Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between full-spectrum and standardized extracts?
Generally, "Full-Spectrum" supplements utilize a method of impartially and evenly aggregating a particular ingredient (i.e. plant or mushroom) in its whole form. The resulting product thus contains a biochemical profile that is a slightly concentrated form of the selected raw ingredient, which is beneficial for the synergistic and buffering effects of natural biochemical ratios, but may produce inconsistent biochemical profiles from batch to batch and weaker-than-desired results.
Standardized extracts, on the other hand, generally utilize much more powerful extraction techniques that target very specific compounds and molecules within a given ingredient. This produces a significantly more potent aggregation of the desired biochemicals. The end-product in this case will contain markedly increased concentrations of said isolated compounds. These compounds, usually listed as a percentage of the whole plant, remain consistent from batch to batch with small degrees of variability.
There are pros and cons to each technique. At Edentia Herbals, we believe that given a spectrum of possibility, the best answer usually lies somewhere in the middle. This is why many of our products utilize full-spectrum powders in conjunction with standardized extracts to harness the synergistic benefits of both.
How do you increase the absorption of your products?
One of the largely ignored issues within the supplement industry is the issue of oral bioavailability. You are not what you eat, you are what you're able to absorb and metabolize into your being; and this concept applies to any supplement you take. There's a reason why some supplements are disparaged as "expensive urine!"
In order to be absorbed and successfully integrated into cellular metabolism, anything you ingest must survive being broken down by the extremely acidic pH of the stomach, be readily absorbed and transported in efficacious amounts through the stomach lining, and after all that, make it through something called the ‘first pass’ of the liver, where all molecules absorbed through the gut pass first through the liver and are potentially eliminated or modified before being allowed to enter the bloodstream and the rest of the body. The resulting fraction of the original substance that was ingested that actually makes it intact or in a metabolically active form into bloodstream and into cellular metabolism is known as the oral bioavailability of the substance.
There exist a variety of safe and effective methods for increasing oral bioavailability, and at the current moment, Edentia Herbals utilizes a compound derived from black pepper called piperine in our launch product, BioMind, in order to increase the absorption and biochemical availability of the ingredients in that formula. Piperine is a bioavailability enhancer that can increase the absorption of a particular chemical compound by supporting blood flow to the gut and facilitating transport across the gut's absorptive cells. In addition, it can inhibit the activity of enzymes in the liver and gut that are responsible for breaking down and eliminating an enormous range of molecules, allowing more of the active ingredients to be absorbed and utilized by the body. As an added bonus, piperine has also been found to have antioxidant properties, and may help support brain function in and of itself.
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*It should be noted that due to piperine's ability to increase absorption and oral bioavailability of a variety of compounds, BioMind and piperine should NOT be taken by anyone currently taking any prescription medications, as this could lead to potentially serious side effects due to an increased absorption of said medications. If you are unsure whether or not you should try BioMind, you should consult with your physician or other licensed healthcare professional before taking BioMind.*
How long will it take to notice the effects of each product?
Some of the ingredients in our products will produce immediate effects within minutes or hours after consumption. Other ingredients take time to work, and their compounding effects may only become noticeable after days or weeks of consistent consumption. You can read more about how each ingredient in our launch product, BioMind, works here.
Is it safe to take your products every day?
Each of the ingredients in our products have been demonstrated in peer-reviewed research trials to be safe when taken over time. Many of the ingredients in our formulae actually work more effectively with time and consistency. However, one of the ingredients in BioMind, Toothed Clubmoss, which contains the compound Huperzine A, has been shown to have a biological half-life of elimination slightly greater than 24 hours in the body; therefore, taking occasional breaks from BioMind would be advisable.
Humans are biochemically unique beings, and we all process, metabolize, and respond to substances differently. We encourage you to pay attention to your body. If you are concerned about any of our products' effects over time, we encourage you to speak with a qualified medical professional.
Can I take your products with caffeine?
You can absolutely take our products with caffeine as our products are caffeine- free. Some individuals may find that taking caffeine with our cognitive-supporting products may enhance the immediately apparent cognitive benefits. However, the ingredients in our formula are potent and have been demonstrated to have profound cognitive-supporting benefits on their own. We recommend you first try a lower serving of our products without caffeine in order to assess the effects that you may experience.
Can I take your products with my other supplements?
Generally, our products should be considered safe to be taken in conjunction with other non-prescription herbal supplements. However, avoid consuming our products with other supplements that contain any of the same ingredients. Each formulae in our products is maximized for potency, and therefore taking more than the recommended dose of any one ingredient could have unintended consequences.
It should also be cautioned that our products include piperine extract to maximize absorption and bioavailability, which might also increase the absorption and bioavailability of any other herbal supplements taken at the same time.
Because our products are so potent, we recommend taking the lowest recommended dosage of each product without other herbal supplements, and adjusting the dosage and combination with other supplements as desired. If you are concerned about potential interactions between our products and any of your other supplements, we encourage you to speak with a qualified medical professional.
Do your products contain any potential allergens?
All of our products are gluten-free, soy-free, and contain no peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, or animal products whatsoever. If you have numerous plant and/or mushroom allergies or suspect you may be allergic to any of the plants or mushrooms included in our formulae, speak with a healthcare provider before taking our products to determine whether or not they're safe for you.
Are your products safe for children?
Persons under the age of 18 should not take our products as the safety and efficacy of our products' ingredients have not been verified in the hormonal and biochemical environment of a growing adolescent or child.
Can I take your products if I am pregnant or nursing?
Women who are pregnant, nursing, or attempting to become pregnant should not take our products as the safety of our ingredients have not been verified under this particular biochemical environment.
Where are your products made?
All of our products are manufactured in the United States in accordance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards. Our variety of plant and mushroom ingredients are carefully and methodically selected from across the globe. Every batch of our products is third-party tested for unwanted biologicals, accurate concentration of ingredients, pesticides, herbicides (including glyphosate residue), heavy metals, and residual solvents, and the most recent batch results for each product are uploaded here.
Are your products organic and/or non-GMO?
All of our products are non-GMO, and each ingredient is methodically and carefully selected to be of the highest quality and purity possible. Many of our individual ingredients are USDA Certified Organic, but not all of the ingredients in our formulae are currently able to be sourced in USDA-certified organic forms, making the whole product ineligible to be certified USDA organic. However, it is of the utmost importance to us that the products we offer are of the highest quality and purity possible. That's why we 3rd-party test each and every batch of our products for pesticides, herbicides (including glyphosate), unwanted biologicals, heavy metals, and residual solvents, and publish them on our website here.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently only ship within the United States, but if you'd like us to try and ship to your country, reach out to us here and we'll work with you to begin to assess the costs and legalities of shipping to you.