GETTING STARTED WITH SUPERGOOD
Two of the questions we get asked most are: Which product is right for me? and How much should I take? The truth is, there's really no way to know for sure since cannabis supplements are not one size fits all - and since everyone's endocannabinoid system is highly unique. But, lucky for you, we're here to answer your questions and help guide you along the way.
First things first: whether you're supplementing orally or going the topical route, we always recommend people start out with a full spectrum product. At SUPERGOOD, we formulate our full spectrum oils using an ethanol-extracted full spectrum hemp extract - meaning our full spectrum products contain so much more than CBD.
We know what you're thinking: Ethanol? It's just a fancy word for (food grade) grain alcohol. It's made by plants (FERMENTATION IS COOL) and humans have been using it to extract medicinal compounds from herbs and stuff for centuries.
THE MORE YOU KNOW
Since we formulate our products in house, the extract is just another ingredient for us - which means we get to be picky about how the cannabis is processed and extracted. While CO2 is a wildly popular solvent (despite what some people say, CO2 is a solvent) in the cannabis space, it is not as gentle as ethanol, nor is it capable of extracting both the polar* and non-polar** compounds of the plant. Ethanol's ability to extract a full range of therapeutic compounds is one of the main reasons we decided to source ethanol-extracted cannabis extracts.
*Polar cannabis compounds: flavonoids and some vitamins/minerals
**Non-polar cannabis compounds: cannabinoids, terpenes, and some vitamins/minerals
DOSING 101
So you're starting with a full spectrum product. How much should you take? That depends on a number of factors like what you're trying to treat, how depleted your endocannabinoid system is, your metabolism, etc. For oral dosing, we always recommend people start out with 8MG CBD, first thing in the morning (if an AM dose makes you feel sleepy or just way too chill, you can switch and take it just before bed). Stick with an oral dose for 1-2 weeks before making any changes. When increasing your dose, do so in small increments (and make sure you stick with the new dose for 1-2 weeks). You could even try breaking up the dose over the course of the day; this is called microdosing and this method of dosing just works better for some people.
When experimenting with cannabis supplements for the first time, it's important to track your dose (amount, timing, etc.) and the associated effects because that's really the only way you're going to pinpoint the dose that actually works for you and your body. Consistency is key. And remember, more is not always better; low and slow is the way to go.
Topical products, like oils and balms, aren't going to be nearly as effective at treating localized pain as their pharmaceutical grade-counterparts. If you've got chronic pain (in your shoulder, lower back, etc.), your best approach will be taking an oral full spectrum product combined with a pharmaceutical-grade topical (pharma-grade topicals are formulated with ingredients that are much better at delivering therapeutic compounds to the bloodstream).
While it can be used to target some pain, our face & body oil is best used on dry skin, burns (from the sun or otherwise), and inflammatory skin conditions (like acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc.). A 4MG application is a great place to start. You can continue to use as much or as little as you need, and we strongly suggest pairing it with your favorite skincare products (the oil plays well with others, especially Four Sigmatic and Drunk Elephant).
LET'S TALK ABOUT CONSUMPTION.
The consumption method will depend on what you're trying to target. Insomnia? Anxiety? Migraines? You'll want to take the oil sublingually (under the tongue), because that will allow more of the beneficial stuff to get into your bloodstream faster. But if you're in maintenance mode and don't necessarily need it to get into your system as fast as possible, you can send it through your digestive tract via coffee, golden milk, a smoothie, etc. But know that the effects will be subtler since it's got to compete with all the other things your body is digesting. If eating or drinking your cannabis supplement, we recommend upping the dose by at least 25% to account for what will be lost during digestion (this applies to CBD isolate products, as well) (no shame in the isolate game - isolates just work better for some people).
CANNABIS SUPPLEMENTS ARE NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL.
And here's a good example. I, Ashlae, am 5'8" and a pretty lean 130 pounds; my sweet spot is 16-20MG CBD (though some days I boost my dose with a golden capsule or two, and take as much as 60MG CBD) and it took me 2-3 months to find it. 16-20MG makes me feel energized but leveled (like a cup of coffee without the jitters). However, my husband (and business partner), Thom, is 6'2" and 155 pounds; his sweet spot is 5MG CBD. Yes, 5MG. And it took him all of 20 minutes to find it. If there isn't a flat, comfy surface nearby within 20 minutes of when he takes his dose, things are going to get awkward because it relaxes him to the max.
I'm telling you this because this is proof of just how different our bodies respond to cannabis supplements. If you looked at us side by side, you'd think for sure I'd be the one with the smaller dose, but that just isn't the case. And not only are our doses different, but our responses are pretty much the exact opposite. Cannabis supplements are definitely more energizing and uplifting for me (if I take a dose before bed I'm up all night) and more calming and relaxing for Thom (he absolutely will not take a dose before 9PM).
