Most THC and CBD Oil Goes to Waste in Your Body—Here’s Why...
You know those delicious CBD #gummies everyone is raving about? Well, only about 6% will effectively enter your bloodstream to do their intended purpose. With the huge uproar in #cannabis and CBD products involving their medicinal effects, easily looked over is bio availability of the products. Bio-availability refers to how much of the active ingredient actually gets absorbed into the body and have a substantial effect. Differences in physiological processes and consumption methods affect how cannabis is absorbed, leaving the validity of its effects questionable.
Knowledge is power in this situation, You're definitely going to want to learn about the bio availability in order to get the most out of your medicine. The more bio-available your product, the less you'll need to maximize efficiency.
Variables and factors effecting bio-availability of cannabis.
The recent uproar in the popularity of cannabis can be somewhat attributed to the various different consumption methods available. #Edibles and #tinctures typically are much lower profile then typical #flower or #concentrate, so they're less stigmatized. Although, if cannabinoids like CBD and THC are ingested in oil form, their bio-availibility is compromised.
Oils containing #THC and #CBD resist absorption into the bloodstream due to the fact the body is 60% water. Science will tell you that oil and water don't mix well, the same is true for cannabinnoids and your body.
#Cannabinoids love fat and typically have to traverse a aqueous or watery cellular environment. So, when your consuming cannabis in its oil form, effects can be slowed an the bio-availability becomes very limited.
Another factor that can stunt the effects of oil-based cannabis, is the first pass phenomenon. When ingested orally, cannabis is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and transported via vein to the liver where it is then #metabolized. As a result of this, only a limited amount can reach the circulatory system. Since this is a very popular method of consumption, it's efficiency can be hit or miss.
Is the bioavailability different between cannabinoids?
Research shows that the bio-availability of cannaniboids depends on the method of delivery. Most investigation has gone into CBD, and THC, less into #cannabinol and #CBN.
In #topical ointments, balms and salves, CBD is ten times more effective than THC. Similar to CBN.
Although, orally consumed or via lung tissue, THC is more #bioavailable than CBD by an astonishing 30-50% higher then CBD delivered via oral spray. THC is still limited in it's effects when consumed orally, with bio-availability averaging only 4-12%. When smoked or #vaped THC increases to 30%.
Optimizing bio-availability: What consumption method should I use?
The most convenient cannabis products like capsules, soft gels, tinctures, and edibles limit bio-availability.
Absorption is slow, unpredictable, and has numerous variables. Around only 6% of the dose is absorbed, and the onset could take as long as 6 hours. This makes it extremely easy to take too much, and effects can last up to 20 hours.
Although the bio-availability has a a significant decrease in oral administration, it's long lasting effects eliminate the need for constant redosing. Also avoiding the risk and irritation to the airways that comes with #smoking or vaping.
Inhaling cannabis does guarantee increased bio-availability though. This is because molecules are transported by #vapor particles into the alveoli in your lungs. Allowing cannabinoids to rapidly enter the bloodstream without having to be metabolized by the liver.
A lesser known method of consumption is #intranasal delivery, enabling cannabinoids to be absorbed extremely easily with a rapid onset of ten minutes or less. Typically the bio-availability of intranasal methods are 34-46%. This is great for patients who are trying to halt a seizure in progress and avoid future seizures or migraines.
Extremely effective at targeting localized or systemic pain are trans-dermal pain. The patches enable a consistent infusion of active ingredients to the area. #Patients will be unlikely to see a spike of THC in the bloodstream with trans-dermal patches.
Last but definitely not least, #nanoemulsions and #microemulsions can significantly increase the stability and bioavailability of cannabinoids, all the way up to 100% bio-availability. However the research is still scarce, not knowing the full extent of how #nanocannabinoids change at a cellular level.
Tricks for increasing bio-availability?
A popular method for #boosting bio-availability of edibles is to combine cannabis products with fats. Healthy fats, combined with edibles or tinctures such as #guacamole, #hummus or dark #chocolate. Ice cream also goes great if your looking for a treat. The same applies for #alcohol based tinctures.
If you smoke or vape, bio-availability can be boosted by decreasing side-stream loss and taking more #puffs. Using a tabletop or handheld vaporizer will eliminate those losses, although don't bother with holding your breath. Research shows no evidence supporting that "holding your hit in for more then 10 seconds will get you higher".
The most cost effective way to optimize cannabis bio-availability is to not use more then you need. Due to it's nature, dosing to big or often may make the symptoms you're trying to alleviate worse.
