How Is Cannabidiol (CBD) Absorbed Into The Body?

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CBD Health Benefits
CBD Health Benefits

CBD health benefits have made it a major ingredient in health and wellness products by many manufacturers. This is because cannabidiol interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) imparting the therapeutic effects that are making it popular among users. So, it is used for reducing anxiety and depression, managing pain, reducing inflammations, treating symptoms of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, etc. Besides, it has very minimal side effects and is not psychotropic like THC. In this article, we will investigate how CBD is absorbed in the body under different methods of consumption.

Cannabidiol (CBD)s Interaction With Receptors

CBD imparts its effects mainly by interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS that plays a critical role in homeostasis. Apart from this, it interacts with 5-HT1A serotonin receptors and increases serotonin levels in the brain. Its analgesic effect is due to the positive effects on the TRPV-1 or vanilloid receptors that modulate pain perception. Above all, the quality of its therapeutic effects also depends on the method of consumption as it affects CBD’s bioavailability.

CBD Absorption After Oral Consumption

One of the most common methods of consuming cannabidiol (CBD) products is to ingest it, and CBD is absorbed through the digestive system. From there, it is carried in the blood from the intestines through the hepatic portal vein into the liver. There CBD is metabolized by a group of enzymes known as CYP450 into both useful and useless metabolites, this process is called the first-pass metabolism. The useful metabolites are available to the ECS and produce the therapeutic effects, the useless ones are eliminated out of the body through bodily excretions. Moreover, first-pass metabolism reduces CBD bioavailability per dose.

CBD Absorption After Sublingual Consumption

In sublingual consumption, CBD drops are held under the tongue for 30 to 60 seconds to get the maximum effect. It is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the tiny blood vessels under the tongues, and the onset time of CBD effects is faster compared to the previous method. The advantage of this method is that it completely bypasses the first-pass metabolism, and hence have higher CBD bioavailability per dose.

CBD Absorption After Inhalation

CBD vapors are inhaled using vape pens, and CBD directly enters the bloodstream through the highly permeable alveoli of the lungs. Again, the advantage of this method of cannabidiol consumption is that it completely bypasses the first-pass metabolism. Above all, this method has the fastest onset time for CBD effects, and hence suitable for quick relief from conditions like chronic pain.

CBD absorption is also influenced by physiological factors, and know that it cannot cure diseases but can only mitigate the symptoms.