About Dr. Cass Hemp Oil Extract/CBD

How to Take Dr. Cass’ Hemp Oil Extract

Here are some guidelines in taking Dr. Cass’ Hemp Oil Extract.

The dose is quite variable depending on your own endocannabinoid level – which depends on many factors such as your genetics, stress level, diet, and more.

We offer the following Hemp Oil Extracts:

  •         Full Spectrum I oz (30 ml) with THC <.3%
  •         Broad Spectrum 2 oz (60 ml) THC-free
  •         Enhanced CBD Isolate I oz (30 ml) THC-free, with  Day, Night and Combo options

Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Extract 1 oz (30 ml)

  • 750mg starter dose: 25mg of Cannabidiol (CBD) per 1 ml dose
  • 1500mg medium-strength: 50mg of Cannabidiol (CBD) per 1 ml dose
  • 3000mg extra strength: 100mg of Cannabidiol (CBD) per 1 ml dose

There are also a number of naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes, with added beta-caryophyllene, and natural lemon flavoring.

Whichever one you choose, start low and slow. Only your own body can tell you how much you need.

With the 1 oz bottle, each squeeze pulls up 0.5 ml which is half a dose—and may be sufficient.  

The original 2 oz (60 ml) supply of Broad Spectrum Extract (formerly called Full Spectrum)

500 mg. starter dose: 8.3 mg of Cannabidiol per 1 ml dosage

1500 mg medium-strength: 25 mg of Cannabidiol (CBD) per 1 ml dosage

2 oz bottle: Some people may take 5 drops of the 500 mg, about 4 mg, a few times a day, and others take a whole dropper of the 1500 mg bottle, which is 25 mg, 2-4 times a day (50-100 mg) or more. Quite a spread, and it’s not dependent on your size, age, or weight, either.

When you squeeze the white bulb once, the amount that comes up in the 2 ml dropper is 1 ml, which is 1 dose.  

Please don’t try to “double fill” the dropper, or it will drip and be otherwise difficult to manage. In fact, when dropping it under your tongue, be careful not to get any on your clothing. I’d suggest you place your hand below your chin to catch any drips. Also be careful not to touch the dropper to your lips or tongue, thereby contaminating it. While it’s not likely to support bacterial growth, it’s best to keep it as pristine as you can.

No need to refrigerate it.

More important for dosing is – how does it affect your target symptom(s)? Gradually increase your dose till you find the one that works for you. It may vary from day to day and over time, and often decreases as your body starts to heal. So, notice if you feel calmer, fall asleep more readily and stay asleep longer, or that you no longer feel an ache or discomfort. You’ll find that other issues may resolve as well, due to our built-in endocannabinoid system being a master messenger and controller of the body’s inner balance or homeostasis. Its job is to protect us, and help us to relax and de-stress.

According to the Dietary Health and Supplement Act of 1994 (DSHEA 1994) we cannot make disease claims on a supplement, only structure and function claims. Therefore, I can’t really expound in more detail on the formula’s benefits, but you get the gist. By the way, I know it’s frustrating that labels don’t say what any supplement is able to do, except that it “can restore a good mood or a sense of relaxation” versus “relieves depression or anxiety.” Or “relieves discomfort” instead of “relieves pain,” which is considered a medical term. So, we live with it. It was a fiercely hammered-out compromise, made to keep supplements quite separate from prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The alternative at that time was not to have the supplements available at all! 

What does hemp oil extract/CBD  do?

Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Extract activates the body’s own inner cannabinoids or endocannabinoids by preventing their breakdown so they last longer at the receptor site, making more strikes and thus extending their effects. You can read more about this here

Hemp oil extract is becoming increasingly popular as people discover its many scientifically proven benefits, including improved exercise performance and recovery, balancing the immune system, and relieving discomfort, inflammation, stress, worry, PMS, blood sugar imbalances, digestive issues, or low immunity. It has become a go-to remedy in my integrative/holistic psychiatric practice especially in one of my areas of specialty – helping individuals recover from the use of substances of abuse as well as taper off psychiatric medications, easing and shortening the transition by enhancing much-needed neurotransmitters, such as dopamine for focus, GABA for calming, and serotonin for mood maintenance.

Why so many widespread effects? Full spectrum hemp oil extract supports the endocannabinoid system, which acts as a master balancer and messenger to cells and systems throughout the body.

Where does this product come from?

I chose a non-GMO product grown in small organic farms in Illinois, then brought to the warehouse where it is checked, stored, and the oil extracted using a non-chemical CO2 extraction process.

My formulas are made to order and bottled right there at the plant. So basically we have seed to shelf control over the entire process. My formulas have a lighter color and texture than others due to the MCT oil base, and a pleasant lemon flavor, both of which are much appreciated. They are also gluten-free and vegan friendly. 

Hemp is known as a concentrator, pulling metals out of the soil and if grown in contaminated soil, it will contain the contaminants. We send each batch to an independent lab for analysis for purity and potency before accepting it. We guarantee that our products are grown organically and are free of herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents.

What is the difference between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolate?

Full Spectrum hemp oil extract contains traces of the cannabinoid THC which in greater amounts, creates the well-recognized high.  It plays only a minor role in the full spectrum hemp oil mixture. Legally, hemp-derived cannabis oil can contain no more than 0.3% THC, far below the amount necessary to even slightly intoxicate a user.

The Full Spectrum product preserves traces of THC that occur naturally, thereby avoiding further processing which can remove other cannabinoids along with it – collateral damage. In other words, it undergoes the least extra processing, so has the richest array of cannabinoids and terpenes, making it the most effective form taking  full advantage of the “entourage effect.” This occurs when multiple cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes act together. They don’t just have an additive effect, but the phytochemicals work together to create an overall effect greater than the sum of its parts.

In its favor, too, many experts feel that there is a synergistic effect when a small amount of THC remains in the mix. That exact amount for an effect can vary widely depending on the target symptom(s), and the individual’s own biochemistry. And even though science is supposedly objective, the source of the opinion also has some influence here.

Of concern, though, is that even traces of THC can accumulate in the system and could possibly produce a positive test for THC, an issue for those who are subject to drug testing for various reasons. 

Broad Spectrum which is THC-free describes my very successful original product. It was called Full Spectrum until the nomenclature changed. The THC is removed from the Full Spectrum with ethanol which is then itself safely removed. The only downside is that in the process of pulling out the THC, you may also lose some other therapeutic cannabinoids from the extract. On the upside, no THC will show up on a drug test for those who may be subject to drug testing. By law, we can’t say it’s 100% THC free since test results will only go as low as the lab can measure. For that reason, and the fear of any micro-trace of THC, some will opt for the Isolate.

Isolate is pure CBD, with all the other cannabinoids and terpenes removed. It’s most often used in topical products. Although we have not seen a positive drug test with our broad spectrum, for individuals who absolutely cannot have THC show up on a test, isolate is the best choice. An option here is to add in some terpenes back in since they have therapeutic qualities in their own right. We’ve added activating ones to the Day Formula and relaxing ones in the Night Formula.

I have been calling my product “Hemp Oil Extract” rather than CBD since CBD or cannabidiol is only one of the over 100 cannabinoids plus terpenes and other health-giving ingredients in the hemp plant. They work together to produce the “full entourage effect” as nature intended.

What if I’m taking Medication?

Taking under 100 mg daily dose of Hemp Oil Extract will be very unlikely to cause a problem, though I recommend that my patients take it at least 2 hours away from medications. Check with your prescribing doctor, though be forewarned: most lack a good understanding in this area. To remedy this, I have been reaching out to health practitioners, speaking at professional conferences, writing articles, and being interviewed by media including podcasts and summits, taking every opportunity to inform both health practitioners and the public about the health benefits of hemp oil extract.

I see it as an important addition to the toolbox of integrative or functional medicine practitioners, one that ties systems together for maximum benefits throughout the body and brain. You can take it for joint issues, for example, and you notice that your occasional headaches and PMS get better. Or take it for your gut issues, and surprise, your chronic neck pain is relieved. You get the picture!

What is the Legal Status? 

At this point in time, the 2018 US Farm Bill legally separates hemp-derived CBD (under 0.3% THC) from cannabis containing higher amounts of THC – which remains on the DEA’s list of Schedule 1 drugs and has strict laws governing its use and sale. For example, in states where it’s legal, it must be purchased at a licensed dispensary. Hemp can now be freely grown in farms throughout the US, providing material for cloth, rope, paper, and more. There is still the issue of hemp’s status as a food supplement but so far, we’re optimistic that that will be worked out with the FDA.