280 – Are You Confused About Cannabidiol (CBD)? – My Interview with Stuart Tomc

If you are confused, you are not alone.

Stuart Tomc

Herbs & Plants

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There is a great deal of confusion regarding CBD. There are multiple facets to the discussion around CBD. There are diverse opinions on these multiple facets. There is a great deal of market hype. There are many products in the market place with many different and diverse claims. There are now non-CBD products available to consumers. There are legal and regulatory issues that are unclear as well. So how does one cut through the clutter and bring a little clarity to the subject. That is the task we take on in this interview with Stuart Tomc.

Stuart is the Vice-President of Human Nutrition for CV Sciences. Stuart and CV Sciences have been on the cutting edge of CBD science and products. I do not know of a more responsible company in this space. I believe that Stuart and CV Sciences have been a driving force in this movement to bring CBD to consumers, and to do it in a completely responsible manner. Without them, it is my opinion that we would not be where we are today. CV Sciences has taken the lead in following the science, creating credible products, supporting the emerging hemp industry in the U.S. and working tirelessly with DEA, FDA, USDA and state agencies to move this fledgling movement forward. 

I have done numerous interviews that have been sponsored by CV Sciences and you should explore those. In fact, Stuart’s first interview on CBD here in 2015, continues to be the most popular interview of all time. And shows no signs of slowing down. That is a clear indicator of the interest in this topic. CV Sciences has sponsored interviews with Dr. Hector Lopez on the research and science of CBD, Dr. Aimee Shunney who uses CBD with her patients, and Josh Hendrix, a Kentucky hemp grower who works with CV Sciences. With these interviews you, will have a broad introduction to the topic of CBD and the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Here is a link to those interviews.

The first challenge we discuss is the problem of relying too heavily on the clinical study model of understanding the benefits of drugs and/or nutrients. As important as clinical studies are in understanding the mechanisms of action and effects, they are not as useful in dealing with individuals. One of the big deficiencies of modern medicine is that lack of individualized treatment. As individuals, our nutritional needs are different. What we need and the best dosages for us will likely be different than someone else. This is the essence of your journey towards health. The best products are the ones that works best for you. 

In this interview, Stuart attempts to bring a little clarity to this confusing topic from the perspective of CV Sciences. 

  • Consumers are confused about how much CBD to consume. There is a lot of uninformed opinions about CBD and dosages. There are generally three levels of consumption. There are clinical studies being done with high doses of CBD for serious medical conditions. These dosages are far, far above the doses that consumers will find in over the counter products. Do not attempt to consume the medical dose. This is not appropriate for self use. There are good reasons why pharmaceutical products have much higher potency.
  • The products that consumers can purchase vary widely and you must shop carefully. Good companies will provide transparency and traceability along with revealing the potency. Many companies do not disclose how much CBD is in their products. When you consume CBD, as a consumer, you want to know how much CBD are you getting in each dose. Otherwise it is difficult to dose effectively. Typical consumer doses can be from 1 mg. to 5o mg. So even for consumers, the effective dose can vary widely. As we look to the individualized needs, we seek to discover the sweet spot for each person. This is your job, to discover what works best for you. These types of CBD products should list the amount of CBD in the product dose.
  • Some products are available that are not isolated CBD. These can be hemp extracts or hemp oil. Hemp extract is not the same as hemp oil. Hemp extract is derived extracting the beneficial compounds from the aerial parts of the plant. Hemp oil is extracted from the sterilized seeds. These are not the same but you may see them on labels. CBD is not generally derived from seed oil. If you don’t know that distinction, it is easy to confuse the two. The more you understand, the better choices you will make.
  • CBD products should be labeled with a Supplement Facts panel that discloses the dosage and ingredients. If it does not have a Supplement Facts panel, you should be wary. If it lacks this required label as a supplement, then it is not legally a dietary supplement. This is the type of product to avoid.

Three Capsule Forms of Plus CBD Oil from CV Sciences:

  • RAW hemp extract – RED label – Raw is a total plant CO2 extraction from agricultural hemp. It is comprised of cannbidiolic acid or CBDA, that is produced directly in the plant and contains many beneficial properties distinct from CBD. Raw offers the fullest spectrum of naturally-occurring hemp co-factors. Made from raw hemp extract. Potency is 5 mg. of CBDA/CBD per capsule. Stuart explains the difference between CBDA and CBD. And just so you know, there are dozens of cannabinoids in hemp.
  • CBD Capsules – GREEN label – Green CBD is different from Raw. It is a complex phytocannabinoid matrix featuring cannabidiol from agricultural hemp. This is a convenient way for consumers to get a regular daily dose. Potency is 10 mg. of CBD per capsule.
  • CBD Capsules – GOLD label – Potency is 15 mg. per capsule.
  • CV Sciences also produces topical products as well.

As a consumer you can choose a raw product that has a full spectrum of naturally occurring compounds or you can choose products concentrated for CBD. They are both viable choices. You can experiment and see which product and what dose works best for you. Of course if you are under medical care, discuss this with your health care provider prior to starting any new nutritional product including CBD. 

Consumer CBD products are not drugs, they are natural plant compounds that nourish the body’s own endocannabinoid system. The fact that these plant compounds benefit human health should come at no surprise. What is a shame is that safe and natural compounds from agricultural hemp should be difficult for consumers to get. Many consumers and companies like CV Sciences are working hard to protect your access to safe and effective CBD.

About Stuart Tomc
Stuart Tomc is the Vice-President of Human Nutrition for CV Sciences. Mr. Tomc is a recognized authority on dietary supplements, with twenty years of experience in the nutritional health industry. Formerly the Vice President of North American Herb and Spice, where he served for 10 years, in addition to his service as Global Educator for omega-3 market leader, Nordic Naturals, Mr. Tomc is known for his extensive print interviews and contributions to noted books on integrative medicine, as well as his 4000 radio appearances. A renowned educator, Mr. Tomc recognizes CBD and its multiple mechanisms of action to support human health, and envisions a new category of dietary supplements derived from agricultural hemp.

 

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