Divine Synergy: Natural Health for the Mind and Body with CBD

Apr 29, 2020 07:08PM ● By Tavi Meketon

Eric Gutierrez was given a weightlifting set when he was only nine. Since then, he’s been studying health and wellness, providing “better medicine”, and most importantly, educating people on the importance of a comprehensive view of the body and mind. In April 2019, he opened Divine Synergy Therapeutics with the mission of bringing only the highest quality products to his customers. His goal to offer a selection of natural products containing CBD and hemp were a way for him to help others and provide a holistic path to health for many.

Gutierrez’s passion is to provide an effective and healthy solution for those searching for answers to a myriad of health and wellness issues that can be addressed by nature and nutrition. He sources his products based on a few simple goals that are summed up by the word “integrity”. He searches only for products that have been tested by third-party laboratories that are free of all heavy metals, pesticides and other particulates. All of Divine Synergy’s products include a COA, a full-panel certificate of analysis issued by an accredited laboratory that includes the full composition of a product.

Gutierrez is proud that more than 95 percent of his customers return regularly and word of mouth is his best form of advertising. One can easily miss the storefront, as it sits in the middle of an unassuming row of small businesses on the east side of Park Avenue. Inside, it is warm and friendly with a wide variety of hemp and CBD products including salves, oils, tinctures, balms and healthy edibles. Gutierrez is a patient and knowledgeable teacher who carefully explains dosage, timing and exactly how they can improve health.

Anyone who has considered CBD or cannabinoids is familiar with the tremendous amount of information available and how much of it can be confusing. CBD vs. hemp, broad spectrum vs. full spectrum, total plant vs. isolate—buzz words that shoppers can spend significant time and energy wading through only to find that the research they have done is just to understand the basics. Ingredients can be confusing too; “active” ingredients may not be reflected accurately, and terminology may be incorrect. “We are not regulated at this point in Arizona,” says Gutierrez. “That means that manufacturers may not only label their products incorrectly, but the customer has no way of knowing exact ingredients and amounts.”

Talking with Gutierrez, it is evident how strongly he feels about the direct role food has on healthy living and ultimately, the effectiveness of any CBD supplement. “We don’t carry any gummies at all,” he says, citing his emphatic belief in a holistic approach to health. Some of the popular products available in the CBD market, including gummies, are high in fructose and food coloring. “You can’t expect to improve your health if you ingest these types of ingredients,” says Gutierrez.

Consumers are also confused about the differences—properties, benefits and risks—among CBD, THC and hemp. According to the National Institutes of Health, “cannabis” refers to all products derived from the plant Cannabis sativa, which contains about 540 chemical substances. The word “marijuana” refers to the part of, or products from, the plant Cannabis sativa that contain substantial amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the substance that is primarily responsible for the effects of marijuana on a person’s mental state. Hemp typically has very low amounts of THC and a main distinction between hemp and CBD is the variety of plant they are derived from and what part of the plant is used.

Dosage is another big question for many. Dosage is determined by volume, solution strength and how one’s body reacts. Gutierrez considers weight, body composition and overall food and drug intake to be major components in success. Tracking these components over time is key to finding the right balance.

In addition to requiring a COA for each product sold, Divine Synergy only sources products of the total plant. There are two main forms of CBD on the market: broad spectrum CBD, also referred to as full spectrum, and CBD isolate. Cannabis, with its complex chemical structure, contains over 100 active cannabinoids in addition to CBD. In much of the current research, broad spectrum appears to be more effective in addressing many health issues.

In sourcing products, Eric also looks for other ingredients including terpenes, phytonutrients and others that work synergistically with the endocannabinoid system to provide the highest level of effectiveness and quality. Unlike other cannabinoids—such as THC—CBD does not produce a euphoric “high” or psychoactive effect. It produces some cannabinoids of its own, called endocannabinoids, which help regulate functions such as sleep, immune system responses and pain.

“Our receptors are open to these,” says Gutierrez, who personally tests all the products he orders. He has learned to track the effects of all his products and can identify their quality and whether their intended use can be confirmed. He follows brands and products with “momentum” to see if they can stand up to his expectations. He draws similarities between agents introduced to the system that look directly for deficiencies, toxicities, inflammation and other ailments to address them at their root.

In addition to Divine Synergy’s CBD and hemp products, Gutierrez has also created and manufactured his own product called Spectrum Water. Spectrum was designed to provide a high energy and healthy option to other drinks and includes terpenes (the ingredient that gives plants odor), fulvic acid and 84 other minerals and electrolytes. “This combination drives the nutrients into the cells in order to hydrate and protect them,” says Gutierrez.

Gutierrez says his biggest challenges are educating the public about the products and their ingredients and, most importantly, setting expectations. “Many think CBD products are a cure-all,” he says, “but it is part of the bigger picture.” His preliminary questions for each customer pertain to other health habits such as food, exercise and stress levels. Gutierrez stresses the importance that CBD-based products are not, on their own, a quick fix. They contribute to overall health, as one component of a comprehensive view of our minds and bodies.

Divine Synergy Therapeutics & CBD is located at 143 S. Park Ave., Tucson.
Connect at 520-351-9828 or Facebook.com/DivineSynergyTherapeutics. See ad, page 35.

Tavi Meketon, MBA, SPHR is a local
author and business executive who
focuses on supporting individuals and organizations through proactive strategies and comprehensive solutions. Connect at [email protected].

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