Disclosure: “I have been given Honey Colony Superior Cannabinoid Rich Hemp Formula as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.”

For the last 6 weeks I have been trialing Superior Cannabinoid Rich Hemp Formula, an herbal supplement made by Honey Colony, a co-operative model based in USA that aims to empower the individual to be their own best health advocate. honey colony.com

Cannabidiol (CBD) can be extracted from the cannabis plant and taken for health benefits, but without the euphoric feelings usually associated with cannabis/marijuana.  Honey Colony, who have a mission to empower the individual to be the best advocate for their own health whilst putting honesty back into the food supply, were looking for individuals experiencing chronic pain to assess the effects of CBD oil on their health and well being.

The science bit:

   Hemp         ←                              →    Marijuana

Agricultural production                                                                          Pharmacological production

↓                   ↓                    ↓                                                                                 ↓                                      ↓

Fibre            Oil                Food                                                                          THC                               CBDs

Cannabis is made up of over 60 compounds, and the 2 in greatest numbers are CBD and THC.  The compound that people will be most aware of by reputation if not name is the THC – this is the part that causes the user to experience the high we think of in recreational use! However it is possible to produce a plant that has higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC.  As CBD has no component to cause psychotropic changes it is useful for medicinal purposes. Must know facts about CBD

So now the health benefits:

Pharmacological reviews have claimed that CBD has the following properties

• anti-sickness,
• anticonvulsant,
• antipsychotic,
• anti-inflammatory,
• anti-oxidant,
• anti-cancer,
• anti-depressant

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22625422)

Honey Colony has developed an herbal supplement incorporating CBD which they state

• Balances the Nervous System
• Balances the Musculo-Skeletal System
• Promotes Mental Clarity, Focus & Memory
• Supports Calm & Relaxation
• Supports Healthy Immune & Stress Response
• Supports Healthy Inflammatory Response
• Provides Anti-Oxidant Support
• Supports Healthy Energy & Stamina

What makes the Honey Colony Superior formula stand out?

This herbal extract is a combination of CBD oil and 6 other natural compounds

• Sichuan Teasel Root
• Dang Shen Root
• Astragalus Root
• White Peony / Bai Shao Yao root
• Propolis
  
• Bitter Orange Peel

The Honey Colony site states “whole plants or mixtures of plants are more effective than than isolated compounds.”

Full details of the ingredients’ properties can be found here: https://www.honeycolony.com/shop/superior-cbd-oil/.

Why should I try Honey Colony Superior Cannabinoid Rich Hemp Formula?

I have a genetic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hypermobility type) which means that my body does not produce collagen in the normal way – normal tissues containing collagen stretch & rebound like an elastic band, whilst mine is more like chewing gum!  It affects my joints, causing pain & dislocations, my circulation (Raynauds and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome – I pass out regularly!), my gut, my bladder & my nervous system.  Cauda equina syndrome after a lumbar disc rupture many years ago has left me with chronic pain in my back, leg & foot.

I have struggled to gain any real pain relief in recent years and have taken a cocktail of drugs including the opiate Oxycontin (oxycodone), various antidepressants used for nerve pain and the gold standard for nerve pain, Lyrica (pregabalin).  Last year I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted to help relieve the nerve pain and my hospital insisted that I wean myself off the Oxycontin. Whilst I’m pleased to be off the opiates, a downside has been a huge increase in my joint pain so having been asked to write a review for Honey Colony I felt quietly hopeful & excited!

The Product

The hemp formula arrived in the UK well packaged and in a bottle of good quality & appearance – dark brown to preserve the qualities of the formula from light damage, with a pipette dropper lid and a black & bronze label.

It is recommended that the product is taken 3 times a day, placing 4 drops under the tongue for 90 seconds – sublingual for fast absorption into the blood stream.

The product is a strange sludge colour, but please don’t let this put you off!  I found the taste bitter at first but after several doses my taste buds had adjusted and I was able to detect the sweetness of the honey.  For me this was a similar taste experience to that with oxynorm elixir!  Unlike some other CBD oil products on the market which use olive or coconut oil, the Honey Colony Superior Rich Hemp formula does not contain a carrier and does not need warming to thin the consistency.

The All Important Question – Did it help?

I went into this trial with an open mind and without reading any other reviews for this or similar products.  I haven’t used CBD products before so I am unable to draw comparisons between this product and other CBD products on the market. The immediate difference that I noticed was to my sleep. Like many chronic illness sufferers, my sleep is at best disturbed and at worst non-existent.  The particular type of spinal cord stimulator that I have cannot be used overnight and so I have to switch it off.  Without the oxycontin my nights have become worse from both the nerve pain and joint pain.

My nights have definitely been more settled following a final dose of CBD oil before going to bed – the muscle spasm around my joints is improved and I feel generally more relaxed.  I can’t pretend that I suddenly sleep all night every night, but I think that during wakeful periods I am less stressed.

My pain in my joints & soft tissues is definitely helped by the CBD formula – the relaxed feelings come within about 30 minutes and last for several hours.  This allows me to perform some of the moderate exercises that are essential to keep me moving & to  ensure my mobility does not further deteriorate.   The jury is still out with regards to the chronic nerve pain that I have in my back, leg & foot – I plan to continue monitoring this alongside the scs over coming months.  The temperature has dropped in recent days and so my pain has worsened – this will be a really good test period for some improvement.

I am completely realistic after so many years with chronic pain and do not expect a “cure” but any relief is really welcome, so I am thrilled that I am able to feel more comfortable in my shoulders, hips and hands particularly.

Prices, Value & Comparisons

Honey Colony products are available for shipping to the UK, but cannot be bought from suppliers here.  So when calculating costs a shipping fee must be considered.

A 30 ml bottle of the Superior Cannabinoid rich hemp formula retails for $92.55, with a current conversion of £74.73 and various reductions are available for larger quantities (https://www.honeycolony.com/shop/superior-cbd-oil-3-pack/).  The current postage on one 30ml bottle to the UK at Priority International rate is $48.75 or £39.36, or first class rate is $22.75 or £18.37.  The exchange rate has altered since the Brexit vote in the UK and unfortunately for me makes the product and postage rate higher as the pound falls against the dollar!

The product does feel expensive, particularly as I am no longer physically fit enough to work and we rely upon disability benefits & are technically a low income household.  However having now done a little research and value comparisons online with other products, I can see that other CBD oils claiming to be of a similar quality are comparable – it is difficult though as I may not be comparing like with like.  My verdict is that for the results I achieved, this product does offer good value and I would purchase under different financial circumstances.

Any Special Considerations?

Honey Colony recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women consult a doctor prior to using the product.

It is possible for the consumption of CBD oil to result in a positive drugs test for THC – whilst this should be well below legal limits, it must be noted by the individual (in the same way that eating poppy seeds can result in a positive opiates test occasionally).

My Conclusion

I have been impressed with the results that I have achieved using Honey Colony Superior Cannabinoid Hemp Formula health supplement whilst caring for my symptoms from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.  Whilst I have not eradicated all my pain, I have achieved a better sleeping pattern & have gained relief for my joint pain.  When personal circumstances allow, I plan to continue using this product as part of a pain relieving programme.

DISCLAIMER: all opinions stated above are my own and based upon my own experience.  I am not authorized to give medical advice and am no longer registered as a nurse.  Please consult your doctor or seek medical advice before commencing any health supplements/medications.