Month: April 2022

In this piece, we’ll highlight the latest research findings about the use of pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol (CBD) to treat seizures. To be clear, Innovative Extracts hemp extract tinctures contain CBD and other cannabinoids, but are not pharmaceutical-grade products. With that being said, we want to provide you with the best information possible about cutting-edge research on the topic.

CAN CBD BE USED TO TREAT SEIZURES IN CHILDREN?

Epidiolex, a pharmaceutical-grade form of pure cannabidiol, has been approved to treat three different diseases that cause seizures in children. The medication has been shown in multiple randomized control trials, the gold standard in drug development, to significantly decrease the number of seizures in children affected by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex. In these studies, children who received Epidiolex had a 17-25% decrease in the number of seizures they experienced. A small percentage of children in each study even became seizure-free on the medication. Importantly, in all of the trials, the medication was used in addition to the children’s other anti-seizure medications, not as a replacement for those medications.

The FDA approval of Epidiolex is very exciting because it marks the first time that cannabidiol was approved to treat a specific medical condition. Researchers are currently looking into whether the medication could be used to treat other forms of seizures or other medical conditions.

CAN CBD BE USED TO TREAT SEIZURES IN ADULTS?

This is still an active area of research, and there is no FDA-approved CBD treatment for seizures in adults. That being said, there were some young adults (ages 18-30 years old) included in one study investigating the effect of pharmaceutical-grade CBD on seizures. In this study, there was about a 33% decrease in overall seizure frequency in people who took Epidiolex in addition to their usual seizure medications. This study was not controlled as well as the randomized trials described above, which makes its results potentially less helpful than others. Overall, this finding is encouraging, but not a definitive answer to the question of whether or not CBD can treat seizures in adults. If you’re considering using CBD to help decrease your own or a loved one’s seizures, we recommend you first have a discussion with your or their doctor about the potential risks and benefits of doing so.

CAN CBD BE USED TO TREAT SEIZURES IN DOGS?

This is still an active area of research. So far, there has been one small randomized control trial investigating the use of CBD to prevent seizures in dogs. In this study, dogs with seizures received 2.5 mg/kg “CBD-infused oil” twice daily for 12 weeks plus their regular anti-seizure medications. The dogs receiving CBD had a 33% decrease in how often they had seizures compared to the dogs that did not receive CBD, a statistically significant result. But, a similar number of dogs in both the control (placebo) and experimental (CBD) group met the study definition of “responders,” a confusing result. It’s not entirely clear why this happened, but it could be that the dose of CBD used wasn’t high enough or that the study wasn’t large enough to detect this difference. Overall, the decrease in seizure frequency is an encouraging result, but there is more work to do to prove the effects of CBD in treating seizures in dogs. If you are considering using CBD to help with your dog’s seizures, we recommend you first have a discussion with your veterinarian about the potential risks and benefits of doing so.

HOW DOES CBD PREVENT SEIZURES?

Scientists are actively working to determine how pharmaceutical-grade CBD prevents seizures. Generally speaking, seizures happen due to overactivation of the parts of the nervous system in the brain, so it is likely that CBD impacts the activity of the nervous system. However, this is an active area of research and it is not clear yet how exactly CBD works to prevent seizures.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEMP EXTRACT OIL FROM INNOVATIVE EXTRACTS AND PHARMACEUTICAL-GRADE CBD?

At Innovative Extracts, all of our products are third-party tested to ensure they are of the highest quality. We even publish a breakdown of the various compounds found in our products to give you access to this important information. Additionally, our tinctures are either full spectrum, which includes <0.3% THC, or broad spectrum, which is THC-free. While the main ingredient in both full spectrum and broad spectrum tinctures is cannabidiol, there are also other naturally-occurring phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in them. We believe the cannabinoid profile in our products is superior to others and enhances their effectiveness by allowing the different compounds to work together to achieve the “entourage effect.” Currently, we do not offer a product containing CBD isolate.

Pharmaceutical-grade CBD is pure cannabidiol isolate. Because it is used for a specific medical purpose, it is subject to even stricter regulations from the FDA. The only pharmaceutical-grade CBD on the market is called Epidiolex, which is prescribed by doctors to treat severe forms of childhood epilepsy, described above.

WHAT DOSE OF HEMP EXTRACT OIL SHOULD I USE?

Currently, there is no recommended daily limit for CBD. Finding the right dosage that works for you is more of an art than a science. Our tinctures contain 33 mg CBD per 1ml dropper. A good starting point is to take 3-4 mg per 10 lbs of body weight daily. For example, a 150 lb person would take 45-60 mg per day to start. You can adjust up or down from here depending on your desired results. CBD has been found safe in doses in excess of 1,500 mg/day so experimenting in smaller doses is safe for most people to do.

For more information about dosing, check out CBD dosing post.

ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS FROM USING HEMP EXTRACT OIL?

We haven’t heard many complaints from customers who use our products regarding side effects, but if you experience any, please let us know! We do know that CBD can interact with the way your body breaks down certain medications, so we think it’s a good idea to have a conversation with your doctor before you start using our products, especially if you have any issues with your liver or if you’ve been told to be careful about the amount of grapefruit juice you drink.

As for pharmaceutical-grade CBD, reported side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and decreased appetite. Some children also experienced abnormalities in their liver function tests.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your physician prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing or using other medications.

In this post, we’ll share our suggestions for how to start using CBD and how to adjust the dose of it. As you’ll read below, we want to emphasize that this post is meant to provide you with information that can help you make informed decisions about using CBD.

IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO START USING CBD?

The available medical literature suggests that CBD is safe for most people to use and we take the utmost care to ensure that our products are of the highest quality. That being said, we recommend that you discuss starting CBD with your doctor before doing so, especially if you’ve ever been advised to monitor the amount of grapefruit juice that you drink. This is especially important before starting to use our tinctures, which are the strongest of our products in terms of how much your body absorbs. Our creams are not as strong as tinctures since they are absorbed through the skin and they tend to act directly on the area they are applied to. Finally, our gummies contain 25 mg of CBD, which is a small amount.

WHAT DOSE OF THE CBD TINCTURE SHOULD I TAKE?

Currently, there is no recommended daily limit for CBD. Finding the right dosage that works for you is more of an art than a science. Our regular-strength tinctures contain 33 mg CBD per 1ml dropper. A reasonable starting point is to take 3-4 mg per 10 pounds of body weight daily. For example, a 150-pound person would take 45-60 mg per day to start. You can adjust up or down from here depending on your desired results. CBD has been found safe in doses in excess of 1,500 mg/day so experimenting in smaller doses is safe for most people to do. We find that most of our customers settle in on a normal dose of about 33mg to 66mg per day.

HOW SHOULD I ADJUST THE DOSE OF CBD THAT I TAKE?

In the clinical trials that studied Epidiolex, a medical-grade cannabidiol isolate, doses were increased by 2.25 mg per pound (5 mg/kg) after one week, and then by 1.13 mg per pound (2.5 mg/kg) per week until the target dose was reached. Since our tinctures are not medical-grade, it’s hard to say exactly how to increase the dose, but you can use the estimates above as a general rule of thumb.

WHAT ARE THESE SUGGESTIONS BASED ON?

We base our suggestions on a combination of expert opinion and the best and most recently available medical literature.

Recently, a medical-grade cannabidiol isolate called Epidiolex was approved by the FDA to treat three forms of seizure disorders in children – Dravet Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis. For these conditions, doses for children without liver issues start at 5 mg per kg of body weight per day. The doses are gradually increased, as described above, to a maximum dose of 20 mg per kg of body mass per day in Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and 25 mg per kg of body mass per day in tuberous sclerosis.

ARE IE’S TINCTURES AND OTHER PRODUCTS CLASSIFIED AS MEDICAL PRODUCTS?

We want to emphasize that our products are not FDA-approved medical treatments and should not be taken as such. We are providing this information about dosing and Epidiolex because it is the most robust source of data about pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol and we want you to be well-informed! Lastly, our tinctures are also not currently offered in pure CBD isolate formulations. This means that they contain other cannabinoids and not just CBD compared to Epidiolex, which is pure CBD.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your physician prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing or using other medications.

If you struggle with anxiety, you’re not alone. According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most prominent mental health conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults.

It’s normal to feel anxious about big life moments like moving, starting a new job, or getting married. Ordinary anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion. However, if the feeling of fear starts to interfere with your daily life, relationships, and physical health, it has the potential to become a much bigger problem. If you’re looking for ways to relax and unwind, CBD may be a great option for you.

MANAGING ANXIETY

In the last few years, CBD has been touted as a treatment for a number of medical conditions, including cancer, anxiety, depression and chronic pain. While it’s still unclear how CBD treats anxiety, some research has shown that it may help due to its positive effect on serotonin receptors in the brain.

Serotonin, or the happy chemical as it’s sometimes called, plays a role in your mood, sleep, digestion, and behavior all of which can affect your overall happiness and well-being. Researchers have found that increasing serotonin levels can help treat anxiety. Certain medications, like antidepressants, work by regulating serotonin levels, and some studies suggest that CBD may work in a similar way.

FIGHTING DEPRESSION

There is some evidence to suggest that CBD may help improve depression, but more research is needed to say for sure. There have been several studies in the last decade, but most of them were done using animals. That means the potential benefits of CBD for depression is mostly anecdotal. Still, researchers think that CBD may treat depression and anxiety in the same way — by altering serotonin levels in the brain. While CBD may help with depression, it may also interfere with other medications, so it’s best to talk with your doctor before trying it. 

REDUCING STRESS

A 2017 Gallup poll found eight in 10 Americans are affected by stress. While stress is not a psychiatric diagnosis, it’s closely tied to your mental health in several ways. If you have trouble managing feelings of stress, you may eventually develop a mental illness like anxiety or depression. Chronic stress can also lead to more serious health issues like high blood pressure, chest pain and heart palpitations.

A survey by the Arthritis Foundation found people who have used or are currently using CBD report improvements in their mental and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that CBD can also help boost cognitive brain function while improving your mood, allowing you to focus on managing your stress in a healthy and productive way.

WHAT DOSE SHOULD I TAKE?

If you want to try CBD for anxiety or depression, talk with your doctor. There aren’t any guidelines on the dosage of CBD you should use for either mental health condition, but your healthcare provider can help you figure out a starting dose that’s right for you. When it comes to how to take it, the decision is yours. There are many different forms you can choose from including CBD oil and gummies. 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your physician prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing or using other medications.

Getting a good night’s sleep can feel great and plays a significant role in your overall health and wellbeing. Doctors recommend that adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night. A good night’s rest should leave you feeling refreshed and ready to begin the day. Sound sleep can also help strengthen your memory, help with muscle recovery, and boost your immunity.

Unfortunately, falling asleep or staying asleep can be a challenge for many sleepers. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), roughly 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. Not getting enough sleep on a regular basis can have serious health consequences including an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Possible solutions for better sleep may include improved sleep hygiene, prescription sleep aids, and natural sleep aids – like CBD.

A 2019 Consumer Reports survey found about 10 percent of Americans who reported trying CBD said they used it to help them sleep – and a majority of those people said it worked.

Other research suggests that CBD may also affect sleep by interacting with the receptors in the brain that help regulate our body’s daily sleep and wake cycles. 

CBD AND SLEEP DISORDERS

Research into the effects CBD has on sleep is ongoing, but initial studies suggest CBD can help with a number of sleep disorders including insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness disorder. 

ANXIETY

One way CBD may help with sleep is by easing anxiety. While it’s not classified as a sleep disorder itself, anxiety can contribute to poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep. Because CBD has a calming effect on the nervous system, early research suggests that CBD can be used to treat anxiety-related disorders. Given the evidence for CBD’s ability to ease anxiety, it’s possible that CBD may also help with anxiety associated with insomnia.

INSOMNIA

People who suffer from insomnia struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. This disorder can adversly affect daytime wakefulness, concentration, and perhaps most importantly – your mood. A study of CBD use in people with diagnosed insomnia is underway. The findings will give more insight into the effects CBD has on insomnia.

DAYTIME SLEEPINESS

Another common sleep disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). People who have EDS struggle to stay awake during daylight hours. The urge to fall asleep during the day may be for a variety of reasons including certain medications, various medical conditions, mental health disorders, and other sleep disorders.

Research on cannabinoids and EDS is limited, but initial research indicates the potential role of CBD in managing wakefulness. Further research is needed to determine what doses and methods work best.

 

SHOULD YOU TRY CBD FOR SLEEP?

If you want to give CBD for sleep a try, here are a few things to consider:

Higher doses may work better — There’s not a lot of research on dosing, but preliminary studies suggest that low doses might not be effective. A 2004 study found that low doses didn’t help people fall asleep and may have actually made people more alert. Research suggests that low doses of CBD stimulate the mind, while higher doses are more sedating.

Consider the form — Many types of CBD products are available and have the potential to help with sleep. While vaping CBD may work faster, tinctures and edibles such as CBD gummies might help you sleep longer, because they will release the CBD much slower.

Ask for advice — If other sleep remedies haven’t worked for you, talk with your doctor – especially if you take other medications. Your healthcare provider should know about all of the drugs and supplements that you take in order to best manage your overall care.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your physician prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing or using other medications. 

WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID (END-O-CAN-NAB-IN-OID) SYSTEM?

The short answer is, it’s complicated! The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is one of many cell signaling systems in our bodies that coordinate communication between different cells and body parts. When working properly, these signaling systems keep us happy and healthy and control many important processes in our bodies. More specifically, endocannabinoid is short for endogenous cannabinoid, which basically means cannabinoids that our bodies make. Scientists are actively studying and learning more about this system all of the time.

So far, scientists think that these molecules likely play a role in protecting against or helping improve many different problems, including chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, seizures, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain kinds of cancer. They also think that this system plays a role in changing activity in the immune system to help decrease inflammation in the body. Most of what we know about this system comes from studying animal models like mice, which are obviously different from humans. But, scientists are confident that they will be able to apply some of what they have learned from mice to us!

The main endocannabinoids are 2-AG and AEA, but we’re learning that there are many others that may also have effects on the body. These endocannabinoids can bind to the receptors, CB1R and CB2R. CB1R is found mostly in neurons, which are cells of the nervous system. CB2R is found mostly in immune system cells, but is also found in some neurons. It’s important to note that these receptors are also found in cells of other organs of the body, including the liver, heart, and intestines, which is likely why the endocannabinoid system plays a role in many different diseases.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Generally speaking, signaling systems in your body work like this. In cells, specific molecules are released in response to a triggering mechanism. Those molecules then bind to receptors in the same or other cells, which lead to more chemical reactions. Those chemical reactions in individual cells eventually lead to a bigger outcome in the body, like your heart beating or you moving your arm. Pretty cool, right?

The endocannabinoid system works similarly. In response to increased calcium, cells in the nervous system called neurons produce the endogenous cannabinoids, 2-AG, and AEA. 2-AG can bind to both CB1R and CB2R, while AEA only binds CB1R. These cannabinoids get released from the neuron, bind to their receptors on nearby neurons, and generally decrease activity in the nervous system. This is likely what leads to their effects in the body on relaxation and pain.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ENDOCANNABINOID AND A PHYTOCANNABINOID?

“Endo” is short for endogenous, so an endocannabinoid is one that is produced within the body. “Phyto” is Greek for plant, so a phytocannabinoid is one that is found in plants.

HOW DOES CBD WORK WITH THIS SYSTEM?

Scientists are still figuring this out! Cannabidiol, aka CBD, doesn’t bind as strongly to CB1R or CB2R as THC, and when it does, CBD usually blocks these receptors. CBD clearly doesn’t work by the same mechanism described above, but we have learned that CBD binds to other receptors in the endocannabinoid system and changes neuron activity, which likely leads to its many effects on the body. CBD can also change the activity of cells in the immune system. Unlike THC, CBD does not have psychoactive effects, so it doesn’t get you “high.”

HOW DOES THC WORK WITH THIS SYSTEM?

Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, binds CB1R and CB2R. When it does, THC activates these receptors, which leads to its many effects on the body, including the psychoactive ones that cause you to feel “high.”

Interested in learning more about what all the acronyms above mean? Check out our Language of CBD post.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your physician prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing or using other medications.

Having a short attention span or not being able to stay focused during work or school is something we can all relate to. Not being able to concentrate can be frustrating and discouraging. One of the biggest causes of reduced productivity is the many distractions we have to deal with on a daily basis. Whatever you’re working on, CBD can help.

BENEFITS OF USING CBD FOR FOCUS

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active compound found in cannabis plants. One of the key benefits of CBD is that it triggers the production of your body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) ensures overall wellness by regulating your immune response, memory, movements, and other essential body functions. CBD can also reduce stress and improve your mood. The better you feel, the more productive you will be.

 

OPTIMISM IS HEALTHY

A positive outlook can motivate you to get things done and give you a feeling of accomplishment when you cross tasks off your to do list. Being optimistic and expecting the best possible outcome in any situation can also help you feel more confident when making decisions allowing you to be more productive. It can also be beneficial for your overall health. One study of more than 2,000 older adults evaluated the link between optimism and overall health. Researchers found people who had a positive outlook were more likely to stay healthy.

CALM PHYSICAL TICS

Do you click your pen or tap your leg when you’re trying to work? These physical tics may be a sign of stress which can prevent you from concentrating on tasks. Using CBD can help calm erratic impulses. When your body is relaxed, you have one less thing competing for your attention.

REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY

If you’re feeling anxious or stressed, trying to focus on anything feels damn near impossible. Stress can also negatively affect your mental health and decision making which can lead to faster mental and emotional burnout. Using CBD can help boost cognitive brain function while improving your mood and memory so you can focus on what’s important.

STAY ALERT

Many people start their mornings with a cup of coffee or to stay alert, but consuming too much caffeine can make you feel jittery or jumpy. When you’ve got a caffeine buzz, concentrating is difficult, and you are more likely to make mistakes. Mixing CBD oil into your coffee can lessen the side effects of caffeine, helping you to stay alert, but without the jitters. If you’re not a coffee drinker, there are a variety of CBD teas available, too.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your physician prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing or using other medications