The Rise of CBD Oil: An Interview with Will Kleidon from Ojai Energetics

The Rise of CBD Oil

The medicinal use of cannabis has been a hot topic for a while now, especially as more and more states have relaxed their regulations on its use and cultivation. Marijuana’s non-psychoactive cousin plant, hemp, is the source of the CBD oil that can be found at health food stores and related venues. Unlike marijuana, which contains high quantities of THC, CBD interacts with the cannabinoid type 2 receptors located mainly in the immune system, which are involved in the modulation of inflammatory and neuropathic pain responses. While CBD won’t result in a “high,” it has been used successfully in the treatment of an expansive range of ailments with minimal side effects (the most notable reported side effect is a sense of tiredness, which some users enjoy as a natural remedy for insomnia).

Our Interest in CBD Oil

Emerging studies on the benefits of CBD oil have sparked interest in several of my patients, and upon their request I looked into this subject, myself. My goal was to find a CBD product that my patients could benefit from, with ample science to back up any claims of the product’s integrity. As it turns out, the quality and efficacy of CBD oil can vary widely depending on several factors, especially when it comes to the extraction process used to manufacture it. After researching the various formulations currently available on the market, I decided to go with a company based in Ojai, California, who boasts a product that is “10 times more potent than regular CBD.” I then spoke with the founder of Ojai Energetics, Will Kleidon, whose enthusiasm for his products was apparent as he answered some questions I had for him.

Robbie Leark: When and how did Ojai Energetics come about?

Will Kleidon: I became interested in CBD around 2014. I’d studied the benefits of CBD but was looking for a CBD oil that was free of preservatives and certified organic, which wasn’t on the market at that time. When I started to look into producing one, myself, I met a chemist who taught me how we could make a formula that would not only be completely organic, but also water soluble, which would be a tremendous improvement on its bioavailability in comparison to other products.

RL: Is the water-solubility what sets your product apart from competitors?

WK: That’s correct — regular CBD oil has very poor bioavailability. People will pay for 100% of the product, but will only get 10% out of it that’s usable to their body. This is true of the fat-soluble CBD oils as well; they’re inefficient for internal use since these formulas can’t be absorbed into the bloodstream sublingually because of the water barrier in our mucus membranes. With our formula, the CBD is encapsulated in micro-bubbles of water which can permeate our mucus membranes very efficiently. It only takes about less than a minute for our product to enter the bloodstream, so the effects work immediately. With fat-soluble formulas, the CBD oil must first pass through the digestive tract before it enters the bloodstream, and 90% of the cannabinoid will be absorbed by the liver in the process. Another thing that sets us apart is that our [CBD extraction] process doesn’t require the harsh chemical solvents that others might utilize.

RL: Also, your product is completely organic?

WK: Yes. Every ingredient is grown according to strict organic standards, but due to current USDA regulations there isn’t any approved organic standard for hemp, yet. Nevertheless, we still ensure that our hemp isn’t genetically modified or treated with any nasty pesticides.

RL: Why do you include Moringa and Acerola Cherry extracts in your Super CBD formula?

WK: Well, apart from being generally beneficial to one’s health, these components add micro-nutrients and minerals that synergize very well together with the CBD. Cannabinoids have a bell-curve of efficiency, and by supplying nutrients and minerals that aid in reaching that optimal efficiency threshold, CBD is able to create the homeostatic balance that we strive for in an ideal formulation.

RL: What about the THC content in your products? I’ve checked out your lab results and saw that trace amounts of THC are included. (THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana plants, and is present in trace amounts in hemp plants).

WK: The maximum amount of THC present in our formula only accounts for 0.02% of its weight. Currently, the federal, legal limit requires products to contain no more than 0.3% of THC. This amount is so negligible that it won’t have any effect, even on users sensitive to THC; but it is a necessary component in the synergy of the final product, as I mentioned before. When THC works in concert with the CBD, the micronutrients, the terpenes and so forth, you have what is known at the “Entourage Effect,” which maximizes CBDs potential. Without it, you end up with a much weaker product. CBD oils that are made up purely of CBD will not be anywhere near as effective or efficient as those that are synergistically formulated.

RL: How does your Super CBD (liquid) formula compare to your CBD Coconut Oil?

WK: Our Super CBD extract is the most bioavailable formula on the market, utilizing a soon-to-be patented, micronized hydrosome technology to produce a CBD oil that is water soluble and organically delivered via the sublingual method. Unlike other crystal or proclaimed water-soluble CBDs, our micronized hydrosome passes rapidly through the mucus membrane without allowing lipid elements to be washed away. For users who want to experience fast results that’s 10 times more potent than regular CBD, this is the product for them. We’ve also produced a CBD Coconut Oil in a fat soluble formulation which is ideal for topical applications, or can be ingested for users who want to ‘micro-dose.’ We’ve seen incredible results with the topical application of this product, especially in those experiencing pain from exercise or extreme sports. I like to use the coconut oil in my morning coffee, since I’ve found that it helps clear the morning ‘brain fog.’

RL: You would recommend CBD for daily use?

WK: Absolutely! CBD is actually a very effective adaptogen, and regular use can provide an excellent means of regulating stress response levels and improving cognitive function. CBD is also a neuroprotectant, which means it can limit neurological damage following trauma, such as a stroke. Patients who suffer from seizures have benefited from CBD, and there have been numerous studies on the efficacy of CBD in treating patients with neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. More studies need to be done to evaluate CBD’s effect on the brain, but we already have compelling evidence that CBD can aid in neurogenesis, helping the hippocampus regenerate neurons. CBD’s medicinal potential appears to cover a very wide range and is definitely deserving of more attention from the scientific community.

RL: Who do you think would benefit most from taking CBD oil?

WK: Honestly, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. Of course it’s going to be very beneficial to people with more advanced cannabinoid deficiencies; but beyond that, the endocannabinoid system in our bodies affects nearly every one of our physiological processes, and tapping into and fortifying this system can greatly improve our quality of life. By supplying our systems with CBD, we can address any endocannabinoid deficiency that doctors and medical researchers have identified as a precursor to many diseases, and which new studies suggest might be responsible for a great number of health issues. This science is still in its infancy, but I can personally attest to the power of CBD in my own life and in the lives of those I share it with. There’s little that this stuff can’t do.

Ojai Energetics’ Super CBD Oil and CBD Coconut Oil is now available at Burt’s Pharmacy in Newbury Park. The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Burt’s Pharmacy.