Dr. Christopher Shade has a long and winding history rooted in organic, biodynamic agriculture, as well as the impact of the environment on our health. Although he jokes about a missed opportunity, “I got out of organic farming around the same time Whole Foods was founded,” Dr. Shade continued his studies in agriculture, pollution, and toxic metals, eventually earning a patent for a mercury speciation diagnostic process to analyze metal toxicity in humans.

As founder and CEO of Quicksilver Scientific, Dr. Shade created the proprietary Quicksilver Delivery Systems for supplements that employ nanoparticle technology to increase the bioavailability and efficacy of cannabinoids and other supplements which help detoxify the body and keep various systems optimized.

Delivery, Detox, and Glutamate Dominance

As a critical element in Quicksilver supplements, Dr. Shade incorporates glutathione, a supermolecule for free radical control and immune balance. Made of three amino acids, including glutamine, glycine, and cysteine, glutathione is a naturally produced antioxidant, but many factors can impact how we produce glutathione; thus, supplementation is necessary. Unfortunately, uptake through capsule form is minimal, losing much of the efficacy.

Dr. Shade’s Quicksilver Delivery System uses liposomes and nanoemulsions, which allow the supplement to permeate through the oral cavity and into the bloodstream quickly. Dr. Shade added, “We developed whole systems for detoxification, first metals, then plastics, and molds, but we also saw that one of the basic blocks to detoxification is the mind.”

“Your mind is cranked! All stressed out and in a state of fight or flight, with glutamate dominance in the brain,” he continued. “Your nervous system is locked up.”

Then Enters Cannabinoid Supplements, Like CBD

While Dr. Shade’s team was working with the GABA neurotransmitter, someone suggested they look into CBD. An admitted skeptic, Dr. Shade, said his first response was, “Yeah, whatever.”

“But we made some, and it was great on pain, and it melted down stress, so we started applying it first the realm of autism,” he said.

With cannabinoid formulations in place to calm the neural structure, Dr. Shade found the detoxification process could happen very quickly. By using the nanoemulsions, they were able to get CBD into the body very quickly. While typical cannabinoids in the bloodstream peak somewhere between 2-8 hours after ingestion, Dr. Shade’s formulations allow for a peak in just 15-30 minutes.

“That led us to cannabis. We started to develop more products, including THC, which just adds to our arsenal,” Dr. Shade stated.

The Product Lineup

Of all the products offered by Quicksilver Scientific, they all feature the same high-delivery nanotechnology but may feature a wide variety of herbal formulations. “Some are single products, others are blends, and still others are whole-plant extracts,” Dr. Shade explained.

The pharmacy line features products with pure compounds, or two or three pure compounds blended together. Meanwhile, Dr. Shades describes their Apothecary line as the “alchemist speaking to mother nature” and consists of whole plant extracts. The Pro-Only line is intended for physicians and specialists working with a patient to resolve more specific issues.

In addition to the supplements, Quicksilver also offers test kits to help consumers make the right decisions about supplementation. The advanced tests look for toxins, lead, cadmium, and arsenic, as well as nutritional metals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper. Depending on the consumer’s location, they may need to go through a doctor for the test, but in some states, like Colorado, patients can order directly from Quicksilver.

Compliance, Medical Claims, and CBD Hand Sanitizer

Coming from the professional space in the supplement world, Dr. Shade is familiar with testing requirements. “It’s the law – everyone is supposed to test everything. It is the freaking law!” he exclaimed passionately. Starting with identity tests to confirm the product, followed by a full profile of microbials, metals, and then do potency testing, testing is simply “what’s done in the professional realm.”

In terms of medical claims, Dr. Shade warns, “Never treat, cure, or mitigate a disease. If it is a named disease, we can’t talk about it.”

So, what is allowed? Structure-function claims. You can support a system; you just can’t “fix” it.

“If you want to say more, you have to go through drug trials, so you leave it out, and stick with structure-function claims – it’s working properly, but this helps keep it working properly,” he explained. “For example, with Vitamin C, we can say it supports proper immune function. There is a ‘proper function,’ you’re there, and this supplement supports that.”

Finally, Dr. Shade confirms there is no good reason to add CBD to hand sanitizer. “The days of putting CBD in everything got really annoying, it became a gimmick,” he said. While cannabidiol could help reduce the irritation from washing your hands so much, he ultimately agreed with Genifer that a CBD lotion after washing your hands would probably be a better application.

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