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Feel like you’ve gone insane yet? 2020 was, to say the least, crazy, and 2021 is starting to fill in last year’s shoes. While the news cycle has long been a stress-inducing catalyst, the past 12 months have just been different. Anxiety and Depression Association of America found that over 30 percent of adults will experience some form of anxiety at some point in their life. And who knows what that number is at this point in time.
Thankfully, a range of new companies is finding ways to combat this crisis, incorporating ingredients growing in popularity like CBD and THC. And there is no shortage of brands and investors trying to reap the benefits of the growing markets; new venture capital funds like New York-based Vice Ventures focus specifically on often-overlooked companies in cannabis, nicotine, and alcohol, among others.
Sip It Away
Recess, launched in October 2018, capitalizes on two emerging categories: sparkling beverages and CBD-infused consumables. The brand’s tagline “an antidote to modern times” is all the more relevant today. Recess’s website explains more about how it hopes to help you, writing “hemp and adaptogens interact with our endocannabinoid system to help our body maintain equilibrium and homeostasis. we chose a specific group of adaptogens known for their ability to help manage stress and promote a feeling of calm and focus when you need it most. what you’re left with can only be described as a feeling: calm, cool, collected.” Founder Ben Witte told Yahoo Finance he believes that CBD will be the caffeine of the 21st century.
We reviewed Recess here at The Quality Edit this past summer and had very good things to say. You can also purchase it here. (If you’re located in Canada, Daydream offers a very similar product, but with different flavors.)
Instead of sticking with just CBD, Cann has created a “social tonic” that has 2 mg of THC and 4 mg of CBD and other all-natural ingredients for flavors like “Lemon Lavender” and “Grapefruit Rosemary.” The company raised $5 million in January from investors including Imaginary and cannabis-focused JM10 Partners.
Smoke It Away
It was only a matter of time. Marijuana culture has become mainstream, often being cited as being better for you than alcohol, and several new brands are positioned as a “premium high.” Several companies are also creating unique and interesting methods to consume THC. Serra—dubbed the “Modern Druggist”—is a cannabis brand with flagship stores in Portland and Los Angeles, stockists all over Oregon, and a delivery service that takes out all the stress of leaving the home. While they offer a traditional selection of all-in-one vaporizers, the brand seems all-in on premium edibles: caramels, gumdrops, a chocolate bar, and for the initiated, a high-dose BonBon treat. The chocolate bar is made in partnership with bean-to-bar maker Woodblock Chocolate and one flavor is even made with Stumptown Coffee beans. The BonBons are “dusted with sea salt” and they look so good I’d be tempted to snack on a handful in one sitting, although that probably wouldn’t end well...
Another weed startup leveraging the power of the direct-to-consumer model is Sunday Goods. The retailer grows all-natural cannabis in a greenhouse in Arizona and sells similar vaporizers in Arizona and California. The brand was designed by former design studio Gin Lane, who has also done work for numerous other DTC brands including Recess.
Sleep It Away
One of the biggest health trends in recent years has been aromatherapy (using oils and natural plant extracts to promote health and well being). Clear the airways of toxic thoughts and fears with a toxin-free candle or oil diffuser. Otherland is leading the luxury charge with $36 items made in the U.S. The brand raised its first institutional money in a $2.7 million seed round led by Lerer Hippeau in October of last year. In case you’re overwhelmed about the number of candle brands available online, we tried them out for you.
vitruvi makes high-end stone diffusers and essential oils and was founded by “experts in natural scenting.” Several studies have shown that essential oils play a strong role in producing positive feelings of happiness and calm. vitruvi is also a key ingredient in editor Tatiana’s spa night regimen.
In addition to aromatherapy, Casper (the “Nike of sleep”) partnered with CBD brand PLUS Products to expand its line of textile sleep products to gummy snacks for a better rest in September 2019. Although the gummies from the collaboration are no longer available, PLUS offers three flavors of high-dose candies to help get better sleep.
Chew It Away
One of our stress-relieving favorites, PYM Mood Chews are unique in their natural and functional approach to mood management. Founded by Robin Williams’s son Zak Williams to actually get at the root of his emotional distress, these Mood Chews draw on three naturally-occurring but effective ingredients to alleviate stress. With GABA, Rhodiola, and L-Theanine, PYM combats stress, depression, and anxiety in a small and delicious package.
The Anxiety Economy isn’t going anywhere, and with some of the biggest trends like CBD and marijuana attracting high volumes of investment, the amount of products helping cure anxiety is in no shortage. But, the better solution may just be to turn off the television.
