CBD Bioavailability:
Which delivery is best and how much CBD are you really getting?

CBD Bioavailability: Does the delivery method really matter? Oral, Sublingual, Smoking, Vaping, Suppository?

CBD Bioavailability:
Which delivery is best and how much CBD are you really getting?

CBD Bioavailability: Does the delivery method really matter? Oral, Sublingual, Smoking, Vaping, Suppository?

When you choose to opt for CBD for the therapeutic effects that the compound has on the human body, there are a number of considerations that are probably on your mind.

The most important of these — for most people — is how effective the CBD will be when it comes to delivery of relief or the effectiveness of the CBD product. Each product and every different method of consuming CBD will have a different degree of effectiveness and while this is a long and technical discussion, one major factor is the bioavailability of the compound. If you are hearing this term for the first time, there is nothing to worry about.

This article is a brief primer that talks about the concept and how much CBD you are actually getting.

What is Bio-availability/Absorption?

To put it in the simplest way possible, bioavailability is the degree — and the rate at which — a product or substance is absorbed into your bloodstream. While this is a general term used in pharmacology, in this context, we are talking about CBD and other compounds in particular.

This means that CBD bioavailability stands for the rate at which the compound is reaching your bloodstream and having the desired effect. Under ideal conditions, if you want the maximum effect of the compound, intravenous administration is the only way to get “100%” of the CBD into your bloodstream. Most people, including myself do not want to inject themselves with CBD or any health products, and this is where all the other methods come in.

WARNING: This is important to remember when you see CBD products advertised to have 100% absorption or bio-availability. Because, it's simply not true!

Different Methods of Dosing CBD and Related Bioavailability

As there are many different methods of consuming CBD, their bioavailability and extent of effectiveness have been slotted under four main categories below.

Oral Consumption - Ingestion

The first method is oral consumption (ingesting), which includes CBD capsules, softgels, gummies and other edibles. This is a very common method because of the ease of use, but in reality, the amount of CBD that finally gets absorbed into your bloodstream is very low — usually between 4% and 20%.

The main reason for this is that the compounds have to pass through your digestive and metabolic systems, which reduce its effectiveness.

This process is known as first pass metabolism. First pass metabolism (also known as the first pass effect or presystemic metabolism) is a phenomenon of drug metabolism whereby the concentration of a drug is greatly reduced before it reaches the systemic circulation. Given the low absorption rate doses are required to be higher when taken this way. It's typically reccomened to use starting doses of CBD around 20-50mg if ingesting.

Sublingual (Mucosal) Consumption

The sublingual gland is basically just a vein under your tongue, which allows products to be absorbed directly into your bloodstream if they are placed in the area. This method is much more effective than oral consumption as it reaches the bloodstream more quickly, keeping the bio-availability at a higher level — possibly between 12–35%. The most common ways of sublingual consumption are CBD strays, lozenges and tinctures.

Consumption Through the Lungs

Methods: Smoking, vaping, vaporizing:

The next delivery method to be discussed is consumption via the lungs. Here, you take the CBD through your lungs by inhaling it through a dry vaporizing device, pipe, vape or a good "old fashioned" joint. This is one of the most popular methods of consuming CBD as it has the highest bio availability when compared to all the other options on this list. Not to mention many people not only enjoy the taste but enjoy the ritual of preparing and sitting down to smoke. 

With the rise and availability of cbd flower on the market interest has peaked, even surprisingly many long term cannabis smokers are adoption CBD in this fashion. According to studies, CBD/Cannabinoids are able to break down and enter your bloodstream quickly once it reaches your lungs, taking its bio-availability to 34–46% range. Some studies state an even higher percentage.

Delivery Via suppository

There are no available studies on absorbance of either hemp extracts or cannabinoids other than THC after rectal administration. However; according to one such published study quoted the results of the 60-70% bioavailability (in plasma) were achieved with dogs, while with the monkeys they barely reached the range of 10-15%. Although this method has the least research, it's most certainly an option for those who are struggling to administer using other methods.

Final thoughts:

Bio-availability of CBD is an important consideration, as it prevents you from spending too much money on methods that are not going to be effective, as well as working out proper and consistent dosing when using multiple delivey methods.

You can use this primer to pick your delivery methods in a better and more effective way now!