We recently connected with Christine Chiu and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Christine, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Over the past 30+ years, owning my own pharmacy has been a rewarding journey, allowing me the privilege of connecting with thousands of patients through counseling. One of the things that struck me was how many patients were affected by issues such as pain, inflammation, and insomnia and simply seeking relief.

As CBD grew in popularity in recent years, my curiosity led me to delve into years of research and clinical journals. I was determined to identify the purest and most extensively studied form of CBD available in the market. This journey involved understanding the mechanisms of action, potential side effects, drug interactions, metabolism, and more.

After building an understanding of how delicate CBD is, I became concerned with the volume of CBD products flooding the market, often coming from unreliable sources and boasting exaggerated (and dangerous) claims. A study of 84 CBD products purchased online showed that more than a quarter of the products contained less CBD than labeled, and 18 products contained THC. Only 31% of products tested were accurately labeled for CBD content.

I felt a responsibility to create my own product, rooted in authenticity, made with the highest quality ingredients in a pharmaceutical lab. I then found a local grower/distributor who shared my passion for excellence. We both shared a common goal: to produce products using the purest form of CBD (CBD Isolate), without any THC, and verified for purity and potency by third-party labs.

I then dedicated my medical expertise to creating proprietary formulations, researching different types of terpenes that could address insomnia without causing unwanted effects. The process involved numerous trial and error, as there was no established recipe for the specific product I envisioned.

I wanted to share a personal note: I come from a family where insomnia runs deep. For years, I struggled to sleep, often not finding rest until the early hours of the morning. Watching my late father rely on prescription pills for over 20 years, only to become tolerant and dependent on them, was heartbreaking. He struggled to stay alert during the day, resembling a mere shadow of himself. Tragically, my paternal grandmother’s life was cut short at the young age of 41 due to an overdose of sleep medication.

At the end of my research, we created our CBD Sleep Support, which has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of patients. Our patients experience deep REM sleep and wake up refreshed after a full 7-8 hours of rest, without any lingering grogginess. Our product is also designed to avoid tolerance or dependency issues, offering a safer alternative for those struggling with sleep issues. Helping our patients has been immensely rewarding, and I am excited to continue this journey of exploration and innovation to enhance the well-being of those we serve.

Christine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a graduate of the University of California, San Francisco, with a Doctorate degree in Pharmacy, having studied Clinical Pharmacology and dedicated over 30years to the field as a pharmacist, I’ve witnessed firsthand the many benefits of prescription drugs. However, I’ve also seen the significant side effects and drug interactions that patients often experience, sometimes leading to a cycle of additional medications being prescribed to address these side effects.

Despite my best efforts to counsel patients on the potential side effects of medications, I’ve observed that these issues can often lead to compliance issues and further complications for them. Many patients have expressed a desire for a more natural approach to managing their health needs.

This led me to explore CBD due to its minimal side effects when taken at the correct dosage. CBD has shown promise in addressing inflammation, pain, and promoting a sense of calm, among other benefits. However, it’s important to note that the effects of CBD are not immediate, and consistency in dosage is key.

In my experience, education plays a vital role in the successful use of CBD. I believe that understanding how to properly administer CBD is crucial. The most effective way to take CBD is through mucous membranes, such as under the tongue, buccal mucosa or via rectal and vaginal routes, ensuring direct absorption into the bloodstream.

For anyone interested in learning more about CBD and how it may benefit them, I offer personalized consultations through our website. When you schedule a consultation, you’ll speak directly with me—no intermediaries or salespeople. My goal is to provide individuals with the knowledge and guidance they need to make informed decisions about their health.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Honesty and passion are values that I hold in high regard and are all integral to my approach. After speaking with clients and thoroughly reviewing their medication history, age, lab values, and therapy goals, if I don’t believe that CBD is the right fit for them, I won’t hesitate to educate them on the potential risks and contraindications. As a pharmacist, I see the whole person, and my priority is always providing honest guidance, rather than focusing on making sales.

One of my TRU passions is senior dog rescue, and it’s something that’s close to my heart. My daughter, Allison, inspired me to get involved in this cause, and together, we rescued a senior pit bull named Darla four years ago. Despite her difficult past and the challenges she’s faced, Darla is the epitome of forgiveness, love, and loyalty. Her goofy smile with her tongue hanging out from her broken jaw and her unique gait due to arthritis and old injuries make her a beloved figure in our neighborhood. Darla’s resilience motivates me to work hard so that I can give back to senior dog rescue organizations such as Lionel’s Legacy where I rescued Darla.

My sincere desire to help others drives me to utilize all the knowledge I’ve gained from my years of graduate school training and experience as a pharmacist. Anyone can schedule a call with me through our website to discuss their concerns or ask questions. When they speak with me, they’re speaking directly with a founder and a pharmacist. I firmly believe that education is essential, whether it’s about prescription medications or natural products.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When patients began asking me about CBD, I started pouring time into clinical journals researching everything about the topic. I found that CBD Isolate, the purest form of CBD, had has been the most tested, not only in the lab, but on humans including children with wide margin of safety. For me, the education is of utmost importance. For example, I only carry CBD Isolate oil to be administered through mucous membranes such as sublingually/buccal (in the cheek)/rectal and vaginal route. It’s important to understand that if CBD is taken orally, it goes through the stomach which is very acidic environment as well as first-pass metabolism in the liver which in combination reduces the bioavailability of the compound that reaches the bloodstream. On the other hand, mucosal application allows for direct absorption of CBD into the bloodstream through the thin mucous membrane, bypassing the digestive system and the liver increasing absorption. Our Pure & Potent CBD oil products contain only two ingredients, CBD isolate in cold pressed organic hemp oil rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

We also carry topical formula, CBD Pain Relief Cream. It’s important to note this product is used for superficial pain and not for systemic absorption. To increase the penetration, we add terpenes and other ingredients. Since CBD can penetrate top layers of skin, namely stratum corneum I’m now researching the benefit of using our CBD isolate in skin and beauty treatments. This new passion is taking me to Italy, Switzerland and South Korea to source the best material that complements our CBD products.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.truleaflabs.com
• Instagram: @truleaflabs
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinechiupharmd/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tru-leaf-labs-pharmacist-formulated-cbd-products-carlsbad
• Other: https://g.page/tru-leaf-labs?share