Cannabinoid Absorption and Bioavailability
You may have noticed that CBD users have numerous types of products to choose from. CBD can be applied topically, vaped, consumed, or dosed sublingually. Thus, it’s easy to find a CBD product suited to your needs and your lifestyle. Although there are numerous ways to absorb CBD, it may be helpful to know a product’s impact on bioavailability. This is the amount of CBD in each dose utilized by your body. Understanding how bioavailability could influence your CBD experience could help you determine which of the many available CBD products might be right for you.
The Basics of Bioavailability
CBD is a non-intoxicating plant element that interacts with the receptors of your endocannabinoid system, the largest regulatory system in your body. Nearly every essential function, from hormone regulation to digestion, relies on the interaction between the messengers and receptors to keep essential processes working harmoniously.
Before CBD can interact with key receptors throughout your body, it needs a point of entry. When you select a consumable CBD product, a CBD edible, soft gel, capsule, or tincture, the CBD (cannabidiol) enters your bloodstream through the processes of digestion. Once entering your stomach, the CBD enters your hepatic portal system, the passageway carrying blood from your stomach to your liver.
Liver enzymes metabolize some of the CBD in consumables before the dosage enters your bloodstream. The breakdown of CBD in your liver is known as the first-pass effect. While many CBD users are not overly concerned with the first-pass effect, it’s a factor worth considering.
The Bioavailability of CBD Based on Product Type
While the first pass effect reduces the amount of CBD available in your body, you may still prefer the convenience of CBD capsules or other CBD-infused edibles. Although much of the CBD passes through your system unutilized, research shows that 10-20% still enters your bloodstream. Some CBD users find they need to compensate with a larger dose when using CBD edibles compared to other delivery methods.
Since digestion reduces the amount of CBD in your bloodstream, it can take up to 2 hours to notice significant effects. But there is an upside. Since the CBD from consumables enters your system slowly, the effects can last 6-8 hours.
Of course, there are more options besides CBD capsules, soft gels, and edibles. Several CBD delivery methods do not rely on digestion, meaning you can avoid lost bioavailability from the first-pass effect. Consider the differences in bioavailability between CBD edibles and the following products:
CBD Tinctures
A CBD tincture is a blend of CBD-rich hemp extract and a carrier oil. The fat in the oil makes it easier for your body to absorb CBD. Although tinctures can be used to create your own CBD consumables, CBD users looking to absorb the most CBD from their tinctures prefer sublingual absorption. The sublingual method is easy; simply hold the tincture under your tongue 30-90 seconds before swallowing. The CBD absorbs directly through the blood vessels under your tongue before the tincture enters your digestive system. The sublingual method utilizes up to 35%of the CBD in each dose. The effects of CBD tinctures used sublingually can be felt within 20 minutes and can last 4-6 hours.
CBD Vape Products
Vaping allows CBD to enter your bloodstream through your mouth and lungs in a manner similar to smoking. This delivery method is considered the fastest way to experience the therapeutic potential of CBD. Many CBD users report experiencing the effects of vaping CBD in as little as two minutes. Up to 46 percent of the cannabinoids are available for immediate use. Although vaping CBD significantly improves bioavailability, the effects don’t last as long as edibles or sublingual delivery. The effects of vaping CBD are likely to last 3 hours or less.
CBD Topicals
Like CBD vape, CBD topicals also bypass digestive processes. CBD topicals work by interacting with the CBD receptors in your skin. That means you can direct the therapeutic potential of topical products to specific areas of your body. Research suggests topical CBD has the potential to provide targeted relief to areas of pain and inflammation, protect skin from free radical damage, and may even stall the signs of premature aging. Apply topical CBD liberally to clean skin. Many CBD users find the effects of topical CBD fast-acting and long-lasting.
Learn More About Cannabinoid Absorption and Bioavailability
In addition to product bioavailability, your CBD experience can also be influenced by your body composition, metabolism, and the purity and potency of the products you select.
For high-quality CBD tinctures, edibles, capsules, and CBD vape products in La Crosse, WI, visit CannaBiz Depot or shop with us online. At CannaBiz Depot, we offer a large assortment of CBD products from some of the top names in the industry, including our popular CannaBiz Depot CBD products. To ensure the purity, potency, and safety, third parties test all CBD products we offer.
