Leaf411’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
To help you out with your holiday shopping, we asked our Leaf411 business members to share their products they’re most excited about this holiday season. If you’re looking for gift ideas for hemp CBD or cannabis lovers, these products would be a great place to start!
You’ll find hemp CBD products listed first, followed by cannabis products available in select Colorado dispensaries. Product details were provided by the manufacturers or retailers.
Be sure to read all the way through! You won’t want to miss Nové Luxury Edibles’ exquisite cannabis-infused chocolate bar or Seed & Smith’s holiday gift sets specially priced for all kinds of budgets, and more!
The best hemp CBD gifts for friends and family
Hemp CBD makes the perfect gift for friends and family who live too far away to visit in person, since hemp products are federally legal and can be mail-ordered and shipped. Of course, hemp CBD is also a great option for local family members, friends and neighbors who are interested in health, wellness and relaxation during the busy holiday season!
Elixinol Calm Stress Support Capsules and Everyday Rapid Reset Liposome
Elixinol Calm Stress Support Capsules pair Ashwagandha – a natural root known for its calming effect – with CBD to help relieve occasional stress. Perfect for just about anyone who could use a little help combatting daily stress during the holiday season!
Looking to boost your non-alcoholic holiday beverage? Elixinol Everyday Rapid Reset Liposome
tincture leverages liposome technology for efficient CBD absorption. Liposomes are microscopic bubbles that carry CBD, making it easy and efficient for your body to absorb. They give your body more CBD per serving that might otherwise be lost in the digestive process. The product tastes delicious too, as it is naturally flavored with orange & lemon extracts. Click here to learn more about Elixinol’s current promotions and products.
WelCel CBD Sleep Creme
Support a restful night’s sleep with WelCel’s CBD Sleep Creme featuring 3,000mg CBD Isolate per bottle. This groundbreaking product doesn’t contain drugs or hormones, only the power of CBD and natural botanicals. Welcel Sleep Creme effectively relaxes your mind and body so your body can do exactly what it is designed to do at night – SLEEP!
When developing this product, WelCel founder Dr. Lisa Gardner started with an amazing antioxidant creme that has both natural and organic ingredients, without harmful chemicals or hype. She then sourced the highest quality ingredients and essential oils like Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Vitamin E, Organic Rosemary Leaf Extract, Vitamin C, Organic White Willow Bark Extract, and Organic Lavender. Next, she infused this amazing creme with 3,000mg of powerful pure CBD! WelCel CBD Sleep Creme makes the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for your loved ones this holiday season. Order at Thrive Apothecary via this link.
Myriam’s Hemp Gift Bundle
For the friend who loves exploring new products: Myriam’s Hemp offers a wide range of hemp topicals and tinctures featuring CBN, CBG, and even CBDA (a cannabinoid that Leaf411 recently covered in our blog). Even better, Myriam’s Hemp offers options to customize with terpene boosts and your favorite flavor. Diana Peña, Myriam’s Hemp co-founder, suggests putting together a gift bundle with their bestselling CBN and CBG tinctures, together with their CBD balm topical cream. Keep an eye on Myriam’s Hemp website for holiday deals.
RESTART CBD CBN Sublingual Oil
Relaxation is at the front of RESTART CBD co-founder Shayda Torabi’s mind as holiday parties gear up. She recommends RESTART’s CBD CBN Sublingual Oil 1200mg as a great gift for busy people, explaining that CBD:CBN Oil is typically used for calming nighttime relief that standard CBD extracts can’t fully solve. Depending on how you respond, it might help you chill out after a long day, loosen up for a social situation or get some solid rest. CBN alone could bring relief, or it might benefit your routine as an addition to CBD so that you get the entourage effects of multiple cannabinoids working together. CBN Oil can also be added to THC therapies to elevate its effects. Find RESTART CBD’s full product lineup, including CBD flower and vapes, at this link.
Calm Better Days Holiday Box
Want to give your friend the gift of product support along with a collection of great hemp products? Calm Better Days has you covered. Not only do they sell over 20 well-known CBD brands, many of them woman-owned, but they also provide free consultations where consumers can learn the basics of CBD and complete a personal assessment to discover which products are best for their specific health situation. This holiday season, Calm Better Days is also offering the Women of Wellness Holiday Box featuring the best CBD products by woman founders in cannabis. The curated set includes different CBD products for the best self care experience, from bath bombs, tea, oral spray, intimacy oil, facial oil and more. Click here to learn more.
Hemplily Menopause Complex Tincture
Maintaining good mind/body balance is more important than ever, especially for women with menopause symptoms. The new Hemplily Menopause Complex tincture with full-spectrum hemp extract (FSHE) plus Ashwagandha and Reishi Mushroom is great for helping to manage mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats and more. Hemplily also offers Everyday CBD tinctures, topicals and gummies that will appeal to health-minded friends of all ages. Visit Hemplily at this link for the latest deals and product information.
Ology Essentials Full Spectrum CBD Muscle Gel
Looking for that perfect warming product to soothe and nourish your body? Ology Essentials has formulated a product specifically for you – the hemp CBD Muscle Gel is a beautifully synergic product with 300 mg of full spectrum hemp CBD, capsicum, menthol, hyaluronic acid, and a powerhouse of essential oils. Click here to find product information and holiday deals.
CAASI Water-Soluble Drops and Scalp & Skin Soother
CAASI’s flagship Water-Soluble Hemp CBD Beverage Drops are perfect for the athletes, cooks, bartenders, home hosts or anyone that wants to relax. These drops are available with either broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate, providing a convenient option for adding CBD to food or beverages.
Looking for a topical gift? CAASI Scalp & Skin Soother is perfect for anyone looking for new options to help with scalp psoriasis or eczema, conditions which are often aggravated by dry winter air.
CBD Garage – Foria Wellness Intimacy CBD Quickie Kit
Intimacy plays a big role in wellness, and this year CBD Garage has you covered with a special Foria Wellness Intimacy CBD Quickie Kit. Whether you’re already a Foria fan or new to CBD in the bedroom, this bundle includes all the bestsellers from their Intimacy collection, in deluxe mini sizes: Awaken Arousal Oil, Sex Oil and Intimacy Suppositories. With an unwavering commitment to clean ingredients, organic and regenerative farming, and responsible packaging, Foria is on a mission to support lifelong sexual wellness and pleasure.
CBD Garage carries hemp products, nutritional supplements and adaptogens made by over 20 different high-quality brands, many of them Colorado-based. Check out CBD Garage’s full catalog at this link.
Cannabis options for celebration, relaxation and wellness
Cannabis can make a great gift for yourself or for friends who you know enjoy the plant’s many benefits. Of course we recommend sticking with legally-manufactured products that have undergone testing and are compliant with state laws. Remember as well to always start low and go slow when trying new products so that you don’t become too high. After all, the goal is to enjoy and savor the product!
Nové Luxury Edibles Sea Salt Caramel Chocolates
New from the creators of incredibles, Nové Sea Salt Caramel Chocolates are the perfect infused edible for everyday luxury. There’s no need for wrapping paper with their sophisticated and sleek packaging, which happens to be environmentally friendly. Recyclable, biodegradable, and made with 33% post-consumer materials, the eco-conscious would appreciate this elevated gift, as would the foodie! Crafted with a sprinkle of fleur de sel, 38% single-origin cacao sourced from Venezuela, and filled with decadent caramel, this flavor is sure to impress both the canna-curious and the cannabis connoisseur. Available to adult use consumers, packages contain ten 10mg THC pieces. Please remember to consume responsibly, waiting at least two hours before eating more than a single serving.
Nové is luxury without the luxury price tag, averaging $20 retail. Find Sea Salt Caramel as well as other Nové chocolates and gummies at exclusive Colorado retailers including Medicine Man, Euflora, and Rocky Road Aurora. Check Nové’s online store locator for more information.
Ripple Gummies
Putting together a cannabis-infused gummies gift basket? You’ll want to be sure to include Ripple Gummies! Ripple Gummies combine everyone’s favorite edible with a high that’s clinically proven to be 2 times faster than the leading gummy. Available in delicious, all-natural flavors and a wide range of doses, there’s a Ripple Gummy for every high. Learn more and find retailers at this link.
Seed & Smith Holiday Vape Bundle
Give the Gift of Happy with Seed & Smith! Starting December 6, you’ll find holiday bundles at multiple price points exclusively at Seed & Smith retail locations: 5070 Oakland St, Denver CO 80239, and 1413 Hecla Way, Louisville CO 80027. Our Holiday Vape Bundle includes two Live Dart Pods, a Limited Edition Holiday Dart battery, two Live 1gram carts and a Seed & Smith 510 battery for a special low price that you won’t want to miss! Visit Seed & Smith’s website to learn more.
Give the gift of knowledge by supporting Leaf411
If you’ve spent much time talking to others about cannabis and hemp, you know that the old stigmas and myths are going strong. Even experienced cannabis users may have questions as new product types roll out, and everyone is looking for reliable sources of information they can trust. That’s where Leaf411 plays a vital role–but we need your support!
As you plan your holiday giving, please consider giving the gift of cannabis guidance by contributing to our Leaf411 GoFundMe campaign at this link. By joining the movement, you’re providing access to cannabis education from cannabis-trained RNs with the goal of supporting safe consumption and effective use of plant-based medicine.
Interested in supporting Leaf411 as a business member? Visit our Business Membership page to learn the benefits of supporting Leaf411.
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
How to use THCV to support weight loss goals
The non-intoxicating THCV cannabinoid helps with appetite control and focus
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN, and Eloise Theisen, NP
Written by Denise Rustning
THC or CBD are probably the first things that jump to mind when you hear about cannabinoids. However, THC and CBD are only two out of over 100 unique cannabinoids that have been found in cannabis and hemp, although many exist at very low levels and have not been studied. THCV, a cannabinoid that Healthline dubbed “Diet Weed” is one of the lesser-known cannabinoids that is rapidly moving into the spotlight.
THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) recently popped up on our radar with the launch of Wana Fit THCV gummies as a non-intoxicating option to help reset eating habits. Wana is one of Leaf411’s supporting members and is an industry leader when it comes to integrating cutting-edge science and technology into cannabis and hemp product development.
For their Wana Fit THCV gummies, Wana partnered with ECS Brands to source proprietary organic THCV and utilized Azuca TiME nano-encapsulation technology, creating a gummie with faster onset and increased bioavailability of THCV and other cannabinoids when compared to traditional edibles. You can read more about Wana’s product development process at this link.
What is THCV?
THCV only has one additional letter—the letter “V”—when compared to the more well-known THC. However, when it comes to potential effects, there’s a world of difference between these two cannabinoids which are molecularly different.
In fact, THCV affects your body’s endocannabinoid system differently than other cannabinoids. Mike Hennesy, Vice President of Innovation at Wana, offers an easy-to-understand explanation using the example of a car’s gear shift as an analogy for the CB1 receptors found throughout your endocannabinoid system.
(Need a refresher on the endocannabinoid system? Check out our 101 blog here.)
“Some cannabinoids put the CB1 receptor in neutral, while others put it in second gear or high gear or even put it in reverse gear,” Mike says. “That’s why you can find very different effects depending on the product or flower strain you’re using.”
Mike continues, “Using THC is like putting the car in “drive” with a range of effects including the intoxicating ‘high,’ while CBD is like putting the car in ‘neutral,’ or downshifting the car to a lower gear if someone is also using THC at the same time. THCV has an even different effect, like putting a car in ‘reverse’ with effects that are nearly opposite what the user would get with THC.”
Will THCV make you high? What are THCV’s effects?
Because THCV works differently on CB1 receptors, it does not create the intoxicating high that you would get from the more well-known THC. You can see a breakdown of the differences between THC and THCV in the table below.
(Research sources: https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-020-0016-7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576603/ )
Will THCV help you lose weight? Here’s what the research says
We are guessing that many of you are interested in THCV’s potential to help with weight loss goals. What does the research say on this front?
ECS Brands, which Wana sources its THCV from, recently ran a 90-day, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical study on their proprietary Nitro-V THCV with support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Participants did not make any other changes to their diet or exercise.
Among those participants who were assigned to the daily THCV group:
- 100% experienced weight loss, with participants losing up to 22 pounds over the 90-day study
- 61% reported a reduction in hunger
- 40% reported fewer food cravings
- 52% reported a reduction in anxiety
- Average body mass index (BMI) dropped by 3 points
In contrast, among the study’s placebo group (the participants who did not take THCV), only 36% lost any weight, and average BMI remained unchanged.
Wana Fit THCV gummies use the same Nitro-V THCV extract that was used in the ECS Brands study, but with the additional technology of Azuca TiME nano-encapsulation, meaning that bioavailability is improved.
Interested in adding THCV to your routine? Here’s what you need to know.
Your success in using THCV will hinge on setting realistic expectations and building an overall routine that supports your goals, whether that’s healthier eating habits or reducing stress.
Remember that THCV is a tool, not a magic wand. You still have to put in the work, but THCV can make it easier to overcome challenges and setbacks. If you’ve been trying to lose weight you’ve likely learned that a mix of strategies that includes mindful eating, exercise and adequate sleep is the best approach. Sustaining those good habits can be tough, though, especially in the face of cravings, holiday treats and less daylight hours for getting outdoor exercise. That’s when a cannabinoid like THCV can be useful as a tool for reinforcing your wellness goals.
In other words, THCV won’t cancel out the calories in that pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, but it may make it easier for you to stick with one serving as an after-dinner treat instead of polishing off the pint while watching a movie.
A special caution for consumers who face workplace drug testing
While Wana Fit THCV gummies won’t cause intoxication, they do contain very small amounts of THC (0.1mg per serving). This THC is converted into the THC-COOH metabolite and stored in body fat, where it accumulates over time. It doesn’t get you high, but it could trigger a positive workplace drug test result. Click here for more information on workplace drug testing, THC and CBD, and call our special Wana hotline number at 844-WanaFit (844-926-2348) if you have questions about how Wana gummies may impact workplace drug testing.
How to use Wana Fit THCV gummies
At Leaf411, we are very excited to see Wana Fit THCV gummies become available to consumers, given the company’s reputation for bringing high-quality, all natural, trustworthy products to market.
We thought we’d answer some basic questions here.
Q: When starting with Wana Fit THCV gummies, what’s a good starting dose?
A: We suggest starting with either a half-gummie or one gummie, and then adjusting your dose based on your tolerance. On this front, it can be helpful to use a journal to record how the product is affecting you. Some consumers have found that half of a gummie is a good dose while others have found two gummies to be most effective for focus and energy.
Q: Should I take the gummie at the same time each day?
A: Wana Fit THCV gummies should be taken in the morning to help with focus and energy. Take the daily gummie with food to help increase bioavailability (absorption).
Q: How long will it take before I notice a difference from taking THCV?
A: Most consumers report an immediate effect with regard to focus on and energy
Q: If it doesn’t seem like a single gummie is working, what’s the maximum dose I can take?
A: We suggest that you may increase your daily intake to two gummies a day if you are not experiencing any changes taking one gummie a day. Remember that journaling the effects of the product will help dial in your dose better to achieve maximum benefit.
Of course we encourage you to call the FREE Leaf411 WanaFit hotline at 844-WanaFit (844-926-2348) if you have specific questions about how to use THCV, or have other questions about potential medication interactions or even something as simple as how to read the product label.
How will THCV impact your ongoing cannabis or hemp regimen?
If you’re adding Wana Fit THCV to your ongoing cannabis or hemp CBD regimen, we suggest reviewing the products you’re using to know how many total milligrams per day of each cannabinoid you are consuming in case your clinical team asks. For the record, each Wana Fit THCV gummie provides 10mg of CBD, 0.1mg of THC and 0.5mg of THCV, so be sure to add that to your journal.
Also, if you already use cannabis, you may be wondering if THCV will impact the familiar high you get from THC-dominant products like cannabis flower. Indeed, we talked earlier about how THCV acts very differently on your endocannabinoid’s CB1 receptors than THC.
Does that mean that THCV can actually cancel out intoxication, for example when you over-consume and feel too high? Unfortunately, research is very limited in this area. One small study reported that THCV seemed to dampen the effects of THC based on participant reports; however, at this point it is not possible to make general conclusions from that one study.
Leaf411 can help you with your questions about THCV
Leaf411 can help you with your questions about THCVOur Leaf nurses have completed extensive education on the THCV cannabinoid as well as Wana Fit THCV gummies and are ready to answer your questions about this new non-intoxicating option for improved focus and appetite control. In fact, Wana has even partnered with Leaf411 to launch a special toll-free hotline number, 1-844-WanaFit (1-844-926-2348) that’s being shared with consumers who are new to Wana and the world of wellness-driven cannabis. Leaf411 nurses are also providing in-person consultations during special pop-up events at dispensaries in the Denver area. Keep an eye on Wana Brands or Leaf411 social media for dates and times.
Access to trustworthy information is especially important as Denver begins allowing cannabis delivery, which means that consumers may not be able to ask budtenders product-related questions like before. And of course budtenders are not qualified to answer medical questions about using Wana Fit THCV gummies or other products–but our Leaf411 nurses are fully up-to-date on the research and qualified to answer your questions!
Call the FREE Leaf411 hotline at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) or chat with us from our home page during hotline hours, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. MDT.
For more information on Wana Brands’ Optimals product line, visit https://www.wanabrands.com/optimals/
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
