The Science Behind ElleVance

Hemp is not a mystery substance. Despite its reputation as a cure-all, there is hard science behind how and why it works.

The hemp plant contains naturally occurring compounds called phytocannabinoids, with as many as 200 identified to-date (including CBD). These interact with the endocannabinoid system found in all mammals. An important characteristic of the hemp plants is a lack of THC – this is the phytocannabinoid that is psychoactive. Do not worry, hemp cannot make you high.

All mammals, including humans and pets, make molecules called endocannabinoids that attach to cellular receptors found throughout the body and brain, turning up or down different biological systems. Researchers have shown how endocannabinoids can modulate functions as diverse as sensation and inflammation, mood, sleep and appetite. The endocannabinoid system helps keep the body in balance – a process call homeostasis.

Phytocannabinoids from hemp interact with our endocannabinoid system in a similar way. A quirk of nature maybe – but a beneficial one. Hemp phytocannabinoids can even stimulate the body to produce more endocannabinoid receptors. This may explain why ElleVance could work better over time – giving improved results if taken on a regular basis.

No – Hemp plants can differ significantly based on the relative amounts and mix of different phytocannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids that they naturally produce. These different hemp plants are called cultivars.

It’s very important to know that your product comes from a farm where they have used the very best cultivars, where they know how to maintain the same cultivar over many harvests, and where they grow under consistent conditions.  This is crucial to ensure the phytocannabinoid content of the plant does not change over time – to ensure the product you buy each month remains the same.

Absolutely not! They vary very significantly – you just cannot assume one works as well as the next. There are two basic groups of products in the UK today. Many products are ‘CBD isolates’ which use chemically synthesized CBD or CBD that has been isolated from hemp in the laboratory. CBD is a single molecule and a valuable cannabinoid, but it only gives partial support. Other products, like ElleVance, are made from hemp plant extracts, blended into a carrier oil. These hemp extracts typically have additional cannabinoids and terpenes – the quality of the extract is dictated by the specific hemp plant used, the growing conditions, the extraction process and how the product is stored before it gets to you.

There is strong scientific evidence that whole plant hemp extracts are more effective than CBD isolates. Scientists call this the Entourage Effect, where different cannabinoids and terpenes work together to modulate a wider range of biological functions than CBD can do alone.

Unfortunately some isolate CBD products claim to be ‘broad spectrum’ just like a hemp extract when they are not. One way to tell the difference is by smell and taste – CBD isolates lack the characteristic smell and taste of hemp. In fact, CBD has no taste or smell for people.

Unlike ElleVance, many CBD products are too dilute or lack crucial terpenes and other cannabinoids to give the support you expect. We recently tested over 30 different CBD products on the market today. We were disappointed to see almost all contained less CBD than they claimed on their package. In several cases, the products had no detectable CBD in them – that is just not right!

It turns out that the hemp plant actually makes CBDA and this is converted to CBD during the manufacturing process used to make most other products on the market. This conversion happens if the extract gets too hot. The natural hemp used by ElleVance is treated gently to ensure all the naturally occurring compounds are carried into the final product. This allows us to give you a product that has a consistent blend of CBD and CBDA, plus the full range of other beneficial compounds – a true COMPLETE spectrum product.

Why do we do this? Scientists have shown that CBDA and CBD both interact with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system and have different and synergistic benefits. High levels of CBDA have also recently been shown to result in better absorption of CBD into the blood, when the product is taken orally.

Terpenes are other important components, naturally found in the hemp plant. Terpenes are best known for their characteristic hemp smell and taste – but they add a lot more than just that. Terpenes work with CBD, CBDA and other cannabinoids in a synergistic way, to increase the level of support you’re looking for. Terpenes are found in many plants in ways we have all experienced – if you’ve ever felt the wonderful calmness of walking in a pine forest, you will have experienced the benefits of a terpene called alpha-pinene.  Or if you use an uplifting lemon soap in the morning – that’s a terpene called limonene. Lavender’s characteristic floral odour comes from linalool. While the important terpene, myrcene, is found in hops, mango and lemongrass. All these terpenes and more are natural components of ElleVance COMPLETE hemp extract, at levels that support an active and healthy life.