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What is the bioavailability/absorbability of CBD?
Before we learn how to increase CBD absorption, let's first better understand CBD bioavailability. Bioavailability is a term that refers to the percentage of any substance that is actually absorbed into the bloodstream. This means that when you ingest any form of medicine, herb or supplement, although the dose may contain 50mg, much less is actually absorbed.
The extent to which CBD is absorbed depends on several different factors. One of these is the type of product you consume. For example, CBD products that you ingest will have a lower CBD absorption rate compared to the sublingual method. Why? Because your body metabolises CBD through the digestive system, which is full of enzymes and acids that can degrade and deteriorate the delicate structure of the cannabinoid.
In comparison, the bioavailability of CBD oil administered sublingually is much higher. When you hold CBD oil under the tongue for 30-60 seconds, the compounds are absorbed directly into the bloodstream via the sublingual artery. This means there is less time and likelihood for your body's natural enzymes and compounds to break down and reduce the amount of CBD actually absorbed.
The second factor that will affect the bioavailability of CBD oil is the type of carrier oil that is used. Medium-chain triglycerides or coconut MCT oil is one of the best carriers to increase CBD absorption. MCT has a lighter molecular weight than other carriers, which maximises the absorption of CBD cannabidiol when combined specifically with MCT oil.
Of course, just as some medicines or vitamins are only recommended after a meal - there are certain steps you can take to maximise CBD absorption. So, in what follows, we will describe the best ways to absorb CBD with some tips and tricks.
You can find out more about the bioavailability or absorption of CBD in the knowledge base article here: Bioavailability of CBD: absorption and sources of the cannabinoid
How to increase the absorption of CBD?
Put simply - when you maximise the uptake of CBD, you maximise its benefits.
So, if you want to get the most benefit from each dose, here are 4 simple ways you can increase CBD absorption.
1. use CBD after a fatty meal or snack
Studies clearly show a significantly, up to 5 times increased absorption of CBD after a fatty meal. The smaller the molecule, the better it will be absorbed by the body. This is the simple principle behind the method of consuming CBD with snacks, or meals with a high fat content.
You can find this scientific study in the sources below, and learn more about it in the article CBD oil - before or after eating?
The structure of CBD molecules is highly fat-soluble. Another reason why MCT oil is so popular is that it is a 'smaller' fat than most others you digest, and easier to absorb.
When you combine CBD with the following fatty foods and snacks, the fat helps the CBD molecules to stay intact and allows for greater absorption.
- Dark chocolate - typically 65% of dark chocolate is fat, and since this is the case, the bioavailability of cannabidiol in the company of dark aka dark chocolate increases.
- Oily fish - salmon, mackerel, trout or herring and other oily fish help to keep the CBD molecules intact, thereby increasing their bioavailability.
- Avocados - one of the most popular sources of 'healthy fats', adding avocados to your CBD routine can maximise bioavailability.
- Nuts - a handful of fatty nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, can work wonders to increase CBD absorption, especially when travelling.
- Eggs - do you consume CBD every morning? Eat a couple of eggs in your favourite form that contain healthy fats, vitamins, protein and nutrients to increase the bioavailability of CBD.
2. good company: piperine and apigenin
As with food, certain herbs/substances can significantly increase the bioavailability, or absorption, of CBD in the body. It is worth pointing out here two particularly effective and natural compounds available in almost every Polish household:
Piperine
Piperine is a compound typically found in black pepper. To increase the overall absorption of CBD oil, piperine inhibits some of the key functions of the liver. This process prevents the liver from completely breaking down the molecular structure of many ingested substances, including CBD oil. In other words, the parts of CBD that are broken down by the liver through standard oral ingestion manage to 'survive' longer and, as a result, are absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream.
The research you will find in the sources below has confirmed increase in absorption of CBD accompanied by piperine by up to 2.5 timesCBD ingested without piperine. This doesn't mean you have to mix your oil with a tablespoon of black pepper-it's much easier, more pleasant and effective to stock up on FemiCanna Energy oil containing 1000 mg CBD, 200 mg CBG and fortified with the addition of piperine, curcumin and organic ginger extract.
Apigenin
Apigenin is a compound found in chamomile flowers, but also other plant products such as oregano, parsley, celery and dark chocolate. It has the power to prevent the breakdown of CBD, by binding to enzymes and enhancing the overall bioavailability of cannabidiol (and other cannabinoids too).
3. look for CBD full of terpenes
Terpenes may be well known to you as the aromatic compounds of plants, but they are in fact much more than that. Terpenes are compounds found in the essential oils of plants and are responsible for their characteristic scents. However, a growing body of research shows that terpenes are also capable of producing their own health-promoting effects, similar to those of cannabinoids, making them an ideal companion to CBD or CBG, for example.
Moreover, in the combination of terpenes and cannabinoids form what is known as the 'companion effect'. Just as piperine and curcumin enhance each other's bioavailability and action, terpenes and cannabinoids work in the same way. Together, they enhance each other's effectiveness and overall potency.
This means that using products that are full of terpenes can increase the effectiveness of CBD, as can maximising its absorption. If you're looking for CBD products that are rich in terpenes, then choosing one of the products from the Essenz Broad Spectrum Premium line will undoubtedly prove to be a hit-each one is standardised to contain 5% terpenes, which translates not only into their high efficacy, but also their unusual, slightly fruity taste.
4. use CBD sublingually
The sublingual route of CBD administration is the most effective when it comes to oral administration methods. Many people shy away from sublingual application of oils due to the harsh, pure and all-natural taste of some CBD oils and extracts.
If this is the case, then the Essenz and FemiCanna brands are ideally suited for you - here you will find products that differ significantly in taste from market standards, while at the same time being rich in ingredients such as terpenes in the case of Essenz or the aforementioned piperine in the case of FemiCanna Energy oils, which increase the effectiveness of cannabinoids.
Interestingly, this differentiation, both in the case of FemiCanna and Essenz products, is achieved by enhancing the final formulations with proprietary blends of terpenes and active substances, strengthening the absorption and therapeutic effects of the products in question.
Sources:
- Izgelov D, Domb AJ, Hoffman A. The effect of piperine on oral absorption of cannabidiol following acute vs. chronic administration. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2020 May 30;148:105313. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105313. Epub 2020 Mar 19. PMID: 32198013. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32198013/
- Birnbaum, AK, Karanam, A, Marino, SE, et al. Food effect on pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol oral capsules in adult patients with refractory epilepsy. 2019; 60: 1586- 1592. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.16093
