Is Orally Ingested CBD Actually Absorbed By The Body?

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Absorption rate is crucial to any compound we put into our bodies. Ideally, we’d be able to use the entire amount we ingest. In reality, however, only a fraction of most compounds reach the bloodstream. Each person’s percentage varies to some degree, but we do have a broad approximation of the absorption rate a person should expect when consuming certain compounds.

The body’s absorption rate for cannabidiol (CBD) often sits on the lower end of the spectrum. As more consumers focus on finding CBD products that are tested for quality and safety, as well as effective in delivering desired results, manufacturers continue to look for production methods that can ensure the body benefits from consuming CBD. New water-soluble cannabinoid formulations can provide improved absorption rates of up to four times more than traditional oil-based tinctures or softgels. As such formulations become available to manufacturers, consumers can choose a CBD product more easily based on its efficacy.

CBD absorption research continues, with studies exploring extraction processes that better prepare the cannabinoid for oral consumption, as well as self-emulsifying drug delivery systems that can improve CBD’s bioavailability. Read on to learn more about CBD absorption, what we understand about it so far and how it’s likely to affect the manufacturing of CBD products in the future.

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What We Know About CBD Absorption

Cannabis research continues to advance, providing insights into distinct areas of the plant and its possible effects on our bodies. CBD absorption is one area of particular interest.

Notable research includes analysis from market leaders, including GW Pharmaceuticals. In 2018, the company’s epilepsy drug Epidiolex became the first cannabis-derived medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with European approval the following year. That same year, GW’s analysis of various clinical studies concluded that food and oil content play significant roles in CBD dosing and absorption. GW’s research, which included the use of Epidiolex on patients, also noted that concentration levels increased significantly when patients consumed the drug with food. Refined sesame seed oil was listed as a “major contributor” to its efficacy. Overall, the research credited fatty acids with improving CBD absorption rates [1] Silmore LH, Willmer AR, Capparelli EV, Rosania GR. Food Effects on the Formulation, Dosing, and Administration of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Humans: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies. Pharmacotherapy. 2021;41(4):405-420. .

Recent research and data show that, at most, 13% to 19% of CBD consumed is absorbed by the body [2] Millar SA, Stone NL, Yates AS, O’Sullivan SE. A Systematic Review on the Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Humans. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018;9:1365. . However, on average, only 5% to 10% of what consumers take orally is ultimately absorbed. Meanwhile, the half-life of CBD in the body can range from up to one hour to up to five days. Sprays and drops specifically have a half-life of just 1.4 to 10.9 hours.

In 2022, supplement brand NextEvo Naturals partnered with Colorado State University’s Department of Health and Exercise Science to further explore the intricacies of CBD absorption. The collaborative research suggests that water-soluble forms of CBD (not oil-based products) are better absorbed into the bloodstream when consumed with food. What’s more, the research suggests that the amount of CBD absorbed into the bloodstream from a water-soluble CBD product formula is significantly higher than that of an oil-based CBD product [3] Abbotts KSS, Ewell TR, Butterklee HM, et al. Cannabidiol and Cannabidiol Metabolites: Pharmacokinetics, Interaction with Food, and Influence on Liver Function. Nutrients. 2022;14(10):2152. .

The Best Way to Consume CBD

In terms of how much CBD a product needs to be effective, most current human studies performed to date use dosages between 20 and 1,000 milligrams per day [4] Millar SA, Stone NL, Bellman ZD, Yates AS, England TJ, O’Sullivan SE. A systematic review of cannabidiol dosing in clinical populations. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2019;85(9):1888-1900. . Meanwhile, many clinical researchers believe it’s best to start with a smaller dose and gradually increase it until a person achieves their desired effects. For example, a consumer could start with 20 to 40 milligrams of CBD per day from a water-soluble CBD formulation with proven higher bioavailability and adjust their dose from there.

As we continue to learn more about CBD and absorption rates, it’s increasingly apparent that the cannabinoid is better absorbed when consumed with food.

While additional research is needed, recent studies also show that CBD bioaccessibility can depend on the combination of food consumed and the presence of lipase and bile salts (which help break down fats, aid digestion, absorb vitamins and eliminate toxins) [5] Mozaffari K, Willette S, Lucker BF, Kovar SE, Holguin FO, Guzman I. The Effects of Food on Cannabidiol Bioaccessibility. Molecules. 2021;26(12):3573. . Healthy fat-containing foods that could positively affect CBD bioavailability include avocados, fatty fish, dark chocolate and nuts.

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