When it comes to cannabidiol (CBD), it doesn’t matter if you’re a CBD beginner or an experienced user—we all want to get the most bang for our buck, especially because high-quality CBD products can be pricey.
The key to getting the most out of your CBD products is in something called bioavailability. Bioavailability is the ability of a substance, like CBD, to be absorbed and utilized by your body. In other words, it describes how much CBD is actually absorbed into the bloodstream as well as how quickly it is absorbed (i.e., the degree and rate of absorption).
Below we’ve provided a guide to increasing the bioavailability of CBD, including the bioavailability of common CBD products and four steps you can take to optimize your CBD experience.
Understanding the Bioavailability of CBD Products
Have you ever noticed that some medications, supplements, and vitamins have instructions to be taken with food or even dissolved under your tongue? This is often because the chemicals or ingredients in such medications or substances are most efficiently and effectively absorbed when delivered to the body in a specific way. The same goes for CBD.
Water-soluble compounds can travel directly through your gut lining into your blood because blood is water-based. Fat-soluble compounds, like CBD and other cannabinoids, can’t travel directly into the bloodstream. Instead, your digestive tract sends them into fatty tissues to be distributed throughout your body via the lymphatic system. Because of this, some CBD products are considered more effective than others.
For example, edibles, and other CBD products ingested orally, must go through your stomach and digestive system before being absorbed into the bloodstream. CBD and other hemp compounds (cannabinoids) lose potential bioavailability through the digestion process. Essentially, a significant amount of CBD gets broken down by your liver before circulating into your bloodstream. The bioavailability of “oral/ingestible CBD” falls in the range of 13-19%.
On the other hand, absorption of CBD through the oral mucosa (mucous membrane)—activated by placing a CBD oil or tincture under your tongue—can bypass the stomach and undergo reduced metabolism by the liver during its first pass through the body. This means more CBD is preserved and more CBD can get into the bloodstream. The bioavailability of CBD products that are held under the tongue before swallowing falls in the range of 20-30%.
Four Steps for Increasing the Bioavailability of CBD
With that said, there are several methods for increasing the bioavailability of CBD and getting your money’s worth. Here are our top four tips to increase CBD’s bioavailability:
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Consider Full- or Broad-Spectrum CBD Products: Full-spectrum, or whole-plant, CBD oil preserves all naturally-occurring compounds found in the hemp plant. This includes CBD, small amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Broad-spectrum products are similar but are further refined to remove THC. In addition to providing unique flavors and aromas, some terpenes can increase the bioavailability of CBD by breaking down CBD into smaller molecules. Types of terpenes known to increase bioavailability include limonene, alpha-pinene, myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and linalool.
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Take With a High-Fat Meal: Since CBD is fat-soluble, eating a high-fat meal or snack when you take CBD can help break down CBD molecules into smaller ones, making it easier for CBD to be absorbed by your body.
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Use Products That Dissolve in Your Mouth: As mentioned before, taking CBD oil under your tongue, and holding for 30 seconds before swallowing, can increase CBD’s bioavailability by bypassing the digestive system. This technique can also work with other CBD products, such as CBD mints, that can be dissolved and absorbed through small capillaries in the oral mucosa.
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Look for CBD Products That Use Newer Technologies: Some CBD companies are adopting new technologies that can not only increase the rate of absorption but also increase the degree of absorption, meaning you can get quick effects while maximizing the absorption of CBD. For example, liposomal encapsulation is a pharmaceutical-grade technology that uses liposomes—a stellar delivery system that mimics our cell membranes—to deliver CBD directly and efficiently.
Discover Feals
At Feals, we’re dedicated to providing you with a better way to feel better. Our full-spectrum CBD oils and CBD mints are made with only the purest ingredients and are designed to help you find balance and feel at your best. Our CBD mints are made using liposomal encapsulation to help you feel at ease in just a few minutes.
If you still have questions about increasing the bioavailability of CBD or anything else CBD-related, our CX team would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Just give them a ring or shoot them an email.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
