Podcast Summary: Lipstick on the Rim
Episode: “Why Functional Wellness Should Be Part of Your Routine – with oHHo’s Founders”
Air date: April 21, 2026
Hosts: Molly Sims & Emese Gormley
Guests: Nicola and James Stevenson, Founders of oHHo
Episode Overview
This episode explores the rise of functional wellness, focusing specifically on cannabis-derived products—CBD and THC—and how they fit into the modern self-care routine. Molly and Emese, known for their candid takes on all things beauty and wellness, welcome Nicola and James Stevenson of oHHo, a brand rooted in personal wellness journeys and plant-based solutions, to demystify cannabinoids and share tips for incorporating their products for better sleep, anxiety management, and overall well-being.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Evolving Attitudes on Wellness and Sleep Aids
- Changing Nightstand Staples:
Both hosts discuss how their approach to sleep and wellness aids—from melatonin to magnesium and now to gummies—has changed over the years, reflecting a broader trend.
- Molly: “There’s magnesium, there’s gummies, and there’s a lot of options. But things have changed and there’s a lot of noise.” [01:00]
- The Sleep Struggle:
Perimenopause, stress, and busy lives lead to disrupted sleep, driving experimentation with new remedies.
- Emese on perimenopause: “My sleep is completely messed... The lack of sleep begets the lack of sleep.” [01:53]
- Open Conversations:
Sleep and wellness—once taboo, especially around cannabis—are now “our version of talking about the weather.” [01:40]
2. Cannabis: From Taboo to Mainstream
- Personal Journeys:
Both Molly and Emese recount moving away from traditional pharmaceuticals (Ambien, Xanax) in favor of natural alternatives like CBD/THC gummies and tinctures.
- Molly on Ambien era: “Ambien would make you eat, and you can’t remember it... everybody stopped taking it.” [02:46]
- Harvard Study on Cannabis & Menopause:
Nearly 79% of surveyed women used cannabis for perimenopausal symptoms; most found it helpful for sleep and anxiety. [04:48]
- Social Acceptance:
Cannabis edibles are becoming night-in alternatives to alcohol for relaxation and sleep within their friend groups.
3. Introducing oHHo: The Founders’ Story
- Personal Motivations:
Nicola diagnosed with tongue cancer after relocating from London to New York; James began exploring plant-based wellness (CBD) during her recovery. [09:38–12:51]
- Nicola: “If ever you have a mouth ulcer… get it checked out.” [11:03]
- James: “I started using [CBD]… helping with post recovery… and anxiety.” [11:22]
- Brand Ethos:
oHHo’s core values: “Process, not profit. Herbal, not artificial.” They insist on full-spectrum formulas (including THC and minor cannabinoids) and real, effective dosages. [14:26]
- James: “From day one, we had THC in our products.” [14:50]
- Product Line Development:
Started with two tinctures—one for sleep, one for daytime anxiety/muscle recovery. [13:46]
4. Education on Cannabinoids & How Products Work
- Full Spectrum Approach:
Combination of CBD, THC, and minor cannabinoids (like CBN) offers balanced effects and broader benefits.
- James explaining cannabinoids:
“CBD acts as an antagonist to THC… it smooths the experience out.” [15:06]
- Product Formats:
oHHo offers tinctures, gummies, chocolate, seltzers, and topicals—each with different onset times and experiences.
- Nicola: Topicals are recommended for beginners worried about psychoactive effects; “You’re not going to get high hands.” [19:21]
- Customization and Tolerance:
Effects are personal and dose-dependent; moderation and experimentation are key.
- Nicola: “Stronger’s not always better… It’s all cellular, so it really depends.” [23:39]
5. Detailed Product Walkthroughs
- Dream Cream Hand Cream:
Fast-absorbing, neroli/orange blossom scented, anti-inflammatory, and great for arthritis/joint pain.
- Emese: “It absorbs quickly, hydrates, I was rubbing it on my legs at night and it really helped.” [18:49]
- Chocolate & Gummies:
For sleep and relaxation, oHHo recommends starting with CBN-enhanced chocolate (not jumping straight to high-dose gummies). [20:04]
- James: “If it’s your first time… our chocolate is a good place to start.” [20:15]
- THC Seltzers:
Flavors like red cherry & lime, blood orange & pomegranate; low-dose alternatives to evening wine.
- James: “It’s just a great alternative in the evening to a glass of wine. It’s more calming.” [24:21]
- New Functional Energy Drink:
Lion’s mane & cordyceps mushrooms, natural caffeine, L-theanine; no THC or CBD.
- James: “Rather than a powder, this is a concentrated aqueous solution… great for focus, without the jitters.” [25:12–26:22]
6. Myth Busting & Product Quality
- CBD won’t get you high:
James: “No, it won’t get you high. It’s not intoxicating.” [28:03]
- Not all CBD is created equal:
Importance of sourcing, extraction, and adequate dosage.
- James: “The input that we use for our chocolate is about $1,000 a kilo… you can buy it for $200 a kilo. But it’s not the same product.” [28:11]
- You don’t need super high doses:
Topicals target pain/inflammation; drinks have quick onset due to nanotechnology; gummies and chocolates take longer to feel. [29:06–29:30]
7. Regulation, the Industry’s Future, and Accessibility
- Current Legal Landscape:
Potential US legislation changes may impact low-dose hemp products; need for better regulation and industry standards.
- Nicola: “There has been hemp language amended in the farm bill, which could wipe out all of what we call low dose hemp products…” [31:13]
- Price Points:
- Chocolate bar: $22
- Gummies: ~$14–15
- Seltzer 4-pack: $16.99–18.99
- Topicals: premium but competitive ($60) [30:08–30:59]
- Industry Partnerships:
Alcohol industry and non-alcoholic beverages are starting to embrace cannabis-based wellness options. [32:03–33:45]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Nearly 79% [of perimenopausal women] were using cannabis to manage their symptoms…67% said it helped with sleep.” — Molly [04:47]
- “Ambien would make you eat, and you can’t remember it…everybody stopped taking it. Then magnesium coming into my life made a massive difference.” — Molly [02:46]
- “If ever you have a mouth ulcer…get it checked out.” — Nicola [11:03]
- “For me, if I don’t sleep, I’m wrecked.” — Emese [05:54]
- “Process, not profit. Herbal, not artificial.” — oHHo brand ethos, explained by hosts [14:26]
- “Start low, go slow.” — James, on best advice for new users [various]
- “The museum high.” — James, describing the light, functional, social buzz of low-dose THC gummies [22:04]
- “Plant-based wellness is not just a trend. The science is catching up. The pharmaceutical industry would like it not to work, but it does.” — James [29:47]
- “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” — Nicola, advice to her 10-year-old self [35:58]
- “I would be less of a smart mouth.” — James, advice to his younger self [36:05]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:40 — The new “weather” talk: sleep and hormone disruption
- 04:48 — The Harvard study on cannabinoids and menopause
- 09:38 — Nicola and James’s move from London to NY, cancer diagnosis, wellness journey origin
- 14:26 — oHHo’s ethos and full-spectrum formulation
- 15:06 — Explaining cannabinoids: CBD, THC, and minor compounds
- 17:20 — Dream cream and topicals discussion
- 20:04 — Product recommendations for sleep (CBN chocolate)
- 22:04 — Defining “the museum high” and functional low-dose uses
- 25:12 — New functional mushroom-based energy drink
- 29:06 — Onset times: drinks vs. edibles vs. topicals
- 31:13 — Pending US legislation, regulatory challenges
- 35:58 — Founders’ advice to their 10-year-old selves
Episode Tone & Language
The episode is frank, upbeat, and conversational—mixing wellness science with humor and relatable stories. The hosts maintain a “girlfriends on speed-dial” feel, making the topic approachable for listeners who may be new to cannabis or skeptical of wellness trends. The guests, Nicola and James, bring in both technical knowledge and personal vulnerability, grounding the science in lived experience.
Recommendations and Takeaways
- Start Low, Go Slow: Especially if new to cannabinoids; try a small dose of CBN chocolate or a topical first.
- Look for Full-Spectrum: Including minor cannabinoids and low-dose THC can balance effects and maximize benefits.
- Prioritize Quality: Not all CBD is created equal. Look for transparent sourcing and effective dosages.
- Functional Wellness = Routine: Consider plant-based products as part of a holistic, routine approach to sleep, anxiety, and daily health, not just crisis intervention.
- Watch the Legal Landscape: Ask about regulation and third-party testing; the industry is evolving rapidly.
For more information, shop and brand details, follow @weareoHHo on Instagram or visit their website. Use code LIPSTICK for 20% off (as mentioned by Molly).
Episode Call to Action:
“Start with the chocolate.” – James Stevenson [37:27]