There are many different ways to take CBD. Some users prefer taking CBD topical creams to get right to their source of pain. Other users may take a CBD edible or sublingual CBD oils. All these methods have separate absorption rates, and we don’t have the research to know exactly how much CBD is being available for the body to use. Keep reading to find what is CBD Bioavailability and Why is it Important?
CBD is still new. If you are already a CBD user, you are a pioneer. You are leading the charge in what could be the biggest health trend in modern history. This is exciting but also a bit concerning when you understand how little research has been done and how much disinformation is readily available for the first time CBD user to stumble across. One of the most important aspects of CBD Bioavailability.
CBD Absorption
The purpose of taking CBD is to get it to the bloodstream. From there our bodies can instantly distribute the CBD to the parts of the body that it has an effect on. This is called bioavailability, or the amount of substance available for the body to use.
Each method takes a different route to the bloodstream, this is where the problems arise and where we are left in the dark as users. We don’t know nearly enough about how well CBD is administered. There are not enough independent studies examining the amount of CBD in the blood after administration. These tests are basically non-existent unless you want to look at a study done by a CBD company selling products, they claim have a higher bioavailability than their competition.
CBD Bioavailability
CBD can be absorbed into the bloodstream; the issue is the delivery method. We know that sublingual administration is more efficient than CBD edibles. This is just common drug administration. If you send the substance to the liver, it’s going to throw some out and take a long time to make it usable for the body.
Absorbing CBD through the mucosal glands under the tongue is relatively better but still nowhere near 100% bioavailable. This number is debated, the number changes depending on who you ask. The carrier oil also plays a role in this situation.
Even sublingual administration is flawed, that’s ok. No drug administration is perfect, even if you are injecting the substance straight into the bloodstream.
If you are allowing CBD to dissolve under the tongue and taking it every day over weeks or months, you will get CBD into the bloodstream. You may need to adjust the dose during this journey, but just know consistency is key when dealing with flawed administration methods.
CBD Absorption Through Skin
Unfortunately, for all the fans of CBD topical creams, this is the least researched administration method. We really don’t even have the evidence to back up the possibility of CBD entering the bloodstream through the skin.
No one has independently done a study measuring the CBD in the blood after rubbing CBD cream on their skin (to my knowledge). This hasn’t stopped thousands of people from using CBD topically. I don’t think they are imagining the benefits; I think we just don’t have the scientific studies.
As cannabis becomes more popular and world governments relax their laws oppressing cannabis, we will get these answers. For now, it may be wise to use a highly concentrated topical to make sure you are getting enough CBD to make a difference.
Sublingual CBD oil seems to be the most efficient way of delivering CBD without having to inhale smoke. Our bodies can absorb oil under the tongue well enough for users to get a good flow of CBD going throughout their bodies. The future will hold more answers, for now, taking CBD multiple ways, daily, and over an extended period of time seems like reasonable approach.
