What is bioavailability, and what does it have to do with CBD?
If you’ve ever wondered why the effects of edibles take so long to kick in compared to other formats – some of which are immediate – the answer has to do with bioavailability. Arguably, bioavailability is one of the most overlooked determining factors of CBD optimization. To max out on all the therapeutic benefits this compound has to offer, you’ll want to understand how your body absorbs it and what you can do to increase that absorption. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is CBD bioavailability?
Put simply, CBD bioavailability is like the ROI on your CBD routine. It refers to the percentage of each dose that is actually absorbed into your bloodstream. Spoiler alert: Bioavailability is only a fraction of the amount listed on the product label and varies from person to person. This is important because the amount of CBD your body absorbs from a single dose determines how much of those desired effects you feel.
For example, a 50mg softgel with 10% bioavailability means your body absorbs only 5mg of that total 50mg dose. What happens to the remaining 45mg? It’s metabolized by your liver before it ever reaches your endocannabinoid system. So, as you can see, bioavailability plays a huge role in your CBD investment and subsequent routine.
This impact is notably important if you’re paying top dollar for premium CBD products or leveraging CBD as a natural remedy for sleep disturbances, stress relief, or pain management. In short, understanding CBD bioavailability is the secret to getting more (benefits) out of less (product).
The science behind bioavailability variation
Why does bioavailability vary depending on the individual, the day, etc.?
Upon entering your body, CBD first interacts with your liver in a process researchers refer to as the “first-pass effect.” Just like any other substance, your liver metabolizes a significant portion before circulating it into your bloodstream. To that end, this also explains why product format matters; it affects how much of the substance is bioavailable.
According to a study by Frontiers in Pharmacology, CBD bioavailability ranges from 6% via oral delivery to upwards of 56% when inhaled. Although the products contain the same compound(s), this research quantifies an exponential difference in effect. However, that’s not all there is to consider. CBD bioavailability also depends on:
Diet
In a previous blog, we explained some of the factors that contribute to THC variability. Bioavailability is the basis of that concept. The bottom line: Taking CBD with a fatty-acid-rich meal significantly boosts absorption.
Metabolic rate
This one’s simple– Faster metabolism = faster processing.
Body composition
Because CBD is fat-soluble, the more body fat you have, the lower your body’s bioavailability is. In contrast, having less body fat allows for more CBD to enter your bloodstream for processing.
Product quality
Needless to say; quality should always be a top priority when purchasing cannabis products. When it comes to enhancing bioavailability, our budtenders recommend full-spectrum CBD products that use advanced delivery systems to increase absorption.
CBD formats ranked by bioavailability
- Pre-rolls & vapes: Inhaled CBD works fastest and offers the highest absorption rates, otherwise known as bioavailability. When it enters your bloodstream directly through the lungs, it bypasses the liver entirely. This is why you feel the effects almost immediately after smoking versus the delayed onset of softgels and edibles.
- Sublingual tinctures: Sublingual administration means you hold a few drops of a CBD tincture under your tongue for 60-90 seconds before swallowing it. This process allows the membrane-rich area under your tongue to pass it straight into your bloodstream. The longer you hold it under your tongue, the greater the bioavailability.
- Softgels & capsules: Because capsules and softgels have to pass through your digestive tract first, they take longer to set in. What’s more, a fair amount of the substance also has to pass through your liver, lowering bioavailability. However, because the contents “unpack” once absorbed, softgels and capsules are revered for their long-lasting effects compared to other CBD formats. Hack: To increase the bioavailability of your softgels or capsules, take them with a meal rich in healthy fats. Research shows this significantly increases absorption levels.
- Gummies & edibles: Because these need to be fully digested before the CBD reaches your bloodstream, the bioavailability of cannabis edibles is lower. Yet, once processed, this CBD format offers the same, long-lasting effects as softgels and capsules.
- Topicals: Applied to the skin. Therefore, only a tiny portion of CBD is absorbed. Topicals are used for localized relief, e.g., joint pain, headaches, and post-surgery recovery.
Quick guide: How to maximize CBD bioavailability
- Take your CBD with fatty-acid-rich meals. Think: Avocado toast, mixed nuts, or any salmon dish.
- Always look for full-spectrum CBD products.
- Hold sublingual tinctures under your tongue for 90 seconds.
- Consistency is key: Like anything in life, the stronger the habit, the better results you’ll see. Cloud City’s customers report that CBD works increasingly better and more predictably after 2-4 weeks of consistent daily use.
Silicon Valley’s obsession with optimization doesn’t stop at technology: It applies to health-conscious practices, too. From dependable stress relief to post-workout recovery, CBD has so much to offer once you unlock its therapeutic potential. Understanding CBD bioavailability helps you turn your favorite CBD products into go-to wellness resources.
At Cloud City Supply, we’re committed to bringing you the highest-quality cannabis products, guaranteed to be both safe and effective. All of our products are ethically sourced, tested by third-party labs, labeled transparently, and curated with bioavailability in mind. Pro tip: Ask us for the certificate of analysis (COA) of any product you’re interested in.
When you’re ready to experience the best of the best CBD in Silicon Valley (as touted by Mercury News readers for the fourth year in a row!), come chat with one of our experts who can walk you through our plethora of options to build your CBD routine.
