBD’s ‘sleepy relative’

Matt Baum:
So, let’s start there. Real quick, give us a working definition of CBN. And then we’ll talk about how it differs from CBD.

Ethan Carr:
Of course. CBN, cannabinol. If I was to put this into a simple definition, I’d like to call it CBD’s sleepy relative. Right?

Matt Baum:
Yeah, absolutely.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. It works really well as a sleep aid and as a relaxant, so just like a lot of your other minor cannabinoids there are those internal benefits. We were able to lock in there that, CBN at the proper dosage can help you feel a bit sleepy and help you get a nice night’s rest.

Matt Baum:
Right. So, unlike sleep aids, this is not going to knock you out. That’s not the purpose.

Ethan Carr:
Right.

Matt Baum:
The purpose is to relax you and get you ready for sleep.

Ethan Carr:
Correct. That’s a great thing to bring up. Unlike your pharmaceutical sleep aids, your Ambien and such, this is not going to make you, like you said earlier, wake up and stand in front of your fridge at 2:00 AM saying, “How did I get here?”

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
It’s not going to knock you out.

Matt Baum:
Birthday cake all over your face.

Ethan Carr:
Right, right, Waking up on the couch and you’re doing something silly in the middle of the night, and you say, “Oh man, this happened again.” Yeah, CBN is not going to do that to you. It’s more of a way to help ease you into that feeling.

Matt Baum:
What is the actual cannabinoid itself, like CBN? We know that CBD is the most popular one, obviously. But CBN, lay that out for me.

Ethan Carr:
CBN, cannabinol.

Matt Baum:
It’s literally, [crosstalk 00:08:02] cannabinol is the N.

Ethan Carr:
Cannabinol.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. C-A-N-N-A-B-I-N-O-L.

Matt Baum:
Not bad.

Ethan Carr:
Cannabinol.

Matt Baum:
I’m not going to spell that right in the notes, don’t worry.

Ethan Carr:
No.

Matt Baum:
I have an editor though.

Ethan Carr:
[inaudible 00:08:14].

Matt Baum:
Kit’s really good at making me look better at this stuff in the posts.

Ethan Carr:
[inaudible 00:08:17]. Yeah, it’s an incredibly unique and interesting cannabinoid, just like the rest of them.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

CBN, CBD & getting better sleep

Ethan Carr:
As science progresses, I believe we’ll learn that there is a lot of potential benefits for all of the other minor cannabinoids. But, CBN specifically, we’ve learned to be therapeutic and beneficial for sleep assistance.

Matt Baum:
How does it differ from CBD, for instance? Because I know CBD is also good for anxiety. It relaxes you and whatnot. But, I will also say, I have never taken CBD and said, “I’m ready to go to bed now.”

Ethan Carr:
Right.

Matt Baum:
I take CBD at work to help with anxiety, or to help stay focused.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. I think right down to the basic use for us is, you’re able to lock in a beneficial dosage in a smaller dose. So, in those, a lot of your CBD tinctures you’ll find a rather high potency, or a let’s say just for example, 1,000 milligram CBD tincture in a 30 millimeter bottle.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
It breaks down to about 33 milligrams per milliliter, so about 33 milligrams per dropper-

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
… that you’re ingesting. That’s really beneficial. Our CBN product, our household signature brand that we call Slumber, our signature tincture is a 300 milligram CBN-specific tincture, and that gives you about 10 milligrams of CBN per dropper per milliliter.

Ethan Carr:
Now, how does that differ? Like I said, I think that the best separation would be that it is a sleepy relative. CBD carries many beneficial effects such as those anti-inflammatory properties and anxiety relieving.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
I think that CBN also carries a minor amount of those properties, but really drills home the, I’m beginning to feel sleepy effect.

Matt Baum:
Sure. So, the anti-anxiety and the anti-inflammation is there, but not in the same amount that it is in CBD. Now, you said, your guy’s dosage is lower. Is that because CBN is more powerful, or we just accept it into our systems differently?

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. CBN generally binds with the CB2 receptor in the endocannabinoid system. CBN flip flops between the two and can do a little bit of everything.

Matt Baum:
Okay, back up real quick. You had a big word there. Let’s spell that out. Hit me with that. You said, it binds to the?

Ethan Carr:
CB2 receptor.

Matt Baum:
CB2 receptor. What is the CB2 receptor? Of course, I know. I just want to hear you say it.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, yeah. So, within your endocannaboid system, you have those two receptors that are most beneficial for ingesting these cannabinoids. The CB2 is, it’s what we believe is helping induce that sleepy state.

Matt Baum:
Okay, so the cannabinol specifically targets that CB2, or the CB2 specifically looks for that, one of the two?

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. The CBN it is a… It primarily binds with the CB2. It has a better relationship, I guess you could say.

Matt Baum:
Just the nature of either the CB2 or the way that they bind, you don’t need as much, period?

Ethan Carr:
That’s a really good question. I think that our dosage really came down to eliminating that groggy feeling.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Better sleep without feeling groggy

Ethan Carr:
I think that was our real goal. So, I’ll give you a good example. My father, he’s an older man, relatively uneducated when it came to the cannabinoids. Right?

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
He took a CBD tincture that I made for him once. He said that, it helped him fall asleep, but he had a hard time getting up the next morning. He felt really groggy. And that wasn’t because it was a high dosage. It was just because he’s not an avid cannabinoid user. Right? He’s not a smoker. He’s not an ingestor.

Matt Baum:
His system wasn’t ready.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, his body was new to it.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
So, he felt rather groggy that next morning. That was a bit of a turn off for him because he had to get up and get ready for work and he wanted to be sharp.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
We’re getting a lot of positive responses that this CBN is able to help you feel that sleepy effect, get you comfortable and doze off. And in the next morning, you wake up feeling rested and not groggy.

Matt Baum:
Right. I can’t say I’ve had that same experience. But, again, I do take CBD daily. I also take THC as well, so my system is used to cannabinoids and whatnot.

Ethan Carr:
Right, right, right.

Matt Baum:
So, just like anything else, you start slow. “Start low and go slow,” is what we always say. Right?

Ethan Carr:
Of course.

Matt Baum:
I wasn’t aware that it could make you feel groggy in higher dosages. But, I guess that makes sense to an extent.

Ethan Carr:
Like you said, it has to do with the individual.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
Everybody’s system is totally different. The same way that if we wanted to associate it similar to consuming alcohol.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
Someone has a real high tolerance and someone doesn’t. Right?

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
So, depending on your body type, your metabolism, and how your endocannabinoid system works, it’ll affect you differently.

Matt Baum:
Sure. A party weirdo will be hungover and average, normal guy who doesn’t party like that is not. He’s going to be ruined for the rest of his life.

Ethan Carr:
Right, right.

Making CBN from CBD

Matt Baum:
It makes sense. How do you guys separate and say, okay, we just want CBN? Is it something where you do something to CBD and it becomes CBN, or is it completely separate and you have to go in and there is some type of different process to extract just that?

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. So, just like all hemp derived products, it all starts with a nice quality grown hemp flower.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
The extraction process is almost identical to CBD because CBN is not an extremely high concentration of the hemp flower. If we were doing strictly the extraction, basically we’d need a whole lot of hemp flower and it would make CBN pretty pricey. Right?

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
With a bit of proprietary process, we are able to do some conversion to bring CBD to CBN.

Matt Baum:
So, it literally transforms into CBN?

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, through some conversion processes and making sure we’re within our legal boundaries.

Matt Baum:
Of course. Of course.

Ethan Carr:
We’re able to create a quality CBN product that is CBN-specific.

Matt Baum:
Yeah, because there is concern out there right now about changing molecules and whatnot, and are we doing anything illegal? Even though you’re not, and there is nothing illegal going on, you could still be treated like you’re a meth dealer is you’re not careful.

Ethan Carr:
Correct. Correct. Yeah, we’re being as careful as possible and we’re trying to have a nice quality product on the other end.

Try our sponsors, Ott Coffee, for free!

Matt Baum:
Let’s take a quick time out to talk about our partner today, Ott Coffee. That’s O-T-T Coffee. You can find them at ottcoffee.com. They’ve got a newly designed super sexy looking website where you can order your own. Right now, for a limited time, you can get a free sample just by paying $5.00 in shipping.

Matt Baum:
Now, if you listened to episode 43 of this show, you heard me talk to Ott founder, Alwan Mortada all about their coffee. Quite simply, it is coffee plus CBD that leaves you in an alert, focused, but mellow state-of-mind minus the annoying jitters, anxiety and of course, caffeine crashes. They handcraft their own products made with high quality ingredients that leave you with a very relaxed and focused state-of-mind. They would love for you to try out a new way of drinking their coffee.

Matt Baum:
I’m a bit of a coffee snob and I know what I like. I have to say, this is very good coffee. Unlike the other expensive coffees that I buy, this one doesn’t give me jitters. It balances me out, gets me awake, ready for my day, but I also don’t feel like I’m going to vibrate through the floor because I’ve had too much caffeine.

Matt Baum:
Currently, Ott offers two different brews. They’ve got the Productivity series, which is a medium roast coffee blend with smooth notes of caramel, chocolate and vanilla flavors. This is the one he sent me and I love it. Their other brew is a decaf called, the Relaxation series formula. This is a medium roast coffee blend with smooth notes of caramel, chocolate and fruity flavors. It’s also great because I love coffee and I want to drink it all day long. Drinking coffee all day long can probably lead to a heart attack, so it’s not a bad idea to look into something like a decaf. A decaf with CBD also keeps me focused. It keeps me working. There is probably a little bit of placebo there too where my body, who equates coffee to being awake, feels like its drinking coffee, so it is staying awake. I really enjoy both of these and you will too. Whether you’re a coffee snob or not, mixing coffee and CBD works way better than I ever thought it would.

Matt Baum:
Head over to ottcoffee.com right now and support these guys for supporting us. We’re scratching each other’s backs here, and they really do have a great product. Like I said, you can get a free sample just for paying the $5.00 shipping, or you can use the code OTT15. That’s O-T-T15 to get 15% off your first purchase from ottcoffee.com. When you do that, you’re letting them know that the Ministry of Hemp sent you and you are thankful for them sponsoring us. Head to ottcoffee.com, tell them we sent you, and try a little CBD with your coffee. Now, back to my conversation with Ethan Carr.

Learninig more about making CBN from hemp

Matt Baum:
So, let me ask you, you said, it starts with a quality plant, of course. Are you guys growing a certain strain of hemp that is known for having more CBN in it, or less CBD, or something like that?

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. So, right now, we actually are not growing specifically. We’ve been able to work with a great third party processor whose been able to hook us up with the tools necessary to create a great CBN product.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Ethan Carr:
We’ve been working on some new in-house methods. But with the current demand, we’ve been focusing on just working through the kinks right now.

Matt Baum:
So, it makes more sense to transform that CBD into CBN than it does maybe to work on a strain of a plant that’s going to give you more CBN.

Ethan Carr:
To grow it, right. To grow a CBN, a high CBN percentage flower is a…

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
It may be out there right now, but it is not common knowledge.

Matt Baum:
Sure. CBG is something else we’ve talked about the show and on the site.

Ethan Carr:
Right, right.

Matt Baum:
I know that there are strains of that, of hemp, that are showing more CBG. We’re slowly figuring out how to do that. So maybe, CBN is next in that process. I don’t know.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, no, I think that’s a good guess. I think as science progresses and as the stigma around cannabinoid products begins to dissipate, we will hopefully see some more quality strains come out that may be easier to extract and process.

Matt Baum:
Sure. So, tell me about the extraction process. You said, it’s no differ than a CO2 type process, or what do you guys use there?

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, very similar to your basic CBD extraction. It’s almost identical. It’s everything right down to a CBD isolate and from there the proprietary conversions kick in.

Matt Baum:
That’s where the magic happens.

Ethan Carr:
That’s where the secrets lie.

Matt Baum:
Wave the wand over it and say the words, whatever, and boom, CBN is born.

Ethan Carr:
Wave the fingers, the abracadabra, and poof.

Matt Baum:
So, what about the science of actually bioavailability? We discussed how you guys dialed back the amount a little bit because you don’t want people feeling groggy. I don’t want to feel groggy either, of course. But, is it a matter of bioavailability where because of the nature of the CBN and the nature of that CB2 receptor you were talking about that we just accept it better, perhaps better than CBD, or is a matter of the oil that you guys are using as far as the carrier, if you will?

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, no, it’s no different. The carrier oil is probably identical to many of your CBD tinctures. The bioavailability is really no different except for when you were to maybe take a soft gel capsule.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
Which is something that we’re also able to offer, which we’re really happy with. The lowest bioavailable delivery form is through a tincture.

Matt Baum:
Of course, yeah.

Ethan Carr:
When ingested and absorbed, it has a much better effect, I believe, personally with me.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
It’s all individual.

Matt Baum:
Is there smokeable, or vapeable CBN out there that you know of?

Ethan Carr:
You can make it, similar to a CBD shatter or a CBD crumble.

Matt Baum:
Okay. You’re not going to get in a pre-roll, obviously, because for the most part you do something to the plant to extract CBD and then turn it into CBN.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, you’re right. It wouldn’t exactly be a smokeable CBN flower.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Ethan Carr:
But, maybe a caviar joint, if you will…

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
… of a CBN distillate on top.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
Well, that could be done.

Matt Baum:
With an isolate, distillate, or whatever on top. Somebody, I can’t remember who it was, but they sent me some of those. That it was like a CBD pre-roll and it did have CBG on the outside that they had made. They called it a honeycomb or something like that. It was really cool.

Ethan Carr:
Nice.

Matt Baum:
Really cool. But, I also don’t want to smoke before I go to bed.

Ethan Carr:
Right, right. Totally, totally.

All about Slumber CBN

Matt Baum:
I don’t want to stink. My wife is not going to put up with that. [crosstalk 00:22:20]. So, tell me about Slumber. You guys are in Colorado.

Ethan Carr:
Yes, sir.

Matt Baum:
How long have you guys been around? How long have we been doing this?

Ethan Carr:
Slumber, actually is a relatively new company. We like to say, we’ve been around for 2020. It’s been a brainchild of our CEO and co-founders for quite some time.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Ethan Carr:
As they wanted to help their friends who had some reliance on sleep, pharmaceutical sleep products.

Matt Baum:
Sure, sure.

Ethan Carr:
I’d like to say that, we’ll give ourselves just under a year we’ve been around [crosstalk 00:22:53].

Matt Baum:
Oh, brand new. Brand new.

Ethan Carr:
Relatively new, yes, sir.

Matt Baum:
All right.

Ethan Carr:
With the current situation around the world, we feel as though we’ve been able to accomplish a reasonable amount given the circumstances.

Matt Baum:
Are you telling me that people are having trouble sleeping these days? I wonder why. I haven’t noticed anything stressful going on.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, well, what a surprise. Right? You’d never know.

Matt Baum:
It’s funny. Yeah, it’s funny like that.

Ethan Carr:
It is.

Matt Baum:
So, did the owners, did they come out of the CBD realm and make the conscious decision that we’re going to switch to CBN? And if so, was it the kind of thing where they just saw a market share and said, this is where we want to be, because there is a million CBD companies out there now?

Ethan Carr:
Right.

Matt Baum:
But, CBN seems to be very new and seems to be catching on.

Ethan Carr:
Right, yeah. I think the goal when Slumber was created was to have a breath of fresh air.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
As you just stated, CBD became a bit of a over-saturated market. There are a lot of products out there and it made it a little bit harder as a new company to gain that traction.

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Ethan Carr:
So, with a CBN-specific product, we were able to focus on what we believed was a crucial issue in the cannabinoid space, which was addressing sleep assistance. I think they just really wanted to build a brand that really focused on health and wellness.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
Not as much putting out as many SKUs as possible.

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Ethan Carr:
We have just a handful of products that we offer as of right now. We’re trying to keep it rather simple for the consumer.

Matt Baum:
There is something to be said [crosstalk 00:24:39] for that though, definitely. I mean, I think one of the things you should look out for, and we tell people to look out for when they’re looking into brands is, how many products are they offering? Is this a place that’s offering a couple things and doing it well, or is this a place that has pages and pages and pages of items, including CBD infused clothes and CBD infused soap and CBD dog stink spray? You got to watch for that.

Ethan Carr:
Yes, you do.

Matt Baum:
I think there is something to be said for doing it right.

Ethan Carr:
Right. There are plenty of companies out there in the CBD space that have a whole lot of SKUs and they’re all great products.

Matt Baum:
Yeah, and they’ve been around for a while doing it, yeah.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. Then they’re reputable brands and they really do believe in health and wellness. With that being said, like all industries, there is a lot of people who are in it for the quick dollar.

Matt Baum:
Of course.

Ethan Carr:
So, we focused on trying to be as helpful as possible for a specific issue.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Getting to sleep on CBN

Ethan Carr:
I think that’s why we stayed CBN-specific in our products. We wanted to focus on sleep assistance and sleep aid, people with sleep issues. If they’re able to take our CBN-specific product and get positive results-

Matt Baum:
Fantastic.

Ethan Carr:
… The answer is there. CBN was what you needed. Now, that’s not to say that everybody takes this product is going to receive a big old… They will not give us the gold star, right.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
There is many people who have taken it and said, “Hey, you know, that just didn’t quite work for me,” and that’s okay.

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Ethan Carr:
The goal for us is, all right, the people that take our CBN-specific tincture, does it work, yes or no?

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
If it doesn’t work, how can we help them reach their goal?

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
That’s where we’re at right now. We’re trying to find the alternatives, whether that be… Maybe that is a CBD, CBN ratio product. Maybe that’s beneficial.

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Ethan Carr:
I personally believe that taking a CBN-specific product and [inaudible 00:26:40] working is great. If it doesn’t work, we’ll readdress that at the end.

Matt Baum:
Sure. There is companies that they have things like valerian or add things like melatonin-

Ethan Carr:
Right.

Matt Baum:
… and whatnot as well, which I don’t know about the full bioavailability science on that once you put it in oil. But, some people are doing it and it’s working for them. Let me ask you, I’m new, I know nothing about this and I come to… What’s the site? Slumber?

Ethan Carr:
Slumbercbn.com.

Matt Baum:
I come to slumbercbn.com and I’m tired, man. I just want to sleep. I’m going insane here. How do I start? What do I start with? Give me a regime. How long is going to take? Walk me through just how I get started and what I should look for to know that it’s working?

Ethan Carr:
Of course. So, if you were new to this, the cannabinoid space, and you wanted to be sure that you were getting a product that would work for you-

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
… I think the best place to start on our site would be either with our three day sleep kit vials, or our three day sleep kit soft gels. For the vials, that is three one millimeter vials of our signature solution. That is sort of an introductory product.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Ethan Carr:
If it works for you, perfect. [crosstalk 00:27:54].

Matt Baum:
How many milligrams am I getting in one millimeter when you say three one milliliter. How many milligrams of CBN?

Ethan Carr:
10 milligrams.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Ethan Carr:
10 milligrams per milliliter in our signature blends, yeah. I’d like to start people off with a sleep kit. Maybe that’s one sleep kit, maybe that’s two sleep kits, or start with 150 milligram tincture, which is half of our signature.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
That’s a step down, the more affordable option to get your feet wet in the space.

Matt Baum:
I’m getting ready to go to bed. How long before I’m going to bed am I going to take this? How long before it starts to… because I don’t want to like, “Well, it’s 5:00. I should take it now so by 10:00, I’m getting tired,” or is it so fast that 20 minutes later, I’m starting to feel it come in?

Ethan Carr:
That really breaks down to metabolism, I think. Personally, when I’m getting ready to go to bed and I feel my body, whether that’s fresh off of a run, right. Let’s say I went outside.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
I got my exercise in. Pretty rare that I did that, but let’s say that I did do that. I got my exercise in.

Matt Baum:
Guys like you and me, look at us though. I mean, we’re in the gym every day.

Ethan Carr:
That’s true.

Matt Baum:
Come on. You guys can’t see us, but we’re ripped. Don’t worry about it, anyway.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. We’re actually flexing right now, if you couldn’t see us. Yeah, I’d like to take it an hour to 45 minutes before my desired time to crawl into my bed.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Ethan Carr:
So, personally, I will get comfy, maybe on the couch reading a book, sitting outside, whatever my comfortable wind down time is. I’ll take my Slumber. Maybe on the first yawn, I’ll say, “I’m starting to feel a bit sleepy.” The feeling, it’s really no different to when you begin to feel tired.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
As you begin to feel that sleepy sensations like, hey, it’s time for me to crawl into the bed.

Matt Baum:
Right. You’re typical [crosstalk 00:29:45] wind down time is when you would say, all right, this is the end of the day, maybe I sit on the couch and watch TV or read for a little bit. But, that’s when you would say, time to take the sleep aid?

Ethan Carr:
Yes.

Matt Baum:
You’re not going to pass out on the couch? It’s not going to leave me there drooling?

Ethan Carr:
Correct, yeah. We’re not talking about an instant sleep. If we were able to make something like that with CBN, that would be a different ball game.

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Ethan Carr:
That’d be it. But, yeah, we’re happy with just working you into starting to feel the sleepy sensations and help ease you into a more comfortable night’s sleep. With the growing technology and everybody being either hooked up to an iPhone, or an Apple watch, and fitness and Fitbits, they’re able to track your sleep. Right?

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Ethan Carr:
So, your Apple watch could tell you how much sleep you’ve got that night.

Matt Baum:
I’ve been tracking mine.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. So, we have a few customers who were able to say, “Hey, I took your product and on paper, I got a better night’s rest.”

Matt Baum:
Yeah. I will say, [crosstalk 00:30:47], I’ve been taking it. You guys sent me the 300 milligram we talked about, I want to say about two and a half weeks ago, maybe three weeks ago and I’ve been taking it nightly. I sleep with my iwatch on and yeah, I’m moving less. I’m rolling around less, which is something… I’m a very light sleeper and I find that I wake up, turn over, wake up, turn over. When I’m taking this, I’m not going to say it’s 100% gone.

Ethan Carr:
Right.

Matt Baum:
But, my watch is saying, “Matt, you’re not moving around as much,” and that helps me stay more comfortable and sleep. I’ve got a great mattress. I’ve spent a bunch of money on it. I was a little upset that it didn’t just knock me out, but there are no easy answers to some of this. Right?

Ethan Carr:
Right. Oh, yeah. That’s really what we’re leaning in. I don’t have an Apple watch yet. I think I’m working on maybe getting a WHOOP, an Apple watch, something that I can really gauge my sleep schedule with and sleep patterns. Once I have some good evidence on there, I want to start to track the use of Slumber. [crosstalk 00:31:47].

Matt Baum:
I literally had no use to do it until I started doing this show and then people started sending me sleep aids and I was like, “Well, I want to see.”

Ethan Carr:
Right.

Matt Baum:
I can wake up and be like, “I feel like I slept better.” But, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Maybe you slept really well and you just woke up tired, or you didn’t sleep at all and you woke up feeling great. You don’t know.

Ethan Carr:
Right, right. Yeah. Who knows which one is working best for you until you have some good concrete evidence.

Matt Baum:
Totally. Totally.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, that’s what I like about some of that emerging technology that would help us solidify the efficiency of our products.

The future of Slumber CBN

Matt Baum:
Right. What’s the future for Slumber? What’s coming next?

Ethan Carr:
Ooh, the future for Slumber, without giving too, too many details away because-

Matt Baum:
Oh, come on. Come on.

Ethan Carr:
I think I might be telling you before I told anybody else on the Slumber team.

Matt Baum:
Yeah, right.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. I think the next product that’s going to come out of this facility will be a sleep gummy.

Matt Baum:
Okay.

Ethan Carr:
A sleep gummy product.

Matt Baum:
Cool.

Ethan Carr:
I think we’re also going to begin to offer more alternatives. So, if the CBN-specific [inaudible 00:32:51] product isn’t working for you, hey, maybe let’s try a CBN, CBD ratio product.

Matt Baum:
Yeah. Yeah, definitely.

Ethan Carr:
Let’s create a twice as strong CBN product. Right?

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
For those people that weren’t able to get positive results the first time, let’s see if we up your dose and up your potency, and let’s see if that works. If that doesn’t work, however much we may not all love it, a low dose of melatonin maybe that’s beneficial for you as well on this.

Matt Baum:
Sure. Sure.

Ethan Carr:
But, I think something that I’m really proud of that we’re working on will be a bit of a wellness platform. We’d like to be able to give you, not only the product, but also maybe the steps to help you find a nice night’s rest.

Matt Baum:
That’s very cool, because I think that’s something a lot of people don’t understand. You think you just take a sleep aid and then I go lay down and I just go to bed, right. I’m not sleeping. I took a sleep aid. What is the problem?

Ethan Carr:
Totally, yeah.

Matt Baum:
There might be some anxiety there, friend. Maybe we need to not stare at a blue screen, or something for a while, or turn the lights down. I think that’s a fantastic idea.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah. Similar to your morning routine, I wake up every morning at… and go downstairs and make my breakfast, get dressed, head out the door. There is some real concrete evidence that says having a nighttime routine really helps you out as well.

Matt Baum:
Absolutely.

Ethan Carr:
So, I’ve been trying to ease myself, like you said, cut off screen time at least 45 minutes beforehand-

Matt Baum:
Absolutely.

Ethan Carr:
… and get some fresh air, maybe do some stretching, maybe do some yoga, maybe do some breathing, right.

Matt Baum:
I don’t think everybody realizes that your TV is screen time too. You’re looking at the same-

Ethan Carr:
Totally.

Matt Baum:
… type of screen. It’s still LED lit up, blue background. That’s really bad for you. Your eyes equate that to sunlight, basically, and it messes with your eternal clock.

Ethan Carr:
Totally. Creating a nighttime routine also helps you trick yourself into feeling a little bit sleepy once you get that down to something that’s just part of your day-to-day every night. Let’s say that I start my routine around 8:00 PM. All of a sudden, I start to feel a little bit more sleepy at that time.

Matt Baum:
Totally.

Ethan Carr:
I could take my Slumber. I believe I will have an even better night’s sleep than I would have if I only took Slumber. I wish that I could shut my mind off, but I’m one of those people that always has the cartoon monkey with the symbols banging in your head.

Matt Baum:
Oh, same here. Absolutely.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, it’s pretty consistent.

Matt Baum:
The bear in the go-kart.

Ethan Carr:
Oh, yeah.

Matt Baum:
The chimp with the cigar.

Ethan Carr:
Yes, you name it.

Matt Baum:
The whole zoo.

Ethan Carr:
Exactly.

Matt Baum:
They’re all there freaking out.

Ethan Carr:
Exactly. So, what’s the best way to treat that, right? It more than just a supplement. It’s taking the proper steps. Right?

Matt Baum:
Absolutely.

Ethan Carr:
We think that in conjunction with the Slumber product, taking those proper steps, that’ll help you get a better night’s rest. That’s what we want to do. More than just produce sleep aid products, we want to help you reach your goal of falling asleep. Since we just had that nice conversation about what’s next for Slumber, maybe something that I’ve been messing around with in here, I just got to tune it in just right, a Slumber topical product.

Matt Baum:
Cool.

Ethan Carr:
Something that has a nice aroma.

Matt Baum:
Yeah.

Ethan Carr:
Because when you lay in bed, and you just got back from, let’s say, doing some exercising and you’re a bit sore…

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
… You’d take up on that when you lay down?

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
So, if we’re able to, not only address maybe some soreness and some aches and pains due to over exertion, let’s hit those with a nice topical product.

Matt Baum:
That’d be very cool, definitely.

Ethan Carr:
Let’s take some Slumber to help and let’s see if we can really get it all going.

Matt Baum:
Yeah, I love this idea. It’s nothing that anyone who doesn’t have children doesn’t already know. You have to have a routine.

Ethan Carr:
Right.

Matt Baum:
As hard as it can be to get your kids to get ready to go to bed, once you get them in bed, they’re out cold, for the most part. I was a monster, but that’s my fault.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, I was as well. Right, [inaudible 00:36:46].

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
I wasn’t a huge fan of bedtime. I wanted to keep playing around.

Matt Baum:
Sure.

Ethan Carr:
I wanted to watch that late night TV show I never got to watch it. I wanted to watch it.

Matt Baum:
Right.

Ethan Carr:
Even as an adult, actually, I like to call myself an adult sometimes, who knows if I really am, but I like to… I think that establishing that is a huge step for your wellness.

Matt Baum:
Most definitely.

Ethan Carr:
To being able to say, “Ah, 8:30, time for me to start getting ready for sleep.”

Matt Baum:
Yeah, without a doubt.

Ethan Carr:
[inaudible 00:37:16]. Maybe 8:30 is a little early. Maybe that’s just me being an old fart.

Matt Baum:
I mean, that’s adorable if you’re going to be at 8:30. I don’t know, maybe you get up at 3:00 in the morning like you’re Amish. You got to churn the butter or something. I don’t know.

Ethan Carr:
That truly would be incredible. Now that I say it, I guess it’s more of an internal goal as much as the reality.

Matt Baum:
You do not need to be awake until 2:00 in the morning, damn it.

Ethan Carr:
Yeah, right. Yeah, and then yeah, exactly. I think that there is a lot of hope for not only Slumber Sleep Aid products, but a majority of the CBN products on the market. I think that as people become more acquainted with what it is and it’s similar to CBD and CBG. Like you said earlier, we’re starting to CBG as a more popular product on store shelves. It all comes with the spreading of information. And if we can spread information about not only our brand, but also just how to help you fall asleep, perfect.

Matt Baum:
I think it’s really interesting because a lot of CBD companies that have branched into CBG or CBN, or Slumber, for example, who just decided, we’re going to go straight CBN, they have been able to break out and discover exactly what that does, how well it works, how it works. And then you can look at gently reincorporating other things to create an entourage effect, if you will.

Ethan Carr:
Right.

Matt Baum:
Like, it’s okay, we’ll add back in CBD. We’ll add a little CBG and now you have something that helps with anxiety, and gets you ready for bed, and helps with pain and whatnot. So, it’s amazing what we’re learning. It sounds like you guys are doing it right.

Final thoughts from Matt

Matt Baum:
Here is thanks again to Ethan for joining on the show today. And as always, I will have links to Slumber CBN and a fantastic guide that we have on ministryofhemp.com about CBD versus CBN, the differences, the benefits and the uses for the two in the show notes for this episode.

Matt Baum:
That was a fun and serendipitous episode, if you will. Ott Coffee is sponsoring the show. A huge thanks to them again. They brought us a way to wake up with CBD, and then we talked to Ethan Carr who told us how CBN can help us fall asleep.

Matt Baum:
Next week on the show, I’m going to talk to Evan Nison. He’s the youngest member of the board of directors of Norml. It’s spelled N-O-R-M-L. They have been fighting for cannabis legalization in the United States since the ’70s. So, it’s going to be a really cool conversation about our friends that are fighting for marijuana rights and what it means for hemp legislation as well. Be sure to check that episode out next week.

Matt Baum:
And if you need some more Ministry of Hemp in your life right now, head over to ministryofhemp.com and check out our new guest post about sustainable CBD packaging. It pairs really well with the episode we did last time where I spoke with Jordan [Henishaw 00:40:08], the CEO of Green Tech Packaging about replacing plastics with bioplastics made from hemp, very cool stuff.

Matt Baum:
We’ve also got a new post about broad spectrum CBD, comparing broad spectrums and full spectrums CBD. We get a lot of questions on that one. So, if you’re curious, it’s a great article to check out.

Matt Baum:
If you dig this show and you dig the information we are kicking out at Ministry of Hemp, there is ways you can help us. First, head over to wherever you’re downloading your podcasts and write us a short review, or give us a star rating, or whatever they do there, because it really helps when people search for this stuff to bump us up in their search algorithms.

Matt Baum:
You can head to patreon.com/ministryofhemp and become a Ministry of Hemp insider. Any amount you donate, not only helps us to continue bringing you quality hemp advocacy and education pieces, but it makes you a Ministry of Hemp insider and gets you access to early articles, podcast extras and all kinds of cool stuff. Thank you so much to everyone that’s already become a Ministry of Hemp insider.

Matt Baum:
Here at Ministry of Hemp, we believe that an accessible world is better for everyone, so we have a full written transcript for this episode in the show notes as well.

Matt Baum:
That is it for this week and I’m going to get out of here now. I like to do it the same way every time. I like to say, remember to take care of yourself, take care of others and make good decisions, will ya? This is Matt Baum with the Ministry of Hemp signing off.

The post Can CBN Be Used For Better Sleep? With Ethan Carr, Slumber CBN appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.