Behind The Pour: Learn How RIVR'S THC Goes from Plant to Pour

Did you ever wonder why you feel that euphoric feeling after sipping a RIVR? You know, when movement feels effortless, breath syncs perfectly, and your mind is completely free? 

We sat down with Alex Choi, Co-Founder and CEO of Perfectly Dosed®, a leading ingredient innovation company leading the way in producing THC emulsions for infused products with groundbreaking new technologies, to break down how the THC in your favorite RIVR goes from plant to pour. 

From Farm to Formula

RIVR: Let's start at the top—where is this coming from, and how does the process begin?

Alex: “Everything starts with premium hemp, primarily sourced from Oregon and Kentucky farms. What's unique about our approach is that we only work with naturally derived THC—the kind that's concentrated from hemp plants, not chemically converted from CBD like some companies use.

This distinction matters. While chemically identical, isomerized THC (converted from CBD) is less understood and can contain unstudied byproducts from the conversion process. We only use naturally derived THC, tracking each batch from seed to shelf.

Think of our supply chain's extraction process like mining for diamonds—you strip away as much as you can to isolate the one component you want (THC). It's not the most efficient process, but it delivers the purest product, and that's what matters.”

The Science of Purity

The journey from hemp plant to the precisely dosed THC in your RIVR tea involves multiple refinement steps that transform raw plant material into pharmaceutical-grade extract.

RIVR: Walk us through the refining process—how does THC get from plant to pure distillate?

Alex: “After harvest, the hemp is dried into biomass and soaked in solvents that extract all the plant's oils—creating what we call crude oil. This is just the first step; the crude is then sent to another trusted partner who further refines it to remove non-target compounds, leaving behind a full-spectrum oil.

From there, the process gets even more precise. Since CBD and other minor cannabinoids are valuable on their own, they're extracted first, which leaves behind what we call Mother Liquor—a distillate with an even higher concentration of THC. Through multiple purification steps, including chromatography (the same kind that's used in pharmaceutical manufacturing), 90%+ pure THC is isolated.”

Every batch is fully tracked from farm to final product with certificates of analysis (COAs) at each processing step. This isn't just about following regulations—it's about earning trust with every sip.

The Magic of Emulsion

Have you ever wondered why some edibles take forever to kick in while others hit too hard? It all comes down to how THC is prepared and delivered to your body. Beverages and liquid emulsions operate differently compared to edibles. 

RIVR: Once you have high-purity THC distillate, what happens next to make it work in a beverage?

Alex: "Raw THC distillate has the consistency of a hard candy at room temperature—it's too thick to work with directly. So we blend it with other oils like MCT oil, which not only makes it more workable but also insulates the THC from oxidation, which can make the THC less potent over time."

This is where the science gets impressive:

Alex: "We combine this THC-oil mixture with pharmaceutical-grade water, pH modifiers and natural emulsifiers like gum arabic. Then comes the magic—high-pressure homogenization at 20,000 PSI, which is twice the pressure found at the bottom of the ocean! This breaks the THC-oil mixture into microscopic droplets and wraps each droplet with a carbohydrate shell that your body can absorb much more efficiently. Plus, this shell allows the THC droplets to stay evenly suspended in a beverage, meaning every sip has the same amount of THC."

The result? THC that works faster, smoother, and more predictably than traditional edibles.

Feel It Faster, Know What's Coming

RIVR: How does this emulsion improve absorption compared to traditional edibles?

Alex: "With regular edibles, your body needs to work hard to break down the THC—it reaches your small intestine, where your body produces enzymes to break it down into droplets and then bile salts to carry those droplets into your bloodstream. This slow process is why edibles can take 60+ minutes to feel. We essentially pre-digest the THC for you. Through our process, we're already breaking THC into tiny oil droplets that match the size your body would naturally process, and our carbohydrate shell mimics bile salts, allowing for rapid absorption. You'll feel effects in 10-20 minutes instead of an hour or more, and the experience is smoother and more predictable."

This faster onset and cleaner feeling isn't just convenient—it gives you control. You know when effects will start, how they'll feel, and when they'll fade. No surprises, just consistency.

Perfect for Microdosing

Many RIVR enthusiasts appreciate our products for microdosing—consuming very small amounts of THC for subtle effects without intoxication.

RIVR: What's your perspective on microdosing THC?

Alex: "Microdosing is highly personal. What's 'low-dose' for one person might feel strong to another. The key benefit is enhancing experiences without intoxication—helping people relax, focus, or enjoy activities without feeling overwhelmed. It can make sunshine feel a little warmer, creative activities flow more easily, or mundane tasks more enjoyable. It's about amplifying what's already good.”

RIVR: What's your ideal dose of cannabis? And, do you ever microdose? If so, what’s your intention?

Alex: “Personally, I like to stick to around 5 mg of THC if I'm just trying to unwind or enjoy some TV, but if I'm really relaxing and setting myself up for a great night's sleep I'll go for 10 mg! I'll admit -- I'm a newbie to microdosing. But I've loved enjoying around 3 mg of THC over a couple hours on a sunny weekend whether I'm at the pool, cooking with friends or just hanging out on the porch! I've found it's awesome for making me feel a little bit more relaxed than usual, and enjoy the lovely weather.”

Supporting Your Active Lifestyle

There's growing evidence that the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a significant role in exercise and recovery—including that famous "runner's high" feeling.

RIVR: How does THC interact with exercise and performance?

Alex: "There's fascinating research suggesting that the 'runner's high' isn't just about endorphins—it's linked to the endocannabinoid system. Some studies show that microdosing cannabinoids can help achieve that state faster by priming the system."

We loved this idea so much that we decided to do more research. You can read our findings in our Runner’s High Rewired article. 

A Transparent Partnership

At RIVR, we partner with Perfectly Dosed because they "do the science so you don't have to." Their expertise ensures that every product delivers exactly what's promised—no guesswork, no surprises.

Alex: "The nanoemulsion technology we've developed represents years of research and refinement. When we say 'perfectly dosed,' we mean it—every drop contains exactly what we say it does, behaves how we expect it to, and delivers consistent effects every time."

From farm to final product, every step is meticulously monitored to ensure purity, potency, and consistency. The result? A product you can trust, with effects you can predict, made with quality you can feel good about.

Next time you crack open a RIVR, remember there's serious science behind that perfect dose—all working in harmony to help you find your flow, whether you're hitting the trails, recovering after a workout, or simply enjoying a moment of balance in your day.