We Are A Natural Sciences Company.
Not A Beverage Brand.
Shift products are designed around plant molecules your body already understands โ hemp-derived cannabinoids, active terpenes, and functional ingredients. Every compound is here for a reason. Every reason is documented.
The Science, in Ryan's Words
We don't hide behind white papers. Ryan breaks down the research publicly โ the studies, the mechanisms, the honest caveats about what we know and what we're still learning.
Plant molecules your body already understands.
Terpene w/ CB2 Activity
ฮฒ-Caryophyllene (BCP) is the only terpene on earth classified as a dietary cannabinoid. It binds selectively to CB2 receptors in immune cells and muscle tissue โ producing anti-inflammatory effects with zero psychoactive action. It's also an FDA-approved food additive found in black pepper, cloves, and hemp.
Landmark PNAS Study
Gertsch et al. identified BCP as the first dietary cannabinoid at the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It has since been replicated across dozens of peer-reviewed studies examining pain, inflammation, and neuroprotection.
Oral BCP Effect vs. Synthetic CB2 Agonist โ Directional Findings from Peer-Reviewed Animal Models
Gertsch J, et al. ฮฒ-Caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2008 โ landmark CB2 receptor identification.
Klauke AL, et al. The CB2-selective phytocannabinoid beta-caryophyllene exerts analgesic effects in models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. European Journal of Pain, 2014 โ oral BCP outperformed injected synthetic CB2 agonist.
Blake K. Beta-Caryophyllene: a Review of Current Research. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2021.
Bar widths are directional representations of published findings, not exact percentage reductions. Independent verification recommended for clinical applications.
Brain โ The runner's high & mood
Anandamide binds CB1 receptors, elevating dopamine and serotonin โ creating the euphoric, anxiolytic effect of exercise. Endorphins were the prior theory; a 2021 human study proved they can't cross the blood-brain barrier.
Siebers et al., Psychoneuroendocrinology, April 2021
Muscles โ Inflammation & recovery
CB2 activation in muscle tissue reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ฮฒ, IL-6) and oxidative stress โ promoting faster recovery and reducing soreness after intense exercise. ฮฒ-caryophyllene in DownShift directly activates these receptors.
Gertsch et al., PNAS, 2008 / Klauke et al., European Journal of Pain, 2014
Cardiovascular โ Blood flow & endurance
Anandamide influences vasodilation, improving oxygen delivery to muscles during prolonged exercise. Exercise itself raises serum endocannabinoid concentrations โ the hemp formula works with a system already activated by movement.
Dietrich & McDaniel, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2004
Nervous System โ Pain modulation
2-AG activates CB1 receptors along the spinal cord and peripheral nerves, blocking pain signals โ supporting endurance during high-effort activity without the dependency risks of opioids.
Mechoulam & Ben-Shabat, Neurochemical Research, 1999
Siebers M, et al. Exercise-induced euphoria and anxiolysis do not depend on endogenous opioids in humans. Psychoneuroendocrinology, April 2021.
Dietrich A, McDaniel WF. Endocannabinoids and exercise. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2004.
Mechoulam R, Ben-Shabat S. From "botanical drugs" to the concept of endocannabinoid system. Neurochemical Research, 1999.
CBD Isolate
1×
Baseline bloodstream concentration at equivalent oral dose
- Single cannabinoid pathway only
- No terpene synergy
- Higher dose required for equivalent effect
- ฮฒ-caryophyllene CB2 activity absent
- THC-free โ suitable for drug testing
Full-Spectrum Hemp
14×
Higher CBDA concentration in bloodstream vs. isolate at same oral dose โ University of Sydney Lambert Initiative, Scientific Reports, 2021
- Multiple cannabinoid pathways simultaneously
- ฮฒ-caryophyllene activates CB2 directly
- Greater efficiency at lower effective dose
- Active terpenes preserved โ not stripped
The Mechanism โ Pharmacokinetic, Not Just Receptor-Level
Cannabinoids in a full-spectrum extract interact at transport proteins in the gut wall, increasing the absorption rate of each individual compound into the bloodstream. This is distinct from the contested "entourage effect" hypothesis โ the absorption advantage is pharmacokinetically documented and independent of receptor activity. It's why DownShift uses full-spectrum hemp and preserves its terpene profile rather than isolating CBD.
Anderson LL, et al. Pharmacokinetic interactions and therapeutic potential of a full-spectrum hemp extract. Scientific Reports (University of Sydney, Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics), 2021.
Johnson JR, et al. Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of THC:CBD extract versus THC-dominant extract. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2010 โ whole plant extract outperformed THC-dominant isolate on clinical pain outcomes.
Content reflects published peer-reviewed research. Not intended as medical advice.
Test. Test. Test.
Every Batch.
Every Molecule.
Public Results.
We don't test for compliance. We test because our customers deserve to know exactly what's in their products. Every batch is independently verified by a third-party laboratory โ results are always publicly available.
Third Party Tested
Every batch sent to an independent ISO-certified lab. No in-house results. No exceptions. COAs are published for every product.
No Synthetic Cannabinoids
We keep it real. You will never find synthetic isolates or artificial cannabinoids in our formulationsโonly the real deal.
Relaxing Sensation
ฮฒ-caryophyllene binds CB2 receptors to reduce physical tension and promote a calm, grounded state โ especially after exertion.
Clean Extraction & Emulsion
Pure from plant to product. We strictly avoid petrochemicals and harsh solvents throughout our entire extraction and emulsion process.
