The non-psychoactive nature of CBD attracts people who want to try the alternative, natural, and holistic treatment methods. The growing concerns about the severe side effects of traditional drugs are driving the demand for CBD products.
But CBD needs to reach your endocannabinoid system before you can experience any of its effects. The amount of active ingredients that reach your bloodstream is known as bioavailability.
Once entered the bloodstream, it needs to stay there, circulating long enough to affect body organs and tissues.
Therefore, it is critical to know how much CBD gets absorbed and used after entering the body. CBD absorption provides a useful way of estimating how effective it might be.
Mainly a process known as pharmacokinetics is responsible for the processing of the compounds by the body. Additionally, the route of entry or delivery methods also matters how much and how quickly CBD enters the bloodstream.
CBD Oil Bioavailability
The CBD absorption rate ranges from 4 – 56%, which means only a limited amount of cannabidiol we take reaches our bloodstream. The major portion of our CBD is broken down on the way or lost through other bodily processes.
The absorption of CBD oil is lowest when taken orally; the body gets the least amount of CBD compared to other consumption methods. While holding cannabidiol oil under the tongue may result in as high an absorption rate as 35%.
CBD absorption rate
The CBD absorption rate largely depends upon the delivery method. Some CBD consumption methods result in higher bioavailability of the compound than others.
When you vaporize or inhale CBD, you experience the highest CBD absorption rate of 6%. It is the highest amount of the compound to reach your bloodstream. In other words, inhaling is the most effective way to take CBD.
CBD taken through the oral path, such as CBD pills must pass through the digestive system and liver. The process wastes a significant amount of cannabidiol, leaving only 4-20% available for body use. It means CBD ingestion is the least efficient way to experience the CBD effects.
Sublingual consumption allows CBD to enter the bloodstream from the mouth cavity. Since it bypasses the digestive system, 35% of CBD is available in the body to reach various organs and tissues.
It means sublingual CBD does not break down in the digestive system, so losses are minimum, and a significant amount of cannabidiol is available for transportation to various body parts.
The CBD oil and tinctures produce the most potent effects when taken sublingually. This method to take CBD has a few drawbacks since some products are hard to place under the tongue and can create a bitter taste in the mouth.
How to increase CBD bioavailability?
To get the most out of your CBD dose, use the following tips to boost the amount of CBD that reaches your bloodstream:
- Take CBD with fatty meals
CBD dissolves well in fats. By combining CBD with a fatty meal, you can help more cannabidiol to survive through the digestive system. The studies have shown that CBD taken with a fat-enriched meal can increase the absorption rate four times compared to CBD taken alone.
- Use Water-soluble CBD products
Water-soluble CBD can provide better bioavailability than oil-based products. It quickly passes through the gut avoiding the first stage of digestion. Some amount of CBD still could be lost in your system, but studies show the resulting concentration in your blood is higher than oil-based CBD products.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
