Answers to Common Questions
Why is Hemp Extract more effective than CBD isolate?
Much of the animal research on cannabidiol (CBD) has been carried out with only the CBD molecule itself. Whole plant extractions include CBD, THC, and more than 400 trace compounds. Many of these compounds interact synergistically to create what scientists refer to as the “entourage effect”. This boosts the therapeutic benefits of the plant’s individual components so that the medicinal impact of the whole plant is greater than the isolated CBD or other isolates. No surprise here, right? Keep it as close to nature as possible and it works better.
Remember this: 100 milligrams of synthetic single-molecule CBD or CBD isolate is not equivalent to 100 milligrams of a CBD-rich whole plant cannabis extract.
Can CBD or hemp extract get me high?
No. THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana which is responsible for getting people "high". Our hemp extract is derived only from select strains of hemp with very high CBD and trace THC. While marijuana contains around 5-10% THC, industrial hemp only contains around 0.05 - 0.3 %. Levels this low can be considered negligible. Each strain and final product are lab tested for THC among many other quality tests to ensure your product is safe and non psychoactive.
Why is your extract in coconut MCT oil?
Do you lab test for quality and safety?
Effective dosing varies greatly from person to person but it is simple to find your perfect dose. We recommend 1/4-1 mL mornings and evenings. Slowly increasing your dose until you achieve results. If your dose is high you can switch from Emerald Label (16.7 mg/mL) to Black label (33.3 mg/mL). This means you can get the same effect from half the volume.
Will I fail a drug test?
While there has not been extensive research done to determine exactly how much THC will make someone fail a standard drug test, the likelihood of someone failing a drug test from taking CBD oil from a reputable and tested source is extremely low. The chances of failing a drug test by taking the recommended dose of our product would be around 0.2% or 1 in every 500 cases. This could be due to a number of factors including a person’s weight and metabolism. The majority of cases where people have failed a drug test while taking CBD is due either to using an inferior product that contains much higher levels of THC than is legally allowed; or a person (either knowingly or unknowingly) is exposed to THC through either first or second hand marijuana exposure. When bought from a reputable source with good manufacturing practices and quality control testing the chances of failing a drug test from CBD oil is extremely low, albeit not zero. We recommend individuals use their best judgment to determine what their individual risk factors may be.
​
Our official position with regards to our full-spectrum hemp products and drug tests:
Our products do contain less than .3% THC and an array of other rare cannabinoids. Because of this, we CANNOT guarantee a negative drug test. If you are worried about passing a drug test for your employer or other reason, we do not recommend taking our products as there is a chance you will test positive. If you have any questions, please send us an email to info@southapothecary.com."
​
References:
https://www.marijuanabreak.com/failed-drug-test-after-taking-cbd-oil
Why is Hemp Extract more effective than CBD isolate?
Much of the animal research on cannabidiol (CBD) has been carried out with only the CBD molecule itself. Whole plant extractions include CBD, THC, and more than 400 trace compounds. Many of these compounds interact synergistically to create what scientists refer to as the “entourage effect”. This boosts the therapeutic benefits of the plant’s individual components so that the medicinal impact of the whole plant is greater than the isolated CBD or other isolates. No surprise here, right? Keep it as close to nature as possible and it works better.
Remember this: 100 milligrams of synthetic single-molecule CBD or CBD isolate is not equivalent to 100 milligrams of a CBD-rich whole plant cannabis extract.
Can CBD or hemp extract get me high?
No. THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana which is responsible for getting people "high". Our hemp extract is derived only from select strains of hemp with very high CBD and trace THC. While marijuana contains around 5-10% THC, industrial hemp only contains around 0.05 - 0.3 %. Levels this low can be considered negligible. Each strain and final product are lab tested for THC among many other quality tests to ensure your product is safe and non psychoactive.
Why is your extract in coconut MCT oil?
Coconut medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) optimize the bioavailability of hemp extract. MCTs are more easily metabolized and good for you even on their own.
Why does your bottle say CBDa + CBD?
​
We know you have heard of CBD, cannabidiol, but what about CBDa? CBD used to be considered the "active" form which comes from completely decarboxylating (converting) the cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) to CBD. We tried making tinctures that did not fully "decarb" and found that they worked BETTER. Being the curious scientists, we are we did a literature study and found that this is not an accident and we were not the first to discover it (bummer). There is extensive research that shows that CBDa with CBD is MORE effective. We now decarb almost to completion (convert most of the CBDa to CBD) but not all the way to make sure we end up with the most effective hemp extract on the market. This is another reason people notice our strengths seem more powerful than the number on the bottle indicates when compared to similar strength products on the market. Combine this with the fact that we use single strain whole plant extracts and you can see why ours works better.
What is CBG and potential benefit?
Cannabigerol, or CBG, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid typically most abundant in low-THC and high-CBD cannabis strains, including hemp. Like THC, CBG reacts directly with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain whereas CBD interacts indirectly. We have found a strain that naturally grew with high levels of CBG in North Alabama. We just extracted it as is. No adulteration of excessive chemical processing. No spiking with CBG isolate.
CBG may work to fight anxiety, inflammation, pain, nausea and works to slow the reproduction of cancer cells. Research has shown it significantly reduces intraocular eye pressure caused by glaucoma. Strains high in CBG will likely be beneficial treating conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and cancer.
​
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23415610/ Inflammatory Bowel Disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25269802/ Colon cancer
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22971837/ inflammation and multiple sclerosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24727978/ encephalomyelitis
Do you lab test for quality and safety?
Yes. Every step from raw material to final product is tested. We are unique in that we have our own laboratory instruments so there is no question that the lot number bottled is what was tested. Additionally, our scientists are on the ASTM D37 cannabis committee working alongside the world's leading scientists to bring you the best testing methods and final products. Dr. Watson is also an AOCS approved chemist with 9 years experience in the oils and fats industry and 13 years analytical chemistry experience.
How much should I take?
Effective dosing varies greatly from person to person but it is simple to find your perfect dose. We recommend 1/4-1 mL mornings and evenings. Slowly increasing your dose until you achieve results. If your dose is high you can switch from Emerald Label (16.7 mg/mL) to Black label (33.3 mg/mL). This means you can get the same effect from half the volume.
Will I fail a drug test?
While there has not been extensive research done to determine exactly how much THC will make someone fail a standard drug test, the likelihood of someone failing a drug test from taking CBD oil from a reputable and tested source is extremely low. The chances of failing a drug test by taking the recommended dose of our product would be around 0.2% or 1 in every 500 cases. This could be due to a number of factors including a person’s weight and metabolism. The majority of cases where people have failed a drug test while taking CBD is due either to using an inferior product that contains much higher levels of THC than is legally allowed; or a person (either knowingly or unknowingly) is exposed to THC through either first or second hand marijuana exposure. When bought from a reputable source with good manufacturing practices and quality control testing the chances of failing a drug test from CBD oil is extremely low, albeit not zero. We recommend individuals use their best judgment to determine what their individual risk factors may be.
​
Our official position with regards to our full-spectrum hemp products and drug tests:
Our products do contain less than 0.3% THC and an array of other rare cannabinoids. Because of this, we can not guarantee a negative drug test. If you have any questions, please send us an email to info@southapothecary.com."
​
References:
https://www.marijuanabreak.com/failed-drug-test-after-taking-cbd-oil
Other Resources
Entourage effect/why full spectrum?
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Vol.06 No.02(2015), Article ID:53912,10 pages
10.4236/pp.2015.62010
​
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x
​
​
Osteoarthritic pets
Gamble, Lauri-Jo & M. Boesch, Jordyn & W. Frye, Christopher & S. Schwark, Wayne & Mann, Sabine & Wolfe, Lisa & Brown, Holly & S. Berthelsen, Erin & J. Wakshlag, Joseph. (2018). Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 5. 165. 10.3389/fvets.2018.00165.
Chronic pain
Hemp Extract and inflammation
Pharmacology & Pharmacy Vol.06 No.02(2015), Article ID:53912,10 pages 10.4236/pp.2015.62010
Cernovsky, Zack & Litman, Larry. (2019). Case Studies of Analgesic Cannabinoid Use by Persons with Chronic Pain from Car Accidents. 6. 1-4.
Quitting smoking with CBD
​
Addict Behav. 2013 Sep;38(9):2433-6. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.03.011. Epub 2013 Apr 1.
Cannabidiol reduces cigarette consumption in tobacco smokers: preliminary findings.
Morgan CJ1, Das RK, Joye A, Curran HV, Kamboj SK.
​