Optimizing Oral Absorption of CBD Tinctures

Have you ever wondered how to ensure your body is utilizing CBD to its fullest potential? Your body absorbs substances in different ways depending on the mode of delivery, the quality and potency of the product, whether or not you are in a fasted state, your individual biology, and more. It’s no wonder there’s confusion regarding whether or not you’re getting the most out of your CBD product. You may also see the correlation of how those factors can impact the longevity of your product.

So let’s talk about the ways your choices can impact and optimize the absorption of CBD, particularly with oral tinctures. The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all, but there are many avenues to try out.

1. Avoid an empty stomach

Did you know that the things you eat (or don’t eat) could be impacting the way your body absorbs CBD? One study looked at CBD absorption on an empty stomach vs. a full stomach and determined that absorption rates quadrupled after a meal (1). That means one of the top ways you can increase the absorption and improve the longevity of your product is to grab some grub. The next step is to make sure the meal is high in natural fats.

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2. Eat a meal high in natural fats

CBD is a lipophilic (or fat-soluble) molecule, which means that it combines with (or is dissolved into) fat molecules when they are present. Pairing your CBD consumption with foods or oils high in healthy fats can give the break-down (or absorption) process a little boost as it enters your body to be digested (3). Another study found that eating a meal rich in healthy fats can increase CBD plasma exposure (Cmax and AUCt) by 4.85- and 4.2-fold, respectively (4, 5). Although many foods contain fat, choosing a natural option rich in fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals is not only a healthy choice but provides additional nutritional value that helps to support your overall wellness. Here are some of the best naturally fat-rich foods you can pair with your dose of CBD.

Coconut oil and MCT oil tops the list because of their high value of medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs. Because of their shorter length, MCTs are digested easier than longer-chain fatty acids which are found in many other foods. This makes coconut oil and MCT oil the perfect option for optimizing the oral bioavailability of CBD tinctures.
Wild-caught Alaskan salmon is a great source of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, as well as protein, selenium, and a variety of vitamins. Wild-caught salmon is superior in nutritional value to farm-raised salmon because of the natural diet, vitamins, and minerals they receive in their wild habitat.
Avocados can have upwards of 20g of natural fat and approximately 9g of fiber - and that’s just a medium-sized avocado! These natural omega-3 fat bombs are also loaded with vitamins and other nutrients, making them a great option to pair with your dose of CBD.
Walnuts, almonds, and cashews are packed with omega-3 (alpha-linolenic) and omega-6 (linolenic) fatty acids and can have anywhere from 15 to 21g of fat per serving.
Cheese made from the milk of grass-fed-only animals contains higher nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids than cheese made from grain-fed animals.
Hemp Seeds contain over 30% fat! Just three tablespoons contain approximately 14g of fat. They are exceptionally rich in two essential fatty acids, omega-6 and omega-3.
Sunflower seeds (dried or toasted) also contain approximately 14g of fat for a serving of three tablespoons. Grab a handful for a light snack packed with fat.

3. Choose the right method

Some methods of consumption are more effective than others. This has to do with how they are extracted, formulated, or infused. If you’re looking for the option that has the best bioavailability with the highest likelihood for fast absorption, consume a product that is formulated with nano-particle CBD or water-based CBD.

Water-compatible CBD is made up of microscopic particles (or nanoparticles) of CBD that have been extracted from the hemp plant and have gone through a nanoemulsion process. This process uses ultrasonic waves to break the molecules into microscopic pieces making them much easier to absorb by the body (2). This makes water-based nanoparticles a much better option for faster onset and absorption than oil-based tinctures because the particles are already broken into microscopic pieces.

Once it’s absorbed through your oral or digestive tissues, the CBD is carried by the blood to the heart and brain with an onset time as fast as a few minutes.

4. Incorporate CBD into your diet

Like any vitamin, mineral, or nutrient, daily exposure and consumption is key to building up a presence within the body. That's why it’s best to incorporate CBD into a daily regimen that includes a high-fat meal or snack. Water-compatible CBD can be mixed into a food or beverage for fast, on-the-go delivery. This eliminates the need for pre-made edibles that contain sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or other preservatives.

If you are ready to incorporate CBD into your life, feel confident starting with a nano-CBD product formulated to easily “dissolve” in water or fats. If you’re curious about fast-absorbing, water-soluble CBD, check out the shop page for products that fit your needs.

Resources:

Birnbaum, AK, Karanam, A, Marino, SE, et al. Food effect on pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol oral capsules in adult patients with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2019; 60: 1586– 1592. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.16093
Bruni, N., Della Pepa, C., Oliaro-Bosso, S., Pessione, E., Gastaldi, D., & Dosio, F. (2018). Cannabinoid Delivery Systems for Pain and Inflammation Treatment. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 23(10), 2478. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23102478
Millar, S. A., Maguire, R. F., Yates, A. S., & O'Sullivan, S. E. (2020). Towards Better Delivery of Cannabidiol (CBD). Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 13(9), 219. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph13090219
Taylor, L., Gidal, B., Blakey, G., Tayo, B., & Morrison, G. (2018). A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose, Multiple Dose, and Food Effect Trial of the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Highly Purified Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects. CNS drugs, 32(11), 1053–1067. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-018-0578-5
Perucca, E., Bialer, M. Critical Aspects Affecting Cannabidiol Oral Bioavailability and Metabolic Elimination, and Related Clinical Implications. CNS Drugs 34, 795–800 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-020-00741-5

Author: Bri Smith

Optimizing Oral Absorption of CBD Tinctures