What Is CBD Bioavailability? How Does It Affect CBD?

CBD Product Is Governed by Bioavailability

For many people, the CBD product they choose is governed by something known as Bioavailability, but what is it, and how does it affect your CBD?

Did you know that different CBD product is all processed by the body in different ways? Sometimes you feel the effects of the CBD quickly and other times, it takes much longer for the results to be experienced.

The amount of cannabidiol (CBD) that makes it to its final destination (your bloodstream) and how quickly and effectively it does this is known as its bioavailability. CBD oil, tinctures, balms and lotions, capsules, and vape liquids all have their bioavailability.

While you might think that the better the bioavailability, the better the products, it’s important to remember that each delivery method has both advantages and disadvantages that you’ll need to consider before making any decisions on which one is right for you.

Many people ask is CBD water-soluble and the roles that MCT and other carriers play in CBD’s ability to be absorbed via the body. We’ll take about how water-soluble CBD is later in the article, but first, let’s check out some of the bioavailability rates of different CBD delivery methods.

What’s the Bioavailability of Different Popular CBD Products?

There have been a variety of different studies that have looked at the bioavailability of CBD products.

Various studies have come up with different results because there are a lot of varying factors that affect the results such as stomach contents, metabolism, and quality and strength of the CBD.

Below we’ll take a look at the bioavailability of some of the more popular CBD products and how it impacts the way your body processes CBD.

• CBD edibles and oils – CBD oil and other edible products have one of the lowest bioavailability scores out of all CBD products, coming in at approximately 6-20%. This is because when you take CBD oils and edibles, they have to be processed through the digestive system. While you lose more CBD taking it this way and it takes longer for the effects to be felt, the results of the CBD last longer and require fewer dosages throughout the day.
• CBD tinctures – Tinctures have a higher bioavailability than oils and edibles. Tinctures come in at approximately 13-19%. This is because tinctures are placed under the tongue where the CBD is absorbed directly by the sublingual gland while avoiding the digestive system. You’re going to require less CBD, but a lot of people don’t like the taste of tinctures. You must allow the drops to remain under your tongue for a minimum of 90-seconds without swallowing or rinsing; otherwise, the tincture will end up in your digestive system.
• CBD vape liquids – CBD vape liquids have the highest bioavailability scores of all the different delivery methods coming in at approximately 34-46%. The CBD is heated into a vapor that is then inhaled into the lungs. Once the vapor is in the lungs, the CBD is absorbed through the thin lung tissue and makes its way into the bloodstream. While vape liquids have a high bioavailability and the effects are felt very quickly, they also wear off quickly and require consistent dosage throughout the day. Vaping CBD liquids also aren’t as discreet as other delivery methods.

What Roles Do the Different Carrier Oils Play in Your CBD Oil?

There are a variety of different carrier oils that CBD is placed in.

Unless you choose to use pure CBD isolate, your CBD oil is going to have a large variety of different ingredients.

The reason CBD oil is added to carrier oils is to aid in the way it is digested by the body.

CBD oil by itself isn’t water-soluble.

So, it needs a little help to ensure that you’re getting the best absorption rates and highest bioavailability.

Below we’ll take a look at some of the more popular carrier oil categories that CBD companies use and what the advantages and disadvantages of each are:

• Plant seed oils – This category includes plant-based oils such as avocado oil, sunflower oil, and hemp oil.
• Water-based carrier oils – This is where the CBD oil is added directly to water.
• MCT oils (medium-chain triglyceride) – MCT oils are most commonly extracted from coconut oils.

Now that we know the three main groups, what factors should you consider when you’re deciding on a carrier oil:

• Stability – Will the carrier oil break down over time and leave you with an inferior product? Or will it reduce the effectiveness of the CBD?
• Bioavailability – Will the carrier oil increase or decrease the bioavailability of the CBD.
• Taste – Will the carrier oil improve the taste of the CBD product or make it worse?
• Health benefits – Does the carrier oil bring any of its health benefits to the mix?

When you look at all of these factors, MCT consistently comes out as one of the best options for a CBD carrier oil. MCT tastes great. It has its health benefits, it’s water-soluble and helps protect the CBD from the adverse oxidization effects of air.

CBD Bioavailability Conclusion

Ultimately, the delivery method that you choose for your CBD products needs to meet your requirements. It’s no good having a CBD product with a high bioavailability such as vape liquid if you don’t have access to places where you can vape throughout the day.

The same with CBD tinctures. If you hate the taste, then there is a fair chance that you’re not going to consistently take the tincture and miss out or waste your money. No two people or their conditions are the same, and people process compounds in different ways. It’s essential that you choose a CBD delivery method that suits you and your condition.

If you would like to learn more about the premium CBD products that we produce at Stirling CBD, then please don’t hesitate to contact us. We pride ourselves on delivering educational content about CBD and the CBD products that we sell.