Water Soluble vs. Oil Soluble CBD

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a beneficial plant compound derived from Hemp. Not everyone is aware of CBD yet, and the people that have heard about it, associate it with oil. We all know that oil and water don’t mix well. Most products and supplements that we use are not oil-based.

CBD, in its natural oil form, can only be effectively incorporated into the body through a narrow range of uses. Common oil-based delivery methods, like tinctures, are not meant to be swallowed, and for good reason, bioavailability!

Bioavailability indicates how much of any given substance is actually able to be absorbed by the body. There’s a bodily process that prevents effective uptake of CBD oil in the stomach, called first-pass metabolism.

First-pass metabolism, or “first-pass effect,” is a physiological phenomenon in drug delivery science where the concentration of a compound is greatly reduced before it is absorbed into the blood stream for circulation.

CBD can’t effectively make it through hepatic portal vein system when swallowed in its natural oil state. The decrease in bioavailability affects a number of compounds, many found in cannabis. First-pass metabolism only affects the bioavailability of CBD when consumed orally! There are creative chemistry techniques to get around it.

Topically rubbing CBD into your skin or placing some tincture under your tongue allows the CBD to directly enter systemic circulation. CBD tinctures work quickly and effectively. Holding the CBD oil under your tongue for 1-3 minutes, it is absorbed by the mucous membranes of the mouth, where it makes its way into the bloodstream. These delivery methods don’t go near any of the mechanisms associated with the first-pass effect, and bioavailability IS NOT negatively affected.

What’s The Issue?

The first pass effect greatly decreases the bioavailability of CBD oil when swallowed. Unfortunately, nearly all CBD oil capsules that you see on the market will have very poor absorption rates. That translates to taking a 20mg capsule and only actually absorbing around 5mg!

Scientist have developed techniques that are now common in drug delivery science and are super important because almost 40% of new drug compounds are hydrophobic and have the same oral bioavailability issues as CBD. [Source]

Why Water-Soluble CBD?

One of the primary ways to overcome the first-pass effect is to convert the naturally oil-soluble CBD extract into a water-soluble form. This makes total sense, especially when considering the fact that the average adult is somewhere from 50–60% water. The technique is known as Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System [SEDDS], and possesses unparalleled potential in improving oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. [Source]

Think of CBD extract as a big blob, in oil form. When it enters your stomach it’s too large to pass through your stomach lining and enter systemic circulation without being broken down by enzymes and passed along the liver for processing. When CBD oil is converted to a water-soluble powder the end result is an off-white, water-soluble, micro-encapsulated, full-spectrum, CBD hemp extract.

Why Should It Matter to You?

Water-soluble CBD powder makes the most sense for widespread adoption and use in our everyday lives. When we look at the shelves in the health and wellness aisles of natural food stores, we see an overwhelmingly large amount of capsules and drink-powders. Only by converting CBD oil into a water-soluble powder can we effectively incorporate water-soluble CBD into our daily health and wellness routine

In Conclusion

Supplementing your wellness routine with a powerful plant compound like CBD does not need to be a chore. We have an incredibly complex and important Endocannabinoid System in our body that helps to regulate the function of our nervous and immune systems. Activating this system with CBD supplementation is something that everyone can benefit from.
 

What is extremely important to know is that water soluble CBD IS NOT the only answer, as many purveyors of water soluble CBD are claiming!! Yes, it does allow for a variety of oral delivery methods, but it is not the HOLY GRAIL of CBD delivery! Taking CBD oil sublingually allows for a quicker delivery method because it doesn’t have to pass through the digestive tract and liver before reaching the bloodstream and working its magic.