How do I Know CBD Oil is Safe?

CBD Compared to Other Drugs

There are many illegal drugs out there that can cause you harm if ingested in high doses. There are even legal, every day, food-borne drugs that must be consumed in moderation. Things like alcohol or nicotine can be lethal at high doses. Even caffeine can kill you if you drink too much of it. Cannabis oil, specifically CBD hemp oil, is actually much safer. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the reasons why.

CBD is Not Intoxicating

A group of doctors at the Mayo Clinic recently released a review of all the papers on the National Institute of Health regarding CBD oil. [1] The conclusion that they came to was that CBD and other hemp extracts were nonintoxicating and could have many potential uses in medicine. This review also looked at any adverse effects CBD might have on people.

Most Individuals can Tolerate Large Doses of CBD

Turns out, there were studies where people took high doses (300mg/day) for up to 6 months and were fine. Another showed that a group of patients took 4 to 5 times that dosage for 4 weeks and didn’t experience any bad side effects. With CBD, more is not always “more effective” with most people needing far less than any “maximum dose.” In fact, some recent data that we’ve collected, in concert with GoFire, reveals that consumers of Maven Hemp products find that maximum effectiveness is found in very moderate doses.

Favorably safe

One of the most attractive qualities of CBD is that even if you do experience side effects, they’re extremely mild compared to side effects from other drugs. A German study from 2017 found that cannabidiol was “favorably safe” for humans. The side effects included things like diarrhea, tiredness, and changes in appetite. [2] As with any drug, always discuss consuming CBD oil with your doctor if you are taking other drugs.

There was only one study where severe side effects were experienced, but even then, it was amongst psychiatric patients who were most likely taking other medication. Out of the 1600+ patients using CBD, only one person experienced severe side effects (muscle seizures and/or spasms). [3] Yes, you read that right, one out of over 1600+ patients.

CBD and Elevated Liver Function

A somewhat concerning observation came from some of these studies, though. Many of the patients had elevated liver function. This means that the liver is working overtime for some reason. Even the FDA suggests that patients get a liver function test before starting on the FDA-approved CBD drug, Epidiolex. [4]

Beware of Synthetic Cannabinoids

Based on these studies, natural CBD oil from the hemp plant is not harmful to people. However, synthetic cannabinoids have definitely killed people or left some with massive organ damage. [5] These synthetic chemicals have sketchy origins and are often laced with other things such as anticoagulants (these are chemicals that thin your blood and cause uncontrolled bleeding). [6]

The moral of the story is to make sure that you only purchase natural CBD oils. Always read the labels, ask questions, and check that the product has passed the Good Manufacturing Practice test. At Maven, all of our CBD products are tested for purity by independent third-party labs so you know what you’re putting in your body is the best quality, natural CBD in the country.

References

  1. Vandolah, H. J., Bauer, B. A., & Mauck, K. F. (2019). Clinicians’ Guide to Cannabidiol and Hemp Oils. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 94(9), 1840–1851. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.01.003
  2. Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2(1), 139–154. doi:10.1089/can.2016.0034
  3. Hoch, E., Niemann, D., von Keller, R., Schneider, M., Friemel, C. M., Preuss, U. W., … Pogarell, O. (2019). How effective and safe is medical cannabis as a treatment of mental disorders? A systematic review. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 269(1), 87–105. doi:10.1007/s00406-019-00984-4
  4. Epidiolex [package insert]. Carlsbad, CA: Greenwich Biosciences, Inc; 2018. (US Food and Drug Administration website)https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/210365lbl.pdf; 2018. (Published June 2018. Accessed November 16, 2018)
  5. Spice/ K2, Synthetic Marijuana. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2019, from https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/spice-k2-synthetic-marijuana.
  6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, July 26). FDA Warns of Synthetic Cannabinoids Laced with Anticoagulant. Retrieved October 7, 2019, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/emerging-trends/fda-warns-synthetic-cannabinoids-laced-anticoagulant.

 

Cannabis, CBD, Hemp, THC, Marijuana – What’s the Difference?

There’s so much information out there about cannabis that it’s difficult to know what the difference is between all the terminology. However, when it comes to what products you put in, or on your body, either by inhalation, ingestion or application, it’s important to know what is what. In this post, we’ll take a look at the legal and/or scientific differences between some commonly used cannabis terms.

Cannabis

Cannabis (sometimes incorrectly referred to as “canibus oil” or “cannabus oil”) refers to a genus of plants. If you think back to biology class, you might remember that living organisms were divided into five kingdoms. Underneath each kingdom, the organisms were organized by phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Just like all dog-like creatures fall under the genus Canis, the genus Cannabis encompasses several types of plants that we just refer to as “cannabis” in everyday language. For the sake of clarity, the plant will be referred to as cannabis for the remainder of this article. [1]

Hemp vs Marijuana

Hemp refers to the species of cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3% THC. Marijuana refers to a species of cannabis plants that contain more than 0.3% THC. This distinction was made in the 2014 Farm Bill. [2] This legalized hemp on the federal level. In order for people to grow and sell hemp and hemp products, individual states had to legalize hemp on their own.

CBD vs THC

CBD and THC are both molecules that can be extracted from the cannabis plant. Depending on the strain of the plant, the levels of CBD and THC will vary. The main difference between these two molecules is that CBD is non-psychoactive and THC is psychoactive. Molecularly, they’re almost identical except for one part of the molecule where CBD has a hydroxyl group (-OH) hanging off of a carbon molecule while THC has a cyclic (closed) ring containing one oxygen molecule. This small difference completely changes the way CBD and THC interact with our endocannabinoid receptors. THC is able to bind to the receptors while CBD isn’t (has very low affinity). [3]

Why Terminology is Important

Cannabis terminology is important because when you’re out purchasing products, you’ll want to read labels, ingredients, and product descriptions. Depending on the state in which you live, there may be products available to you that are a mix of CBD and THC. Dispensaries in the 47 states where marijuana is legal will often market their products as either having some ratio of THC to CBD.

Marketing

Knowing the difference between these two cannabinoids can help you make better choices on what to buy. Plus, it’s impossible to avoid clever marketing and advertising. In an industry that is still quite new, some companies take liberties with their wording. Understanding cannabis terminology can help with avoiding some of these advertising tricks.

At Maven, all of our CBD products are clearly labeled with every ingredient and verified with third-party lab tests, so you know exactly what you are getting.

 

References

  1. McPartland J. M. (2018). Cannabis Systematics at the Levels of Family, Genus, and Species. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 3(1), 203–212. doi:10.1089/can.2018.0039
  2. GovTrack.us. (2019). H.R. 2 — 115th Congress: Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Retrieved from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2
  3. Atakan Z. (2012). Cannabis, a complex plant: different compounds and different effects on individuals. Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 2(6), 241–254. doi:10.1177/2045125312457586

CBD Lab Testing: How to Read CBD Oil Test Results

What is Lab-Tested CBD Oil?

There are CBD products and then there are lab-tested CBD hemp oil products. With the murkiness of the hemp industry at the moment, the lack of federal and state regulations has allowed for the infiltration of dangerous synthetic compounds. Even pure hemp extracts may vary in their THC and cannabinoid content. You may purchase from one company that uses CBD isolate while another uses zero-THC oil that contains other cannabinoids. [1] So what does it mean when CBD oil is lab-tested and why should you care?

Good Manufacturing Practice

Luckily for those who are looking to use CBD products, the FDA requires that factories and places that produce CBD be in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). [2] This is basically a quality control system to make sure that hemp extracts are properly processed. It’s assuring to know that places producing non-GMP CBD have received warnings from the FDA. But how will you know your CBD product has been properly treated and tested?

The GMP Stamp

First, the product will typically be labeled with the GMP stamp. It’s usually a black and white stamp (sometimes green) that says “Good Manufacturing

Practice” on it with the word “GMP” in the middle. It’s a good idea to always check the labels on the products that you are buying. If you purchase online, take a look at the company’s website to see if their products are in compliance with GMP standards.

All of Maven Hemp’s CBD products are manufactured in accordance with GMP standards, so you can rest assured you are consuming a high-quality product that has been processed according the strictest standards.

Hemp Oil & Third-Party Lab Testing

Second, you want to make sure that the product has been tested by a third-party lab. This means that a lab tests the products for content and quality. If you’re looking for cannabis oils without THC or that are pure CBD, look for the zero-THC or pure-CBD stamp on the label as well as the words “third party lab tested”.

Cannabinoid Percentages in CBD Products

Third-party testing is also important because with the loose regulations, a study from 2017 found that 26% of CBD products contained less CBD than what was on the label. [3] This issue of over-labeling means you’re paying more for something that doesn’t contain as much of the active ingredient as advertised. Under-labeling on the other hand, isn’t as big of a problem. Synthetic CBD aside, natural CBD isn’t toxic and is non-intoxicating. So, even if there is more CBD in a product than expected, it won’t hurt you. With full-spectrum cannabis oil, a little THC (less than 0.3%) might be a problem if kids are ingesting it. In these cases, look for products that contain isolated or purified CBD with no other cannabinoids.

Questions? The Hemp Experts at Maven Have Answers

At Maven, our hemp experts are at the forefront of CBD research around the world. Check out our FAQs for answers to your most common questions and feel free to contact us for more information.

Reference

  1. Pavlovic, R., Nenna, G., Calvi, L., Panseri, S., Borgonovo, G., Giupponi, L., … Giorgi, A. (2018). Quality Traits of “Cannabidiol Oils”: Cannabinoids Content, Terpene Fingerprint and Oxidation Stability of European Commercially Available Preparations. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 23(5), 1230. doi:10.3390/molecules23051230
  2. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Resources. (2019, January 23). Retrieved October 9, 2019, from https://ispe.org/initiatives/regulatory-resources/gmp.
  3. Bonn-Miller, M. O., Loflin, M., Thomas, B. F., Marcu, J. P., Hyke, T., & Vandrey, R. (2017). Labeling Accuracy of Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online. JAMA, 318(17), 1708–1709. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.11909

 

How do I Know How Much CBD to Take?

The Importance of Dosage

When you’re prescribed antibiotics or painkillers after a procedure or due to illness, the doctor or nurse always tells you what dosage to take. Once a day with water or twice a day after a meal is usually what you hear. This dosage is also written on the prescription bottle. Since CBD is still a rather new product, doctors are just beginning to prescribe CBD and pharmacies are just now beginning to offer CBD products. Even though distribution of products is apparent from all the media hype around it, this does not assure you that the people selling CBD (doctors, pharmacists, store clerks) have enough experience to guide your decision. Plus, CBD hemp oil comes in a dizzying array of forms. Some contain only CBD, others contain all the plant matter in hemp extract. How do you know how much CBD oil to take?

How to Start Taking CBD Oil

With any holistic, plant-based product, the best bet is to start by taking the lowest dose and seeing how your body reacts to it. For people who don’t have a tolerance built up to either CBD or THC (products must contain less than 0.3% THC), this is a really good idea because even small doses can make a huge difference. [1] Like any substance, your body will build up a tolerance and higher doses may be necessary.

Tracking the Effects of Your CBD Dosages

Once you’ve purchased your Maven CBD product, simply enter your symptoms or what you’re looking to use CBD for into the app, and GoFire will suggest a dosage for you to start with. From there, you can track any side effects you might experience such as dry mouth, dry eyes, or dizziness. The app will automatically adjust the dosage for you until you find an amount that alleviates symptoms without disruptive effects.

CBD Oil and Drug Interactions

As with any drug, CBD is a chemical that could potentially interact with other drugs you are taking. Always check with your doctor first before starting any long term or consistent use of CBD, especially if you’re taking a cocktail of other medications. [3]

Quality CBD Products and Doctor Recommendations

There have been studies that show cannabidiol may elevate liver function, so if you’re on other drugs that are also a burden on the liver, it is recommended that you speak to your doctor. They may even help you figure out a dosage to start with and using GoFire’s app, you can tweak this as you evaluate the results.

Finally, always make sure that the CBD product you are taking has been tested by a third-party lab. This way, you’ll know that you’re inhaling or ingesting high-quality products. At Maven, all of our CBD products are vetted by our experienced team, and tested for purity by independent third-party labs so you know what you’re putting in your body is the best quality.

References

  1. Atakan Z. (2012). Cannabis, a complex plant: different compounds and different effects on individuals. Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 2(6), 241–254. doi:10.1177/2045125312457586
  2. Huestis M. A. (2007). Human cannabinoid pharmacokinetics. Chemistry & biodiversity, 4(8), 1770–1804. doi:10.1002/cbdv.200790152
  3. Ujváry, I., & Hanuš, L. (2016). Human Metabolites of Cannabidiol: A Review on Their Formation, Biological Activity, and Relevance in Therapy. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 1(1), 90–101. doi:10.1089/can.2015.0012

CBD Oil and Hemp Extracts: Uses, Health Benefits, and Risks

You’ve probably heard a lot about CBD hemp oil and hemp extracts in the news lately. If you’re curious about what these products are, why they are suddenly popping up everywhere, and if there are any risks, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll talk about the uses, benefits, and risks of using CBD products.

Historical CBD Use

Cannabis, the plant, has been used by people for thousands of years. As technology advances, we’ve been able to extract the oils from this plant. The extraction process gives us an oil containing more of the active ingredients we want. The two most studied chemicals from the cannabis plant are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike THC, CBD isn’t psychoactive (it doesn’t get you high) and is better suited for more people to use. [1]

FDA Approved CBD and CBD-like Products

Research has shown that CBD works for seizures, anorexia, and nausea. In fact, the FDA has approved both natural extracts and synthetic versions of CBD to treat these symptoms. [2] People who benefit from these drugs include those who suffer from a rare form of epilepsy and cancer patients who need help with managing chemotherapy side effects.

Other Promising Uses for CBD Oils and Hemp Extracts

For the everyday or casual user, CBD may help with a host of other issues and symptoms. The FDA requires more clinical studies proving efficacy for these other uses before they will approve CBD for these uses. However, anecdotal evidence reveals that CBD may help with anxiety insomnia, pain, depression, and inflammation. [3] Since these symptoms are associated with a variety of conditions, CBD is promising in its potential to give people a better quality of life.

Potential Health Benefits of CBD

If you suffer from chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia or inflammatory bowel disease, you know how difficult it can be to get through the day. While CBD won’t address the cause of the disease, it may help with managing pain and decreasing inflammation, so that you can concentrate on work, spend more time with the kids, and enjoy life a bit more.

While there are no current clinical studies published regarding CBD and PMS, some doctors are investigating the use of CBD to help with PMS. Not the actual hormonal cause of it, but the annoying symptoms like headaches and cramping. Being able to get through that time of the month can help with productivity, motivation, and even mood. While conventional ways of treating PMS involve more hormones (like taking birth control pills) and OTC painkillers, CBD is a hormone-free alternative.

Risks: Synthetic CBD

One thing to be aware of when buying CBD products is the addition of synthetic cannabinoids. Natural CBD oil from the hemp plant is non-intoxicating and can be taken for long periods of time, even at higher doses. [4] Synthetic cannabinoids, however, are dangerous and sometimes life-threatening. [5] When purchasing CBD products, make sure to read the labels and to ensure the product has been tested and certified by a third-party lab. This ensures that the CBD oil has been tested by someone who is unbiased and objective.

CBD hemp oil and hemp extracts are promising solutions for chronic conditions and disruptive symptoms. Since this is new territory for the government and the FDA, it opens up a lot of doors for unethical people to make a buck or two. To protect yourself and reap the full benefits of CBD, always make sure to check the product you’re purchasing for dosage, ingredients, and third-party testing verification.

Ready to give CBD a try? Maven Hemp products are always Lab-Tested by reputable third-party labs and never contain synthetic CBD.

 

References

  1. Straiker, A., Dvorakova, M., Zimmowitch, A., & Mackie, K. (2018). Cannabidiol Inhibits Endocannabinoid Signaling in Autaptic Hippocampal Neurons. Molecular pharmacology, 94(1), 743–748. doi:10.1124/mol.118.111864
  2. GovTrack.us. (2019). H.R. 2 — 115th Congress: Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Retrieved from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2
  3. Laprairie, R. B., Bagher, A. M., Kelly, M. E., & Denovan-Wright, E. M. (2015). Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. British journal of pharmacology, 172(20), 4790–4805. doi:10.1111/bph.13250
  4. Atakan Z. (2012). Cannabis, a complex plant: different compounds and different effects on individuals. Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 2(6), 241–254. doi:10.1177/2045125312457586
  5. Tai, S., & Fantegrossi, W. E. (2017). Pharmacological and Toxicological Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids and Their Metabolites. Current topics in behavioral neurosciences, 32, 249–262. doi:10.1007/7854_2016_60

What is CBD? How is CBD different from THC?

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s one of the 145+ phytocannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa L, or C. sativa. Humans also produce similar compounds called endocannabinoids. Often, you’ll see people refer to CBD as a cannabinoid or phytocannabinoid. [1]

Emerging CBD Products

In recent years, CBD products have been appearing everywhere. The 2018 Farm Bill clarified the legal status of hemp plants, which are cannabis plants containing less than 0.3% THC. However, the Farm Bill only legalizes hemp on the federal level. [2] Individual states also need to legalize hemp and hemp products, such as CBD, for stores to legally sell it. For those of you living in the 47 CBD-friendly states, you’ve probably seen more and more stores advertising CBD and hemp products from CBD hemp oil and tinctures, to brownies and cookies. Even celebrities have started to endorse this product. But what is CBD exactly?

How is CBD different from THC?

Strangely enough, CBD and THC are very similar molecules. The main difference is that CBD is non-psychoactive. It does not cause changes in mental state when it is ingested. [3] This means that when you ingest products or use a hemp extract, you don’t get a happy, euphoric feeling. However, CBD has been known to provide relief from seizures, pain, and anxiety. There have even been studies on CBD’s effect on different types of cancer cells. [4, 5, 6, 7] Another difference between these two cannabinoids is that CBD seems to take away the anxiety and other unpleasant side effects that people often get when they inhale THC. In a way, they work together, and against each other!

The reason we can feel the effects of CBD is because of our own endocannabinoid system, discovered in the early 1990s by researchers Raphael Mechoulam (currently associated with the Jerusalem’s Center for Research on Pain), William Devane and Dr. Lumir Hanus of the National Institute of Health.

CBD Studies

While scientists have studied THC and cannabinoids as a whole, there’s still very little research on what receptors CBD directly affects. This is not to say that there is no effect, but rather, scientists are trying to pinpoint how CBD interacts with our biological systems. Now that the World Health Organization has sought to remove CBD from the (international) Schedule IV list, roadblocks to determine how CBD may be able to help people across the globe are being removed.

Most studies agree that CBD binds poorly to the known endocannabinoid system receptors, but from there, the mechanisms of CBD remain unclear. [8] There are plenty of anecdotal reports about CBD, but any chemical with potential health benefits must be tested scientifically. With that said, international clinical studies are being run to discover CBD’s effects on a myriad of ailments from anxiety and sleep disorders to epilepsy and cancer.

How Does CBD Work?

The studies on how CBD specifically works in the human body point to its ability to calm down nerve cells. [9] How CBD does this is still unknown, but the theory is that CBD somehow changes the way nerves send signals. [10] It’s important to note that these studies are still in their preliminary stages. The good news is that with the legalization of hemp, scientists in the U.S. can obtain different samples and types of CBD and other cannabinoids. This means more studies on how CBD specifically affects the human body.

Maven Hemp – At the front lines of Cannabis Research

Israel is at the forefront of the research on potential medical uses of CBD and other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike many CBD companies, the Maven Hemp team is spread across Israel and the U.S. and is armed with the most up-to-date research regarding the effects of CBD products. Our CBD oils, tinctures, and isolates are produced in GMP-rated facilities using certified processes, to bring you pure, lab-tested CBD products you can trust.

References

  1. Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2(1), 139–154. doi:10.1089/can.2016.0034
  2. GovTrack.us. (2019). H.R. 2 — 115th Congress: Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Retrieved from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2
  3. Pellati, F., Borgonetti, V., Brighenti, V., Biagi, M., Benvenuti, S., & Corsi, L. (2018). Cannabis sativa L. and Nonpsychoactive Cannabinoids: Their Chemistry and Role against Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cancer. BioMed research international, 2018, 1691428. doi:10.1155/2018/1691428
  4. Sharafi, G., He, H., & Nikfarjam, M. (2019). Potential Use of Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. Journal of pancreatic cancer, 5(1), 1–7. doi:10.1089/pancan.2018.0019
  5. Alharris, E., Singh, N. P., Nagarkatti, P. S., & Nagarkatti, M. (2019). Role of miRNA in the regulation of cannabidiol-mediated apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. Oncotarget, 10(1), 45–59. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.26534
  6. Ivanov, V. N., Wu, J., Wang, T., & Hei, T. K. (2019). Inhibition of ATM kinase upregulates levels of cell death induced by cannabidiol and γ-irradiation in human glioblastoma cells. Oncotarget, 10(8), 825–846. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.26582
  7. Zhang, X., Qin, Y., Pan, Z., Li, M., Liu, X., Chen, X., … Li, D. (2019). Cannabidiol Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Cell Apoptosis in Human Gastric Cancer SGC-7901 Cells. Biomolecules, 9(8), 302. doi:10.3390/biom9080302
  8. Straiker, A., Dvorakova, M., Zimmowitch, A., & Mackie, K. (2018). Cannabidiol Inhibits Endocannabinoid Signaling in Autaptic Hippocampal Neurons. Molecular pharmacology, 94(1), 743–748. doi:10.1124/mol.118.111864
  9. Thomas, A., Baillie, G. L., Phillips, A. M., Razdan, R. K., Ross, R. A., & Pertwee, R. G. (2007). Cannabidiol displays unexpectedly high potency as an antagonist of CB1 and CB2 receptor agonists in vitro. British journal of pharmacology, 150(5), 613–623. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707133
  10. Laprairie, R. B., Bagher, A. M., Kelly, M. E., & Denovan-Wright, E. M. (2015). Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. British journal of pharmacology, 172(20), 4790–4805. doi:10.1111/bph.13250

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Applies To Full Spectrum Products

FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These products are not available for purchase to customers under the age of 18. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.

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