Quinton Charles, Author at Green Wellness Life

Hemp and its Antibacterial Properties

May 13th, 2022 by Quinton Charles

By Quinton Charles, Op-ed blogger

Bacteria and Hemp?

There are a myriad of benefits that are being discussed when talking about the use of hemp and CBD. I am sure you have heard people giving testimonials about CBD assisting with their pain management or anxiety-reduction, but did you know that hemp also has some antibacterial properties? That’s right! In multiple studies, hemp was found to reduce the overall count of Staphylococcus aureus (Staph infection) bacterial cells. CBD is also being studied for its potential to assist in boosting one’s immune system and regulating T cells and white blood cells. Let’s dive in and learn more about this!

Staph.

Cannabis has been known throughout time to have antibacterial properties and was studied in the 1950’s as a treatment for tuberculosis and other diseases. But research into using cannabis as an antibiotic has been limited by poor knowledge of the plant’s active ingredients and by the controversy surrounding its THC-laden cousin’s use as a recreational drug.

When researchers applied extracts from five major cannabinoids to bacterial cultures of six strains of MRSA, they discovered that the cannabinoids were as effective at killing the bugs as vancomycin and other antibiotics.

“The cannabinoids even showed exceptional activity against the MRSA strain that makes extra amounts of the proteins that give the bugs resistance against many antibiotics,” said one researcher. These proteins, he explains, allow the bacteria to “hoover up unwanted things from inside the cell and spit them out again^[1].”

Conveniently, of the five cannabinoids tested by the researchers, the two most effective ones also happen to be non-psychoactive, meaning that they cannot cause a high.

While the researchers were unsure exactly how the hemp targeted the bacteria, they were shocked at the antimicrobial effects that the plant had. Currently, they believe that hemp evolved powerful, antimicrobial defenses to fend off bacterial infections in the plant and that these defenses could be used to help humans.

Fabrics, too?

It isn’t just Staph that saw significant decreases when hemp was applied; other bacteria on hemp fabric seemed to disappear, too! Bacteria, such as pneumonia, saw significant decreases in microbe count after a short period of time. Can it get any better? It can. The specific fabric used for these tests was not 100% hemp; rather, it was 60% hemp, 40% rayon. This means that hemp clothing (and these great benefits) could be accessible to a wider pool of customers when using mixtures and blends of fabric.

This is exciting when looking to the future and the possibility of finding other uses for hemp like hospital sheets, masks, and other medical textiles are some potential uses for this game-changing material^[2].

What about the inside?

While there is growing documentation of hemp combating bacteria as a fabric, what about other uses for hemp and CBD? This is where CBD assisting in the regulation of cells and aiding in the balancing of the body can come into play.

The body’s Endocannabinoid system may play a pivotal role in our body by helping with regulating immunity and maintaining cell health. In animal studies investigating autoimmune health, CBD oil from hemp has been shown to balance the immune system by reducing the activity of T cells, B cells, and both T helper and T cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets. However, outside of an autoimmune arena, CBD may also support the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, a type of white blood cell^[3].

So what does all of that jargon mean? T cells and B cells are cells that respond to viruses, and NK cells are responsible for killing off viral cells. CBD may aid the body’s ability to combat illness by assisting in the regulation of the T and B cells, while it may also assist the bodies ability to increases the count of cells responsible for killing viral cells.

Antibiotic Hemp

While antibiotics are invaluable in fighting disease in the modern world, many antibiotics have seen reduced efficacy, resulting from antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. What does this have to do with hemp?

As bacteria strains become more resistant to antibiotics, doctors and researchers are looking into what are called helper compounds (also known as antibiotic potentiators or resistant breakers). These “helper compounds” are non-antibiotic compounds that act as adjuvants for antibiotics, operating synergistically through mechanisms including efflux pump inhibition, enzyme inhibition, or changing membrane permeability, which can contribute to improving antibiotic efficacy^[4]. Okay, that’s a lot to take in. What this means is that the compounds can work alongside and enable antibiotics to kill bacteria by stopping the growth of new bacteria cells. They do this by assisting antibiotics to enter dangerous bacterial cells, and by making it easier for antibiotics to do what they were intended to do.

Hemp is currently being researched in the capacity of a helper compound, owing to its known antibacterial properties and its role in regulating healthy cells. If the research proves productive, and hemp is found to have the desired effects as a helper compound, then it is likely that hemp will enable doctors and health organizations to continue using antibiotics against strains of bacteria that have become resistant to most antibiotics.

Stay safe!

While hemp has remarkable properties, and will certainly be used for all sorts of health applications worldwide in the future, the best thing that one can do for one’s health is to act deliberately and make safe decisions. Hemp, though wonderful, is not a panacea, and shouldn’t be thought of as the end-all-be-all. Like anything else, hemp has to be understood in a holistic context. Only when it is used in tandem with a healthy diet and healthy choices can its benefits be fully appreciated.

As always, stay safe, research everything that you use, and feel free to call us at 888-772-7875, email us at support@greenwellnesslife.com, or message us with any questions (or if you just want to chat). That’s what we’re here for!

Resources

How to Read CBD Product Labels

April 12th, 2022 by Quinton Charles

By op-ed Blogger Quinton Charles

When we go grocery shopping, it is fairly easy to figure out what is in the food that we buy. That is because the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires manufacturers to list various things on food labels, such as calories, fat, and carbohydrates. This standardized system helps us determine whether we should buy something or not.

Unlike food, however, CBD isn’t regulated by the FDA. If you’re like the millions of Americans who are interested in CBD for its health and wellness benefits, you may be overwhelmed by trying to figure out what to buy. There isn’t a standard label for CBD products, so as you shop, you might find yourself scratching your head, wondering what exactly an aerial plant part is, or what the total CBD amount is per serving.

These labels can be confusing, but by breaking down the most common terms found on CBD products, you can shop like a pro. Below, we outline what you need to know about CBD so that you can learn how to read CBD labels.

Step One: CBD Basics

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of more than 100 naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. These compounds, known as cannabinoids, are believed to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, or ECS. Another well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive component of marijuana that makes you feel high or stoned.

When purchasing CBD, it is important to understand the difference between CBD and THC. Both hemp (from which CBD is extracted) and marijuana are cannabis plants. The main distinction between the two is the level of THC. Under U.S. law, hemp plants can contain no more than 0.3% THC, while marijuana plants (where legal) may contain up to 30% THC.

This distinction is important, both for understanding what CBD is, and for choosing the product that is right for you. As long as the CBD product is made from industrial hemp grown in the United States, it will contain no more than trace amounts of CBD. If you purchase CBD that is made from marijuana (which is legal in some U.S. states), it may contain higher levels of THC.

Step Two: Isolates, Full Spectrum, and Broad Spectrum

When you are shopping for a CBD product, you will have three basic options: CBD isolates, full spectrum CBD and broad spectrum CBD. Understanding what each of these terms means is critical to purchasing the product that you want.

Full spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, including both CBD and THC, as well as the beneficial terpenes and flavonoids contained in the plant. Choosing full spectrum CBD allows you to take advantage of the entourage effect, which is a boost in the beneficial properties of CBD that comes from the combination of all of these components. While full spectrum CBD contains THC, it will be at trace amounts — 0.3% or less — as long as it is made from industrial hemp.

Broad spectrum CBD is similar to full spectrum CBD, except that the THC has been removed. In this way, you can get all of the benefits of the entourage effect, without any THC. This is a good choice for anyone who is worried about the (unlikely) possibility that CBD may trigger a false positive for marijuana on a drug test.

Finally, CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. It only contains CBD – not any other cannabinoids. It may also be referred to as 0% THC. It is tasteless and odorless and may be preferred if you want to ensure that you don’t get any THC with your CBD.

If you’d like to learn more, we have a great article here comparing full-spectrum and isolated CBD.

Step Three: CBD Concentration

One of the most confusing aspects of CBD labeling is figuring out exactly how much CBD you are getting per serving. There are two numbers that you will typically see on a bottle of CBD oil: the amount of oil in the bottle (milliliter, or mL) and the amount of CBD in the container (expressed as milligrams, or mg).

Most often, the amount of CBD is described as the total mg of CBD for the entire bottle or package. For CBD oils, you can look at the number of mg per mL to determine CBD concentration. If the mg/mL is not listed on the package, you can do the math yourself to figure it out.

For example, a 15mL bottle of Mary’s Nutritionals The Remedy CBD Oil Tincture contains 500 mg of CBD per bottle. This works out to 33.33 mg/mL of CBD (500 mg divided by 15 mL). A standard-sized dropper produces approximately 20 drops per mL, which works out to approximately 2 mg of CBD per drop.

Some products don’t list the total amount of CBD per bottle or package and instead list the serving size. Charlotte’s Web Hemp CBD Extract has 7 mg of CBD per serving for a 30 mL/ 1 fluid ounce bottle. Two droppers full of this product equals 1 mL of CBD oil, and 7 mg of CBD. Multiplying 7 times 30 brings you to 200 mg of CBD per bottle, or approximately 7 mg/mL.

In this way, you can figure out the concentration of CBD in a particular product. This can help ensure that you don’t waste your money on an expensive CBD product that actually has fairly low levels of CBD.

Step Four: The Ingredients List

CBD products often have other ingredients so that they are easier to consume. For example, a CBD edible or oil may contain a natural or artificial flavoring. While CBD doesn’t taste bad, its earthy or grassy flavor isn’t everyone’s favorite, which is why flavoring is important to a lot of people.

CBD oils typically contain a carrier oil, such as cold pressed hemp seed oil, MCT oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil. These oils help your body absorb the CBD and also work to stabilize and preserve the CBD. You can check the ingredients list to see what type of carrier oil is used in a particular product and choose one that you prefer.

You may also see terms like “aerial plant parts” or hemp extract. These terms have to do with how the CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, as well as ever-changing laws and regulations on hemp in the United States.

The CBD that is legal under federal law is extracted from the hemp plant. The only parts of the hemp plant that contain CBD are the stem, stalks, leaves, and flowers — not the seeds. “Aerial plant parts” are the parts of the hemp plant that grow above the ground, and the parts of the plant that contain CBD.

Importantly, if a product is listed as being made from hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, or Cannabis sativa seeds, it probably doesn’t contain CBD. While hemp seed oil may be used as a carrier oil, it doesn’t have CBD. Be wary of any products that don’t mention cannabidiol, hemp extract, or the hemp plant parts.

Step Five: Independent Testing

As noted above, the FDA does not regulate CBD in the United States. This can make it incredibly difficult to know what you are getting. One way to ensure that you are buying a safe, high-quality product is by only purchasing CBD that has been independently tested.

Reputable CBD products will come with a Certificate of Analysis or COA. This COA means that it has been tested by a third-party laboratory. You can access the COA by visiting the manufacturer’s website and entering the code found on the product, or by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

These lab results contain three important categories of information. First, it will disclose the CBD and THC concentrations of a particular product. You can check to make sure that you are actually getting what you are paying for, in terms of CBD concentration, and that you aren’t getting THC that you don’t want.

Second, the COA will show you the cannabinoid profile of the product if you are purchasing full or broad-spectrum CBD. This list will include other cannabinoids that are in the product, such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabinol (CBN).

Third, the results will show the presence of other substances in the product, including heavy metals and pesticides. By reviewing this information, you will be able to tell if there are any contaminants in the product, and if so, if it is within safe levels.

Still Confused? We Can Help.

There is a lot of promising research on the wellness benefits of CBD. While the science of CBD is still in its early stages, many people are ready to give it a try and see how it can help boost their health. If you find yourself interested in trying CBD but unsure of how to read a CBD label or even where to start, we are here to help.

At Green Wellness Life, we aren’t doctors, and we cannot diagnose or treat any condition. What we can offer is our experience and insight on CBD, along with the latest research on what CBD may be able to do for you. If you have questions about CBD or simply need assistance shopping, contact us today by pressing the live chat button, calling (888) 772-7875 toll-free or filling out our online contact form.

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What Is THC Free CBD?

November 9th, 2021 by Quinton Charles

by Quinton Charles, Op-ed blogger

If you’re new to the world of CBD, you may find all of the different terms surrounding it to be a bit daunting. You may also be worried about whether taking CBD will make you high – or cause you to fail a drug test. It can be hard to decide whether to take CBD or not if you don’t understand exactly what it is…and what it isn’t.

CBD has been legal in the United States since 2018, with the passage of the Hemp Farming Act. Under this law, industrial hemp grown in the U.S. can contain trace amounts of THC (cannabinoid that has a psychoactive component found above .3% in marijuana but also found in trace amounts in the hemp plant). If you are concerned about consuming any amount of THC, you can also purchase CBD products that contain Zero THC CBD.

To help you understand more about CBD oil and THC , we are breaking down the science behind hemp. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether CBD is right for you.

The Endocannabinoid System(ECS)

In the United States, the growth and production of the cannabis plant has been illegal for most of the past century. Hemp, a member of the cannabis species of plant, was included in this broad ban. Even after the production of hemp was legalized in 2018, there is still a lot of confusion about the hemp plant and hemp oil with CBD.

Plants in the cannabis genus contain over 100 naturally-occurring compounds, known as cannabinoids. Two of the most well-known cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Both of these compounds can be found in the hemp plant, along with many other cannabinoids that you may have heard about including CBN, CBG, CBDA, CBBC, THCV, THCP and the list can go on and on.

Each of us has an endocannabinoid system that produces endocannabinoid receptors. These participate and regulate internal functions in our body, and our body produces them as we have need for them. Experts believe that a humans endocannabinoid system contributes to homoeostasis, or balance in our internal systems. The hemp plant and marijuana plants produce something similar to endocannabinoids, these are called phytocannbinoids. Each of these phytocannabinoids interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) producing different effects. The US Library of medicine published a review stating;

“Recent neurological uses include adjunctive treatment for malignant brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, and the childhood seizure disorders Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. In addition, psychiatric and mood disorders, such as schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, addiction, postconcussion syndrome, and posttraumatic stress disorders are being studied using phytocannabinoids including.“

Difference between CBD and THC.

One of the most important differences between CBD and THC is that THC is psychoactive, while CBD is not. This means that consuming THC may make you feel intoxicated, while you won’t feel high after taking CBD.

Generally speaking, THC and CBD have an inverse relationship. This means that as the level of CBD in a cannabis plant increases, the level of THC decreases (and vice versa). As a result, when you buy a product made from a CBD-rich plant like hemp, the THC content will be very low.

Under federal law, hemp grown in the United States can contain no more than 0.3% THC. By contrast, marijuana plants may contain as much as 30% THC. Most CBD products manufactured in the U.S. are made from industrial hemp, with trace amounts (or no) THC. In states where marijuana is legal, you may be able to purchase CBD products made from cannabis, with a higher level of THC. At Green Wellness Life, we only sell products made from industrial hemp grown in the United States – none of which contain more than 0.3% THC, and many of which are THC-free.

What Is Zero THC CBD?

Zero THC, THC-free or CBD isolate products are exactly what they sound like: CBD with absolutely NO THC. You can buy almost any type of CBD product with Zero THC, including THC free CBD oils, THC free CBD edibles, THC free capsules, THC free topicals, and THC flower and vape cartridges.

Making THC free CBD involves an extra step in the extraction process. First, the flowers, stalks, and leaves of the hemp plant go through the extraction process (using a variety of techniques, such as supercritical carbon dioxide). Second, once the oils from the hemp plant have been extracted, the resulting concentrate is put through a purification process to remove trace levels of THC. This CBD is then used to make a variety of products.

To determine whether a particular product has THC, check the label to see if it is described as full spectrum, broad spectrum, or as a CBD isolate. A full spectrum product will contain all of the beneficial compounds in the hemp plant, including CBD, trace amounts of THC, flavonoids and terpenes. Taking a full spectrum product can produce the entourage effect, which can boost the benefits of CBD.

A broad spectrum product will contain these same compounds as a full spectrum product, minus the THC. Finally, CBD isolates only contain CBD, with none of the other compounds found in the hemp plant. Therefore, if you’re looking for a THC free CBD product, you’re actually looking for a broad spectrum or isolate CBD product.

After choosing a type of CBD product, you should then check its certificate of analysis. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate CBD. As a result, the only way to know for sure that you are getting what you are paying for is by reviewing the independent lab results for a particular product. A reputable CBD company should have all of its products tested by an independent laboratory, and make those results available online. Among other things – like CBD concentration – these results should list the product’s THC content.

Why Should I Take THC-Free CBD?

There are a lot of good reasons why you may choose to take a Zero THC CBD product. First, if you are drug tested for work, taking a THC-free CBD product may make sense. While the miniscule amount of THC in industrial hemp should not lead to a positive drug test, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Second, if you are a competitive athlete, you may choose to take a Zero THC CBD product. While most governing bodies have removed CBD from their lists of banned substances, taking THC is generally against the rules for many sports. Again, it is unlikely that you will fail a drug test while taking CBD, but if you have any concerns about the possibility, your best choice is to buy broad spectrum CBD or a CBD isolate.

Third, if you are taking CBD to help with a certain condition – like anxiety – you may want to avoid any THC at all. THC and CBD interact with our bodies in different ways. One side effect that many people experience when consuming THC is anxiety. If you are trying to reduce your anxiety with CBD, you may want to avoid even trace amounts of the compound.*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938896/

Whatever your reason may be, if you want to take a CBD product that is THC-free, be sure to only purchase a broad spectrum or CBD isolate. You should also double check the manufacturer’s website to ensure that a third party laboratory has confirmed that the product contains 0% THC.

What Zero THC Products Are Available?

You can buy almost any CBD product in Zero THC form. At Green Wellness Life, we make finding a THC-free product easy. Just go to our shop page, and then click on the “ZERO % THC” button. It’ll take you to our entire inventory of THC-free CBD products, including both broad spectrum and CBD isolate.

Some of our favorite 0% THC products include:

We even have great THC products for your pets, like the cbdMD Pet CBD Balm for Dogs. If you have any concerns about buying a CBD product that is 100% THC-free, we are always available to help.

Buy CBD from a Source You Can Trust

If you’re in the market for CBD, you want to buy a product that delivers what it promises. The best way to do that is to only purchase independently-tested CBD products made from industrial hemp grown in the United States. At Green Wellness Life, all of our CBD products meet this criteria.

While we aren’t doctors, and cannot diagnose or treat any medical condition, we can offer you our own experience as well as the latest research on the health and wellness benefits of CBD. We can also provide guidance on choosing the best CBD product for your specific needs – including THC-free CBD. If you would like to learn more, give us a call at (888) 772-7875 (M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST), press the live chat button, or fill out our online contact form.

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Managing Pain: How One of Ours Does it

August 23rd, 2021 by Quinton Charles

By Op-ed Blogger, Quinton Charles & Hannah Laing

Posted August 23rd, 2021

Are you living in pain?

We at Green Wellness Life are aware that a lot of our customers (and a lot of people in general!) live with daily pain. We also know how isolating it can be to be in a room full of people living their lives without having to constantly manage their pain levels. One of our staff members, Hannah Laing, is 19 years old. She was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 15 and Fibromyalgia at 18. The following interview is an attempt to offer insight into how Hannah and many others function while living in pain.

Interview

Quinton: So Hannah, tell us a little about the pain that you deal with.

Hannah: Because I suffer from Fibromyalgia, my pain often comes in flairs. Some days I’ll wake up a little stiff, but it’s still manageable. Other days I’ll wake up hurting and throw up. Those are the days that I can’t (and don’t even want to) work up the energy to get out of bed. That’s how bad the pain can be. I find that, sometimes, my body just shuts down and I’ll sleep for twenty to thirty hours without being able to keep my eyes open, no matter how hard I try. As you can imagine, having to sleep a day away every once in a while makes being a young human extremely difficult. What I wasn’t prepared for was the mental aspect of living with pain. I thought I was going crazy; I’m too young to be this uncomfortable in my own body and doctors rarely took my concerns seriously because I looked so healthy and was young!

Q: I can’t imagine how difficult that is. Was it always this bad? Read the rest of this entry »

Can CBD Help Relieve Stress?

July 26th, 2021 by Quinton Charles

By Op-Ed Blogger Quinton Charles

Published July 26, 2019

Are you stressed or anxious?

Stress is common. Really common. All said, around 40 million Americans suffer from some sort of anxiety ^[1]. That’s a big number, and could very well include you. Even more concerning is the possibility that chronic stress may have irreversible impacts on the brain ^[2], permanently altering its chemistry. It can also lead to behavioral changes like smoking, drinking excessively, eating too much or too little, and loss of sleep – all of which negatively impact your quality of life.

Now I’m stressed about stress

I get it. You try not to be stressed, but this just leads you to be stressed about your stress. I’ve felt this more times than I would like to admit. So what are the ways out of this? Well, most solutions are going to take some sort of investment, whether that be time, money, or sacrificing something in your life that causes you stress.

What are my options?

Read the rest of this entry »