CBD is the buzz-generating wellness product of the moment. Everywhere we turn, there’s a new CBD shop opening up or a new product on the shelves of our favorite health food store. What is it, exactly?
Is it safe? What health benefits does it tout?
And the big question, how is it different from its cousin, THC?
Even though it’s showing up on nearly every corner of the wellness world, many people still find CBD a little confusing.
What’s the deal with hemp oils?
Here’s the thing – I’ve never tried them, so this article is neither an endorsement nor a caution. It’s an attempt to define and answer some of the most common questions about CBD oil…because it doesn’t appear to be a trend. It’s everywhere.
I connected with Frisco resident Kristen Williams, who up until last year was unfamiliar with CBD oil. Now, a savvy user and sales rep of full-spectrum hemp oils and related wellness products, she took a few minutes to answer some of the most common questions about it.
Lifestyle Frisco: So, let’s start with the basics. What is CBD oil, exactly?
Kristen Williams: The cannabis plant is made up of two main players: CBD and THC. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant with enormous therapeutic potential for everything from chronic physical discomfort to emotional and mental health wellness, improved sleep, and more.
CBD is extracted from hemp-producing plants using a premium CO2 extraction process. It’s industrial hemp oil that has been refined and purified without destroying the medicinal and healthy cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes.
LsF: So we’re not talking about getting high here…
KW: Absolutely not. CBD is devoid of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active ingredient in marijuana. CBD is not psychoactive.
LsF: Is CBD oil the same thing as medical marijuana?
KW: No, but they’re related. Both full-spectrum hemp oil and medical marijuana are types of cannabinoid-containing plants. Each plant is selected, cultivated, grown, and processed differently.
LsF: Okay, one more question to clear up any confusion about what it is and what it isn’t… Can you please clarify the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil? Are those terms interchangeable?
KW: Full Spectrum hemp oil is different than just a CBD oil. Full-spectrum hemp oil contains all of the different compounds present in the hemp plant. This includes cannabinoids (CBD), flavonoids, and terpenes. All of these compounds work together to create the entourage effect: when the combination of cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes are present in the body at the same time, the effects are enhanced. This means it’s critical that you are taking a Full Spectrum Hemp product versus a CBD isolate (which will be much less effective).
LsF: So, a year or so ago, you were like me, right? Totally no idea what hemp oil is, and perhaps a little cautious to try it?
KW: Absolutely. A friend introduced me to the hemp industry. It was such a foreign (dare I say even taboo?) subject for me. In fact, I didn’t even know what constituted legal versus illegal. This friend is a successful attorney and someone whom I respect a lot, so I trusted that she knew what she was talking about.
I started out completely naïve but quickly learned how important hemp products are to our endocannabinoid system, which includes our central nervous system, immune system, and metabolism, just to name a few.
It’s this system within our bodies that, when in balance, creates a state of homeostasis — biological harmony!
My family tried the products and it was almost immediate that we noticed a difference – mood stability, better stress management, decreased soreness, and improved sleep. Finding the right products that value research, mental health, gut health, and overall body health is key. With the new movement toward natural healing, full-spectrum hemp products can help people in all those areas.
LsF: So, what I’m gathering is that for many people, CBD oil is a preferred organic alternative to using prescriptions or OTC drugs for their health and wellness needs.
KW: Yes. But you want to do your research to be sure you’re buying a quality product. Most oils on the market only have a 6-15% absorption rate. That’s a lot of wasted money! I prefer Q Sciences Full Spectrum Hemp Oil because it’s temperature-stable and with their BioAborb technology, you’ll absorb at least 85% of what you take. It sets Q Sciences apart from other products on the market. I love it so much that last year I became a sales rep!
LsF: Because you don’t have enough to do already between your kids’ activities, your PTA board position, and the local nonprofit that you co-founded?
KW: I know, right? Well, what can I say? I never saw myself doing this, but that’s how much I love it. The friendships are wonderful and I’m learning a lot.
LsF: So, I’m guessing there are a lot of quality CBD products out there, but please go ahead and tell me more about yours.
KW: I’d love to! The Q Sciences Q Fuse Hemp Oil is a premium water-soluble, full-spectrum hemp CBD oil. That means, in addition to CBD, it contains other naturally occurring flavonoids, terpenes, phytocannabinoids, and cannabinoids — which are critical to activating the effects of CBD in your body. It also means that it’s not a distillate, isolate, or chemical version of CBD.
LsF: Okay, while I try to wrap my head around all of that, tell me what’s in it?
KW: Q Fuse Hemp Oil contains a concentrate of over 500 phytochemicals and over 80 cannabinoids in the hemp plant. Moreover, Q Sciences only selects Hemp strains that are ultra-low THC and that are high in cannabidiol. Our processes ensure that there’s virtually zero THC in our products. These cannabinoids, including cannabidiol or CBD, are a remarkable class of compounds and possess significant potential for addressing a wide array of health needs – nutrition, improved sleep, improved focus…lots of things.
LsF: Since you’re a pro, tell me — how would you say that Q Fuse Hemp Oil compare to other hemp oil products?
KW: Because Q Fuse is produced with BioAbsorb™ technology and is 85% bio-absorbable through the GI cell wall, it’s 14 times more efficient than raw CBD oil (6% bioavailable) and 3.4 times more efficient than those produced with Liposomes (18-24%). This means that not only is it more effective and fast-acting, it’s less expensive in the long run because you need less per dose, comparatively speaking.
LsF: Thanks for clearing up some of the most pressing questions. While I know there are shops on nearly every corner, why don’t you tell us how our readers can connect with you, should they have any questions or wish to talk about it further.
KW: Absolutely! Please visit my website, my IG page, or email me and let’s chat! I’d be happy to share more about CBD in general or tell you more about my experience with specific products. Do your own homework as well; there are a lot of resources online about CBD. I’ll tell you that the Q Sciences product range is scientifically proven to help with the following men’s and women’s health concerns: cognitive function, weight management, brain health, vascular health, energy, sleep, digestive health, and more.
The bottom line with any new approach to your health and wellness is to be aware of what you’re putting into your body. If you’re choosing the right product, Full Spectrum can be life-changing. Talk to your doctor, first, to better understand what’s right for your body.
Familiar with CBD? Leave us a comment with your thoughts about it. And consider following Hello Wellness on Instagram to stay up-to-date!
