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What is Bioavailability with Regards to CBD?

Learn what bioavailability means for CBD, why it’s important, how delivery methods impact absorption, and the best ways to get more from your CBD.

 

Bioavailability is a scientific term for how much of a substance, like CBD, gets into your bloodstream after you take it. This concept is especially important for people who use CBD because it tells you how much of the product can actually produce effects. 

There are different amounts of CBD that your body can use after taking it. Some of it is lost along the way because your gut system breaks it down or your liver filters it out before it gets to your bloodstream.

In simple words, bioavailability is the amount of CBD that gets into your bloodstream and can work with your body's endocannabinoid system. By knowing about bioavailability, you can make smarter decisions about how to take CBD and which products to use for your health.

Why Bioavailability is Important for CBD

Bioavailability is important because it has a direct effect on how well your CBD product works. Even after consuming a high amount of a product, low bioavailability won't give you the results you want. You might end up taking more CBD than you need to get the benefits you want.

How you take it makes a big difference in how much CBD your body can use. Different methods have varying effects on how quickly and how much CBD enters your bloodstream. You can pick the best product and method for your needs if you’re aware of how bioavailability works. 

How Bioavailability Works in the Brain and Body

CBD has to go through a few steps before it can get into your system after you eat or drink it. If you eat or take a CBD capsule, the compound goes through your digestive system and is broken down by your liver. A big part of the CBD is broken down in this process, which is called first-pass metabolism, before it gets to your bloodstream.

CBD creams and balms that you put on your skin work in a different way. They don't get through the skin, but instead interact with cannabinoid receptors in the skin. Because of this, they work well for localized pain but not at all for systemic effects.

Comparing Different Ways to Deliver CBD

How you take CBD can have a big effect on how much of the compound your body gets. Here is a look at how the different ways of delivery stack up:

  • Bioavailability is usually lowest when taken by mouth, like in pills or food. Though your gut system and liver break down CBD, only a small amount lives on.

  • Putting CBD on the skin is the best way to target specific places, but it doesn't get into the bloodstream.

Things that Affect How Bioavailable CBD Is

How much CBD your body receives depends on a number of things. What makes up the thing itself is very important. It is easier for the body to absorb CBD when it is mixed with carrier oils like MCT or olive oil. In more advanced forms, like nanoemulsions or liposomal CBD, the substance is broken up into very small pieces that your body can easily absorb.

The way your body works also counts. How much CBD your body can use depends on things like your metabolism, gut health, and even your genes. It also matters what you eat. CBD absorption can be greatly improved by taking it with a meal, preferably one that has good fats.

The time you take your CBD is another important factor. CBD may not be as bioavailable if you take it on an empty stomach. Taking it with food, on the other hand, can help your body absorb it better. It's important to pay attention to how you feel and change your routine as needed since everyone’s body is different.

New Ways to Take CBD

As CBD research advances, additional ways to take it are explored.

One of the newest ideas is nanoemulsion technology, which makes CBD particles very small. This makes them easier to swallow and dissolve in water. As another step forward, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) let CBD dissolve into tiny droplets in your digestive tract, which are better absorbed. Encapsulation methods keep CBD safe from stomach acids and get it to the right place to be absorbed. Phospholipid complexes, which connect CBD to parts of cell membranes, may also help make CBD more bioavailable and give more consistent benefits.

How to Make CBD More Bioavailable 

There are a few things you can do to get the most out of your CBD products. First, think about which method of delivery works best for you. Products that you inhale or put under your tongue may be best if you want strong results quickly. Oral products might be better for benefits that last longer and aren't as strong.

Also, try to find items that use cutting edge transport systems like nanoemulsions, liposomes, or phospholipid complexes. The goal of these formulations is to make each dose more efficient by making it easier for the body to absorb.

Lastly, think about how you're going to take your CBD. To get more of the compound into your body, take it with food, preferably things that are high in healthy fats. Start with a small amount and slowly raise your intake until you reach the right level for you.

Bioavailability and CBD 

Bioavailability is an important concept for anyone who regularly uses CBD. It determines how much of the supplement your body can use, which in turn changes the effects you feel. If you know what affects absorption, like the way the CBD is delivered, how it is made, your body's chemistry, and the time of day, you can make better decisions and get the most out of your routine. It's getting easier than ever to get the most out of your CBD routine and reach your wellness goals as this field continues to advance.