Hemp has made great strides over the past few years in earning the praise of health and wellness enthusiasts, as well as members of the medical community. While the industry continues to wait for additional guidelines on the sale and marketing of this new consumer product, sale and consumption is fully legal in all 50 states. Consumer excitement and the resulting boom in sales, have proven more than just a passing trend. 

If you're one of the millions of people who are new to the world of hemp, you may have some questions before deciding whether or not Hemp is right for you. In this 'Ultimate Introduction to Hemp', we'll provide you with in-depth answers to frequently asked questions like, What is Hemp, where does Hemp come from, what types of Hemp are available for purchase and how to determine the best Hemp product for your needs. Let's get started...

What is Hemp?

Hemp extract is a non-intoxicating chemical compound. It is commonly found within its oil, which is contained within resin glands found on the surface of its flowers. The plant produces more than 113 unique compounds. 

In nature, it is a rich sources of nutrients. Other plants [and animals], such as kava, chocolate, and black pepper, can produce different types of nutrients similar to those found in the hemp plant, all of which stimulate the large cell-to-cell communication network found in humans and other vertebrate animals.

Where does Hemp come from?

Before discussing Hemp itself, let’s first explore a brief history of the hemp plant. While the earliest written record of hemp use appears in ancient China (~6000 B.C.), the most direct evidence can be found in scripts closer to 2700 B.C. in early editions of the Pen Ts’ao Ching. Throughout the ages, we find many examples of hemp being used [by multiple cultures] for its perceived restorative and medicinal properties.
 
Fast forwarding to more modern times, the use of hemp-derived medicines began to fade in the early 20th century, thanks to the advent of more modern medicines to treat pain and other common conditions. By the late 1930s and early 40’s the war on hemp was well underway, and the cultivation of the plant was deemed illegal.
 
In 1970, the Controlled Substances Act was passed; making the mere possession of hemp illegal.  

Just over a quarter century later (1996), California led the way on legalization of hemp for the treatment of certain medical conditions, despite the federal ban. Over the past 40 years, there has been an explosion of credible medical research into the benefits of hemp as a whole. Hemp has quickly gained acceptance around the world as a viable tool for supporting overall wellness.

While it hasn't stopped scientists from searching for new sources, hemp has been found to contain a number of nutrients.   

Today, thanks to consumer adoption and availability of quality products, research into Hemp’s effects on the human body is nearing a tipping point. Modern technology has even provided several new methods of refining and isolating Hemp; increasing the bioavailability of the plant to make it water-soluble, thereby increasing its efficacy and/or its level of absorption. 

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How do I use Hemp?

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to introducing Hemp into your system. What makes Hemp so unique is that, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, it is available to consumers in all 50 states in a variety of consumption methods and product types. This can be beneficial, albeit overwhelming at first, to consumers who want to use hemp for medicinal purposes. Let’s discuss a few of the most common product types, how they’re commonly used, and some of the pros and cons of each.

EDIBLES

Quickly becoming a fan-favorite amongst first-time Hemp users, the edible category is also one of the most saturated. Similar to any other herbal extract, Hemp can be infused into foods and beverages for consumption. Some of the more common edibles include gummies, chocolates and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages like bottled water and even beer.

Edible Hemp products are consumed orally and enter the bloodstream through the digestive tract. It takes time for the human body to digest foods and beverages, so onset of effects will be considerably longer than an inhaled product (up to 2 hours), especially after eating.

Similar to tinctures, taste is often an issue with edibles; especially when using a full spectrum extract. There also tends to be a double-edged sword with edible products. While the amount of Hemp in each edible is typically clearly marked, when Hemp is taken infused in foods and beverages in oil form, there tends to be an issue with bioavailability; the body’s ability to use what is consumed. Therefore, the effects each individual might feel will vary drastically, and in some cases, the majority of Hemp that has been consumed will be excreted without any effects.

WATER SOLUBLE

One of the newest form factors available to consumers is water soluble Hemp. This can either be sold independently, or more regularly, infused into products like ready-to-drink beverages.

Hemp oil is a hydrophobic (water-hating), buttery substance that is not able to dissolve and incorporate into water, like alcohol or sugar. It can, however, be made water soluble if it's put through a nanoemulsion process, which breaks the oil down into particles small enough for your body to absorb (~15-40 nanometers).

For reference, the human body typically won’t absorb particles that are greater than 80 nanometers in size, and most Hemp products test in the 150-1500 nanometers range. This results in a negative impact on the bioavailability of some of the most popular and convenient forms of consuming Hemp including capsules, tinctures, topicals, and edibles.

So even though you are technically ingesting water soluble Hemp orally, the particles do not need to be broken down by the stomach, and therefore enter your bloodstream almost immediately. This increases the bioavailability and provides the user nearly instant results, in many instances with much smaller dosages.

On the negative side, like with any new product, there are some kinks to work out in water soluble technologies and many of the products do not fully dissolve into liquid, or pre-made products will not stay homogenous. If this is the case, some of the active nutrients can be lost on the side of the glass, for example. Make sure when trying these products, especially in beverage form, to stir them well.

TOPICALS

Gaining quick traction with big box retailers, as well as with dispensaries, topical Hemp products are one of the fastest growing segments of consumer packaged goods in the world. There are a wide variety of products to chose from including infused balms, creams, shampoos and conditioners, lotions, and even cosmetic products like facial masks.

Unlike other Hemp products, topicals do not affect the entire body. Instead, they work locally in the area to which they are applied. In today’s Hemp market, topicals are becoming more popular for their therapeutic potential, as well as their antioxidant and potential anti-aging properties. Hemp has become a very popular addition to beauty and skincare products by brands both big and small.

For anyone leery about ingesting Hemp products, topicals serve as an excellent alternative. They work locally on the surface of the skin and in most cases do not enter into the bloodstream (unless specifically formulated to do so). While this serves as the biggest pro for topical use of Hemp, it’s also the main downside. The skin tends to absorb a very small percentage of active ingredients in lotions, balms and salves, making it difficult to experience the full effects of Hemp when used topically.

How do I know what Hemp product is best for me?

It seems like new Hemp companies are popping up almost daily, and as we've discussed in this introduction to Hemp, you’ll find a broad range of products, dosages and consumption methods to choose from. So how do you know what Hemp product is best for you?

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that every person is unique and will respond to Hemp differently. When it comes to consumption levels, we highly recommend the low and slow method. Start with a low amount at first and see how your body reacts. Once you begin to have a better understanding of your body’s response, slowly increase the level until you find the lowest possible amount that provides your desired effects.

No matter what level you end up taking, or method of consumption you decide to try, you should always ensure you’re consuming a quality product. The best way to ensure the quality of your Hemp is through third-party laboratory testing. In order for a Hemp product to be licensed, it must first be batch-tested prior to sale. This process requires laboratory technicians test multiple samples from a particular harvest to determine things like nutrient content, terpene content or the presence of any heavy metals, pesticides, microbials, or residual chemicals.

There are three stages in which testing should be performed prior to final product testing:

Soil Testing

Soil testing is done prior to planting seeds to ensure no heavy metal buildup or toxins exist within the soil, which the plant will undoubtedly absorb. Hemp is a biological sponge soaking in everything, good or bad, from the soil and air.

Harvest Testing

The second stage of testing happens after a crop has already been harvested. The harvested plants are tested for pesticides, heavy metals, molds, bacteria, and other contaminants prior to being used for extracting usable nutrients.

Extract Testing

The final stage of testing is done after extraction. This stage is critical because hemp extracts have the highest risk for contamination, due to the concentration that happens throughout the entire extraction process.

We also recommend looking for products that can be tracked ‘from seed-to-sale’ and that come from plants grown in a highly controlled environment. Controlled environments, such as a greenhouse, can protect the plant from absorbing potentially harmful elements from the soil, which alleviates initial risks to the end consumer.  

When it comes to quality assurance, transparency by the brand is pivotal. We recommend always checking a product’s Certificate of Analysis (COA) before purchase. This certificate shows the Hemp content of the product and indicates that it contains safe or non-detectable levels of contaminants; as determined by the FDA and/or local governments. COA’s can typically be found on a product’s packaging via a QR code or by visiting a brand’s website.  

While it may require some research on your part, ensuring you purchase a quality product will put you on the right path for discovering the Hemp that’s right for you. 

In Conclusion

While there is much that has been learned over the past quarter century, there is still much more research that needs to be done on the uses and potential benefits of Hemp-derived products. The industry is complex and, at times confusing, but in the years to come we hope to see stabilization through governmental regulation and standardization.  

There you have it. The Ultimate Introduction to Hemp. You are now armed with the fundamental knowledge necessary to get started on your quest for Hemp Wellness.