There are a lot of questions surrounding CBD, and many common misunderstandings. You probably have some of the same questions, or possibly don't really even know the right questions to ask, but we are here to help. It's important, when looking for a quality brand, to do some research and ask yourself some questions prior to making a purchase.
What is the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana?
Hemp and marijuana are both strains of the cannabis plant, a flowering plant which has three species: Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis.
Hemp refers to the varieties of cannabis that have less than 0.3% of THC and is CBD-rich. Hemp has many uses besides just being a source of CBD oil. In fact, hemp can be used for making rope, paper and clothing, and can even be used in food. Actually, it been used for as long as 10,000 years.
Marijuana, on the other hand, consists of the varieties of cannabis that have more than 0.3% THC, and is mainly known for its uses as a psychotropic compound that can produce euphoric and other effects.
One of the main differences between marijuana and hemp is legality. Hemp was previously listed as an illegal substance under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, but it was removed from that list in 2018 and became federally legalized. Marijuana is still on the controlled substance list (though it is legal for medicinal use in many states and recreational use in a few others).
Is CBD oil legal in all 50 states?
Yes, CBD oil is legal in all fifty states, as long as it is derived from hemp and not from marijuana. You don’t need to have medical authorization or a prescription to purchase CBD, even full spectrum CBD.
What is Full-Spectrum CBD Oil? What is Broad Spectrum CBD? What is CBD Isolate?
Full spectrum CBD oil contains a full spectrum of compounds from the hemp plant, including cannabinoids (even those trace amounts of THC), flavonoids and terpenes. Broad spectrum contains compounds similar to full spectrum, but with the THC removed. CBD isolate contains only the specific cannabinoid, cannabidiol, and has all other compounds fully removed.
Will CBD Make Me Feel High?
THC is the cannabinoid that is known for producing the "high" feeling. Any full spectrum CBD product (from Naternal or any other company) has the potential to cause a slight high if a product is taken in large enough doses. Our full spectrum products contain equal to or lesser than 0.3% THC, which is currently the legal limit. At this level, our 2400mg full spectrum tincture contains less than 3mg of THC per 1mL dose. For comparison, 10mg is the standard dose on edible products in state with medicinal marijuana programs, so you can see that this is much lower. If you do experience any unwanted side effects, we recommend you lower your dose while starting out, and work your way up to a higher dose, if needed. If you want to avoid the potential effects of THC altogether, then we would recommend a broad spectrum product.
Does CBD Interact with Other Medications?
At low doses, it is unlikely that any negative interaction will occur. It is always possible that interactions can occur, and is more likely at a higher dose. CBD and other cannabinoids have the potential to interact with medications by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome P450, a family of liver enzymes. If you’re taking medications where maintaining a certain blood level is essential, including blood thinners or anti-seizure medications, always consult with a physician before using a CBD product.
How Do I Know What Dose of CBD I Should Take?
The dosages for CBD can vary widely from person to person, based on health, activity level, weight, and other factors. Some people take doses as small as 5 MG per day, and some take closer to 100mg per day. If you are new to CBD, we always recommend starting with low doses and slowly increasing your dose over time. This allows you to gauge how the product affects you, as you work towards finding the right daily dose for your lifestyle.
How Do I Take CBD?
CBD products can be used a number of ways. Tinctures are taken orally or sublingually (meaning drops are placed under the tongue or between the gum and cheek). Topicals are applied directly to the skin. Capsules and gummies are also taken orally - like other vitamins or supplements. Some oil can also be used in recipes and cooking.
What Makes Naternal Better Than Other CBD Companies?
Naternal excels because we are the perfect blend of scientific innovation and quality ingredients. We’re located in a global life science innovation center, and we use local farmers whose practices we know and trust. We turned a science lab into a cannabis manufacturing facility, and we have two of the world’s top natural product experts that help formulate the line.
What Does Naternal Mean by Vertical Integration?
Our parent company, Root Bioscience, is a vertically integrated hemp processor, which means we control the entire supply chain from seed to shelf. This gives us advantages over other brands because we control our quality and we can cut costs by cutting out the middleman (in fact, many other brands buy some of their products from us!).
Our farms are in North Carolina, which is also where we extract and separate our material. We then transport the product to our finishing lab in Research Triangle Park, where we further refine the oils, formulate the products and package our finished consumer goods.
Does the CBD brand claim to cure diseases or ailments?
CBD is not a cure-all. Any brand that is willing to make health claims about CBD should be questioned. While there is on-going research for CBD as a treatment for many different ailments, there is not yet enough data to make any official health claims. Always be weary of brands claiming that CBD will cure your anxiety, insomnia, cancer, etc.
How is their customer service?
Does the brand you are considering offer different ways you can get in touch with them? Are they responsive? Do you reach an actual human at that company when you call with questions?
These are all important when searching for the right CBD brand. Often, when considering CBD, you are making decisions about your personal health and wellness, and you shouldn’t leave that to just anyone. Do your research and choose a company that is willing to listen to you and answer your questions.
At Naternal, when you call, you will reach a human that is knowledgeable about our products and can help guide you. We will do our best to answer any questions you may have. Not only are we knowledgeable about our products, but the entire production process. Being vertically integrated means we have sight on the entire manufacturing process.
Where are you purchasing the CBD oil?
Online? Grocery Store? Hemp Dispensary? Gas Station?
We always recommend doing your research on a brand to make sure it has a good reputation and offers information about the quality of the product. For example, does the company provide a batch specific Certificate of Analysis? Typically, retail locations undergo a vetting process for CBD brands to ensure that they meet the quality you would expect, but it is always best to double check by doing your own research. As a rule of thumb, we recommend avoiding CBD products and probably other health and wellness products from gas stations.
Does the product contain questionable ingredients?
Double check the ingredients label to ensure that it doesn’t contain any dubious ingredients. For oral tinctures or edibles, make sure there are no artificial colors, flavors, or harsh preservatives. For an oil based tincture, it should not need any preservatives and should mainly contain the CBD oil, the carrier oil (like MCT oil), and the flavor (if applicable). For topicals, choose a more natural product that is free of artificial preservatives, sulfates, fragrances, phthalates, or parabens.
Understanding the CBD industry can be difficult, but making sure you are finding the right product for you doesn't have to be. If you have any questions about any of our products or our process, feel free to reach out to us directly at info@naternal.com, by phone at 888-825-0930 or via social media.
