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For those of you who’ve followed Imbue Botanicals from the very start, you know how passionate we are about using the terms “whole plant” and “full spectrum” to describe our products. Everything we make, everything we sell can be defined by those terms.

And it’s not by accident. And they aren’t just clever catch phrases we use to market our products. Rather, they are a reference to a very important concept with respect to cannabinoids and CBD. For some time now, researchers and practitioners have believed that a more unrefined extract taken from the plant itself provided more benefits due to what’s called the entourage effect.

First described in 1998 by Israeli scientists Shimon Ben-Shabat and Raphael Mechoulam, the entourage effect supposes that the multiple cannabinoids and terpenes found within Cannabis Sativa actually work in unison and harmony to produce a better outcome than if they were employed solo. In other words, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” when it comes to cannabis.

You might ask, “That’s interesting, but isn’t all CBD whole plant and full spectrum?” The answer to that question is a resounding “NO”! Actually, much of the CBD in the market today is in the form of what we call ISOLATE, which is a purified, powdered form without the other cannabinoids or terpenes. This isolate is then mixed with carrier oils, etc., to formulate products. And it’s not that they are all bad, or don’t work, they just don’t work near as well.

A presentation given at the International Cannabinoid Research Society Symposium in Montreal seems to leave little room for doubt that this is the case. Dr. Fabricio A. Pamplona, Scientific Director of Entourage  Phytolab in Sao Paulo, Brazil compared studies of epileptic patients  between 2013-2106 that had used either CBD rich extracts or a purified CBD isolate. What he found was that CBD isolates showed a 43% efficacy in reducing seizures, while CBD rich extracts almost doubled this at 78%. He also discovered that almost 3 times the amount of purified CBD isolate was needed for seizure reduction compared with CBD rich extracts, and that herbal CBD had less than half the amount of reported side effects compared to its isolated alternative. Like I said, CBD isolates just don’t work as well!

But over the years that we’ve been in business, the refinement and extraction process of cannabis extracts has improved dramatically, providing ready access to single profile cannabinoids heretofore unavailable. It's not to be said that isolates or single cannabinoid distillates don’t have a place in the clinical health sphere. They do if properly utilized and prescribed. Boosting certain single profile cannabinoids can increase the overall effectiveness of certain products, and at Imbue, that’s exactly what we’re doing with some of our lines such as our Dental Products.

But we always begin our process using whole plant, full spectrum extract from the aerial parts of organically-grown hemp plants. But we don’t stop there. We extract using our proprietary low-temperature, low-pressure technique that preserves the cannabinoids and terpenes in a way other processing methods don’t. And what we end up with isn’t run-of- the-mill CBD; we end up with the finest CBD products available. And if you’re using them, we think you’ll agree.

So therein lies our rationale, the heart of our passion to produce the most efficacious CBD products money can buy. Whole Plant. Full Spectrum. Because that’s what you, our customers, deserve.

Throughout our more than 7 years in business, customers have asked me, “What’s the best way to take or use CBD?” My answer is always the same…Whichever CBD product you decide on, use it consistently! And use it every day!

The reason behind my response isn’t just an opinion. It’s rooted in personal experience, the experience of our customers, the patients our pharmacy partners treat and above all, it’s rooted in science.

It all boils down to the Endocannabinoid System or ECS, which was originally discovered by Raphael Mechoulam, a Bulgarian-born Israeli organic chemist and professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dr. Mechoulam, who is considered the “Father of Cannabis Research”, just recently passed away, but his legacy lives on in his research findings and indeed even in our CBD products.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s. Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis, like CBD, THC and more than 160 plus others. Experts are still trying to fully understand the ECS, but so far, we know it plays a role in regulating a huge range of functions and processes, including:

• sleep
• mood
• pain
• appetite
• memory
• reproduction and fertility

The ECS exists and is active in your body even if you don’t use CBD. The ECS essentially regulates homeostasis or equilibrium through the production of endogenous or internally-produced cannabinoids. When our bodies are not producing sufficient quantities of these, issues arise. And that’s when adding exogenous or externally-produced cannabinoids can help….like using Imbue!

But to provide the most effective CBD, it needs to be ‘whole plant’ or Full Spectrum. Dr. Mechoulam also discovered what is known as the Entourage Effect where the combination of all of the cannabinoids working together produce a much greater effect than any single isolated cannabinoid. At Imbue, all of our products are Full Spectrum to provide the very best outcomes for keeping your ECS strong and active.

So think of it is this way…if taking CBD is something you need to help regulate your ECS, taking it consistently and every day helps keep your cannabinoids at the proper level. Taking CBD occasionally or sporadically doesn’t do that. I never miss a day of my CBD and that’s kept the excruciating pain of my peripheral neuropathy at bay for 7 years.

It’s kind of like that old adage…An Apple a Day… In this case it’s CBD. But just like the Apple, taking it every day is the key!

They Likely Contain NO CBD!

It pains me to say that in our industry, the overwhelming rule at present is CAVEAT EMPTOR (let the buyer beware). Case in point…yesterday morning, I was watching CNN, and a commercial came on that started with a close-up shot of a CBD tincture. The announcer said something like “You can pay over $100 for a bottle of CBD that’s not approved by the FDA to relieve pain. OR you can spend less than $20 to buy the number 1 selling hemp product that is approved by the FDA to relieve pain.”

Sounds good, right? So let’s dig into this. These so-called hemp pain products DO NOT CONTAIN CBD. In fact, the active ingredients are things like trolamine salicylate, the active ingredient in products like Aspercreme. It is used as an ingredient in sunscreens, analgesic creams, and cosmetics. The salicylic acid portion contributes to both the sun protection effect (by absorbing UVB radiation) and to the analgesic effect.

In 1983, the FDA classified trolamine salicylate as having unproven effectiveness and safety as an external analgesic. One randomized double-blind crossover study of 25 patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee reported that trolamine salicylate 10% cream was no more effective than placebo. The US Food and Drug Administration has not reviewed any of the over-the-counter products listed in the Daily Med database that contain trolamine salicylate. Also, the producers of trolamine salicylate products have not provided evidence to the FDA in support of claims that this chemical is directly absorbed through the skin into underlying tissue. Due to health concerns, in 2019 the FDA issued a proposed rule classifying the sunscreen use of trolamine salicylate as "not generally recognized as safe and effective” Side effects include blistering, peeling, redness/irritation at the application site, nausea and vomiting.

So to say it’s FDA approved may well be overstepping, but you’re probably wondering how they call it a “hemp product??? The answer is deceptively simple. They simply mix a little hemp seed oil in the product, and BINGO, it’s HEMP. Let’s be 100% clear here. Hemp seed oil, or oil extracted from stems and stalks, contains virtually NO cannabinoids…CBD or others. And of course, it’s the cannabinoids that provide any and all of the medicinal benefits ascribed to cannabis. Simply adding a little hemp seed oil does absolutely nothing to increase the effectiveness of trolamine salicylate.

Then, of course, there’s the price. It is much cheaper than CBD. That’s because there is NO CBD… or any other cannabinoid for that matter! And frankly, the consumer can purchase an Aspercreme-like product for about one-third the price. I don’t know about you, but I find this shameful.

The real problem with this type of advertising and promotion is that not only is it misleading (and quite possibly deceptive), but it also creates confusion in the mind of the consumer. Consumers may equate hemp with CBD, which is definitely not the case. Worse, they may buy a product which may or may not work, has potential side effects and literally have been duped in the process.

But It Doesn’t Stop There…

And while the example above is the most recent to grate on my nerves, it’s far from the only one. In fact, this issue is rampant. I was speaking with one of our Pharmacy Partners some time ago, and she’d mentioned that a customer had come into the pharmacy with a product she was taking, and wanted to know if I knew anything about the brand. As we researched the product, we both discovered that it was merely labeled as “hemp extract” 1000 mg per bottle. There was no reference to, or mention of CBD, only that there was 1000 mg of hemp extract in the bottle.

As I explained to the pharmacist, there was simply no way of knowing how much CBD oil was in the bottle and that the 1000 mg was simply OIL content, and not specifically CBD oil content.

Another troubling thing we find with products on the marketplace that are marketed as CBD, is that when you read the label, they are made from “stalks and stems.” These companies are trying to pass these products off as rich in CBD.

They aren’t. Why do I know that? Because the cannabinoids in the plant simply aren’t contained in high amounts in the seeds, stalks or stems. And certainly not in the roots, either. Think about hemp’s “cousin,” the marijuana plant. Do you know of any dispensaries offering stalks for smoking? Do they call folks who work in marijuana dispensaries “stalk-tenders”? Of course not! That’s because cannabinoids are mostly contained in the AERIAL parts of the plant…think leaves, flowers, and buds. Amazon and many of the large retail platforms still do not allow ANY product refined from aerial parts to be sold on their websites…only products refined from stems and stalks!

At Imbue Botanicals, we ONLY use AERIAL parts of the plant in our products. And all of our products are clearly labeled and independently tested for the amount of CBD therein. Why? Because that’s what you’re supposed to be buying…and paying for!

And on top of all this misleading advertising, companies are adding CBD to things like face masks and other products, which arguably makes no difference in the product’s value or performance.

SO How Do You Select a REAL CBD product?

Choose Quality Ingredients. Quality matters when it comes to CBD products. You’ll want to look for potent and pure CBD products without any by-products or fillers. Remember that the FDA isn’t monitoring CBD products yet, which means that it’s up to the consumer to practice extra care when looking for products. How can you tell if you’re getting a good brand? First, avoid cheap brands. It’s one thing to look for sales and promotions, but it’s another thing to buy cheaply-made CBD products. These products are cheap because they contain cheap ingredients, i.e. fillers. You’re looking for pure CBD. How else can you tell that you’re getting a good brand? Ask yourself these questions when you do your research:

• Does this company grow and source its own CBD, or does it import CBD from overseas?
• Is this product organic?
• Is the product Full Spectrum?
• Does the product contain any chemical additives or agents for which the manufacturer is making health claims?
• Is it extracted using ethanol extraction methodologies?
• Are their ingredients non-GMO? Are they vegan?
• Is the company transparent about its growing practices?
• AND MOST IMPORTANT, does the company post ALL the testing on EACH batch of product including: raw oil, potency, microbial contaminants, heavy metals, and residual solvents? IF NOT, STAY AWAY!

CBD: Colorado Grown is by far THE BEST. At Imbue Botanicals, we believe that Colorado is the best source for CBD. We chose Colorado as our home for several reasons. First of all, Colorado’s land is perfect for hemp agriculture. It has plenty of sunshine and irrigation, giving Colorado’s fields the best growing conditions. Recently, we were asked why we grow our hemp in Colorado instead of, say, Kentucky or California, and the answer is simple: It all boils down to altitude and latitude.

Colorado’s rise in elevation results in a thinner atmosphere, meaning less obstruction to the sun’s rays. If you’ve ever gone skiing in places like Colorado or Utah, you know how fast you can suffer a sunburn! As elevation increases, living things are exposed to more sunlight and in particular ultraviolet light, both UVA and UVB. In humans, our bodies’ response to these ultraviolet waves is to produce melanin, which of course produces a tan to further protect against the sun’s harmful rays. In plants, the reaction is generally to produce more flavonoids for protection.

The increase in altitude produces a rather “geometric” increase in ultraviolet light. For every 1000 meters in elevation, UV light increases some 10-12%, according to the World Health Organization. This means that our hemp plants are exposed to nearly 20% more UV light where we grow our hemp. Studies have shown that UVA light significantly increases the production of cannabinoids in Cannabis Sativa, making them more potent.

When it comes to latitude, scientists have known for some time now that cannabis plants that grow north (or south in the Southern Hemisphere) of 30 degrees latitude are higher in CBD than plants grown in the tropical or subtropical regions of the Earth, likely due to the increased exposure to UVB in these areas. Therefore, growing our plants at a higher elevation, north of 30 degrees latitude, produces a plant richer in CBD and other cannabinoids. And that, we believe, translates into a better quality product for both people and pets.

IN SUMMARY…

Beware of ANY product simply labeled HEMP. Do your homework, speak with the company if you have questions, make sure you read the label, review the CoA’s and third-party testing, and buy your CBD from a source you trust.

The information contained herein should not be construed as a claim regarding any of the products referenced in this article, and there is no intention to make such claims. As always, we recommend consulting with your dermatologist or physician when adding to or changing your regimen. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease, and no claims regarding such are made.

Thinking about CBD skin care products? You’re not the only one. Today, you can find CBD in several products, from tinctures to gummies to vape pens. Now, CBD skin care products take up their own space in the market. 

Best CBD Skin Care Products 

Since CBD from hemp was legalized in all 50 states, CBD products have exploded across the market. CBD skin care products are no exception. You have plenty of choices now, which can make shopping for these products a bit confusing and overwhelming.  

The good news is that we’re here to help you sort out some of the information. Just like with anything else you use to care for your body, you’ll want to know the basics of CBD skin products before you start using them. This way, you’ll feel more empowered to make the best choices for yourself. 

So, how does CBD skin care work? Why do people choose CBD over other options? And how can you find the best CBD skin care products? Let’s go over these questions, starting with the basics. If you want more information after reading some more about CBD, check out im·bue botanicals. 

CBD Skin Care Basics 

Before you make any decisions about the best CBD skin care products, it helps to know how and why CBD works. CBD isn’t just a fancy new ingredient to put into lotion. It’s a powerful compound that’s being studied for all kinds of healing properties. 

What is CBD? 

First of all, what is CBD? You might already know about CBD in the context of the marijuana plant. It’s true that cannabis does contain CBD, but CBD is not the compound that makes people high. (That would be THC.) CBD can be separated from THC to produce several benefits on its own.  

It’s also important to note that most CBD skin care products don’t come from the cannabis plant at all. The type of CBD that’s legal in all 50 states is the kind that comes from the hemp plant. Hemp may be a cousin of marijuana, but it’s not the same thing, and its THC compound is minimal compared to the marijuana plant. 

As a matter of fact, in the US, legal CBD can’t contain more than 0.3% THC. In other words, you won’t get high from using CBD in your skin care routine. 

Whether you’re disappointed or relieved to hear that, you may still see a powerful impact from CBD on your skin. Why? Keep reading to find out. 

CBD Benefits 

What makes CBD so popular, and why is it being studied for so many benefits? It all comes down to something called the endocannabinoid system, or the ECS. You have a lot of systems in your body, such as the nervous system and the lymphatic system. You probably didn’t learn about the ECS in your high school biology class, but it still has a profound impact on the body. 

The human body naturally produces something called endocannabinoids, which work a lot like other cannabinoids such as CBD. These endocannabinoids interact with endocannabinoid receptors to maintain normal bodily processes. 

Interestingly, it turns out that humans have some of these receptors in their skin. UCLA pointed this out in a web page about cannabis: “Research initially suggested endocannabinoid receptors were only present in the brain and nerves,” explains the source from the UCLA School of Medicine, “but scientists later found that the receptors are present throughout the body, including our skin…” 

Because some of this ECS interaction occurs in the skin, it has become a topic of interest for CBD skin care product creators. 

More time and research will reveal the specific benefits of CBD in skin care, but as of right now, much of the research centers specifically around inflammation. Many people take CBD and use CBD skin care products because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties.

What Does CBD Oil Do for the Skin? 

CBD may have several skin care benefits thanks to these anti-inflammatory properties. For example, one study showed these anti-inflammatory properties working to fight acne. The same study observed CBD reducing sebum, or acne-causing oil, as well. 

Well and Good recommends CBD for sunburn and under-eye puffiness, both of which are connected to inflammation. As a matter of fact, the linked article points out that most skin conditions are caused by inflammation, which means that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can make a big difference in the world of skin care. Other studies show that CBD is promising for eczema treatment. In these studies, CBD showed anti-itching, anti-microbial, and of course, anti-inflammatory processes, all of which may help relieve the symptoms of eczema. 

Is CBD Anti-Aging? 

Of course, a lot of people choose CBD skin care products for anti-aging benefits. Is there any truth behind the hype? CBD does have a lot of anti-aging potential, particularly when it comes to wrinkle reduction. 

That’s because CBD acts as an antioxidant. One prevailing theory on aging says that wrinkles are caused in part by oxidative stress. 

What is oxidative stress? Let’s put it simply. Human bodies carry both oxidants (free radicals) and antioxidants. Oxidative stress is a lack of balance between oxidants and antioxidants. When the body has too many oxidants and not enough antioxidants, according to the widely-accepted theory, the body can experience signs of aging more quickly. 

That’s why a lot of experts recommend a diet rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. These antioxidants can fight against oxidative stress and may therefore slow the aging process. It’s also why a lot of people choose CBD skin care products. Many people seek these products for use against oxidative stress.  

Then, of course, there are the moisturizing properties of the lotion itself. The best CBD skin care products are especially moisturizing, which is also an anti-aging property. Our skin naturally produces less moisture as we get older, which can lead to wrinkles as the skin loses some elasticity. A high-quality lotion with CBD can replenish some of that moisture. 

How to Choose the Best CBD Skin Care Products 

Thanks to CBD’s recent popularity, it can be hard to choose the right CBD skin care product for yourself. There are a lot of these products in circulation these days, so how do you make sure that you pick the right one?  

Use the tips below to narrow down your options. At the end of the day, though, it all boils down to this: You need a high-quality product with premium ingredients. Here’s how you can make sure that you get what you need. 

Deciding for Yourself 

Unfortunately, we don’t know all of the possible benefits of CBD yet, and that includes using CBD in skincare.

Yes, research has grown a lot over the past several years, and that research looks very promising. However, we still need a lot more research before we know the full spectrum of what CBD can do. That’s because researchers sometimes struggle to get the funding they need. Between CBD’s recent legal status and its association with marijuana, the US has hesitated to invest research dollars into CBD. 

All of this is to say that you may need to do a bit of experimentation for yourself. When you try a CBD skin care product, stick with it for a while and see the benefits for your skin. Everyone’s skin is different, so you may notice some benefits and results that you hadn’t expected.  

You might use trial sizes while you’re testing new CBD skin care products. For example, at im·bue botanicals, we offer a ¼-ounce version of our em-body premium CBD facial cream. It costs far less than the full two-ounce product. Use it nightly to see the results for yourself and decide whether you’d like to keep using the product.  

Consider the Company 

On the one hand, we love that CBD has gotten so much attention recently. It means that more people can enjoy the benefits of CBD, including the best CBD skin care. 

On the other hand, this popularity has become a double-edged sword. CBD has some very real benefits, but in a lot of ways, it’s also become a trend. A lot of companies have jumped on the bandwagon, adding minuscule amounts of CBD to some of their products. Then they brag about their products’ CBD content in hopes of getting more people to buy them based on that point alone. 

However, the CBD that you can find in these products is generally way less beneficial than the pure, potent CBD than you can get from sources like im·bue botanicals. 

That’s why you should consider the company when you look for the best CBD skin care products. If the company focuses only on skin care but happens to add CBD to one or two of its products, then that company probably isn’t your best bet. The CBD is probably an afterthought and an effort to cash in on a trend. 

Instead, look for a company that focuses primarily on CBD products. This way, you get a better chance of finding skin care products with potent, pure CBD. The better the quality of your CBD, the better your chances are of seeing the benefits. 

Where Was the CBD Sourced? 

Next, you can find the best CBD skin care products by asking where the CBD came from. Why does this matter? Because different regions have different growing conditions, depending on climate and soil quality.  

At im·bue botanicals, for example, we grow all of our hemp in Colorado. People don’t often associate Colorado with farmland, but as it turns out, Colorado produces some excellent crops. It’s especially suited to hemp plants, which is why we can use these plants to make some of the best CBD skin care products.  

In Colorado, we can grow our hemp plants at high altitudes. As a result, our plants have more sunlight access, which can increase their cannabinoid production. 

Plus, Colorado has some of the most progressive laws and regulations surrounding cannabinoids. For example, in Colorado, we can grow our hemp in fields that grow crops for human consumption. This means that our hemp crops grow in soil that’s just as good as the soil that grows food. 

In a lot of other places, hemp grows on isolated lots or in warehouses. For the best hemp, look for the best growing conditions. We believe that Colorado provides those. 

Are the Ingredients Organic? 

Next, find out whether or not your CBD comes from organic hemp. While you’re at it, see if you can find out about the rest of the ingredients, too. For example, does the fragrance come from heavy synthetic perfumes, or does it come from essential oils? 

These days, people have gotten more conscious of what they put on their skin, and for good reason. The skin is an organ, after all, and it can absorb certain substances. Some of what you put on your body can get absorbed into your body, which is why organic skin care may be better for your health than synthetic skin care. 

Other Skin Care Ingredients 

While you’re looking for organic ingredients, take a minute to consider the ingredients themselves. CBD beauty products can also contain moisturizing ingredients like aloe, vitamins, shea butter, and coconut oil. Look for ingredients with reputations for skin benefits.  

The Product Experience 

Next, of course, think about your own experience with the product. This part matters because the more you enjoy using a product, the more likely you are to keep using it. When it comes to skin care, long-term habits make the most difference. 

Consistency and patience are hard to find when you don’t enjoy using a product. That’s why the best CBD beauty products for you are the ones that you’ll look forward to using. 

Try to find a product that provides a good sensory experience. How is the texture, for example? Does it feel good when you apply it to your skin? How does your skin feel when you use it? Your skin should feel soft and moisturized but not greasy. How about the smell? If the product smells nice, you’ll be far more inclined to put it on your face. 

Again, you can start with trial sizes. They’ll let you experience the product and see how you feel about it. Take a look at the trial size for our lifted by em·body cream to get started with CBD facial cream

The information contained herein should not be construed as a claim regarding any of the products referenced in this article, and there is no intention to make such claims. As always, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian when adding to or changing your pet’s regimen. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease, and no claims regarding such are made.

You’ve heard of CBD. You may have even seen the benefits of CBD for yourself. However, did you know that pets may benefit from CBD, too? CBD for pets has a similar impact as CBD for humans. Of course, since pets do have different needs and metabolisms, there are some differences between pet CBD and human CBD. If you’re interested in trying CBD treatment for your dog, cat, or even your horse, here are some things that you should know.

CBD for Pets: The Basics

First of all, let’s take a look at some of the CBD basics. The CBD market has exploded in the last few years, so it’s important to explore the facts before getting started.

What is CBD?

CBD is short for “cannabidiol,” and it’s just one of possibly hundreds of compounds available in hemp plants. For humans, it’s sold as tinctures, gummies, teas, vapes, and several other delivery methods. When it comes to CBD for pets, you can find tinctures, capsules and treats that are specially formulated for animals. To be clear, while CBD also exists in cannabis plants, when you give your pet CBD, you are not giving your pet marijuana. Your pet’s CBD should always come from the hemp plant. You’ll find more on the subject in the next few paragraphs.

Why Consider CBD for Pets?

CBD uses the same mechanism in pets as it does in humans: the endocannabinoid system. “All animals have an endocannabinoid system,” Tyler Strause points out in Medium. “As human beings, we like to think of ourselves as special, but we’re not special for having an ECS. All vertebrates and invertebrates are known to have an ECS.”

The ECS is a network of cannabinoid receptors that work throughout the nervous system. Scientists are still studying the various functions of the ECS, but they know that this system impacts several functions throughout the body. The ECS impacts sleep, for example, as well as pain and mood.

CBD products work in conjunction with this system, both for people and for animals. When ECS receptors come into contact with CBD, those receptors are essentially empowered to maintain homeostasis by blocking certain negative impacts. For example, a study involving anxiety in mice revealed how CBD can interact with the ECS. In this study, CBD impacted these receptors, effectively blocking the anxiety-producing impact of chronic stress.

Now, human and animal bodies both naturally produce their own chemicals that interact with the ECS. After all, why evolve an entire system to interact with a chemical that bodies can’t produce? However, as studies like the one mentioned above indicate, CBD can also have profound impacts on this system, including in animals.

What Are Some of the Reasons People Give Their Pets CBD?

Because CBD helps the ECS maintain homeostasis, it can potentially help alleviate all sorts of symptoms in pets and people alike. However, some benefits and potential benefits have been more widely studied than others. Remember, research has shown that CBD has anti-stress and anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, some of the most common reasons veterinarians cite for giving a pet CBD include:

• Arthritis and mobility issues
• Pain
• Anxiety
• More serious health issues

Is It Safe to Give My Pet CBD?

Just like any other type of treatment, it’s important to talk to your pet’s vet before starting your pet on any kind of regimen. Your vet can advise you on safe dosages and other important information, such as medication interactions. Generally speaking, however, in the right concentrations and with careful supervision, CBD is safe for pets, just like it is for people. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that you’re only giving your pet high-quality ingredients. Avoid fillers and additives to make sure that your pet is getting the most effective dose possible.

Will CBD Make My Pet Feel “High”?

No, as already discussed, CBD will not make your pet feel high. CBD may make your pet feel more calm and relaxed, but your pet will not get high from CBD. While it’s true that CBD does come from the cannabis plant,(cannabis sativa, to be specific) it is not in itself a psychoactive compound. The cannabis plant, as stated above, has many compounds, but not all of them cause a “high” feeling. The compound that causes that feeling is THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. CBD products, including the ones that you can give to your pets, are refined from hemp and not marijuana. By law, hemp may contain no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight, and therefore does not produce a high. Never give a THC-based product to your pet.

Is CBD for Pets Legal?

Provided that it comes from hemp and not marijuana, the answer is yes. The 2018 Farm Bill contains language that federally legalized hemp and de-scheduled CBD from the list of dangerous narcotics, hence removing CBD from the purview of the Drug Enforcement Act (DEA). As a consequence of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is now permanently removed from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). It is now deemed an agricultural commodity and not a controlled substance.

Furthermore, by redefining hemp to include its “extracts, cannabinoids and derivatives,” Congress explicitly removed popular hemp products – such as hemp-derived CBD -- from the purview of the CSA. Accordingly, the DEA no longer has any claim to interfere with the interstate commerce of hemp products as long as the THC level is at or below 0.3%.

How is CBD for Pets Different Than CBD for Humans?

As you’ve read above, CBD works within pets in the same way that it works within humans. Knowing this fact, is it safe for you to give some of your own CBD to your pet to see how it works before ordering a separate bottle for your pet? Technically, it’s possible, but you’re really better off keeping human and pet CBD products separate. While the CBD itself will be the same for both you and your pet, other factors such as dosages and product options will be different. Look at dosages, for example. In humans, adequate dosages are often measured by age, e.g., adults should take a larger amount than children. With pets, however, dosages are generally measured by weight. Droppers and measurements in CBD products are designed, obviously, for the intended recipient. If you mix and match products, you may mismeasure the dosage, giving your pet too much or too little.

Next, there are different product options, with formulations that are specifically designed for pets. At im·bue, for example, while we make tinctures for both humans and animals, we also make product options specifically for animal needs. Our products are available in tinctures, capsules and topical formulations to address multiple issues in our furry family members.

At the end of the day, while you might get away with giving your dog some of your own CBD, it’s ultimately a better idea to choose a pet-specific formula.

CBD for Dogs

When people search for CBD for pets, more often than not, they’re looking for solutions for their dog. CBD products can have an excellent impact on dogs, especially when it comes to inflammation and anxiety.

Maladies to discuss with your Veterinarian

People discuss CBD options for dogs with their veterinarians for several reasons. Here are just a few examples.

• Noise anxiety. Dogs have no way of contextualizing loud noises like Fourth of July fireworks. As far as your dog is concerned, everything was normal until loud, scary noises erupted for no reason.
• Separation Anxiety. Some dogs are more prone to separation anxiety than others. You hate to leave your dog for any reason, but when it’s necessary, certain medications including CBD can help your dog with the transition.
• Arthritis and other joint pain. According to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network, 20% of dogs will experience arthritis at some point in their lifetimes. While osteoarthritis is the most common type for dogs, there are lots of other reasons why dogs may experience bone and joint pain. Older dogs are the most susceptible to this type of pain, and large breeds tend to experience more inflammation than smaller ones.
• Chapped noses. Dogs rely on their noses, so when those noses get dry, chapped, and irritated, dogs can be extremely uncomfortable.
• Skin irritations. Some dogs are prone to breakouts, hot spots, and other skin irritations.

Types of CBD for Dogs

As stated above, CBD for pets, particularly for dogs, comes in a wide variety of types. Here are a few of your options when exploring CBD for your dog.

• Tinctures. You may already be familiar with tinctures if you use CBD products yourself. These tinctures have CBD distilled into a liquid form for fast absorption. Our tinctures come in 2 strengths to help address different levels of severity.
• Capsules. At im·bue, we’ve formulated our dog CBD capsules with extra strength for dogs who may experience more difficult challenges. The capsules contain the same carefully-formulated CBD that our tinctures contain, but in a higher concentration.
• Nose balm. We mentioned our nose balm above. This balm’s pleasant scent was designed to appeal to your dog’s sensitive nose. More importantly, the balm soothes chapped noses so that your dog can go back to enjoying all of the different smells that life has to offer.
• Salves. Just like humans, dogs experience skin irritations, and just like humans, dogs can use CBD-infused skincare products to soothe those irritations.

CBD for Cats

Of course, dogs aren’t the only animals that can benefit from CBD use. In some cases, when people search for CBD for pets, they want a formula specifically for a cat.

Just like dogs and people, cats have an ECS, and CBD works naturally with that system, providing relief for particular ailments. Here are some of the more common reasons why people look for CBD for cats.

Maladies to discuss with your Veterinarian

People discuss CBD options for cats with their veterinarians for several reasons. Here are just a few examples.

• Anxiety. Cats are creatures of habit. They love their routines, and deviations from those routines can cause trouble. When cats deal with anxiety, they’re not the only ones who suffer. “Signs your cat has anxiety can include everything from peeing outside the litter box to excessive grooming,” explains Brandi Neal in an article for Bustle. These behaviors can put stress on you as a pet owner. Just like with dogs, separation anxiety is a major culprit.
• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Like humans, felines can become infected with an immunodeficiency virus. Unlike with humans, however, there is no approved antiviral drug for the feline version of this virus. The good news is that with proper care and good nutrition, FIV-infected cats can live relatively long and comfortable lives. Symptoms for FIV include certain inflammatory symptoms, so products with anti-inflammatory properties may be prescribed by your veterinarian to help relieve some of these struggles.
• Degenerative Joint Disease. Up to 92% of cats show signs of DJD, but this disorder often goes undiagnosed because cats usually hide their physical discomfort. If your cat often hides, reacts poorly to touch, or has lost their appetite, then your cat may be in pain. Ask your cat’s vet about possible DJD.

Types of CBD for Cats

CBD for cats comes in similar varieties as CBD for dogs. They include options like:

• Tinctures. Specially-formulated CBD tinctures may make a big difference for your cat. They tend to be easier to administer than capsules for most pet owners.
• Capsules. Much like our capsules for dogs, im·bue’s CBD cat capsules are formulated for cats who are experiencing more difficult issues. It’s a highly-concentrated formula that can be sprinkled on your cat’s food or administered directly.

CBD for Horses

When looking for CBD for pets, you’ll find a lot of similarities between human CBD and dog and cat CBD. Earlier, we mentioned that you could, with caution, give human CBD to your dog or cat as long as you were sure about ingredient safety and knew that you were giving your pet the right concentrations. When it comes to CBD for horses, however, it’s not a matter of lowering the CBD dosage but raising it. A human-sized dose of CBD may have little to no impact on a horse. In this case, it’s far more economical to go with horse-specific formulas right from the start. In the right concentrations, CBD may help horses with various conditions.

Maladies to discuss with your Veterinarian

People discuss CBD options for horses and other members of the Equine family with their veterinarians for several reasons. Here are just a few examples.

• Arthritis. Arthritis is a highly common problem in horses. Usually, arthritis in horses is caused by a slowly progressing inflammation, and as a result, older horses are more susceptible to this problem than younger horses are.
• General soreness. Of course, soreness in horses can come from sources other than arthritis. Horses are athletic animals, carrying large amounts of weight and traveling long distances. Just like with humans, all of that exercise can take a toll on horses.
• Stress and anxiety. Some horse owners are giving their animals CBD for general stress and anxiety.
• Skin conditions. Horses are susceptible to a wide range of skin conditions, and certain CBD salves can help soothe the skin.

Types of CBD for Horses

Given their different diet from smaller companion pets, horses don’t need too much variety when it comes to their CBD products. At im-bue, we’ve formulated some CBD products with strong concentrations meant specifically for a horse’s metabolism.

• Tinctures. Our CBD tinctures for horses deliver the same potent ingredient as our CBD tinctures for dogs and cats, but our horse tinctures deliver 2000 milligrams of CBD.
• Salves. Our CBD salves for horses deliver soothing skin relief as well as antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, again in a high concentration specifically for horses. 

How to Find CBD for Pets

Once you know the potential benefits of CBD for pets, the next step is finding the right type and brand. However, there are a lot of products on the market these days, and you’ll want to make sure that your pet gets the right one. Not all of these products are the same. Some deliver more potent relief than others. So, how do you make the right choice? You can start with the tips that we’ve listed below.

How Do I Know Which Product to Get for My Pet?

In a moment, you’ll consider how to choose between brands, but it’s also important to choose the right type of product. Between capsules, tinctures, and salves, which choice will work best for your pet? The bad news is that there are no hard and fast answers, but the good news is that as long as you choose high-quality CBD products, your pet can experience benefits.

Still, you can choose the right product from the start by considering your reasons for buying CBD for pets. For example, do you want CBD for your pet’s overall health and general wellness? In that case, a tincture should make the best choice. Likewise, for mild nervousness or slight inflammation, tinctures may get the job done.

For skin conditions, a salve is usually the best choice. However, if your pet’s skin condition comes from internal inflammation, you may also want to add a tincture to your pet’s CBD regimen.

For more acute conditions, a capsule can deliver the potent concentration of CBD that your pet needs. With im-bue in particular, our capsules are especially powerful.

Next, ask yourself what type of product your pet is most likely to take. Keep in mind that both capsules and tinctures can be added to your pet’s food. However, if your pet doesn’t tolerate changes to their food, you may need to get a bit more creative. Will your pet let you squirt their CBD tincture directly into their mouth? Or would it be easier for you to fold a capsule into a piece of cheese or something similar? CBD for pets can only be beneficial if the pet actually gets some of that CBD into their system.

Choose Quality Ingredients

As we’ve stated several times, quality matters when it comes to CBD for pets. You’ll want to look for potent and pure CBD products without any products or fillers. Remember that the FDA isn’t monitoring CBD products yet, which means that it’s up to the consumer to practice extra care when looking for products. How can you tell if you’re getting a good brand for your pet? First, avoid cheap brands. It’s one thing to look for sales and promotions, but it’s another thing to buy cheaply-made CBD pet products. These products are cheap because they contain cheap ingredients, i.e. fillers. You’re looking for pure CBD. How else can you tell that you’re getting a good brand? Ask yourself these questions when you do your research:

• Does this company grow and source its own CBD, or does it import CBD powder from overseas?
• Is this product organic?
• Is the product Full Spectrum?
• Is it extracted using ethanol extraction methodologies?
• Are their ingredients non-GMO? Are they vegan?
• Is the company transparent about its growing practices?
• AND MOST IMPORTANT, does the company post ALL the testing on EACH batch of product including: raw oil, potency, microbial contaminants, heavy metals and residual solvents? IF NOT, STAY AWAY!

CBD for Pets: Colorado Grown is by far THE BEST

At im·bue botanicals, we believe that Colorado is the best source for CBD for pets. We chose Colorado as our home for several reasons. First of all, Colorado’s land is perfect for hemp agriculture. It has plenty of sunshine and irrigation, giving Colorado’s fields the best growing conditions.

Recently, we were asked why we grow our hemp in Colorado instead of, say, Kentucky or California, and the answer is simple: It all boils down to altitude and latitude.

Colorado’s rise in elevation results in a thinner atmosphere, meaning less obstruction to the sun’s rays. If you’ve ever gone skiing in places like Colorado or Utah, you know how fast you can suffer a sunburn! As elevation increases, living things are exposed to more sunlight and in particular ultraviolet light, both UVA and UVB. In humans, our bodies’ response to these ultraviolet waves is to produce melanin ,which of course produces a tan to further protect against the sun’s harmful rays. In plants, the reaction is generally to produce more flavonoids for protection.

The increase in altitude produces a rather “geometric” increase in ultraviolet light. For every 1000 meters in elevation, UV light increases some 10-12%, according to the World Health Organization. This means that our hemp plants are exposed to nearly 20% more UV light where we grow our hemp. Studies have shown that UVA light significantly increases the production of cannabinoids in Cannabis Sativa, making them more potent.

When it comes to latitude, scientists have known for some time now that cannabis plants that grow north (or south in the Southern Hemisphere) of 30 degrees latitude are higher in CBD than plants grown in the tropical or subtropical regions of the Earth, likely due to the increased exposure to UVB in these areas.

Therefore, growing our plants in higher elevation, north of 30 degrees latitude produces a plant richer in CBD and other cannabinoids. And that, we believe, translates into a better quality product for our pets.

Imbue Botanicals

At im·bue botanicals, we know that you’re passionate about the health of your four-legged family members. You wouldn’t give them anything less than the best, most trusted products. That’s why we invite you to take a look at our CBD for pets. Have questions? Then we’d love to answer them. You can always head over to any page on our website for a live chat session, or contact us for support. Your pets give you unconditional love and companionship. They deserve to enjoy their best possible health.

In the Footsteps of Those Who Knew…

While the boom in CBD-related products is a relatively recent phenomenon that can be attributed to certain folks in Kentucky and their interest in bringing back hemp farming, the use of cannabis sativa in tinctures, oils and other preparations has deep historical roots.

In 1969 Dr. Tod Mikuriya wrote that “In India the use of hemp preparations as a remedy was described before 1000 B.C. In Persia, cannabis was known several centuries before Christ. In Assyria, about 650 B.C., its intoxicating properties were noted.”

But its use in the modern era can truly be ascribed to William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, an Irish born physician, scientist and pharmacologist who worked for the East India Company in India in the 19th century. During the 1840’s, he pioneered the early work in cannabis tinctures and is credited with testing these extracts on a number of ailments. Their popularity grew substantially in apothecaries in both Europe and the US roughly between 1840 and the early 1900’s until prohibition began to be enforced.

Then in the late 1990’s along comes Rick Simpson, the “inventor” of RSO or Rick Simpson Oil. Rick, a Canadian, first turned to cannabis to help him overcome the after-effects of a work-related fall. But he began to look for a way to more fully concentrate the benefits of the Cannabis, and using what is widely thought as the original “recipe” from O’Shaughnessy, Simpson produced the classic dark, thick cannabis oil that would become the standard.

The common thread with both these pioneers was ethanol extraction, the method Imbue Botanicals employs today. Once the cannabis plants are harvested (and preferably cured), they are mixed in a container with high-proof alcohol (or ethanol). This allows the resin and cannabinoids therein to detach from the buds and flowers. The lack of heat and pressure preserve the cannabinoids and make for a very effective end product. Simply search “Rick Simpson Oil” and you’ll see why it became the standard.

So when we entered into business, we were determined to follow in the footsteps of these two pioneers and not only replicate, but improve their approach. To that end, we utilize a pharmaceutical grade ethanol from organic sugar cane that we “super chill” for better results. Combined with ultra-low pressure, we produce a raw oil for our products that is truly exceptional. Most other companies use CO2 extraction which is faster and less expensive, but in our opinion (and many others) produces an inferior oil to ethanol extraction.

Call us “purists” or “old fashioned”, or maybe just “traditionalists” in our approach to extraction. We like to say that we were simply inspired by great minds that preceded us.