When researching the benefits and all of the bells and whistles, I started to become very overwhelmed with the amount of information on the internet. This company sells this, at this strength, at this dose and it can be a very daunting process for a beginner. An old friend of mine is here to help, though!
Piedmont Green was formed in 2019 by Eric Abarelli (my old friend) and Christian Dobson with the intention to bring a holistic and natural approach to healthy living through the benefits of CBD. Located in Kannapolis, North Carolina they have created quite a business despite the fact that they live on the Bible Belt—which opposes the use of cannabis. However, the team and business have made such a positive impact in the community, they were able to change their minds through education about CBD and the benefits. It is also important to add that they grow their own hemp and produce the products themselves, making it an organic, small business.
What is CBD?
To get us started, I asked Eric to go into what CBD is and how it works with our body. This is what he had to say:
“Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a derivative of the Cannabis Sativa plant. It is derived from the hemp plant which contains minimal THC (legal limit is <0.3%) and is non-psychoactive. Everyone has an Endocannabinoid system, which is a system of receptors that binds to one’s organs, brain, nervous, and skeletal structure. It is composed of CB1 and CB2 receptors which are dormant Cannabis receptors waiting to accept an external source of cannabinoids. This system works with one’s body to regulate serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin.” With that being said, it has an ample amount of benefits and for those who don’t have insurance—it can truly be a lifesaver for those with depression and anxiety. However, please do not ever self-diagnose or do anything without consulting a medical professional.
The Potential Benefits of Using CBD
It is important to add that when Eric was telling me about the benefits of using CBD, the FDA has still yet to approve it. On the bright side, “The FDA has approved only one CBD product, a prescription drug product to treat seizures associated with Lennox Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS), or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in people one year of age and older.” Which gives hope for the future and a more holistic approach to medicine.
However, with dozens of testimonies from the use of CBD, Americans are surprised that it is not prescribed by doctors. Despite the growth of medical marijuana cards across the United States, it is still yet to be legal in all 50 states. Here’s the updated list here. On a better note, here might be some of the benefits of using CBD:
- CBD may help with muscle pain/spasms, insomnia/sleep issues, fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders, skin conditions(such as eczema and psoriasis), joint and muscle pains, Crohn’s Disease, IBS, and migraines.
- CBD may help those with attention disorders such as ADHD and ADD.
- CBD may relieve certain Cancer related issues.
- CBD may relieve blood pressure and oxidative stress on the heart.
- CBD may help with lowering eye pressure.
- CBD may help with anxiety and stress and acts as a mood stabilizer.
- CBD can help with epilepsy and seizures (consult doctor first— Eric’s roommate’s disabled sister uses a small dose to help her epilepsy, her doctor was the one to recommend it).
The Dos and Don’ts of Purchasing CBD
At this point, we have all seen advertisements online regarding where to purchase CBD or have seen it in a smoke shop or convenience store. How can we know which products are safe to buy? Without having specific guidelines, people can sell CBD oils that aren’t so great for you. Amazon has actually banned the sales of CBD, due to the FDA. However, if you purchase from a gas station or large chain stores, Eric warns us that it might not be made with quality CBD oil and might be made with hemp oil instead. Eric also warns us that there are a lot of bad CBD products out there and it’s pertinent to do your research.
Here are some tips:
- Always ask for a Certificate of Analysis (COA) to verify the product. It will also show if there are any mycotoxins, pesticides, or heavy metals in the product. Some companies do not have one or it is a very poor one. Those are red flags!
- The COA will also tell you the concentration of CBD in the product.
- Do not buy anything that says hemp extract
- Do your research of the product and read the reviews
- Buy from a company that makes their own and not a 3rd party company.
He also includes the differences between the types of oils:
- CBD isolate: contains no THC and cannabinoids. CBD only (He adds that this isn’t medically great)
- Broad spectrum: contains no THC but includes some minor cannabinoids and CBD (he adds this is one to use if you are worrisome about a drug test)
- Full spectrum: contains THC(<0.3%) , CBD, and minor cannabinoids. (What Piedmont Green products are)
- Hemp extract: made from the hemp seeds and is a cosmetic oil. Contains all Omega Fatty acids 3,6,9.
Finding the Right One for You
The process can be overwhelming and it is a lot of information to take in; however, if you find the right shop in your area—the workers will help you! Piedmont Green also ships CBD products and they have an Instagram where you can reach out to them personally. For me, this was an eye opener since I am new to learning about the benefits of CBD and marijuana in general. I hope this was informative to you and you check out our previous article about other ways to take care of yourself.
