November 5, 2020
I've covered the basics of one of my favorite compounds, CBD, in many past popular podcasts and articles, including:
- Q&A 400: How To Wake Up Less At Night, Should You Eat Carbs & Fat Together In The Same Meal?, The Latest On CBD, THC, Exercise & Much More!
- Q&A 393: How To Increase Testosterone After Exercise, Keto For Athletes, Keto Pancakes, Cream Cheese, CBD Gummies & More!
- CBD & Cannabis Special Episode: How CBD Affects Hormones, Fat Loss, Athletic Performance, Sleep, Recovery & Much More with Drs. Matt Dawson, Michael Mallin and Taylor Bright.
- What You Didn’t Know About CBD & THC, Fixing Lyme Disease, The Full Body Blood Change Reboot, Peptides 101, Hyperthermia & Much More with Dr. Matt Cook.
- CBD vs. THC For Sleep, Microdosing Psilocybin, Can You Overdo Modafinil, How To Re-Program Your Body Language & Much More With Jordan Harbinger.
- An Interview With “The Smartest Physician On The Planet”: Crazy Biohacking Stacks For Cognitive Function, Microdosing CBD, The Rolls Royce Of Jet Lag Hacking & Much More with Dr. Ted Achacoso.
- How To Strip Fat Fast, Single Sets To Failure, CBD Dosing, Boxing For Fitness & More with Jay Ferruggia.
- Get All The Health Benefits Of Smoking Weed Without Actually Smoking Weed.
But there are still many unanswered questions in the realm of CBD, including:
- What is the difference between full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, CBD isolate, and other forms of CBD?
- What is the difference between extraction methods of CBD?
- How does one decide between vaping vs. edibles vs. oils vs. capsules vs. soft gels, etc. and what are the differences in absorption between all those options?
- What can CBD be effectively stacked with, what are your best stacks, and what can you can expect from different stacks?
- Does CBD have a variability of effects depending on the time of day it is used, based on some kind of diurnal effect?
- And many more…
My guest on today's show is Adam Wenguer, who has grown to be a friend of mine after we met training at a gym in Miami, Florida. Adam grew up in Miami in a Cuban Jewish household and attended the University of Florida. He started martial arts at a young age and continues an extensive Jiu-Jitsu practice as a Black Belt as well as training in boxing and Muay Thai kickboxing.
After suffering a spine and leg injury in college, Adam was treated with pharmaceutical opioids which led to an intense, but all too common, addiction. On his path to recovery, he became immersed in Zen Buddhism, health and wellness, and began his lifelong path into spirituality. This eventually led Adam to graduate with a degree in applied physiology and kinesiology as he sought to bring greater physical healing to others, as he had done for himself.
As a strength and conditioning and health coach at a well-known 5-star wellness resort and training facility, Adam worked with a wide array of professional athletes, company executives, and individuals seeking optimal health. Many of his clients were suffering from the same ailments—sleep issues, anxiety, inflammatory disorders, and a general emotional and spiritual disconnect. This led Adam to want to take a more holistic approach towards educating and treating his clients with the use of natural compounds such as CBD. In 2017, Adam founded Element Health, one of the leading suppliers of the highest quality full-spectrum CBD products in the world.
Adam spends the majority of his time with his wife Kristen, their son Max and their three dogs on his farm in Florida where they consciously and sustainably live on the land. Adam hunts wild boar and deer while also fishing year round to ethically provide his family and friends with the most nutritious protein available. In his free time, he continues to train and compete in martial arts. He is also heavily involved in the study of plant medicine and the shamanic approach to healing. Finally, Adam finds the deepest joy and his true purpose by sharing the healing techniques of his intense journey with as many people as possible.
During this discussion, you'll discover:
-How Adam became well known in the realm of fitness and spirituality…7:05
- Fighting and drugs were the norm growing up in Miami
- Eventually became introduced to Muay Thai kickboxing
- Suffered injuries to his foot and back just before entering college
- Prescribed oxycodone (equivalent of 60 Percocets per day)
- Dependence on drugs to mask pain takes away a measure of one's spirit
- Awareness by Anthony De Mello
- Sex, drugs, rock and roll, and iPhones fill the God-shaped holes in our hearts
- Meditation is a challenge due to “noise” all around us
- Plant medicine – use of a psychedelic in a ceremonial setting
- CBD is the perfect complement to psychedelics (CBD relaxes the mind and body; plant medicine challenges it)
-Full-Spectrum CBD vs. others…15:50
- Adam is a proponent of full-spectrum CBD
- CBD isolate is a cheaper form
- Full-spectrum gives the “entourage effect”
- Full-spectrum contains trace amounts of THC which can build up in the system over time
- Broad-spectrum still contains a minimal amount of THC
- Isolate is the way to go to ensure there's no THC in the system
- THC gives the max benefits of the CBD compound – full-spectrum is the way to go
-How CBD interacts with different serotonin receptors…22:34
- CBD upregulates the 5THT1A receptor
- 5THT2A receptor causes hallucinogenic effect (CBD is an antagonist to it)
- Adam uses CBD at night, psychedelics during the morning
- CBD is about the endocannabinoid system
- Optimization is the way to greater balance; not pushing to extremes
-Adam's morning plant medicine routine…27:20
- Smokable version of Ayahuasca
- Deeper healing and meaning in one's self
- Utilizes MAO inhibitor effects of ayahuasca vine with DMT and other herbs
- Ayahuasca Wisdom by Jules Henry Rivers
- Psychedelics and plant medicine are not intended to be fun
- Terrence McKenna: “Everything you do is an art”
- Watching the sun rise and set while grounding with the earth
-The two main extraction methods of CBD and what to look for as a consumer…38:10
- Ethanol
- Warm and cold batches
- Cold can pull out more specific cannabinoids
- CO2
- More desirable for producing full-spectrum CBD
- Mid-critical: combination of sub- and super-critical
- Retains terpenes, essential oils, etc.
- Boundless
-Preferred delivery mechanisms of CBD…44:45
- Vaping
- Enters the body the fastest, and also leaves the fastest
- Ideal for stress and anxiety
- Reduces excess noise for clarity and focus
- Sublingual or mucosal
- Stays in body approx. 4 hours
- The optimal way of ingesting
- Orally
- Stays around 6 hours
- Goes through the liver first
- Element Health Full-Spectrum CBD soft gels
- Use around a high-fat meal for the best absorption
-Compounds Adam stacks with full-spectrum CBD…50:30
- How To Get All The Health Benefits Of Coffee Without The Caffeine (& My Go-To Source For Decaf Coffee).
- Lion's Mane
- Cordyceps
- Psilocybin
- Alive by Nature CBD/NAD+ Nasal Spray
- CBD can help with grogginess and with fasting
- Organic Beetroot Powder – Dr. Cowan's Garden Three-beet Powder (use code BEN to save 15%)
- Ancestral Supplements Grass-fed Organs
- Melatonin Suppositories by Dr. John Lieurance (use code BEN to save 5%)
- Quicksilver Sublingual Melatonin (use code GREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Quicksilver Lipocalm (use code GREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Passionflower
- Chamomile
- Skullcap
- PharmaGABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
- 2.5 mg of THC at night with 50-80 mg CBD
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Nutrascriptives Supplements
- Kion Aminos
- Kion Flex
- Kion Lean
-Fertility and the cannabinoid system…1:00:51
- Adam engaged in heavy steroid use in college, in addition to addictive drugs
- Endocrine system was badly damaged
- Told by a doctor he had zero sperm count
- Is Metformin Really Dangerous, Little-Known Peptides For Muscle Gain & Fat Loss, Testosterone Replacement Therapy & Much More with Jay Campbell.
- HCG
- Follicle-stimulating hormone
- Cut back on THC
- Meditated and visualized a family in the future
-Closing thoughts…1:07:30
-And much more!
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Resources from this episode:
– Adam Wenguer:
– BGF podcasts and articles:
- Q&A 400: How To Wake Up Less At Night, Should You Eat Carbs & Fat Together In The Same Meal?, The Latest On CBD, THC, Exercise & Much More!
- CBD & Cannabis Special Episode: How CBD Affects Hormones, Fat Loss, Athletic Performance, Sleep, Recovery & Much More with Drs. Matt Dawson, Michael Mallin and Taylor Bright.
- What You Didn’t Know About CBD & THC, Fixing Lyme Disease, The Full Body Blood Change Reboot, Peptides 101, Hyperthermia & Much More with Dr. Matt Cook.
- CBD vs. THC For Sleep, Microdosing Psilocybin, Can You Overdo Modafinil, How To Re-Program Your Body Language & Much More With Jordan Harbinger.
- An Interview With “The Smartest Physician On The Planet”: Crazy Biohacking Stacks For Cognitive Function, Microdosing CBD, The Rolls Royce Of Jet Lag Hacking & Much More with Dr. Ted Achacoso.
- How To Strip Fat Fast, Single Sets To Failure, CBD Dosing, Boxing For Fitness & More with Jay Ferruggia.
- Get All The Health Benefits Of Smoking Weed Without Actually Smoking Weed.
- Q&A 393: How To Increase Testosterone After Exercise, Keto For Athletes, Keto Pancakes, Cream Cheese, CBD Gummies & More!
- How To Get All The Health Benefits Of Coffee Without The Caffeine (& My Go-To Source For Decaf Coffee).
- Is Metformin Really Dangerous, Little-Known Peptides For Muscle Gain & Fat Loss, Testosterone Replacement Therapy & Much More with Jay Campbell.
– Books:
- Awareness by Anthony De Mello
- Ayahuasca Wisdom by Jules Henry Rivers
- Boundless by Ben Greenfield
– Other resources:
- Lion's Mane
- Cordyceps
- Dr. Cowan's Garden Organic Beetroot Powder (use code BEN to save 15%)
- Ancestral Supplements Grass-fed Organs
- Melatonin Suppositories
- Quicksilver Sublingual Melatonin (use code GREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Quicksilver Lipocalm (use code GREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Passionflower
- Chamomile
- Skullcap
- PharmaGABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Nutrascriptives Supplements
- Kion Aminos
- Kion Flex
- Kion Lean
As mentioned in the episode, Adam has been pursuing fertility treatment. Here is the protocol he is following, in his words.
Since I have been utilizing testosterone optimization therapy, generally sperm count goes down drastically. I remedied this by using a combination of pharmaceutical compounds, OTC supplements, plant medicine, and daily meditations.
Pharmaceutical Compounds:
These primarily support the stimulation of new sperm cells.
1) HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) – 500iu every other day (EOD).
2) FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) – 75iu (EOD) or HMG as a substitute
I recommend starting at half the dose for the first month or two to see how you react. This can cause some spikes in estrogen, so it's important to get blood work done. I used DIM and Indole-3-carbinol which can act as an estrogen receptor antagonist and promotes the healthy metabolism of estrogen. Kisspeptin injectable peptide possibly also helpful.
OTC Supplements:
Improves sperm motility, morphology and overall health of these cells.
1) CoQ10 (as ubidecarenone) with PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt). I love the liquid version by Apex Energetics. Studies show this can also improve egg quality and reverse cellular aging.
Antioxidant supplements and semen parameters: An evidence-based review
Coenzyme Q10 restores oocyte mitochondrial function and fertility during reproductive aging
2) Coast Science – MFSg5 or Fairhaven Health – FertilAid for men.
3) Researched Nutritionals – ATP Fuel
4) Rehmannia 6 (Chinese medicine) – Restore kidney Yin and normalize kidney function.
Plant Medicine:
While this is not generally used for fertility-related issues, I find that micro or macro dosing Psilocybin, DMT, and/or specifically Ayahuasca mixtures can improve Reproductive health.
This study was done on ayahuasca in a research setting. However, the spiritual component of fertility is often neglected. Traumas/wounds from childhood (even passed down from parents) can affect our psychological and physical well-being. These plant medicine tools allow us to look into the “mirror” to see what habits and patterns we have deeply ingrained into our psyche. When we can mindfully observe these traits or behaviors, we can then change them and rapidly improve our view of the world and sense of self which leads to a deeper sense of purpose and reduction of stress.
This also greatly improves our ability to meditate and allow affirmations to become our reality.
CBD:
Many theories but no studies yet.
“Endocannabinoid receptors have been found in sperm and the female reproductive tract. Because of this, it’s thought that they can improve a sperm’s ability to fertilize an egg, boost ovarian function, and follicle maturation. In short, that CBD can be a natural way to boost fertility with minimal negative side effects. There is yet to be strong evidence to support this theory.”
CBD vs. Marijuana’s Effects on Fertility
Episode sponsors:
–Kion: My personal playground for new supplement formulations, Kion blends ancestral wisdom with modern science. Ben Greenfield Fitness listeners receive a 10% discount off your entire order.
–Organifi Gold Pumpkin Spice: A new take on an ancient secret: Pain-soothing herbs, incredible antioxidants, and phytonutrients all in one delicious, soothing “Golden Milk” nighttime tea! Receive a 20% discount on your entire order when you use discount code BENG20.
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Thank you for the information. I really liked the podcast. If anyone is interested in cannabinoid research, they can find it https://longevitymeds.com/longevity-meds-discussion-forum-2/advances-in-cannabinoid-physiology-and-pathology-research/#post-174.
It’s interesting to know that full spectrum CBD oils is totally safe to be used by people who play sports. After a long while, my husband has taken up baseball again in order to get some ample exercise. It’s good to know that his interest in CBD products will not be hindered by his new activities.
Hey ben great podcast, check out NUTRABIO for pure DHEA and other pure supplements. Also organiccbdnugs.com for the best cbd plant matter for vaping.
What do you recommend for CBD dosage (in both the morning and before bed) for general health?
Hi Bill,
There is such a wide range of dosing with CBD/Cannabinoids. For me, I have found that a lower dose works better in the daytime with my heavier dose being ideal before bed. Regardless, I always follow the motto – “Start low and go up slow”.
Some customers respond extremely well to just a few drops under the tongue, while others require full droppers. In my opinion, finding the lowest dose possible to achieve the greatest effects is the optimal way to use these types of products.
Feel free to contact us directly on our site or via email at Element Health.
Hi Adam and Ben,
Really loved the information provided about CBD, a big fan of the podcast. Also really appreciate you both sharing so openly to help so many people become interested in plant medicine.
I personally found the way you both discussed ayahuasca in this podcast to be careless and disrespectful to both the medicine and the original caretakers of the medicine.
Each to their own, and if you choose to smoke a synthesised version of the leaf and vine for a more comfortable and convenient experience, that’s completely up to you.
I believe it would be really beneficial to provide more context to listeners about the original use of the plant in a traditional ceremonial space so that people don’t get the impression it was intended to be a quick hit as part of a morning routine.
Ayahuasca is a sacred medicine, with so much potential to heal. Many people believe that removing the traditional ceremony and difficulties of the journey is a disservice, detracting from this healing potential.
I’m sure you’ve both done your fair share of paying homage to plant medicine and traditional custodians of these medicines, but I just wanted to share how this particular podcast landed for me.
Brad
Hi Brad,
Thank you for your insight and perspective on how our conversation pertaining to ayahuasca could be viewed. To be completely straightforward with you, I absolutely agree that the use of ayahuasca in a ceremonial setting cannot be overlooked. I also wish we had more time to get into the finer details of how I came into sitting with ayahuasca and eventually utilizing a different form.
I think you might be mistaken on a few aspects of what we discussed and I believe it stems in part from us having a large amount of info to share in a small time period. We didn’t exactly get into the nitty gritty of this medicine and my particular history with Amazonian and native american based ceremony. I am exceptionally grateful for this plant medicine in it’s original form and pay homage to it’s great healing powers, as well as it’s representation of mother nature itself.
Regarding a “synthesized” version, Ayahuasca itself isnt ingested simply as vine and leaf. It is boiled and processed to become the drinkable version that many people have come to know. The version I have come to use is no different, it is simply dried and more concentrated. We didn’t have the opportunity to discuss how I would never use this medicine carelessly, for fun or without the utmost respect. Every single time it is to be used, we open sacred space and partake in ceremony, as the experience is more than just the compound itself. It could be seen as the gasoline for the flight, but every component of the aircraft is essential for the full journey.
I like how you said it would be beneficial to provide more context about it’s use and what a ceremony actually entails. Hopefully next time Ben and I will dive deeper into the specifics of this particular plant medicine (and its many forms) as well as other psychoactive plants.
I wanted to thank you for the honesty and professionalism in which you shared this critique. But also – much gratitude for your very kind words about the aspects of CBD and the podcast as a whole. If you get to see this message, please feel free to email me directly and we can discuss further. I would enjoy that!
I was humbled listening to Adam tell his story while educating me on the many benefits of CBD and the differences. It was interesting how it could be laid out so simply that I now “get it”. Keep going Adam. Wishing you much success. And thank you Ben. Great guest.
What a fantastic podcast. Really opened my eyes to the true benefits of cbd. And it seems we have only just scratched the surface. Are there any other benefits that are hypothesised but not yet proven?
Iv been able to personally see the benefits of adam’s quality products. We are also lucky enough to also see extremely positive results in our terminal family dog. We will be forever grateful for element healths professional service. Would highly recommend.
Hi Adam, when I was listening to your podcast you talked about having a CBD isolate that contains almost to nothing traces of THC. I was looking on you website and I couldn’t find the isolate maybe I’m just blind I don’t know lol.
Very informative podcast learned a lot I didn’t know about CBD. Really thinking about getting my dog some CBD now.
Nicolas,
As CBD has grown in popularity, so has the marketing and advertising behind it which has actually caused more confusion for individuals looking to include it in their supplement regiment. My goal has always been to simplify and educate, so I am exceptionally happy to hear that you learned some new things about CBD and our products!
As for the CBD by itself with absolutely no other cannabinoids (including THC), you can check out our CBD Vape line. https://elementhealthsupply.com/collections/pure-vape-cbd
You can also find our pet line here – https://elementhealthsupply.com/collections/pure-pet-cbd-oils
Reach out any time if you have additional questions.
Adam, You mentioned you had a particular formula/recipe that you like for smokable DMT. Can you share the recipe? Thanks.
I really learned a lot from this podcast! CBD can be a cloudy subject to research with the stigmas, over hyped product claims and wide variety of options. Adam, you really cleared up the different extraction methods and how to chose which formulation would work best for me and my dog. Thanks for making this all easier to understand!
Thank you Ken for the very kind words and for listening in to the podcast! My team and I are here for You (and your pup of course). Contact me any time. I am very excited to hear how your pup is doing with our cbd in the coming weeks.
Over $300 for a bottle is ridiculously expensive. I would like to know how it compares to a more affordable product such as My Nutra hemp paste.
Hi Matt,
I looked into the product you mentioned MyNutra- hemp paste. The most potent version they offer contains 2000mg. The bottle from my company Element Health that you were referring to contains 4800mg. Almost 2.5x more concentrated. That can explain the price difference but we also have smaller bottles that cost less. With concentration aside, according to their site “HempPaste is the Whole Hemp Flower ground down to a powder and mixed with MCT Oil”. Our products are a full spectrum of cannabinoids (as well as terpenes and other beneficial components) extracted from the plant and we use organic hemp seed oil as our carrier. While I havent tried their products, I can say that I havent come across a more concentrated and potent full spectrum CBD/Cannabinoid product on the market. I hope this provides some clarity on the differences between the products. Feel free to email us direct if you have any questions.
Is it true that higher doses of cbd over long periods of time can cause liver disease? Dr. Gundry mentioned this on a podcast about cbd and called it black urine disease. I haven’t had the time to look into this statement and haven’t heard anything about it since. I’ve had liver problems and cbd can make me really sick.
This theory/study of cbd causing liver disease has been debunked many times over.
See this article from project CBD – https://www.projectcbd.org/science/cbd-toxic-liver
Also, new research has been done showing CBD actually can improve liver function. Here is one:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3057300/
Thanks! Adam
I’m curious to know if anyone else experiences headaches whenever they use melatonin supplements or GABA supplements? Seems almost without fail that when I take whatever dosage of these supplements that I either get a headache before I even fall asleep or wake up with a pretty bad headache / migraine.
Hi Chris,
I personally do not get headaches from using either of these supplements but of course everyone responds differently. When starting any new supplement protocol, I always use the smallest dose possible in order to achieve the desired effects. I’ve found that melatonin supplements are generally dosed very low. Most contain only 1mg or at the most 3mg. But if I was to jump up too quickly by 5-10mg I could experience some grogginess, especially with a fast acting version. I mentioned one compound pharmacy that created their own supplement line – Nutriscriptives. They have timed/extended released versions are much more effective to me and come in low and high dose formulas.
With Gaba, I find that many brands actually dose their products too high because they really want their customers to experience a strong and noticeable effect. I personally shoot for 250mg as a starting point instead of the typical 500-1000mg as found in many supplements. Sometimes less is more.
Of course I favor full spec CBD for my night time supplement and will occasionally integrate melatonin to get even more sleep and recovery time.
I can attest to the strength of this product. I have tried several different brands and I immediately noticed a significantly more potent effect when I finally tried the Element Health brand. It was even less expensive than the other brands I tried. Very informative podcast and I liked the ending!
I really loved the podcast, super informative and will definitely be referring to it with my clients as well. I’ve had the pleasure to train with Adam and get to know him as a person, the guy is just top notch! He is really well rounded not only in CBD but supplements in general. Ben please have him back for a couple more. I would like to hear his perspective on BJJ, weight training and how he amps up for competition.
Hello, very informative podcast. I just wanted to comment on changing from pure CBD to a full spectrum supplement from Element. The full spectrum has had a significant impact in reducing some of the side effects of my elderly mother’s dementia such as agitation and mood swings, where the effect was far less pronounced with CBD only extract.
I saw a 2016 study by the NIH that CBD can potentially have a reversal effect on dementia symptoms including memory loss, but I just haven’t seen that manifest with my mother’s state of advancement with the disease. Have you or Adam ever researched or considered any other supplements that would be synergistic with full spectrum CBD for elderly people with moderate to advanced stage dementia?
Thanks
Lance – I am so happy to hear that our products are minimizing some of your mother’s symptoms related to dementia. While I haven’t seen any studies proving the efficacy of traditional OTC supplements, there has been new research done on utilizing THC in conjunction with CBD for improving memory and removing toxic accumulation of amyloid beta. See these studies:
https://www.nature.com/articles/npjamd201612
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6970569/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25024327/
I hope this helps!
Really educational. Always wanted to know more about CBD this was super informative.
Thank you for listening Marcus. Very pleased to hear that you found it insightful, especially with regards to CBD. There are so many misconceptions and confusion when it comes to finding the right product and my intent was create more clarity on CBD/cannabinoids, the Endocannabinoid system and how we can use these tools and other methods to improve our overall health and sense of well-being.