Bioavailability

The term bio-availability gets thrown around quite a lot within the CBD world, yet it is commonly misunderstood. The definition of bio-availability in this narrative is the proportion of CBD (%) which enters the blood system, and is able to have an active effect. CBD’s hydrophobic nature does not bode well with human tissue systems, which are made mostly of water, making CBD products with high results of bio-availability, more beneficial to the consumer. As you may have noticed, CBD is available in various forms, with some guaranteeing higher bio-availability levels than others. It is crucial to understand the meaning, before deciding what method best suits you.

So, what’s the best way to take CBD?

I suppose the most direct route would be to have the CBD injected directly into the bloodstream, guaranteeing 100% bioavailability! At this moment in time however, it is not only medically impossible, but also highly unrecommended. So, let’s discuss some of the methods, to ensure you walk away with a CBD product, that provides you with the desired effects.

Digesting CBD. Oral ingestion is one of the more popular methods, with many people taking their daily CBD through food, beverages and vitamins. Unfortunately, despite its popularity, oral ingestion is one of the least effective ways to obtain your CBD, with bioavailability rates as low as 6%. This is because CBD is fat soluble (as opposed to water soluble), which makes it extremely hard for the body to absorb, resulting in most of it being excreted. Additionally, digestive acids and enzymes destroy most of the CBD before it has a chance to be absorbed.

CBD Oils. Arguably the most popular form of CBD with up to 80% of regular consumers using their favourite brand of oil, daily. With oils now having many flavours, and therapeutic additions, such as terpenes and vitamins etc, it is now considered the premium product for anyone selling or buying CBD. However, there is a great misconception, with many unaware of the poor bioavailability percentages associated with the pipette method. CBD oil has a bioavailability rate of around 5-10%, slightly more effective than ingesting. This poor rate exists, despite the oil being administered sublingually (under the tongue), mainly due to the viscosity (thickness) of the oil. CBD oils are dissolved in a carrier such as vegetable oil, MCT, hemp or olive oils etc, and have a measurement of around 35 Brookfield Units (Brookfield Units translate to the viscosity of the liquid), which even if held under the tongue for minutes, are simply too ‘big’ to pass through the semi-permeable membrane within the buccal cavity. Compared to oral consumption, consuming CBD sublingually is more direct and takes a shorter time for the effects to show.
CBD Topicals. Designed to be applied directly to the skin. Unlike other methods of administration, studies on the bioavailability of topicals have provided little, to no results. We do however, know a couple of things when it comes to this subject
- When a CBD topical is applied directly to the skin, it never reaches the bloodstream but can be absorbed through the skins surface to interact with nearby cannabinoid receptors.
- Unlike your mucus membranes, the permeability of your skin is extremely poor, meaning a higher potent product is required for treatment.

In conclusion, the bioavailability of CBD topical products seems to be the lowest of them all. A lack of interaction with the bloodstream, coupled by the need for an extremely high strength product leaves the consumer, sometimes a little confused. For example, you might be a long-term user of CBD, and purchase a 1000mg, 100ml bottle of massage oil, in a 10ml CBD oil, that 1000mg would equivalate to 10%, however in a 100ml massage oil bottle, that 1000mg will now be 1%, which sounds extremely low, and can be ineffective. Visit us again mid-Summer and take a look at our topical range, where you will find a high strength variety of your favourite oils, creams, balms and salves.

Inhaling / Vaping CBD. Winning the bioavailability race, we have vaping or inhaling CBD. Have you noticed these new, handheld electronic vape devices? Unless you’ve lived under a rock for the last half decade, I’m sure you have. Inhaling or vaping is extremely effective, as it bypasses the first-pass effect by avoiding your digestive tract. The CBD, when being inhaled directly into the lungs, is instantly absorbed by Alveoli membranes, allowing instant access to the bloodstream. This explains why the effects are felt instantly, but also short-lasting, when compared to other methods. Vaping has almost become a sport, with an Olympics type tournament now taking place called Squareminus1, yearly in America. Most popular with the younger generation, vaping is slowly edging out tobacco products, aided by the many flavours and terpenes available to the consumer. With the bioavailability of vaping/ingestion being as high as 60%, it’s no wonder why this method is so popular, and has even helped regular smokers replace their tobacco products with a vape juice or a simple CBD joint. Despite there being no smoke or combustion, there are still risks associated with vaping, although these are believed to be significantly less than those related to smoking.

Right, we have covered the four basic methods of obtaining CBD, which represents most products used by CBD advocates all over the world. However, as time moves on, and more research and studies are invested into the bioavailability of CBD, new methods and products are frequently trying to penetrate the market. Here we look at a few of the latest methods, providing high rates of bioavailability, and see where Nano Mist features.

Nasal Ingestion. The idea of a CBD nasal spray sounds peculiar and uncomfortable, however in a saturated CBD market, companies looking for the latest unique product, have released the high levels of bioavailability associated with nasal ingestion. Despite it being an impossibility for some to administer, CBD nasal sprays are similar to vaping when it comes to bioavailability. Like vaping, when CBD is nasally ingested, its effects are felt immediately, as it goes straight to the bloodstream, and quickly to the brain.
Water Soluble CBD. More appropriately named water compatible or emulsified CBD, as CBD is an oil naturally, which is hydrophobic and can never be completely soluble. The process for creating most “water soluble” CBD oils involve “nanoparticles”, which simply means the CBD molecules have been broken down to a very tiny size, with the intention of making them easier to absorb. With bioavailability ranging at around 90%-100%, not many other CBD products can come close, when it comes to effectiveness. There are a couple of dangers that must be noted when using a “water soluble” CBD:
- Additional ingredients and processing are necessary, in order to achieve nanoparticle sizing.
- Scientists are fully aware of the dangers associated with nanoparticles in the body, and are all in agreement when stating that nanoparticles ranging from 1-100NM are considered extremely dangerous (See Nano Mist v other Nano sprays)

In conclusion, water soluble, or nano encapsulated CBD water has proved to have exceptional bioavailability rates, but at the same time, needs more research into the dangers associated with such products.

Nano Mist. Alpha Verde's foundations have been built around bioavailability, prioritising safety, whilst developing effective products. Together with our patented carrier solution, Nano Mist is guaranteed to be the best method of administering CBD, when balancing safety and bioavailability. Our formula sits right on the border line, any smaller (or thinner), and it would become dangerous, any bigger and it will start becoming less effective… the perfect viscosity balance. Our patented carrier measures around 500 nanometres / 1 micron, which is around 6 times smaller than any other CBD carrier oil. Technically, I suppose we should be naming our range “Micron Mist”, as that relates more to our molecular structure, it just doesn’t have the same ring to it! (Read more about our patented carrier solution).