CBD/Hemp Oil Products & Information
The Chambers’ Apothecary CBD/Hemp Oil brand!
We are excited to have our own brand of CBD/Hemp Oil manufactured for us. The quality is so great that we put our name on it! Here are the top 5 reasons why you should buy our Chambers’ Apothecary brand of CBD/Hemp Oil products:
- Our products are grown and manufactured in the USA. We are closely involved in the manufacturing process from beginning to end, or seed to shelf!
- Our products undergo extensive testing to ensure that every step of the manufacturing process has met analytical testing standards. We proudly pass this information onto our customers so that they can see the quality for themselves!
- Our products are TRULY pharmacist recommended. Our pharmacists also provide the professional guidance you need regarding how CBD/Hemp Oil products interact with your prescription medications.
- Because we test all of our products extensively, you can rest assured that the ingredients listed on the bottle are indeed there! This also means that our products containing the legal amount of THC have been verified. All our products meet and/or exceed federal regulations.
- Our products are a pharmaceutical grade and manufactured meeting good manufacturing practices (GMP) standards.
CBD/Hemp Oil Education
What Is CBD?
CBD is an abbreviation for Cannabidiol, a chemical compound found naturally in the cannabis plant. It is not mind altering like marijuana. CBD will not make you high. Over the past 40 years, there have been numerous studies that highlight the potential benefits of CBD and how it can support the Endocannabinoid System (ECS).
Every mammal has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) with receptors throughout their bodies. This system is involved in almost all brain and body functions, from our ability to handle pain, stress, and anxiety to our mobility and muscle health.
Sublingual CBD oils are the most popular CBD products, thanks to their high bioavailability and ease of use. Other popular routes of administration include topical salves and patches.
Importantly, CBD has been found to be well-tolerated and absent of adverse effects at doses up to 600 MG/day. It was also comparable to placebo in producing no physiological effects at these relatively high doses.
Reference: Acute Effects of a Single, Oral Dose of d9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) Administration in Healthy Volunteers – PubMed
CBD Supplements Our Own Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
Cannabis has been at the center of one of the most exciting—and underreported—developments in modern science. Research on marijuana’s effects led directly to the discovery of a hitherto unknown biochemical communication system in the human body, the Endocannabinoid System, which plays a crucial role in regulating our physiology, mood, and everyday experience.
The discovery of receptors in the brain that respond pharmacologically to cannabis—and the subsequent identification of endogenous cannabinoid compounds in our own bodies that bind to these receptors—has significantly advanced our understanding of human biology, health, and disease.
It is an established scientific fact that cannabinoids and other components of cannabis can modulate many physiological systems in the human brain and body. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that trigger cannabinoid (and other) receptors. More than 100 cannabinoids have been identified in the marijuana plant. Of these marijuana molecules, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been studied most extensively. In addition to cannabinoids produced by the plant, there are endogenous cannabinoids (such as anandamide and 2AG) that occur naturally in the mammalian brain and body, as well as synthetic cannabinoids created by pharmaceutical researchers.
Hemp vs. Marijuana
If you do any research into CBD on the web, you quickly realize how much confusion exists regarding CBD and medical marijuana. The misconception that CBD is medical marijuana is one of the most important reasons for educating pharmacists and healthcare professionals – as well as the general public – on the merits and pitfalls of both of these substances.The biggest difference between CBD and medical marijuana is the presence of THC. THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in medical marijuana, which often contains upwards of 20% THC by weight. Hemp-derived CBD products, on the other hand, contain less than 0.3% THC by weight (often, THC content is fully undetectable).
Both of these compounds work via their interaction with the human body’s endocannabinoid system, which “regulates regulation” within the nervous system and the immune system, but that’s where the similarities end.
What is hemp?
Hemp is defined as “the plant Cannabis sativa L., and any part of that plant…having a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.”
In practice, hemp is grown most commonly for three reasons:
- Its nutritional value in the form of hemp seeds
- Its industrial value in the form of hemp stalk and hurd fiber
- Its agricultural value as a phytoremediator
However, in order to profitably grow hemp, CBD must also be extracted from the flowers of the plant. This has greatly incentivized the agricultural community to supply the CBD industry with raw materials, and it has contributed to the rapid growth seen in CBD sales over the last decade as hemp legality slowly evolved.
In addition, cannabis plants as a whole can produce only about one-third of their weight in cannabinoids. That means if they contain 30% THC, there’s very little room for other cannabinoids. Because hemp contains extremely low quantities of THC, there’s room for other cannabinoids like CBD, CBC, and CBG to be synthesized in the plant’s resinous trichomes which coat its flowers.
For this reason, CBD is most commonly extracted from hemp plants, which regularly have a CBD:THC ratio of about 30:1. Medical marijuana, on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, has a typical CBD:THC ratio of 1:100.
What is medical marijuana?
Medical marijuana refers to cannabis with a high percentage of THC, sometimes approaching 30% by weight.
Medical marijuana typically has a CBD:THC ratio of 1:100. It is federally illegal, but certain states have decriminalized its use.
The term medical marijuana refers to using the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine.
Common Types of CBD/Hemp Oil Products
Full Spectrum CBD Products
Full spectrum means that an oil or product contains all the cannabinoids that are naturally occurring in the cannabis plant. Quality full spectrum CBD products are typically high in CBD, with only trace amounts of minor cannabinoids, and very low in THC (less than 0.3%). Despite these relatively low amounts, the overall composition is considered “full spectrum” and is synonymous with the “entourage effect” – which refers to the increased effectiveness of these products due to the different cannabinoids working synergistically. Full spectrum products are commonly considered more effective than products that are CBD isolate derived. Products that are isolate derived will only contain the isolated CBD molecule.
Broad Spectrum CBD Products
Broad spectrum CBD products are identical to full spectrum except that they contain no THC.
Isolate Products
Isolates are the individual compounds that may be the only ingredient in a given product. Below are some common “isolates” that can be found in isolate-only products as well as in full and broad spectrum products together.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD is the most abundant compound in the hemp plant. Unlike THC, CBD will not give the user a “high” feeling that the cannabis plant has been traditionally known for. It is used by consumers to promote a healthy functioning system. Some people report it has a relaxing / calming effect, while others may feel more energized.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
THC is the second most common cannabinoid in the hemp plant. It is also the most desired compound in hemp’s sister plant, marijuana. THC is the compound in the cannabis plant that makes the user feel “high”. Legally, the distinction between hemp and marijuana is the THC content of the plant. Anything less than 0.3% is defined as hemp, and anything over 0.3% is marijuana. While full spectrum CBD products will contain trace amount of THC, levels will always be below the 0.3% mark. In such small amounts, consumers using CBD products will not feel the psychoactive effects of the THC, it is only present to help increase the entourage effect.
CBG (Cannabigerol)
CBG is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid just like CBD. It’s actually the parent compound of THC and CBD, and acts as precursor to the three main cannabinoid lines: tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA). Enzymes in the cannabis plant will break down CBG and convert it to one of these final compounds.
CBN (Cannabinol)
CBN is a minor cannabinoid that is being studied for its sedative effects. CBN is believed to be the compound in cannabis that generates a relaxed feeling in the user.
CBC (Cannabichromene)
Cannabichromene (CBC), is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant, and is therefore a phytocannabinoid. It bears structural similarity to the other natural cannabinoids, including THC, THCV, CBD, CBN, among others. CBC and its derivatives are as abundant as cannabinols in cannabis.
Certificates of Analysis
A certificate of analysis (COA) is a lab report on the chemical make-up (e.g., contents) of a product. In the context of Industrial Hemp extracts, the COA reports on the cannabinoid, terpene, and contaminant profile of CBD products. COAs are used to verify that the contents of the product are matched to how it is advertised. These reports are important for verifying that hemp extracts have less than 0.3% THC by weight, as determined by the definition of Industrial Hemp in the law. Also, tests are carried out to check for dangerous compounds such as heavy metals or pesticides and reported in the certificate to ensure the safety of the consumers.
Why are COAs important?
A study conducted in 2017 found that almost 70% of online CBD products are mislabeled, either having substantially more or less CBD than advertised. For nutraceutical applications, knowing the exact potency and ingredients is extremely important. For example, manufacturers could claim a CBD product contains no THC or claim a certain potency in their product, but since there is little oversight the opportunity to “fudge the numbers” is compounded. This could be a major issue for people who are choosing products without THC in order to pass a drug test because of a job. In an unregulated industry, with new CBD companies popping up everywhere, it is difficult for customers to know exactly what they are paying for.
Labeling alone is not reliable, especially when products are sold online to customers who do not fully understand the ins and outs of the industry. This is the reason COAs are standard practice for reliable, law-abiding CBD manufacturers. They create transparency for consumers as well as regulators to clearly identify exactly what is and is not inside a given hemp extract.
CBD/Hemp Oil & Drug Tests
THC-containing CBD/Hemp oil products have the potential to give a false positive for marijuana, depending on the type of test being administered. It is for this reason that anyone who receives any type of drug testing should avoid taking or using full spectrum products which contain less than or equal to 0.3% THC. Also, if you are unsure of your employer’s policy on CBD/Hemp oil, we recommend asking the appropriate individuals so that your employment is not jeopardized.
