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We’re thrilled to introduce you to our newest partner, Beak & Skiff Research. They’re a fifth-generation family-owned and operated orchard and hemp farm founded in 1911, offering a variety of products, including their Whole30 Approved Organic CBD Sparkling Water. Yes, this is our first ever officially endorsed product containing CBD!
Just like Whole30 has evolved over the years, so has the CBD industry. These types of partnerships weren’t available a few years ago, but now that there is an organic, sugar-free, water-soluble CBD drink on the market, we are excited to share Beak & Skiff Research with you.
We know this exciting announcement also presents some questions, so let’s talk about CBD and why we believe Beak & Skiff’s products align with our philosophy, so you can decide if it’s something you want to include in your Whole30 or food freedom.
Why are you choosing to include a CBD brand in our Whole30 Approved offerings?
We’ll let Whole30 co-founder Melissa Urban tell you herself: “Whole30 has been promoting whole-food based functional ingredients like lion’s mane and chaga for years. It’s in the MUD/WTR I drink each morning, and the Four Sigmatic tea I sip on at night. I also take a powdered magnesium supplement for sleep, and add collagen powder to my coffee. I don’t see CBD (as derived from hemp) any differently.
I’m all in favor of helping people find natural ways to promote focus and productivity, relieve anxiety and sleep better. However, there is a lot of confusion around CBD and hemp products in general, and it’s not easy to know which products are high-quality. Don’t worry, our in-house dietitian Stephanie Greunke will help you break it down.”
What is CBD?
You’ve probably heard about CBD from friends, in the media, or maybe you’ve tried it for yourself at this point. So what is this product that’s popping up everywhere in tinctures, gummies, lotions, and beverages?
First, let’s just get this out of the way–CBD won’t get you high. CBD stands for cannabidiol, an active compound in the Cannabis sativa plant. The Cannabis sativa plant has been cultivated for its medicinal properties and refers to both marijuana and hemp products. Cannabidiol is responsible for most of the positive benefits people associate with cannabis, like anxiety relief or pain reduction. THC is responsible for the psychoactive, intoxicating effects that people associate with “pot.”
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425762/
Hemp is cannabis with less than 0.3% THC. Beak & Skiff CBD products are sourced from hemp plants that possess a high concentration of CBD, with only a trace amount of THC.
| CBD | THC |
| -Found in the cannabis plant -Cannabidiol -Non-intoxicating -Non-habit-forming -Potential side effects may include drowsiness, nausea, and dry mouth | -Found in the cannabis plant -Tetrahydrocannabinol -Has intoxicating effects -Can be habit-forming for some -Side effects may include impaired memory and motor coordination, altered judgement and in high amounts paranoia and psychosis |
| Hemp | Marijuana |
| -Sourced from cannabis -Legal in all 50 states -Contains less than 0.3% THC | -Sourced from cannabis -Legal for recreational use in 14 states – decriminalized in 16 states -Legal for medical use (as prescribed by a primary care provider) in 35 states -Contains more than 0.3% THC |
Now, let’s talk about why CBD in non-alcoholic compatible forms (such as unsweetened sparkling water, balms, or oil-based tinctures) fit with the spirit and intention of the Whole30
Potential Benefits of CBD
You may have heard people say that CBD oil helps them with sleep, stress, pain, or mood while other people report no symptomatic relief. There are many reasons for this, including the quality of the product that’s used, the amount of product used (there’s a threshold that’s needed to reach therapeutic benefit), and whether or not CBD is the right fit for their context.
For those who do seem to notice benefits, a potential mechanism is CBD’s interaction with our endocannabinoid system. We have an entire system designed to work with our body’s own production of cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) and cannabinoids from products like CBD. Studies have shown that cannabinoids can act as neuromodulators, meaning it plays a role in our nervous system functioning, and may also be involved in regulating processes like immune system functioning, pain, mood, memory, appetite, and reproductive functions.
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4827335/
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877694/
Researchers continue to study the effects of CBD on a wide range of conditions including chronic pain, insomnia, PTSD, anxiety, epilepsy, dementia and more. Some evidence suggests that it has anti-anxiety, antidepressant, neuroprotective anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory benefits.
Is CBD legal?
CBD is legal and accessible without a medical marijuana card in all 50 states, as long as it is derived from hemp (not marijuana) and contains less than 0.3% THC.
Does Beak & Skiff’s Sparkling Water contain THC?
All of Beak and Skiff products are made from hemp plants, and contain even less than the legally required 0.3% THC. While cannabis is primarily associated with its psychoactive activity, CBD is a non-intoxicating component of the plant. In short, you will not get “high” by consuming CBD products with less than 0.3% THC.
However, if you have a job that requires drug testing, it’s important to note that even trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%) could lead to a failed drug test, so consider your personal context before consuming. In addition, people with a history of drug or alcohol addiction or mood disorders should talk to their healthcare provider(s) to decide if it’s an appropriate option for them and rule out any medication interactions, such as with sedatives.
Although rare, some Individuals experience an allergic reaction to CBD similar to seasonal allergies. If that’s the case, stop using CBD and let your provider know.
Why did we choose to work with Beak & Skiff?
Beak & Skiff is a research company taking their 100 years of agricultural experience and applying it to cannabis. Their CBD business grew from the apple orchard they founded in 1911, adding hemp to the rotation let them diversify their business and add an element of sustainability to their farming practices.
Because they are committed to high-quality products using innovative techniques, all of Beak & Skiff Research’s CBD products use full-spectrum hemp (using the whole hemp plant versus isolating just the CBD). This process allows for a range of other minor cannabinoids and active components to work synergistically with CBD, functioning similarly to a whole food product.
Their products are grown in their family-owned orchard and processed in their state-of-the art Hemp House facility. They are third-party tested, with results easily visible to the public on their website. You can also check out their third-party lab testing results by scanning the QR code on their products. This ensures that it has been lab tested for the 3 P’s:
Potency – how much CBD it contains
Purity – if there are any residual solvents from the extraction process
Pesticides – if there are any pesticide residues
Not all CBD brands offer this level of quality or easily accessible information. And not all CBD brands provide enough CBD to reach therapeutic benefits. Many contain 5-10 mg per serving, while Beak & Skiff contain 20 mg per serving, within the range studied to provide therapeutic benefits but not dosed too high for those trying CBD for the first time.
Does this mean I can use any CBD product during my Whole30?
Edible CBD products like gummies, tinctures, drinks, and other products meant for consumption may contain sweeteners or other ingredients not included in the program guidelines, so read your labels. As always, we recommend sourcing from thoughtful vendors like Beak & Skiff to ensure you’re getting a high-quality product. (Note, Beak & Skiff’s CBD tinctures are compatible with the Whole30.)
CBD lotions, creams, or balms are always appropriate for your Whole30, as they’re not ingested. And yes, Beak & Skiff also makes topical CBD balms! This is Melissa’s favorite way to use CBD; she’ll use it on sore muscles or muscle strains, or to relax before bed.
In Closing…
Melissa adds, “We’re thrilled to announce Beak & Skiff Research, a New York-based company grounded in science and committed to transparency, as our first Whole30 Approved CBD partner. I’m cautious about consuming CBD products, as I haven’t found many that work well in my system. I’ve been drinking Beak & Skiff’s CBD-infused water a few times a week for a few months now, and find they do promote relaxation and a stable mood. And I love the bold flavor and variety they add to my hydration routine.”
Just like Whole30 has evolved over the years, so has the CBD industry. These types of partnerships weren’t available a few years ago, but now that there is an organic, sugar-free, water-soluble CBD drink on the market, we are excited to share it with you. As we lean into expanding the Whole30 Approved® program to provide greater access and ease for as many community members as possible, we’re thrilled to be able to provide more plant-rich, alternative products and wellness practices.
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If you’d like to try Beak & Skiff Research’s Organic Sparkling Water as a delicious, refreshing beverage at your meals or between meals, head over to Beak and Skiff Research and use code SKIFFCBD15 for 15% off your first order.
