Since the beginning, we have dedicated ourselves to making effective, high quality CBD that is affordable. Lazarus Naturals was founded on the belief that CBD has a positive impact on our quality of life, and should be available to everyone regardless of their circumstances. We have strived to maintain an affordable price point and commitment to accessibility with our Assistance Program – which provides a 60% discount to veterans, individuals on long term disability, and low-income households.
There’s no secret to our approach. From the organic hemp we farm, to our ever-growing family of products, we focus on consistency and sustainability. We’re always working on improving our processes and products to make the most effective and healthy products at a reasonable price.
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a therapeutic cannabinoid with many beneficial properties, including pain relief, anti-inflammation, anti-nausea and stress reduction. Research continues to inform us about CBD’s potential and how it interacts with the human endocannabinoid system.
When you buy a CBD product such as a tincture, topical or edible, it contains concentrated CBD that is formulated to provide precise serving sizes. At Lazarus Naturals, we use 100% kosher, food-grade ethanol to extract the cannabinoids (including CBD) and terpenes from the rest of the hemp plant. Then we test the extract using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and add a precise amount of CBD extract to our formulations. We test the finished formula to validate the potency. This ensures our products – from softgels and capsules to tinctures and gummies – have consistent and accurate levels of CBD and other cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds produced by cannabis plants and some other botanicals, as well as the human endocannabinoid system (ECS).
There are two types of cannabinoids: phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids. Each is named based on where they are derived. The prefix phyto- means “plant,” and phytocannabinoids originate from plants. The prefix endo- means “within,” and these cannabinoids are produced within the body. Both interact with the endocannabinoid system of the nervous system.
Over 100 cannabinoids have been identified. Two of the best-known are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Each compound interacts with cannabinoid receptors within the ECS. Cannabinoids can elicit both psychoactive and non-psychoactive effects. Below are a few of the more prevalent cannabinoids and their primary effects:
CBD (Cannabidiol): This therapeutic cannabinoid has many beneficial properties (pain relief, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea and others) but is non-intoxicating. Research continues to inform us about CBD’s potential.
CBG (Cannabigerol): The first cannabinoid ever identified, CBG has displayed antifungal, antibacterial, antidepressant and pain-relieving properties. Like CBD, it is non-intoxicating.
CBN (Cannabinol): This cannabinoid has been shown to help sedate the body, alleviate pain and nausea and support a sense of calm – with minimal side effects.
CBC (Cannabichromene): Studies have demonstrated CBC’s benefits for mood, pain, inflammation, brain cells and even acne. It is non-intoxicating and aids in the entourage effect.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): This cannabinoid has significant intoxicating effects. (It’s the component that produces the high Cannabis is known for.) THC has been proven to sedate and relax, and it also affects cognition, consciousness, mood and energy levels.
Taken alone, each cannabinoid can produce different effects in the body. When taken together, cannabinoids may work in synergy to enhance the cannabis plant’s functional benefits overall and may create vastly different experiences with different benefits and impact depending on the ratio of different cannabinoids.
Full-spectrum formulations are as close to nature as possible. The whole-plant hemp extract contains all of the cannabinoids and terpenes. They work better together – and this is commonly referred to as the “entourage effect.”
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a recently discovered network within the human body. Scientists studying THC first identified the ECS in the 1990s. The system is named for cannabinoids. The prefix endo- means “within” or “inside.”
Think of it like your body’s air traffic controller. The ECS makes sure that important messages are delivered from the brain to cells and back again – with no traffic jams or detours.
The ECS includes neurotransmitters (chemical signals) and cannabinoid receptors in the brain and all over the body. Those receptors regulate immunity, sleep, mood, learning and memory, appetite and digestion, metabolism, bone and muscle formation, skin and nerve function and motor control. As you can imagine, the ECS plays a significant role in overall health.
How does the ECS work? Your body is always looking for balance, or homeostasis. The ECS helps with that goal, by increasing or decreasing the activity of different systems in the body as needed. The ECS exists (and is active) in your body even if you don’t consume cannabinoids – but those compounds stimulate your body’s receptors. That’s how they influence things like pain, inflammation, sleep, etc.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE ECS?
The ECS is made up of two types of cannabinoid receptors, internal neurotransmitters (endocannabinoids) and cannabinoid receptor proteins expressed throughout the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The ECS actively regulates functions involved in physiological and cognitive processes. It also contributes to homeostasis by modulating the immune, cardiovascular and reproductive systems.
The endocannabinoids of the ECS are AEA (the predominant player, also known as anandamide and N-arachidonoylethanolamine) and 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol), and the enzymes that break those endocannabinoids down are FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase) and MAG lipase (monoacylglycerol lipase).
The two types of cannabinoid receptors vary in both location and function:
CB1 Receptors: Found in the brain and central nervous system. These receptors manage the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and glutamate. When THC binds to CB1 receptors, it induces the high associated with cannabis by interrupting the release of neurotransmitters.
CB2 Receptors: Found in the peripheral nervous system, these receptors are most abundant in the immune system. They help regulate inflammation, cell survival and proliferation. Think of them as a switch that turns these intracellular processes off and on as needed. Binding to CB2 receptors does not cause any intoxication.
THC VS. CBD WITHIN THE ECS
THC binds to CB1 receptors and interrupts the release of neurotransmitters, which induces a high. THC also binds with CB2 receptors. CBD interacts differently within the ECS, and it does not induce a high. CBD mainly interacts with CB2 receptors in locations like the bloodstream, spleen and liver. (There are some CB2 receptors in the brain, but the CB1 receptors far outnumber them.) It’s important to note that while THC binds to receptors, CBD interacts with them.
When THC is present, CBD antagonizes CB1 receptors to mitigate THC’s high – reducing the intoxicating effect of THC. This distinction is why CBD does not elicit a high and why full spectrum products with high CBD to THC ratios can create a vastly different experience than a high THC product with minimal CBD. However, by interacting with both types of receptors, CBD may boost your ECS’ efficiency, in turn streamlining and managing different bodily processes.
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In 2014, Sequoia Price-Lazarus and a small but dedicated team—including Evan Skandalis (VP of Farm Operations), Dylan Summers (VP of Government Affairs) and Ian Tudor (Crystallization Specialist)—set out to try making affordable healthcare and natural medicine more accessible to all by crafting CBD products that were effective and affordable, so everyone could experience its benefits. To ensure quality, potency and consistency, they imagined a “farm-to-front-door” model of transparency—where the company handled each step of the process. We started out selling handcrafted products at local farmers markets, and have now become an established leader in the industry.
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