By now, pretty much everyone has heard of CBD oil and its benefits . Cannabidiol (that’s the fancy, technical name for CBD) is being researched and talked about everywhere but the FDA has been slow to make formal rules and regulations concerning this exciting compound, causing consumers to be understandably cautious 
when it comes to taking advantage of the many benefits of CBD. Because CBD is our business (and because we believe in the future of CBD) we’re here to help you navigate the murky waters of the CBD industry and how CBD can help you and your family improve your quality of life.
What IS CBD?
In a nutshell, CBD is a naturally occurring substance extracted from the cannabis plant that is used in products such as oils, topicals and edibles to help relieve, among other things, pain, anxiety and sleeplessness. In 2018, a piece of legislation called The Farm Bill used specific language regarding THC levels in order to distinguish between “industrial hemp” and marijuana. This allowed Americans to take advantage of the many benefits of CBD products which contain <0.3% THC (considered to be only a trace amount) as opposed to marijuana which contains 0.3% or more of THC and is still considered a Schedule 1 drug.
Will CBD Make Me Feel High?
Absolutely not! Unlike it’s cousin THC (short for tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component responsible for marijuana’s “high.”), CBD does not possess any psychoactive properties and delivers benefits without making you feel sedated or woozy. It’s important to mention that some CBD users experience certain changes but that is expected with any new treatment, especially when the medication is effective and the body is adjusting to its effects.
Is CBD Safe?
In a word, yes…..but first let’s recommend that anyone who is currently taking medications such as antidepressants and/or antibiotics just check with their physician about how these drugs could interact with CBD. Other than very limited drug interactions, CBD is generally side-effect free and, in many cases, works
well enough to take the place of and offer a natural alternative to traditional prescriptions. One last thought on the safety of CBD….make sure when purchasing your CBD products you depend on a trusted brand like Purelix Wellness (shameless plug alert!). We partner with reputable growers and provide testing results for each and every item we offer to our customers. We can ensure the safety and contents of our products because we make transparency the foundation of our business.
What Does The FDA Say About CBD?
Here’s the good news….in June of 2018 the FDA approved Epidiolex, a pediatric drug which contains a purified form of CBD for the treatment of epileptic-like seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. They concluded that this particular drug is safe and effective for its intended use on children 2 years and older. The bad news? That is the ONLY drug they have approved……so far. It’s safe to say that the present state of regulation in the CBD industry is a gray area. While the FDA will certainly spend the time and effort necessary to study CBD, for now the public must rely on word of mouth and industry leaders for information and advice. Like all responsible and trusted CBD brands, Purelix Wellness carefully follows the FDA guidelines concerning the marketing of CBD products and is committed to staying “ahead of the curve” when it comes to manufacturing processes, transparent lab testing and quality, CBD-rich formulas and products. As for the future, the FDA has stated that they “will continue to update the public as it learns more about CBD”.
How Do I Take CBD?
There are a variety of ways you can get relief from CBD and we’ve created a list of these delivery methods and shared their pros (and a few minor cons) to help you decide which products will be best for you and your family.
Tinctures – These oil-based products are ingested orally with the help of a dropper and come in a variety of flavors and strengths. Tinctures are convenient and, because they are ingested sub-lingually (or under the tongue) are particularly fast-acting. You’ll notice the effects of a quality tincture 15-20 minutes after usage with the benefits lasting up to 6 hours.
Softgels – As CBD becomes more popular and mainstream, softgels have gradually become a popular option for CBD enthusiasts. Because a softgel is easy to ingest and flavorless, many consumers prefer this relatively new method of dosing. In addition to offering CBD softgels, some advanced brands provide a mixture of natural compounds in softgel form. Purelix Wellness Softgels are available in a CBD/Melatonin blend to help provide a restful night’s sleep and a CBD/Curcumin blend for exceptional anti-inflammatory benefits.
Gummies/Flavored edibles – These treats are a tasty method of dosing and, while it may take longer to feel the effects, are a great option for picky humans AND pets. There are countless options with different flavor profiles in the marketplace with some brands offering CBD-infused fruit, peanut butter and beverages, allowing the public to fashion their CBD experience based upon their personal preferences. Our own Strawberry-Lemonade and Green Apple Gummies are manufactured without the use of corn syrup or artificial colors or flavors and are always a popular top seller.
Topicals – This method of relief is perfect for those suffering from physical ailments and can be applied directly to the affected areas. Salves and creams bypass the kidneys and can easily be worked into your daily routine. Many higher-end brands offer topicals that include additional natural elements such as eucalyptus and menthol for an even more relaxing CBD experience. Topicals may take a bit longer to hit the system but generally provide very long-lasting effects.
Smokables – Although smoking CBD, or “vaping”, is illegal in some locations, there are consumers who prefer this form of delivery. Smoking allows CBD to bypass the digestive tract and enter the system through the lungs, making it a fast-acting form of relief but, because of the dangers associated with vaping, Purelix Wellness does not offer smokables and doesn’t recommend this method of ingesting CBD.
How Can CBD Help My Four-Legged Family Members?
In 2019 pet parents spent over $300 million on CBD products for their beloved fur babies. That’s a 946% increase from the $31 million spent in 2018. Common sense tells us that consumers are figuring out that CBD is a hugely effective remedy for pets for anything from joint pain to anxiety. Just as there has been a huge buzz around CBD as a way to improve the lives of humans, so has it become a topic of conversation among pet owners. Most good pet parents agree that their four-legged companions are valued members of their family and, as such, deserve the best treatment their parents can afford. CBD is quickly becoming the chosen go-to option for parents of animals who suffer from separation anxiety, depression, skin irritations and joint and muscle pain. Just like humans, dogs and cats get the quickest benefits if CBD is ingested sub-lingually but some of our furry friends are often much more receptive to tasty CBD Dog Treats. Creams and salves also work very well for pets suffering from topical and skin issues and have been found to offer great relief to dogs and cats who experience itching due to allergies. As always, a great source of information when it comes to your pet and CBD is your veterinarian.
What Time Of Day Should I Take CBD?
The truth is, there isn’t a time of day when you SHOULDN’T take CBD. It’s been found that every person’s particular chemical makeup reacts to CBD in different, subtle ways. In addition, while one person may be taking CBD to help with joint pain and would therefore prefer to eat a few gummies to get moving in the morning, someone else in the family may use a Melatonin/CBD Softgel to get to sleep at night. In other words, consumers should create their own individual CBD regimen to ensure they enjoy the greatest benefits from each specific CBD product.
What Do “Broad Spectrum” And “Full Spectrum” Mean? And How About Isolate?
You may have noticed that Purelix Wellness uses “broad spectrum” CBD in our retail line. Before we explain why we use broad spectrum instead of “full spectrum” we should explain what it is. The cannabis plant is an extremely complex organism that contains over 500 different chemical compounds. Many of these elements work together to create something called the “Entourage Effect”, offering greater benefits as a whole than the benefits of their isolated parts. After the CBD oil is extracted from the plant it is offered in one of three forms: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate, depending on its composition. Full spectrum CBD oil has had none of the cannabinoids removed, including the psychoactive elements. A further refinement of the oil takes out the unwanted cannabinoids like THC but keeps the benefit-rich compounds that help create the aforementioned “Entourage Effect”. CBD in this form is considered “broad spectrum”. The third type of CBD is called “isolate“ and is 99+% pure CBD, offering none of the other cannabinoids. While isolate may be the best choice for consumers who have a particular sensitivity to certain cannabinoids, the results may not be as promising as they would be with full spectrum or broad spectrum products.
Why Does Purelix Wellness Offer Only Broad Spectrum Products?
Choosing a form of CBD should be a personal decision based upon lifestyle and chemical makeup. Some people, whether it be for professional, legal or personal reasons, are uncomfortable using products that contain THC. They still, however, want to experience all of the perks offered by a phytocannabinoid-rich oil. THC-free broad spectrum products are, for many, the smartest and most effective option. Here at Purelix Wellness our products are created using an extraction process perfected over time with a focus on providing the public the finest THC-free CBD in the marketplace. Although we are not now offering any full-spectrum options we are carefully and thoughtfully continuing our research and hope to include full-spectrum products sometime in the future.
Does CBD Come From Hemp Or Marijuana?
Extractors (that’s what we call the professionals who separate the CBD oil from the plant) have the ability to source their CBD from both the hemp plant AND the marijuana plant. It should be noted that most mainstream CBD brands, including Purelix Wellness, use primarily hemp-sourced CBD. This type of oil is legal at the federal level thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill and must contain less than 0.3% THC. CBD that is extracted from marijuana is only available in states that have already passed medical and/or recreational marijuana laws. Again, our tinctures, edibles and topicals are all sourced from hemp and are all THC free.
What Should I Keep In Mind When Beginning A CBD Routine?
First and foremost, make sure you are using quality, hemp-sourced products that are manufactured in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified facility You’ll also want to make sure that the CBD contained in each product has been tested by a third-party lab and that the results of those tests are readily available to the 
consumer. Sadly, some brands produce products that haven’t been properly tested, resulting in ineffective or contaminated materials. Each and every Purelix Wellness product contains a batch number right on bottom of the label. This number allows you to easily view the lab results for your particular item on our website. These lab results include information about the date of manufacture, potencies, terpenes, pesticides, heavy metals and solvents. In addition, our team experts is always available to help decipher the information!
Once you have decided on a brand its wise to begin with, and stick to, one product to start with. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t eventually enjoy everything the market has to offer! It is just easier to gauge dosage and effectiveness if one product is used at a time. As far as dosage goes, we suggest beginning with a low dosage and slowly increasing as needed. A good guideline is 1 mg of CBD for each 20 lbs. of body weight. In other words, a person who weighs 150 lbs. would start with 7.5 mg and work their way up from there. We also suggest beginning your CBD journey by taking it at night. Although most CBD enthusiasts do not experience drowsiness, some new users may feel a little tired so night time is an ideal time to determine what’s best for you. Remember that while CBD is a highly effective oil, it is non-toxic. There isn’t a need to worry about over-dosage while determining how it can best help improve your life.
Any Final Thoughts?
By virtue of the fact that you’re reading this blog and researching CBD, we are going to assume that you’re either open to trying CBD or are already using CBD and may want to try Purelix products….and that makes us happy! We will be posting new informational and educational blog articles every few days in “The Remedy Report” so don’t forget to subscribe. Also, please take a look at all we have to offer and take advantage of our loyalty program and weekly specials. We’re proud of the quality items we’ve presented and are excited to take this journey with you!
