How I Use the GI by Curio Line

​Over the summer I had the chance to get to know more about Curio Wellness and more specifically the GI by Curio™ line. I had been using the products for a while to help my GI symptoms so getting to hear more about the creation and science behind the products was enlightening. The podcast episode I did with Chief Revenue Officer, Rebecca Raphael, covered some FAQs about medical cannabis usage along with some specifics about the formulation of the GI line. You can listen to that full episode here. I also shared a post highlighting some of my favorite GI by Curio remedies. 

Since the podcast and post went live I have received a ton of questions as well as requests for some more in depth details on the products I love and why they work. I’ve teamed up with Curio to address some of these topics and hopefully answer the questions you all may still have!

​The most popular question (and the one that I immediately had when I started considering the GI by Curio line) was what makes these medical cannabis products different? How are they different from just any cannabis product you’d pick up at your dispensary? A few things to call out here… First off, the CBG in the products is a game changer. In my recent podcast episode with Dr. Morris from Duber Medical she explained how CBG is a cannabinoid that has been found to target the gut. Having a formulation with CBG, CBD, and THC is a winning combination for addressing GI symptoms. The four products found in the GI by Curio line have varying ratios of CBG, CBD, and THC concentration depending on the ideal use. Each of the products has other unique differences which I will touch on later. 

Another big point of difference in the GI by Curio line is the involvement of Curio’s Scientific Advisory Board in product formulation. They ensure not only product safety, but also formulation to specifically address symptoms experienced by IBD, IBS, and other chronic gastrointestinal disease sufferers. Knowing that the products are created specifically for IBD patients gave me a lot of peace of mind when trying out the products for the first time. 

Another question I get asked frequently is about the THC potency and impairment due to THC. These products were created truly for medical use which means they kept the levels of THC as low as possible in order to provide maximum benefit with minimal impairment. Of course, I always recommend starting with a small dose since cannabis impacts everyone differently, but the goal of these products is to provide symptom relief not impairment. This is another factor that was really important to me when choosing medical cannabis products. A lot of the medications I was prescribed to treat my GI symptoms came with other side effects, one of which was extreme fatigue. I struggled to take these medications and then continue on my daily activities. So while my symptoms may be put at bay I was unable to function normally due to the fatigue. With the GI by Curio products I am able to control my symptoms and fully function since I do not experience impairment or other side effects while using the recommended dosing of the products. 

​The last piece I want to touch on is when to use which products. Everyone has their own routine and product combinations that work best for them. I will share mine along with some of the key benefits/why I use these products in specific scenarios. Again, this is just my personal routine, what works for you may be different, but this could be a good place to start if you are just starting out with the line. 

​The GI Comfort Tablets are my favorite for everyday use. They have a generous dose of both CBD and CBG which provide anti-inflammatory benefits as well and antimicrobial benefits. I take these as part of my daily routine and think of them sort of as a maintenance product. They aren’t necessarily for immediate pain relief or symptom relief, but over about a week of use I started to notice an overall difference in my daily symptoms. I also noticed this helped my anxiety levels even out when I first started taking the tablets regularly. The tablets are a great starting point if you are interested in dipping your toe in the medical cannabis world. They have an extremely low level of THC so you can expect no impairment when using this product. 

​The next product that I love is the Soothe Tincture. I recently did an Instagram post about how much I love this product. I was able to replace my prescription anti-nausea medication with the tincture, which was a huge win for me. The Soothe Tincture was formulated specifically to target nausea. I had always heard that cannabis was a great remedy for nausea, but I was never confident enough in my knowledge to choose a strain or method that I thought would work without causing any impairment. This product was the answer. All the guesswork is taken out of the process and there are specific dosing instructions so you receive maximum benefit without the impairment. This has helped me with nausea related to my IBD as well as motion sickness. You consume the droplets under your tongue and symptom relief usually starts in about 20-30 minutes. 

​Next up is the Soothe Vape. This is a great choice for immediate relief. If I am having active pain along with nausea this is my go to. It is formulated specifically to help with both nausea and pain while also providing a calming effect. This is helpful for managing nighttime pain and getting a better night's sleep. I also find this product very effective in soothing some of my joint pain that is associated with my Crohn’s Disease. Prior to switching to medical cannabis products like this one, I was prescribed different medications from muscle relaxers to opiates. These of course are not ideal for long term use and have many side effects (as well as potential addiction risks) that come with them. I am now able to find the same if not more effective relief without the risks and side effects. As someone who was always a tablet or edible girl, the vape seemed a bit intimidating, but dispensary staff can help make sure you are good to go and comfortable with your choice. 

Last up are the Stimulate Chews. Not to be dramatic, but these have been life changing. They have an even balance of CBG and THC. I usually take half of a chew which leaves me feeling better without any impairment. The effects are truly incredible though. These have helped me so much with pain relief, especially when I am experiencing cramping or stomach spasms. They usually kick in about an hour after I take one, sometimes quicker if I eat a small snack with it. These are a nighttime go to for me when I am in a lot of pain. They also help to ease my anxiety (often triggered by the pain and increase of symptoms) so it is a two in one fix. These were designed to help potentially increase appetite. I was worried (like I hear from many other patients) that it will swing the pendulum in the other direction and make you outrageously hungry. For me that has not been the case at all. Instead I describe the effect as making eating more bearable. If you are a GI symptom sufferer you know how excruciating it can be to eat when you are experiencing active symptoms. This has helped me be able to eat when before it was too painful. I also find if I eat something that starts to cause discomfort, taking a half of a chew can help make digestion of that feel less painful. 

I can confidently say that in my experience all four of the GI by Curio products have contributed to symptom relief and improved quality of life for me. I am able to get relief from debilitating symptoms while still being able to participate actively in life and my children’s lives. I have shared my experience with many other IBD sufferers who have also seen benefits from these products and continue to use them in their daily lives. I hope this post helps to answer questions you may have. I am always open to sharing more about my experience and answering questions about my experience as well. 

To round out this post I just want to say a huge thank you to Curio for being so dedicated to providing reliable products that treat symptoms that IBD sufferers experience. It has been a relief to have a trusted place to turn to for medical cannabis products I can count on. With their commitment to safety and the involvement of their Scientific Advisory Board I feel confident that I am choosing a symptom management option that works and fits my lifestyle.