60-Day Thorough Review Of Not Pot CBD Gummies
- Lauren
- Aug 9, 2019
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 26, 2022
By now, you have probably heard of CBD and it's many benefits, or maybe you have even seen the Not Pot gummies around social media. My curiosity in CBD products peaked a while ago and I have really wanted to see how CBD could help me with my anxiety and daily mood. I have also read some great things about CBD skincare and beauty products but I will save that for another post!
It's been 60 days today since I started taking these delicious strawberry flavored vegan polar bear gummies from Not Pot and I'm hooked on them!
So what is CBD?
According to my research, cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940 and is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids in cannabis plants and accounts for up to 40% of the plant's extract (Health.com). It is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects. In 2018, clinical research on cannabidiol included preliminary studies of anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain (Wikipedia). Unlike CBD's cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive so it will not get you high or give off any euphoric effects. Because CBD is sourced from hemp (not marijuana) it is legally available to anyone in the United States, Health.com. And just to avoid any confusion, hemp and marijuana are not the same. Hemp is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant and hemp oil products usually do not contain CBD or THC. It's important to know the difference because sometimes these terms are misused when it comes to CBD products. It's also important to keep in mind that some CBD products may contain THC, so be sure to to read all of the product information and ask the company questions when you feel unsure. Don't be shy!
What does CBD help with?
According to my research, CBD can help treat a wide variety of health issues including anxiety, depression, acne, epilepsy, chronic pain, glaucoma, insomnia, loss of appetite, muscle spams, parkinson's disease, and more. "It’s also said that CBD oil can promote sounder sleep, reduce inflammation and pain, fight oxidative stress, improve heart health, support weight loss, and protect against some forms of cancer" (Verywellhealth). There are many articles and studies that support these claims and I recommend researching the health issues you are curious about and consulting with your physician to see if CBD is right for you.
What are Not Pot CBD Gummies?
The Not Pot website describes them as, "A daily, strawberry-flavored hug for your endocannabinoid system: 10 mg of organically grown hemp + 100% vegan ingredients = the chillest, cleanest CBD polar bear gummy on the block." Fun fact: The squishiness comes from vegan fruit pectin and not gelatin! Not Pot partners with small farmers in Oregon and Colorado who legally grow hemp in compliance with the 2014 Farm Bill. Their gummies are non-psychoactive, tested by top scientists, medical doctors, and universities at the forefront of medical cannabis research.
My 60-Day Review
Today officially marks 60-days of consuming one, or sometimes two, of these adorable little bears. In short, I am very happy with my first CBD experience! Not Pot is a great name for their product and their packaging is cute and interesting, but what inside those adorable bottles is what really matters most to me!
While I initially wanted to try these to see if it could help with my daily mood (don't want to be a sad girl everyday), I noticed they really helped with my anxiety and period cramps, I didn't even think about how it could help during menstruation so this was a nice surprise!
They taste just as delicious as they smell! Some people have mentioned an after taste and this was not something that bothered me. I actually just ate one now to see how I feel about the after taste and while you can taste a hint of "natural" plant taste that lingers for a bit, it's not intense or bothersome to me.
The first week I started taking these I did notice some minor digestive issues but couldn't really confirm if it was from the gummies. After the first week, those symptoms dissipated. There has actually been some research that indicates the use of CBD may have side effects like anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, changes in mood, or changes in appetite. At no point did I suffer from any of these symptoms, besides having a positive change in my mood and appetite! I have also read that some people feel slightly high after consuming CBD products, not specifically not pot, but that these types of people usually often suffer from side effects from traditional over-the-counter medicines like Advil or Tylenol. This is definitely something to keep in mind if medicines, supplements, or vitamins tend to make you feel sick. You really don't know how your body will react to a new supplement and if you have never taken CBD before I recommend first trying it when you're home with someone, just to be on safe side if you experience any side effects. Often I find that some supplements, vitamins, or hair and nail gummies cause acne and irritation to my skin but luckily these did not at all!
After the first month I was like, "keep these posi surprises coming Not Pot!"
Now, I am not going to say these are a miracle, that I am now that happiest person alive, or that I took one and it worked right away, but what I will say is that these have helped me tremendously in different ways. When I first started using these back in early June I was very high strung and always felt "on the edge". After my very first gummy I didn't notice a huge change in anything... I felt slightly more relaxed than normal but my anxiety was through the roof the day I started these and I was hoping for more. I didn’t feel discouraged because I started out with realistic expectations, knowing it may take a while to really work (hence the 60 day review!) I continued to take one daily, as per the suggested use, I even tried to give myself a hug every time! I noticed the most change in my mood, thinking, level of anxiety and stress, pain, and appetite after about 2-3 weeks.
Today, I can happily and honestly say I truly feel different and have noticed several changes. While my anxiety is not completely gone and there are many things that make me anxious each day (like watching the news), I can firmly say that my anxiety and stress levels have decreased enormously. If you don't believe me, ask my husband. I feel more naturally relaxed, can think clearer, and I'm not as groggy and fatigued feeling as I was two months ago. My periods have also been much better with very minimal cramping, which was a huge surprise to me and all I can say is hallelujah! I also noticed that my muscles don't feel as achey or sore after a long or intense work out, another aspect that surprised me! My body took very well to this new supplement and I think the 10 mg of CBD worked perfectly for me. I have a 30-day supply left and will continue to use these to help boost my mood, energy, and make my days a bit better, unless otherwise advised by a heath professional not to.
So... what does the FDA say about CBD, are there any safety concerns?
There's a lot research to be done. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants the public to know that cannabidiol (CBD) might not be as safe and effective in the grand scheme of their overall health and wellness. While the FDA does admit that they do not have a real understanding of the benefits or potential risks with CBD, a limited study on their CBD-based epilepsy drug called Epidiolex, found that liver damage can be a side effect. However, since this goes very in-depth, I recommend reading this long but interesting article from the FDA's site, What You Need to Know (And What We’re Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD.
My best advise is to always do your research and to consult with your physician, especially if you are taking medications or supplements.
Things to keep in mind when shopping for CBD Products:
CBD does not cure any of these diseases or cancer and it's important to have realistic expectations when taking CBD products.
You should search for products that 100% all-natural, organic, and vegan and do not contain THC (or at least under .03% THC). You should also check the products to make sure they do not contain synthetic chemicals or chemical solvents and are naturally-flavored with no artificial flavors or ingredients. Also, it's really nice to shop products from companies that are transparent and showcase lab results.
Not all CBD products are created equally. There are many new CBD products and companies popping up right now and some of them are making false claims or misleading consumers. Now this can get pretty overwhelming but there are companies that seem to use a CBD (isolate) spray on gummies which will not work the same as a company who uses proven extraction methods like CO2 extraction, which compresses as much CBD as possible from the raw hemp material.
While I unfortunately was not easily able to find information on how Not Pot manufacturer's their gummies from their website, I was able to find graphics (below) from their website that say "No cheap CBD isolates here" and another that says their "research is led by Israel's top PhD scientists, and medical-experts who have co-authorized ore than 160 scientific publications and secured over 46 patents in the space."
I checked all of the available information on their website to see if they shared any lab tests, but could not find anything. Also, their Frequently Asked Questions page is not working for me, so I couldn't check there! However, after reaching out to Not Pot through Instagram, by asking "Hey! Quick question, do you guys use CO2 extraction? Or any nanotechnololgy?" the brand promptly responded, "Gentle CO2 but sometimes nano and co2 can be the same thing." And while digging in deeper, I also found a website that was really helpful and had a few questions and answers from Kati from Not Pot.
Someone asked, "Can you speak to quality control of your product? A peer reviewed study found many CBD products contained CBD levels different than advertised and some actually did have THC. I’ve heard even hemp has low levels of THC. Do you have third party analysis for example, confirming substance levels in your product? Many thanks for your thoughts on this."
Kati replied, "Thanks for asking. I'll be careful with what I say publicly, but I'm confident our testing is 100x better than any "lab or potency" 3rd party testing. The standard "lab/potency" testing in the cannabis space is completely unregulated and the dirty little secret in the industry is that you can pay to play (in other words, if you're not happy with the result, you can pay to change it). People will deny this happens, but I've seen it happen numerous times. Instead of focusing on these tests (even though we've done them just for the sake of it), we spend tens of thousands of dollars to do pre-clinical testing with some of the top Israeli cannabis scientists who've been able to perform pre-clinical and clinical studies for decades. It's more expensive and takes longer (months as opposed to one day), but we think it's better. We're coming out with a big study Q2."
So tell me, why should I buy Not Pot's CBD Gummies vs. other CBD Gummies?
Here's my top five reasons:
They work so well for me, that I want you to give them opportunity to work for you!
They are made with full spectrum hemp and are vegan, non-psychoactive, gluten-free, kosher, and legal.
They're JUST SO CUTE AND DELICIOUS!
(Side note, their branding was done by the same designer as Glossier!)
Their research and development team works hand in hand with some of the most prominent members of the medical and scientific communities in Israel who are at the forefront of medical cannabis research.
They believe full cannabis legalization is a step in the right direction, but it’s not enough to correct the wrongs of our criminal justice system. That's why they proudly support the bail project, a non-profit organization designed to combat mass incarceration at the front end through a revolving national bail fund. Their contribution is straight forward: They pay bail for one person in need every month.
You sold me Laur and I want them now. How do I get them, how much do they cost, and how do I take them?
If you're ready to hop on the Not Pot train and enjoy all of their goodness with me, you can simply visit their website to purchase one, two, or three bottles.
A single 30-day supply costs $39.99, but you have the option to subscribe to save 10%, dropping the price to $35.99.
I have seen CBD gummies range from $20-$100+ so I feel there price point is very good and also justified by their great product!
The suggested use is to take 1 gummy per day, and give yourself a hug!
Always consult with your physician and ask as many questions as you need to. Based off of my research, CBD products are not recommended for pregnant or lactating mothers. I also suggest stopping them immediately if you have any adverse effects. Do not use if the safety seal is damaged or missing and store away from heat, light, and humidity to preserve their freshness.
Finally, finally, finally... I can say I've tried CBD and that it works for me! I can also now share more about my experience with Not Pot products on instagram.
A special and huge THANK YOU to Not Pot for surprising me a 90-day supply and their cute stash bag so I could really test out their gummies. I had emailed them to see if I could try one (LOL literally) or if they had a small sample pack. I explained to them how new CBD is new to me and how I think I could really benefit from their gummies. I never expected that they would be so gracious to send me three bottles. So thank you again to the Not Pot Team!
I've finally found a delicious way to "show my endocannabinoid system some love.
Every single day."
If you made it down here, thank you so much for reading! I hope this article was helpful and that you do your research to see how CBD can help improving your daily life.
Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary from Not Pot for testing purposes. I write all of my own posts which contain my own personal thoughts and opinions. I only recommend products that I have personally used. The information within my posts was obtained through research I’ve done. I always encourage everyone to research these topics I talk about to discover your own thoughts and opinions on it. I am not a doctor and I do advise you to use your discretion before trying anything at home. I also encourage you to talk to your doctor about any serious health questions. Some of the links posted above may be affiliate links which means I make a commission if you purchase the item. This commissions help me run this website and allow me to keep providing quality content. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.
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