CBD Bioavailability Across Administration Forms
Different forms of CBD administration have varying bioavailability, i.e. how much active compound - in this case, cannabidiol - will reach your bloodstream and for how long.
This instantly begs the questions, ‘Should you opt for a specific form of CBD to ensure you get the most for your money?’. Well, the answer to the aforementioned question isn’t a straightforward one and is one largely determined by personal preference, for example, some people won’t vape, whereas others may feel sick at the thought of swallowing CBD oil etc.; therefore, even though some forms of CBD may offer more ‘bang for your buck’, i.e. deliver higher levels of CBD to your bloodstream, if you’re not a fan of that specific administration method, you’re not going to use it.
However, examining the bioavailability of CBD products is important. It can be used to ascertain, which might be best for you if you’re open to trying different products out and seeing how you respond to them. For those reasons, we’ve compiled a brief list of the three most popular forms of CBD and what levels of bioavailability they offer.
Oral CBD: ‘Oral’ CBD refers to the consumption of powdered or oil-based CBD in capsule form. According to research, oral administration of CBD is the least bioavailable, resulting in between 6-15% of the active compound absorbed by the digestive tract and gastrointestinal system. However, before you permanently cast aside oral CBD products, as taking higher doses of oral CBD products will increase the level of CBD in your bloodstream - and it may still be cost-effective even at a higher dose.
Sublingual CBD: ‘Sublingual’ CBD refers to the administration of CBD under the tongue. Under your tongue is a network of capillaries that allow cannabidiol to enter the bloodstream almost directly, without having to undergo “first-pass metabolism”, which is what reduces the bioavailability of oral CBD. Sublingual or ‘under the tongue’ CBD offers between 20-35% bioavailability, which is up to seven times that offered by its oral counterparts.
Vaping CBD: Inhaling CBD through a vape pen or other such device offers the highest levels of bioavailability, with research indicating up to 40% will reach your bloodstream - and even more quickly than sublingual administration, due to the larger surface area of the lungs. But is this level of bioavailability ideal? In some cases, yes, particularly if you need high doses of CBD quickly; however, not everyone will need such large doses in such a rapid fashion. Furthermore, the safety of vaping itself is questionable due to the fact that vaping involves inhaling chemicals in the lungs, which may cause both short and long term irritation - or potentially something more serious.
CBD Bioavailability: Which is the best?
There is no right or wrong answer to the above question. Why? Because you must always opt for a form of CBD that suits you and your needs. If you’re happy to inhale CBD and need big hits of it quickly, vaping might be the best option. If you’re not a fan of vaping but are willing to put drops of oil under your tongue, sublingual CBD is probably the ideal choice. If the thought of vaping or putting drops of oil under your tongue is abhorrent to you, then opting for an oral capsule or form of edible CBD product, gummies, for example, might be the best route to take.
Did you find this article useful? Has it helped you to decide which form of CBD administration is best for you? Let us know - we’d love to hear from you.
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