CBD is EVERYWHERE and the choices are endless for consumers. What can we do as providers to keep our patients safe? As a pharmacist at Alpine Apothecary, I see major benefits to adding CBD to patient wellness regimens.

Quality and source matter!

The hemp plant is a bio-accumulator…fancy for soil cleansing. It reliably absorbs pesticides and heavy metals from its surroundings but is not able to efficiently eliminate them. This is great if you want to get pesticides and heavy metals out of your land, but bad when you plan to use the hemp to support your body. Our CBD is grown on US soil and is tested to be certain there are no pesticides or heavy metals present.

Lab testing and verification should be a non-negotiable feature of any CBD that people purchase. Look at what the company offers as proof of quality. Labs should include potency, heavy metals, pesticides, microbial contaminants, and solvents. At a minimum, do not buy your CBD from the gas station or convenience store; this is NOT quality and you are wasting your money!

THC or not?

There are two types of CBD in the market, Full or Broad spectrum. Broad-spectrum hemp CBD contains a variety of active compounds such as cannabinoids and terpenes that work together to produce synergistic benefits in the body. Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the components plus up to 0.3% THC. There is a debate on how much this small amount of THC adds to the overall benefit, but the great thing is there are so many options for everyone. A few examples that are easy for recommendation or checking with your patients:

  • Children – no THC in the products for their developing brains
  • Workers who drug test – no THC, even a small amount taken at higher amounts can build up and has the small possibility of causing a positive drug test. With a Lab-Verified THC-free product, this worry is removed.

Top 3 uses we see in the pharmacy.

  1. Sleep – a good night’s sleep is a fundamental need for our bodies to rest and repair. Creating a normal and healthy sleep cycle can make subsequent days feel fresher and more energized. Setting a good sleep foundation can be life-changing just with one small step.
  2. Mood – CBD is commonly used to support emotional stability. Research shows that CBD has an effect on levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide. Anandamide is produced by the nervous system to stimulate the uptake of serotonin in the brain…and more available serotonin is good!
  3. Anxiety – stress is at an all-time high for people across the world so by providing patients with a means to relax, outside of alcohol which is so common, is huge. Often we see the physiological symptoms of anxiety, such as increased heart rate, also improve.

More info can be found at http://www.AlpineProBlend.com or by contacting us at the pharmacy, Alpine Apothecary. Our pharmacists would love to connect with you and answer your questions. Email becky@mtapothecary.com to connect.

-Becky Stillo, PharmD