Meredith Detko - Luxury CBD Concept Store Founder
ABC… CBD!
Today we are talking to Meredith Detko , Founder of luxury CBD concept store Aquerone, who is helping us demystifying CBD while sharing her journey as a young female entrepreneur. Get transported into her world and enjoy the read!
What made you decide to start Aquerone?
Before telling you how Aquerone came to be, I should give you some context. I was born and raised in California, where cannabis is very much part of daily culture. Moving to France was a shock to me in how differently it was viewed. I was tired of hearing the negative stigmas and purchasing poor-quality products with terrible service after moving to France. Even though lots of people in Europe consume, there aren’t the same ideologies. There is a lot more shame and judgment plus everyone mixes joints with industrial tobacco which is the least healthy way to consume.
I’ve always loved cannabis: the way it made me laugh, come up with new ideas, relax and connect with others. I’ve seen the overwhelmingly positive impact its legalisation had in California. As far as I’m concerned, Cannabis is a wellness product used by people who care about their health as a tool (among many others) for their personal wellbeing and pleasure. It’s a way to alter our states and help heal our bodies and minds in a healthy and constructive way when consumed consciously. I wanted to create a brand that encouraged people to be proud to put their consumption on display with only the best and most beautiful lifestyle products from around the world. On top of this, aesthetics and sustainability are super important today. To me, this is the new Art de Vivre. I curated a selection of thoughtfully made products that put sustainability and community-minded initiatives at the core while incorporating codes from mythology and spirituality to educate about plant-based healing and wellness on a scale that goes well beyond CBD and cannabis consumption.
Can you help us demystify CBD, for newcomers? Can you explain what it is, and how it can be beneficial when used correctly?
When learning about CBD, the best place to start is the endocannabinoid system. We have a full system of receptors in our body that was made to receive the cannabis/hemp plant (hemp and cannabis are used interchangeably since they are the same plant!)and creates our own cannabinoids. This system creates homeostasis or balance in our bodies and helps regulate our nervous system, impacting our moods, pain, sleep, immune system, and appetite. CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in the plant. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. However, it offers a multitude of benefits with numerous applications. For example, CBD is widely used to reduce stress, fatigue, or nausea, and to alleviate pain and inflammation. CBD comes in many formats and can be smoked or vaporized, used under the tongue as oil, eaten in different edibles, infused as a tea, and applied topically in skin care products.
Is CBD addictive?
No, CBD is not physically addictive. Once you find the right dosage for your body you don’t have to continue increasing the amount to feel the benefits and there are no withdrawal symptoms when you stop.
How long does it take to feel the effect of CBD?
CBD activation time depends mostly on the format. Oils applied under the tongue take about 15 to 45 minutes, oral ingestion (mixed into food or oils swallowed directly) 30 minutes to an hour (depending on how much you’ve eaten and your metabolism), and smoking/vaping takes a maximum of 15 minutes to feel the full effects (though you can typically feel them immediately). You can check out our dosing guide for more details. https://www.aquerone.com/blog/how-to-dose-cbd
However, CBD works best when taken over a few months period to balance out our endocannabinoid system. The more regular you are the better. Many people don’t feel an impact until a few weeks or months into their practice.
Sleep quality, or lack thereof, is one of the biggest health concerns we face day today. Can CBD help with sleep regulation?
CBD is incredible for sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep, I recommend CBD vaping (either oil or flower vaping). Activating in up to 15 minutes, the high concentration and bioavailability in vaping calms and allows our bodies to relax enough to drift off into blissful slumber. If you have trouble staying asleep, a regular oil practice can significantly help. This doesn’t happen overnight, so we suggest taking CBD on a regular basis for at least a month an hour before your desired bedtime. However, the most important part of sleep regulation is understanding the root cause. Where does the stress come from and why isn’t your body able to relax when you hit the sheets? The holy grail is to combine a new CBD routine with a regular evening ritual. Paring CBD with meditation, breath-work, light stretching, and trading blue light for a book is hands down the best way to get your sleep back under control. Having confidence in your sleep routine and ending the day on a relaxing and consistent note will set your new CBD routine up for success.
Does CBD show up on a drug test?
The short answer is no. Typical drug tests measure the levels of THC in your body, not CBD. Full-spectrum products contain small levels of THC (between 0,2 and 1% depending on your country) so they could appear on a drug test even though it’s highly unlikely. Each test has a small/insignificant amount of THC that is accepted regardless. Thus, using a full spectrum product does not mean you’ll fail a drug test when consuming small, regular amounts. When in doubt, switch to an isolate product with 0% THC 2 to 3 weeks before your urine test or 1 week before a blood drug test. Note: this is the only time we recommend using an isolate product. They are less healthy and efficient than full-spectrum CBD products (hence why we have so few on our site).
What are your favorite CBD products?
That's like asking which one of your children you like best It was hard enough to narrow things down to 200 products for the launch! However, I LOVE the Apple Passionfruit Gummies from Rose Los Angeles. In terms of packaging, ethics and taste, it’s the ultimate inspiration for the products I want to create in the future. I’m also obsessed with the Stevie Goddess sticks. I don’t usually consume with combustion, so it’s a little treat for me and comes in the chicest packaging. Otherwise, my favorite consumption method is vaping. I love our Happease oil vapes and take them with me wherever I travel. When I’m home, I use the Volcano Classic for both flowers and concentrates. I first discovered the Volcano by Storz & Bickel when I was studying at Berkeley over 10 years ago. 100% worth the investment since it’s still the best on the market (in terms of function at least). Finally, I’m obsessed with DoubleBlind Magazine. Nothing brings me more joy than reading it cover to cover. It’s so incredibly well-curated, thought-provoking, and inspiring for anyone interested in sacred plant healing.
What's in the pipeline for Aquerone?
Way more things than I can keep up with! In-person events/retreats, brand collabs and launching our first range of products! Product development takes SO much time but there are so many interesting things to do with hemp as well as functional mushrooms.
You can order directly on Meredith’s website, and follow her work with Aquerone on Instagram
* * DISCLAIMER * * This interview is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed are the views of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent those of LIDO Lifestyle.
Please be advised that we recommend speaking to your medical practitioner or a specialised professional before trying new wellness products.
We do not endorse the use of vaping and encourage you to seek advice and inform yourself on all risks associated, before beginning.
Photos courtesy of Meredith Detko and Aquerone
