Last week, agebuzz presented Part I of our interview with Bonnie Hagen, Founder of Bright Energy Wellness. In that interview, Bonnie discussed some of the background and basics regarding CBD, its use, its risks and benefits, and its availability. This week, we continue the conversation with Bonnie regarding how CBD is produced, what products contain it, and how to ensure the CBD you ingest is authentic and safe. Once again, agebuzz founder Connie Zuckerman conducts the conversation with Bonnie.

CZ: How is CBD grown and manufactured?

BH: There are many ways CBD is grown and manufactured. To cover them all here is an entire interview in itself, but I will share some of my preferences with you. 

I prefer that the CBD I ingest is grown organically, without any herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, mold, mildew, or other contaminants. Many companies label their products organic or say they are organically grown, but that is not always the case, even if their practices are considered organic. Because the roots of the plant soak up everything in the soil, it is important to understand what kind of crop was being grown in the soil before the hemp plants. If conventionally grown tomatoes were grown on the same land prior to the hemp being grown, and herbicides and pesticides were being used on the tomatoes, then there is a good chance that the hemp roots soaked up those chemicals from the soil. Even though the farmers are not using any of these dangerous chemicals in their growing practices, the plants still contain them, and therefore they are not organic. If someone decides to take CBD to help improve their health, they may actually damage their health by taking a product that isn’t truly organic.  Unfortunately, some companies do not always know what was planted on the land before they acquired it. 

I also prefer that my CBD is extracted from the plant using either the CO2 or ethanol (alcohol) method of extraction. These extraction processes do not leave any chemical residue behind in the product. Some companies use harmful chemicals like benzene and hexane to remove the CBD from the plant. This is a cheaper extraction process and it leaves behind the residue of these harmful chemicals. So, once again, if someone decides to take CBD to help improve their health, they may actually damage their health by taking a product that has chemical residue from the extraction process.

I recommend that people request a lab report from the company where they buy their CBD. A lab report is like a blood test, where you see the score for each item tested, and the range the score should fall between. If a score falls outside the range (either lower or higher), then you know there is an issue. It is important to not just request the lab report but to actually read it. You’d be surprised how many companies rely on the fact that people request lab reports but do not read them. I’ve seen lab reports offered by companies that had dates from harvests that were three years old, as well as data that proves the product is subpar. Yet, no one challenges them on it.  

I also prefer that my CBD doesn’t have any filler, artificial colors, or artificial flavorings. A high-quality hemp extract will just have the hemp extract and a carrier oil (like hemp seed, or MCT coconut oil). A high-quality hemp extract that offers a taste profile, will have formulated it with natural essential oils and not artificial flavorings. 

CZ: What is Full Spectrum CBD and how is it different from Broad Spectrum CBD and CBD Isolate?

BH: Full-spectrum CBD oil is also called whole-plant CBD oil. What that means is the entire plant is used during the extraction process, which means that you get all the cannabinoids in the plant. This includes THC. Full-spectrum CBD oil sourced from hemp has only 0.3% THC (which is the legal limit and is not enough to get anyone high) but contains all the other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes in the plant.

Broad-spectrum means that the product is formulated with all the cannabinoids and terpenes in the plant, except for THC. 

CBD isolate means that you’re only getting CBD and nothing else at all. Why does this matter, though?

Scientific studies have shown that when there is just a very small amount of THC in the formulation (less than .3%), along with the presence of the other cannabinoids, the effects of the CBD are magnified – meaning that you will feel better faster. This is called the Entourage Effect. 

While people like cops, pilots, teachers, and others who get tested regularly for drugs would probably prefer a broad-spectrum CBD or a CBD isolate, formulations without THC are less effective and therefore, you will need more of it to get the same benefit of a full-spectrum product. Keep that in mind when you are determining the value of the CBD oil based on the price. Very often, the cheapest CBD products are the ones that do not have any THC in them, and therefore, you have to buy a lot more to experience any sort of relief. When all is said and done, full-spectrum CBD oil offers the most benefit for the price while CBD isolates and broad-spectrum formulations do not.

CZ: What types of products contain CBD? Does it matter how you ingest it or in what format you take it?

BH: There are CBD products that are applied topically, ingested, and vaped/inhaled. There are oils/tinctures, creams, salves, gummies, soft gels, lollipops, fast melts, roll-ons, speed-sticks, and more! Some people put it in their food and beverages. 

Everyone has a different preference and I think the quality of the CBD is more important than the delivery system. However, it is important to note that for the CBD to work properly, consistency is key. Are you going to eat a lollipop three times a day, 7 days a week, or are you more likely to be consistent in your dosing if you use an oil or a soft gel? If you put it in your pitcher of margaritas or your brownies, are you going to be able to tell if your serving size has what you need? 

Think of CBD as a daily supplement, as you think of your multivitamin, and you’ll be able to determine the best way for you to ensure you remain consistent in your dosing.

CZ: How do I know the proper dose for me?

BH: Unlike traditional medication, which is generally based on the patient’s weight, CBD dosage is more an art than a science. People of the same weight can have different physical ailments and different metabolisms. The general industry guidance is to “start low and go slow”, meaning to start at a low dosage and increase it slowly until you feel the benefit. The most important thing is consistency since the effect is cumulative. Most people do not experience relief after taking it once or twice. They generally start to see relief after taking it every day for about two weeks. Ask your health care provider for guidance regarding your particular situation.  

CZ: How do you know you are buying from a legitimate source and that the quality of the product is trustworthy?

BH: Remember to do your homework!

Ask these questions:

-Is this product grown organically? Do you have a lab report to prove this?

-What ingredients are in this formulation besides CBD?

-Is this product full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or an isolate?

-Is this product grown and produced in compliance with the Federal Farm Bill?

-What method of extraction is used to formulate this product?

-Observe how the label mentions CBD. Is it CBD Oil or Hemp Extract with CBD?

CZ: Can you tell us specifically about Bright Energy Wellness? What types of CBD products do you sell? How do readers find out more information about your company and products? 

BH: Thank you for asking, Connie. As I mentioned in the first part of this interview, I formed Bright Energy Wellness out of a desire to provide education and clarification in the CBD marketplace. I was really disturbed by what I saw from bad players in the marketplace. I saw companies making claims like CBD cures cancer and autism! And, more recently, I saw a company make a claim that their CBD cures COVID-19! I’ve seen lab reports with excessive amounts of heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides, and chemical extraction residues. A recent study of 84 CBD products bought online showed that more than a quarter of the products contained less CBD than was on the label. In addition, more than the legal limit of THC was found in 18 products!

So, when I formed Bright Energy Wellness, I formed it to stand apart from everyone else in the marketplace. We offer a hemp extract with CBD salve, which is a topical formulation. We also offer hemp extract with CBD tinctures (oil) which are ingested internally.  We do not make crazy health claims. 

Our products are made in the USA, in compliance with the Federal Farm Bill, with full-spectrum, phyto-cannabinoid rich, hemp extract. To produce them we sought out farmers with organic, sustainable, and regenerative growing processes. Hemp has been grown on our farms for generations – for clothing, rope, and building supplies – and chemical herbicides and pesticides were never used.

Our extraction facilities adhere to strict standards of operations. Our CBD is extracted from the plant without using harsh solvents. Our extraction process uses ethanol. It is like using alcohol when you cook – the taste remains behind while the alcohol evaporates in the air – so there is no nasty chemical residue left behind.

We do not use any fillers, artificial coloring, or flavoring. Our tinctures/oils contain only the hemp extract with CBD and the carrier oil (which is MCT coconut oil – which is flavorless). For people who do not like the taste of natural hemp (it tastes like earth, so if you like mushrooms or tea you will like it), we offer formulas that have essential oil of lemon, peppermint, or cinnamon added to it. 

All our products are legal and created in compliance with the Federal Farm Bill. Our hemp extract products are full-spectrum with less than .3% THC and contain the full range of cannabinoids, antioxidants, and neuro-protectants that helps protect and rebalance the body’s central nervous system.  

You can learn more about Bright Energy Wellness and our products here: www.brightenergywellness.com

CZ: Bonnie, thank you so much for all of your valuable information about CBD. We look forward to future guest blog posts from you with further insights and observations!