Today I’m welcoming store owner, Chase Smith of Lotus CBD to share with us the benefits of CBD products. Thank you, Chase for stopping by!

 

 

 

Tell us a little about yourself and your company.

Hello, my name is Chase Smith and my wife’s name is Cortney Smith. We own and operate Lotus CBD in Foley, AL. It is the first CBD store in this area of its kind. We like to think of ourselves as a one stop shop for alternative healing. We sell pretty much anything with CBD incl. edibles, gummies, trans-dermal pain patches, bathbombs, vapables, face creams, under eye serums, hydrating lotions, subdermal topicals, Gel caps, dry capsules, CBD water, pet oils, pet edibles and of course, several different CBD oils.

 

 

 

What was the inspiration behind your business, Lotus CBD?

In 2017 my wife had 5 seizures that I had to revive her from, she stopped breathing. She had become debilitated from severe migraines, sleeping 16 hrs a day and developed drop foot. After 4 neurologist, multiple MRI’s and 2 Lumbar punctures we found out she has 12 dime sized lesions in her brain; she received a diagnosis of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) in early 2018. She was given a prescription for medication that would have cost us $9,000 a month… with insurance!!! After weeks of research we discovered CBD oil and all of its wonderful health benefits; we decided to at the very least give the natural path a try… what could it hurt right??? Well since she has been using our water soluble full spectrum CBD oil, she has not had a single seizure! The debilitating migraines she once had several times a month have stopped all together and we truly believe in the medical benefits of CBD. It’s been almost 2 years since she has had a seizure and I am happy to say she is doing incredibly well given her diagnosis!!!

 

 

 

Why “Lotus” in your company’s name, does the lotus flower itself have any symbolism to you?

Well, as you may know a lotus has to rise through the mirk and mud to reach the surface of the water, then it beautifully blooms. Despite all those obstacles and conditions the flower grows from the mud and rises to the surface clean. The lotus may appear fragile on the surface but it’s flexible and strong; securely anchored under the surface of the water. We liked that metaphoric imagery of this fragile yet strong flower and how it represented many people’s day to day struggles. Be that addiction, pain, anxiety or whatever else; we know with a little help everyone can bloom to their full potential.

 

 

 

What are the benefits of CBD products and are there any known side effects?

So, I may go a little long winded and in depth, but it all starts with the Endocannabinoid System. Scientists discovered this in the last century and it’s a biological system made up of endocannabinoids. They are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body and in all mammal brains. CBD is one of the primary cannabinoids found in hemp and these cannabinoid receptors play a huge role in physiological processes such as mood, memory and pain.

 

There are two types of cannabinoid receptors – CB1 and CB2 that are located on cells throughout the body. CB1 receptors are primarily located on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord and central nervous system and are very abundant in the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and hippocampus. These CB1 receptors have been found to play a role in memory processing, motor regulation, pain sensation, mood, and sleep. CB2 receptors are primarily found on cells in the immune system and its associated structures.

 

When these receptors are activated with CBD, they stimulate a response that fights inflammation which can reduce pain and minimize damage to tissues. Cannabinoids help coordinate and regulate how we feel and think by binding with the endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2 receptors. They fit like puzzle pieces, cannabinoids are designed to link together with the cannabinoid receptors. This linking of receptors activates the receiving neuron into action. This then triggers a set of events to pass along the message and carry out a variety of cellular responses needed for homeostasis and healthy functioning.

 

Since the use of CBD oil in the last 30-40 years, there are no known side effects.

 

 

 

What would you say to someone who may be on the fence about trying CBD products?

If you have suffered, tired of hurting, anxious, stressed and on pharmaceuticals for any of those…and looking for relief then why not give this natural, safe alternative a try!? At the most it will be the best decision you ever made and at worst you have tried an alternative route that doesn’t harm you in any way. CBD extracted from HEMP is LEGAL and safe, if you get a product with THC it will NOT get you high.

 

 

 

Are there any kinds of medications that someone may be on that shouldn’t be accompanied with any CBD products? Any precautionary words of advice?

So, there are a few drug interactions but any knowledgeable and reputable store will tell you to watch out for these. Mostly these are statin drugs or any drug using the CYP-450 enzyme to break it down (usually there is a grapefruit or citrus warning on these medications). You can google the medication you take and CYP-450 enzyme and usually you will find a list, this doesn’t mean you can’t use CBD… it just means you need to space out the time between the two.

 

 

 

Tell everyone how they can contact you and the location of your store. What are your hours of operation and please share with us any links you have so people can follow you via social media.

We are on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lotuscbd/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lotus_foley/)

We are located in Foley, AL at 3872 S. McKenzie Street. Hours of operation are 10-7 Monday through Saturday.

You can also contact us via phone at anytime 404.386.3683

 

 

 

Anything else you would like to inform everyone about in regards to CBD products?

NOT ALL CBD PRODUCTS ARE THE SAME, NOT ALL STORES ARE THE SAME… If you are going to buy something to improve your health PLEASE buy it from a reputable and knowledgeable source. If you ask where the CBD is sourced, what was used to extract the oil and they can’t explain ANY question you pose then just walk away. If you don’t get told about the analytics and they are not readily available, updated every few months… JUST DON’T DO IT!! Not all ailments are solved by one product, the store should know what products work best for which ailments.

 

 

 

Any positive words of wisdom you’d care to share?

We have been in the CBD industry for 3 years now and I have seen the miraculous things this plant can do, we use these products daily, we believe in them and I offer a money back satisfaction guarantee.  If you have heard about CBD and want to give it a try, come to a place you know what you’re getting! We can discuss all your options and see all the products we have for a healthier you!

 

Thanks,

Chase Smith