In a recent episode of “A Healthy Point of View” podcast, Sam Tejada, CEO and Founder of Liquivida®, sat down with Joe Young, Dan Reed, and Miles Terry, the founding minds behind PICO IV, the first sterile, systemic, water-soluble cannabinoid IV therapy that works at the pico-molecule level.
What does that mean? In simple terms, it’s a new kind of IV therapy that allows cannabinoids to be absorbed by the body faster, deeper, and more effectively without THC and without the “high” people typically associate with cannabis.
A Startup Born in a Garage
Like many big ideas, PICO IV didn’t start in a lab; it started in a garage.
Back in 2017, before the CBD boom, Miles Terry was selling solar panels with Dan Reed. When the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-based CBD, Miles became fascinated by the science behind cannabinoids. He started experimenting on his own, asking a question that would change everything: “What if CBD could be made water-soluble?”
That curiosity turned into years of trial and error and even a few small explosions in his garage. With Joe Young, who came from a real estate and tech background, and Dan Reed, a natural sales leader with a passion for wellness, the team slowly built what would become Apex Labs and eventually, PICO IV.
“We literally started with nothing but an idea and a lot of curiosity,” Joe recalls. “Once we figured out how to make cannabinoids clear, stable, and injectable, we knew we had something that could change medicine.”
What Makes PICO IV Different
Most CBD oils and tinctures are oil-based, which limits how much your body can actually absorb. Even high-quality CBD products only deliver a small fraction of what you take.
PICO IV solved that by creating water-soluble cannabinoids so tiny they operate in the pico range, one thousand times smaller than a nanometer. That scale allows the molecules to pass directly into cells and deliver benefits instantly.
When you look at it, the difference is obvious. “Nano emulsions look cloudy,” Miles explains. “Pico emulsions are crystal clear. You can see right through them, just like your body can.”
This level of absorption is what makes the therapy unique. Instead of taking a CBD oil that must be digested, PICO IV delivers cannabinoids straight into the bloodstream, allowing the body to respond within minutes.
Redefining What CBD Means
For many, the word cannabinoid still raises eyebrows, a result of years of misunderstanding and stigma. But as Sam Tejada points out, CBD isn’t THC.
“When people hear ‘cannabinoid,’ they picture someone smoking a joint,” Sam says. “But CBD is more like fish oil, you’re taking a beneficial extract from nature, not getting high.”
Dan Reed adds, “There are over 200 cannabinoids in the hemp plant, and THC is only one. We’re focusing on the compounds that work with the body’s natural systems to help restore balance.”
The Body’s Hidden Network
That system is called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors throughout the body that helps regulate mood, pain, immune function, and inflammation.
“The ECS is your body’s internal communication system,” Dan explains. “It monitors everything from your hormones to your immune response and sends signals to bring things back into balance.”
PICO IV’s technology allows cannabinoids to reach those receptors more efficiently than ever before. Because the particles are so small, they can cross barriers that typical supplements can’t, meaning faster recovery, less inflammation, and more cellular support where it’s needed most.
Backed by Science, Built for the Future
PICO IV isn’t just a theory; it’s being put to the test. The company is currently working with the University of Illinois and international researchers to study the therapy’s safety, efficacy, and long-term effects. They’re also in talks with the FDA and several countries, including Australia, Mexico, and Brazil, to advance clinical testing and approvals.
At the same time, the team has created a platform through Advanced MD that allows doctors across 1,100 clinics to track and share patient outcomes. It’s an innovative approach that blends clinical precision with open collaboration, giving healthcare providers around the world access to real data.
A Return to Natural Medicine
While the science behind PICO IV is cutting-edge, the philosophy is beautifully simple.
“We believe the future of medicine looks a lot like its past,” says Dan. “For thousands of years, people relied on plants for healing. We’re just finding new ways to bring that wisdom back, using the tools of modern science.”
Miles agrees. “We take every safety step possible from sterile manufacturing to e-beam sterilization because if you’re putting something into your body, it should be pure and precise. But at the heart of it, it’s still about helping the body heal naturally.”
More Than CBD
What’s next for the PICO IV team goes beyond cannabinoids. They’re already exploring pico-level versions of curcumin, CoQ10, vitamin D, and other natural compounds that could transform IV therapy as a whole.
As Sam puts it, “This isn’t just a product. It’s a new way of thinking about wellness, one that blends innovation with integrity, science with nature. It’s the next evolution of functional health.”