Category: News

graphic of a cbd molecule
24 Jan

What’s the Difference Between CBD and THC?

CBD is a buzzword taking the internet by storm at the moment, and for good reason. But, with so many terms being brought into the light, it might be hard to keep up with what exactly they all mean. CBD and THC may be used in the same sentence, and while they are structurally similar, they are worlds apart as compounds and can have polar opposite effects on the body.

Interestingly, it has been said that scientists have actually identified over 200 different cannabinoids within the cannabis plant family, though the cannabinoids you will most commonly hear about are CBD and THC.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the difference is between CBD and THC.

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a compound found in the hemp plant. The hemp plant is part of the cannabis family. CBD can be extracted from many cannabis plants, but hemp itself contains higher concentrations of CBD, whereas other plants are higher in different compounds. When extracted from the plant, CBD is typically made into a universal oil. This oil can then be sold in a variety of different food supplements such as bottled oil, capsules, bites and plenty more options.

graphic of a CBD molecule
Image attribution: Benjah-bmm27

What is THC?

THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, a chemical compound that is found in marijuana plants, relatives to hemp plants. Unlike the CBD compound, the THC compound creates a psychoactive effect on the brain, which is what causes the “high” sensation. It is because of this, there is also a chance of negative side effects.

THC is currently illegal in Britain, with the one exception of a prescription allowance from a specialist, when in dire cases, other medical treatment may not have worked.

graphic of a THC molecule
Image attribution: Benjah-bmm27

CBD vs THC: Chemical Structure

Despite both compounds creating drastically different effects, interestingly, CBD and THC both are very similar molecules. However, THC’s molecule structure is fairly planar whereas CBD’s molecule has a bent arrangement. It is only a slight deviation in the arrangement of atoms that create such vastly different effects on the body.

Both CBD and THC belong to a group of molecules called cannabinoids, more precisely, as these molecules are produced by plants, they are called “phytocannabinoids” (“Phyto” means “of a plant”). These and other phytocannabinoids interact with your endocannabinoid system.

The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is a natural system in your body which plays an important role in various parts of functions and processes such as mood, memory, appetite and sleep. The interaction with cannabinoids also impacts the nervous system, by engaging with neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are responsible for relaying messages between the neurons (that is, the cells of the nervous system). Cannabinoids also help to modulate other vital functions such as the immune response, stress and sleep.

Our Bodies Naturally Produce Cannabinoids

Did you know our body produces our own cannabinoids? These molecules are called “endocannabinoids” (“Endo” meaning “internal”).
Fascinatingly, different compounds bind to different receptors and different receptors dictate what effects the compounds will have on the body.

CBD vs THC: Supporting the Body

Both CBD and THC compounds do work together, however, they both support the body in varying ways and can also be used completely separately to one another, though CBD by itself holds up much better than THC in terms of benefits.

brown capsules with cbd oil

The Difference in Medicine

THC is derived from the marijuana plant, and is used with a focus neurological conditions such as epilepsy, spasms, addictions, neurological pain and have been used to manage certain side effects of chemotherapy (such as vomit and nausea) and loss of appetite and weight loss in patients with HIV infection. THC can only be used when prescribed by a physician and it is rarely used.

CBD is Common

CBD derived from the hemp plant is now used as a food supplement across the world. Even in rather small amounts, CBD (cannabidiol) can support various functions of the body such as joints, and cellular health. It can also be beneficial to wellbeing and supports an active lifestyle.

CBD vs THC: Conclusion

While these compounds share almost an identical atom structure, they also offer very distinct differences on the body, and both come from different types of cannabis plants.
It’s important to know that CBD is non-psychoactive and completely legal to use as a food supplement in the UK.

CBD is growing in popularity, and as research is pushed to the forefront of mainstream news, there is a growing number of the variety of products that are available, such as CBD oil or CBD capsules, which means there is something to suit everyone’s needs and lifestyle. For more information on our products, take a look at our website.

graph showing modulation of the endocannabinoid system
22 Jan

Four Reasons Why CBD Oil may not be Working for You

It might seem a little disheartening when you’re able to read so many raving reviews about CBD oil and how many people are reaping the benefits, but nothing feels like it’s changing for you. There are several reasons why CBD oil might not be working for you; take a look at our list and see if any of them are relevant!

1 – Your CBD Product Isn’t from a Reputable Source

As trends come and go, so does the supply and demand, and this is where CBD is no different. There are many distributors of CBD all over the UK now trying to catch up with the interest and curiosity of the general public. But with great power comes great responsibility, and unfortunately, some distributors lack the second part.

Just like with anything, many products are claiming to be what they aren’t or claiming to contain something that they don’t, and this can be particularly damaging when it comes to products intended for wellness.
If you end up with a CBD oil that isn’t what it says it is, this can lead to disappointing results.

Regulations

Because CBD oil isn’t a regulated medicinal product, companies selling these products can say what they like on their labels. The authorities (like FSA or MHRA) cannot check every single ‘non-regulated’ product out there and hence a dishonest label may only come to their attention when something goes wrong or when someone denounces it. But products with little or no CBD may just pass under the radar because they would be as safe as virgin olive oil – some of them may be ‘just’ virgin olive oil! To avoid falling into this trap, look for companies that sell CBD with a certificate issued by a well-known independent laboratory that indicates what is inside the bottle.

small bottle and pipette filled with cd oil

2 – You Need to Build CBD up in Your System

CBD works in our body’s Endocannabinoid System. This is one of the many different communication systems of our nervous system. Communication in the nervous system involves “senders”, “messages”, “receivers”, and “feedbacks”. CBD and other cannabinoids in full-spectrum hemp products act as “messages” and “feedbacks” to help to modulate this communication. Therefore they can be more effective the more “senders” and “receivers” there are.

Adapt and Build

Our organisms need to adapt to CBD and research has shown that a slightly higher dose for a week allows the body to tune-up and become more responsive to the cannabinoids in complete hemp extracts. Then you can gradually reduce the dose until you find what works best for your body and well-being.

If you want to know more about how your nervous system communicates, you can watch this short video from BrainFacts.org.

3 – You Need a Different Method of Taking CBD

You will have most probably heard that the most common delivery of CBD is a drop of oil under the tongue, sublingually. Some research has shown that the mucous membranes in the mouth can absorb the cannabinoids efficiently. However, we now know that absorption down the gastrointestinal tract is also very good, especially when CBD is taken together with fatty food.

A good quality full-spectrum hemp oil will smell and taste strong and that can put some people off. Taste-free products are easier to take but are lacking a lot of the beneficial terpenes and cannabinoids. So, if you cannot endure the taste of a good CBD oil you need to look for a different method of taking rather than for a lesser quality product.

Flavourless gel capsules are a great alternative to take full-spectrum hemp extract and reap all its benefits without noticing the taste or smell of it.

small capsules of cbd oil

4 – CBD Just Isn’t for You

This is the worst-case scenario, but there is a chance that it might just not be for you, which is the same for every product out there. There are varying factors that will affect how your body responds to CBD and if it can at all. These factors include your biochemistry, genetics and metabolism. For instance, you may produce a high level of “messages” and “feedbacks” or you may have a low number of “receivers” and adding CBD will make no difference to you.

Interestingly, a study conducted found that those with a genetic mutation produced extra cannabinoids. If you happen to fall into that category, it could be that you don’t notice much of a difference when you take CBD.

If you’re ready to give CBD oil a try, then why not browse our online store!

12 Dec

CBD Oil and Wellbeing

The wellness industry has seen massive growth in recent years. Now, more people than ever are becoming aware of their physical and mental wellbeing and things they can do to improve it. The notion of wellbeing covers a broad spectrum of ideas and actions that will ultimately vary from person to person, but the underlying theme remains the same. We often get asked whether CBD products can support wellbeing; certain individuals use it for a variety of reasons to enhance their daily lives.

group of people laughing in the sunlight

What is Wellbeing?

By definition, wellbeing is to feel comfortable, happy or healthy. However, recent years have seen the term encompass a much broader concept. There are many ways to discuss and measure personal wellbeing. Still, as a general rule, it is used to round up many areas of life, such as future outlooks, how you feel physically, and how that affects you mentally. It is widely agreed amongst health professionals that leading an active lifestyle can have a hugely beneficial impact on people.

How to Improve Wellbeing

There are hundreds of ways in which people can improve their wellbeing, and each individual will discover a unique combination of activities that will help. There are, however, some things that most people will find beneficial.

Be More Active

What is your favourite sport? It doesn’t matter if it’s swimming, abseiling or anything in between, being more active is recommended across the board as a way to improve wellbeing. Often, a big reason for people not getting out and doing more is time constraints, but allotting time in a busy schedule for exercise should be a priority. Studies show that raising heart rate can trigger the release of endorphins, the chemicals that our brains release that are associated with happiness and contentment. The ultimate advocates of the benefits of exercise, CBD products are becoming increasingly popular among professional and amateur sportspeople for its supportive effects on joints and muscles.

person running in the mountains with view

Get Enough Sleep

The general advice is that adults should be getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Sleep is an incredibly crucial bodily function as during sleep our bodies rest and repair. Furthermore, getting enough sleep is associated with a huge range of benefits that are likely to enhance a person’s wellbeing such as feeling more energetic, improved immune system, and a better ability to maintain a healthy weight. It is unfortunate that many of us are not getting enough sleep; many people who have difficulty either falling or staying asleep have reported that CBD products have had a positive impact on their sleep cycles.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Eating a rainbow of foods is known to be a great way to consume many of the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs. A balanced diet can provide you with the nutrition you need to support the body through daily life, with energy left over for fun activities such as socialising and exercise. The NHS recommends eating the right balance of the main food groups, which includes fruit and vegetables, fibre starchy foods and protein. It is even more important to introduce children to a healthy diet, helping their bodies to grow and giving them healthy habits for the future.

various fruits and vegetables in different colours

Practice Mindfulness

Many people advocate mindfulness as a way to improve wellbeing. Mindfulness can help individuals to be more aware of their immediate surroundings and listen to the things that their emotions and bodies are telling them. It also focuses on drawing more attention to the present, leaving behind anxieties of the past and worries of the future. Meditation is a great way to become more mindful, but you can focus on the present at any given moment, for example, when appreciating a beautiful view or when laughing with friends.

At ElleVance Sciences, we are dedicated to bringing the best quality CBD/CBDA products to the UK market. A shift in perception and fantastic results reported in the users of CBD oil has sparked a growing advancement of research on the benefits of taking hemp cannabinoids. Take a look at our website for more details on our products and follow us on social media for the latest updates in the CBD industry.

Colorado sign against blue sky
12 Dec

Why is Colorado the Best Place to Grow Hemp?

As of February 2019, land dedicated to hemp production in the US totalled over 31,000 acres, with a steady increase predicted. Many states are now farming and producing hemp, but what is it used for, and what makes Colorado the pioneer of hemp production?

Welcome to colorful Colorado

A Brief History of Hemp Farming in the US

The farming and production of hemp, for a multitude of uses, has existed in the US for hundreds of years. The first permanent English settlement in America, Jamestown, grew hemp as far back as 1616, in order to produce ropes, sails and clothing. During the last century, laws were enacted across the US to restrict the use of cannabis and because of confusion about the difference between hemp and marijuana, the use of hemp, unfortunately, was often also restricted. Until 1970, hemp was farmed commercially and used in applications from food to textiles. However, the Controlled Substances Act classified hemp in with marijuana and made it an illegal Schedule I drug and imposed strict regulations on the cultivation of industrial hemp.

In 2014, the signing of the Farm Bill by Congress allowed States and research institutions to once more put in place programs to pilot industrial hemp farming.  and in December 2018, a new Farm Bill was passed by Congress that removed the hemp plant and its CBD-containing extracts from the federal Controlled Substances Act. While some State laws are still catching up, across almost all of the US hemp is now treated just like any other agricultural product and there has been dramatic growth in use of hemp-derived products.

Scenic countryside

What is Hemp?

Industrial hemp is a strain of the plant species Cannabis Sativa. Cannabis as a drug (also known as marijuana) and hemp, both derive from the same species of plant but differ significantly in the active compounds they contain. The psychoactive component of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the component that can make you high. Hemp plants are characterised by having very low or undetected levels THC, so hemp lacks the mood-altering effects commonly associated with cannabis. Many hemp plant types (cultivars)  also contain much higher levels of cannabidiol (CBD) an interestingly, CBD can counteract the psychoactive effects of THC. The breadth of uses for hemp is incredibly broad. From food and biofuel, fibre for clothing and a multitude of purified extracts used in pharmaceuticals and an ever-expanding range of wellness and cosmetic products.

Why has Hemp Production Risen?

Hemp is an incredibly fast-growing and resilient crop, the benefits of which are quickly apparent to farmers who can see high yields and a new source of revenue. Compared to crops like corn, the plants require less water, fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides, making it a truly sustainable crop from an environmental perspective. Combined with its multiple industrial, health and culinarily uses, hemp has been coined as an eco-friendly, organic solution to many current global environmental issues.

Colorado mountains and trees in autumn

Why Does Colorado Have the Best Hemp?

The State of Colorado is found landlocked in Western America. Hemp is a relatively easy crop to grow, and the climate and purity of Colorado agree well with it. Even before the signing of the Farm Bill in 2014, the Mountain State has been ahead of the curve in terms of hemp production and use. In 2012, the state set up its own legal framework under which farmers could legally grow the plant. This resulted in the early development of an exciting new industry and market for all kinds of novel products, putting Colorado way ahead of other parts of the USA and the rest of the world.

A further reason to trust Colorado’s hemp farming abilities comes from its extensive Seed Certification Programme, set up by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The programme’s stringent criteria mean certified seeds are of high quality. Seeds must first be approved by the Variety Review Board, which is made up of members of the Colorado Seed Growers Association and is according to Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) standards. Testing and genetics are then carried out to ensure THC levels of 0.3% or less. Seed packages are tagged with ‘CDA Approved Certified Seed’. The availability of these seeds to commercial farmers allows for a higher quality product in a state that has a viable and structured market.

Furthermore, in a nod to Colorado’s dedication to the plant, it became the site of the nation’s first hemp producer to be granted organic status by the US Department of Agriculture. Such a first is seen as a major event in the hemp growing industry.

A versatile product in a growing industry, hemp is now used to make a range of extracts containing CBD and other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes, and these are rapidly increasing in popularity. With an increasingly widespread production and developing research in the US, hemp and CBD related products are on the rise. For more information on our products, including CBD oil, take a look at our website.

Bees going into a hive
10 Dec

How Growing Hemp Has a Positive Impact on the Environment

Hemp can be used for a surprising number of products; it is a lower-impact substitute to cotton and plastic, and can be used as a biofuel, paper and even a healthy food! With the health of the environment a deservingly hot-topic, industries, businesses and individuals are all searching for alternative, eco-friendly products to substitute those with more detrimental effects on the planet. We are finding that hemp can help here too!

The use of hemp is, once again, booming. This resurgence is of huge benefit to the natural environment, and economies across the globe. Below, we’ve taken a look at some of the primary benefits of hemp growth and production on the environment and how this resurgent industry is having a positive effect.

A Greener Alternative for Unsustainable Products

Many of the products we rely on day-to-day are considered unsustainable. The clothing we wear, the materials used to construct buildings and the fossil fuels extracted from the earth to heat our homes and run our cars and power stations. The search and development of bio-based alternatives has never been more urgent. Converting plants and using them as substitutes are becoming the norm, and for a good reason.

A report highlighting the impact of the construction industry from the Guardian states that ‘making one tonne of steel emits 1.46 tonnes of CO2 and 198kg of CO2 to create one tonne of reinforced concrete’. The alternative to this is ‘one square metre of timber-framed, hemp-lime wall, after allowing for the energy cost of transporting and assembling, actually stores 35.5kg of CO2’. There’s an obvious, and a very sobering difference in the impact of the materials used.

Reports on fast-fashion and cotton production are published on daily basis. The impact on the environment of the industries is in-comprehendible. Fibres from polyester, a fabric derived from fossil fuels, are seeping into the water supply and are contributing the world-wide micro-plastic epidemic. While the emissions from the fashion industry are at an all-time high and predicted to continue to rise, pair this with the intensity of the water required, and the production of clothing can have an eye-watering impact. The potential conqueror of this industry and an eco-friendly alternative is the wonder plant, hemp. When used for clothing, the material is breathable, sustainable, biodegradable, soft and long-lasting, making it a fantastic, environmentally friendly alternative for your new threads.

clothing rail

Absorbs CO2

Plants store carbon, and it’s only released when the plant is either burnt or composted. As well as this, through replanting, more CO2 is absorbed. Compare this to products which are derived from fossil fuels, or those that rely heavily on the planet’s finite resources, such as water, and hemp becomes an increasingly appealing option in the fight to reduce CO2.

Requires Little Water to Grow

Much like tough garden weeds, hemp needs very little water to thrive, the plant appreciates well-draining soils and is relatively draught-tolerant. When compared to alternatives, it requires very little water, as an example, ‘hemp uses one-quarter of the water’ that cotton requires to grow! This might not seem important in soggy Britain, but water is an increasingly scarce resource in many poor countries and it is critical to find cash crops that are water-efficient.

Multiple Uses and Minimal Waste from the Product

The uses of hemp are increasing daily as new products are that leverage this incredibly versatile material. From paper and plastics to guitars and cosmetics, construction materials, fuel and much more! It has been used for thousands of years, in thousands of products! The multiple uses of the material mean that very little goes to waste. When harvested, the seed, flowers, leaves, stems and stalks can all be processed into something useful.

Pollen Source

Hemp growers across the globe have reported a recognisable and welcomed buzz across their farms. Insects and bees flock to the crops while they’re flowering to gather all-important pollen. Species of moths, midges, wasps, flies, beetles and even ants are pollinators who travel to the hemp plantations to gather the sweet nectar. The honey produced by hives which forage on hemp is incredibly delicious too!

lots of wasps

Naturally resistant to many pests, allowing for reduced pesticide use
to produce a bountiful crop, many natural fibres rely heavily on pesticides. Hemp is a resilient plant and doesn’t require pesticides or herbicides to grow, and in fact, all of our products are grown under organic conditions, including our hemp CBD oil and CBD BITES! Organically produced, hemp can promote a healthy ecosystem, while encouraging wildlife. Pesticides not only kill beneficial insects, but they can also pollute our water and air, and quickly enter our food chain and then into us.

Improves Soil

Hemp plants have a root system that journeys deep into the ground; some have been known to grow up to three meters! This type of underground network can help to prevent soil erosion, as the earth is kept together with the connecting roots. Soil that is damaged and lacking an organic net such as a root system is more likely to erode.

We’ve only touched upon the many benefits of hemp and the environment. This wonder plant is being shown to improve people’s health, as well as the natural world around us! Its uses and benefits are astounding, and we’re proud to be part of the hemp revolution!