”
What is CBD? CBD, or Cannabidiol, is one of 147 known cannabinoids most commonly derived from the cannabis plant. Since it was first discovered and isolated from wild hemp flowers by US chemist Roger Adams, back in 1942, research into its vast array of mechanisms and therapeutic potential has exploded. Since then, this particular molecule (which, unlike its infamous sibling THC, does not produce a euphoric ‘high’) has risen to fame for its ground-breaking and extremely successful application in the treatment of a variety of drug resistant conditions such as retractable epilepsy, in both adults and children.
More recently, CBD oil products have become widely available as a commercial product. It’s hailed by millions of users around the world as a life-changing supplement, working through multiple physiological pathways to relieve stress, depression, anxiety, pain, inflammation, insomnia and much more. Recent studies have even started exploring its potent neuroprotective effects as a potential future treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
Today, CBD can be found as the key active in many different formats – from oils, vapes and cosmetics, to water soluble CBD isolate drinks, veterinary products and CBD-infused pillow cases! But, as might be expected in an industry now worth billions, not all CBD products are made equal – they can only ever be as good as the ingredients you use to create your formulations.
Here at True North Labs, we pride ourselves on exceptional quality across the board. The results speak for themselves, stemming from our full spectrum crude oil products, distillates in various potencies (with or without THC), water soluble CBD and premium isolates, all extracted by highly experienced chemists working from our state-of-the-art laboratory based in the foothills of the Swiss Alps. Our Swiss Made CBD Hemp Actives are available in both bulk and wholesale formats.
Hailed as the "mother of all cannabinoids", CBG is the building block for other cannabinoids and has been demonstrated to possess vast therapeutic potential. As a powerful regulator of the endocannabinoid system, CBG offers a broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties important for skin health, as well as potentially being a more potent pain reliever than THC. Moreover, it has a robust safety profile, showing no signs of skin irritation, eye irritation or phototoxicity, paving the way for its use in skincare. Because CBG is usually only present in levels up to 1% in hemp biomass and is typically mixed with other cannabinoids such as CBD and THC, it can be tricky and expensive to purify and isolate. Not one to shy away from a challenge, we’ve developed fast, industrial-scale extraction methods that can deliver purer, more sustainable CBG isolate extracted from sun-grown CBG biomass, grown according to GACP standards in Eastern Switzerland.
With over 140 cannabinoids to choose from, the hemp plant is a treasure trove of pharmacological compounds. Each cannabinoid offers unique properties and mechanisms which are well worth exploring when developing your unique formulation. While CBD has risen to fame in recent years, and is the most abundant cannabinoid in the hemp plant, including minor phytocannabinoids in end products allows you to take advantage of the ‘entourage effect’ - the enhancement of the therapeutic properties of cannabis when all parts work in synergy with each other.
CBC / Cannabichromene: Non-psychoactive. Strong topical applications, with anti-inflammatory and anti-acne properties. Effective antiviral and antibacterial. Battles inflammation by activating the CB2 receptor and TRP channels. Enhances the therapeutic effects of THC, most notably its potent anti-inflammatory actions.
CBN / Cannabinol: Non-intoxicating. Effective as a sleep aid or sedative. Shown to help regulate the immune system and relieves pain and inflammation caused by several conditions, including arthritis and Crohn's disease. Also acts as an anticonvulsant. Powerful neuroprotectant for the fight against neurodegenerative conditions.
CBDa / Cannabidiolic Acid: Derived from raw hemp biomass. Demonstrated to be 1000 times more effective at combating nausea and anxiety than CBD with vastly superior bioavailability, although not as stable of a molecule. A potent COX-2 inhibitor, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, anticonvulsant and anticancer molecule.
Cannabinoids are fat soluble, which means they are not easily absorbed. For this reason, the bioavailabilty of CBD oil is between 13-19% - unless it’s a water soluble CBD product. Our water soluble formulations vastly increase bioavailability while being completely tasteless, making them an ideal addition to drinks and edibles. Water soluble CBD also offers the benefit of enhanced absorption in cosmetic product such as gels, toners and creams and unparalleled shelf stability.
Want to learn more about our Water Soluble Emulsions, how they work, the benefits and how to use them in end product formulations? Download our guide here!
When it comes to creating a vaporizer product, safety and knowledge are paramount. With over 10 year’s experience in crafting market-ready vapes, you couldn’t be in better hands than with True North Labs. We have over 10 years of research & experience in the highly regulated Canadian cannabis industry and our experts work with some of the largest cannabis companies to commercialize vape SKUs across every Canadian province. We produce vaporizers that are the best-in-class - both in consumer experience and vaporizer formulation - always steering clear from harmful diluents, such as MCT, and leaning on cannabis-derived terpenes to create synergistic effect-based blends. True North Labs offers varying Swiss Made vaporizer formulations to suit the needs of your brand, from PG/VG-based to Crystal-Resistant Distillate-Based formulas with over 100 flavor profiles to choose from.
By working closely with local Swiss farmers, we can ensure that our ingredients are always of the finest quality – grown sustainably, with expertise and care. Once we’ve sourced the very best hemp biomass, we have it third-party analysed for cannabinoid content, heavy metals, pesticides and microbiomes. This way we know that our materials are safe and potent before they even enter our facility.
We don’t just go by the book – we write it. We’ve tried and tested all the leading extraction methods, from hydrocarbon to supercritical CO2 and everything in between. Now, we know with certainty that cryogenic ethanol extraction and thin-film distillation is the most efficient, effective and sustainable way of yielding scientifically advanced cannabinoids. So that’s what we use, before recovering, filtering and recycling our solvents for the next extraction.
Whether you’re creating small batch cosmetics or a water soluble CBD oil, our cannabinoid ingredients will always stand up to the test. Our quality program ensures full traceability for every extract produced. Before anything leaves our facility, we re-evaluate for potency, impurities, residual solvents and appearance. You’ll only be able to make your purchase once we’re completely satisfied. Our hope is to partner with quality-conscious suppliers, vendors and brands who are as passionate about delivering the very best to their consumers as we are. See the difference in quality for yourself. Request a Hemp Active Ingredients sample box here.