Nano CBD - Pseudoscience or innovation?
The CBD industry is constantly pushing the boundaries forward. This time using nanotechnology. Some swear by the benefits of nano CBD, others consider it a hoax. Apparently, nano CBD is the latest way to improve the absorption of CBD into the bloodstream. What does the science say? Is it possible for nano CBD to end up in the bloodstream in greater quantities than regular CBD? And most importantly, is it safe to take nano CBD? Let's take a closer look at this issue.
What is nano CBD?
Nanotechnology is the application of "extremely small things" performed at the nanoscale (approximately 1 to 100 nanometers). Nanotechnology is quite widespread in medicine, cosmetic products, biomaterials, robotics and now in the production of organic compounds such as CBD. Some companies refer to nano CBD as 'water-soluble CBD'. However, this term is not factually correct. No CBD is water soluble, it's just that the smaller sized molecules are able to appear so on a macro scale. We will go into more detail on how this works later.
Bioavailability of CBD
If you've been following CBD for a while, you'll already know that CBD has a relatively low bioavailability. What does this mean? Bioavailability is the speed and rate at which a substance enters the bloodstream to produce a desired effect. The bioavailability of a substance depends on several factors, including the method of consumption. For example, the oral route of consumption of CBD has an average bioavailability rate of about 20 %. So if you consume 100 mg of CBD, only 20% of it (20 mg) will enter the bloodstream to produce an active effect. In contrast, vaping provides one of the highest bioavailability rates, between 34-46%. Since oral consumption is relatively ineffective and vaping puts a strain on the lungs, consumers are looking for a happy medium. For some, this is nano CBD.
Why can nano CBD work better than regular CBD?
The reason CBD manufacturers and consumers have become interested in nano CBD is because of the nature of the compound itself. CBD is a hydrophobic molecule, which means it does not mix with water. In addition to being hydrophobic, cannabinoids, CBD not excluded, are also lipophilic. This means that they bind to or dissolve in fats/liquids. CBD molecules therefore do not naturally bind with water molecules. This is why the bioavailability is so low.
Think of it as your mouth and digestive tract being watery while CBD is oily. Because water and oil don't mix, most of the CBD particles remain in droplets until full digestion occurs. In addition, because of the "first-pass effect" (metabolism), a large percentage of the CBD you ingest is already broken down and broken down in your intestines. Once all these processes are complete, only a small percentage of the CBD remains to be absorbed into the bloodstream. However, when the CBD particles become small enough (nano), they look and behave like a dissolved substance. This is why they are called 'water-soluble CBD', a term used only for marketing purposes. CBD does not actually lose its hydrophobic nature and cannot become water soluble.
It is easier for the body to digest and absorb the nutrients from the oil, which is concentrated in tiny droplets. This is because the smaller droplets of oil have more surface contact with the body's enzymes and absorptive tissue, which helps the body absorb the CBD molecules sooner. Unlike the actual water-soluble molecules that the body can use immediately, CBD needs even more processing in the body to be fully distributed into the bloodstream. A 2016 study published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics looked at the effectiveness of cannabinoid drugs when encapsulated. The researchers used a method of encapsulating cannabinoid drugs in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs).
Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are a smarter drug carrier system consisting of physiological, biodegradable and biocompatible lipid materials. NLCs are used for pharmaceutical applications for various routes of drug delivery, including oral, topical, ocular, etc. In short, encapsulation of a drug using NLCs can overcome absorption difficulties, increase active bioavailability, reduce degradation of the substance and achieve active delivery to tissues. This system allows multiple routes of administration and offers advanced therapeutic efficacy and safety for more difficult to administer drugs. The researchers found that "better yield, morphology, size distribution and encapsulation efficiency are achieved when using NLC." This means that smaller CBD particles are more efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream than normal-sized CBD particles.
What does the research say about nano CBD?
When produced properly, nano CBD oil can increase the amount of CBD that enters the bloodstream. Although there is only a handful of research available on nano CBD, let's summarize what the science says so far. A promising 2018 study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences looked at the bioavailability of Sativex compared to CBD/THC nanoemulsion in healthy male volunteers. The study authors noted increased overall absorption of the nanoemulsion. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Controlled Release compared the bioavailability of the CBD/THC nanoemulsion Piperine to Sativex, an approved THC/CBD spray, in healthy male volunteers.
The study showed a significant increase in THC and CBD absorption compared to Sativex, but it should be noted that the nanoemulsion also contained Piperine - a natural absorption enhancer. Another 2016 study published in the Journal of Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy looked at lipid nanoparticles as a platform for cannabinoid delivery.
The study focused on the development of a valuable carrier for the oral administration of the cannabinoid derivative CB13. According to the authors of the study, this derivative represents a therapeutic potential for some chronic pain conditions that do not respond well to conventional analgesics. The lipid formulation used in this study proved to be a promising carrier for oral administration of the derivative. This suggests that nanoparticles may be an effective tool for delivering cannabinoids to target tissues and helping with painful conditions that do not respond to conventional drugs.
What are the risks of using nano CBD?
Nano CBD holds promise, but there is still a lot of room for research, especially when it comes to the safety of these products. Dr. Pratap Singh, an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, said nanocapsules "should be subjected to further clinical trials" and "more rigorous testing if the size is less than 50 or 20 nanometers." He issued this warning mainly because nanoparticles can penetrate human cells and accumulate in various organs, which can lead to inflammation and tissue damage.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on nanotechnology looked at the risks and benefits of nanotechnology use in relation to pregnancy. The report points out that 'it is not clear whether nanoparticles can pass from the body of a pregnant woman through the placenta to her unborn child'. Small particles behave like larger particles up to a certain size. However, as particles become even smaller, up to several hundred nanometres in size, they exhibit some characteristics that differ from those of normal-sized particles. For example, they pass through spaces that they could not pass through before and enter tissues that were not previously expected. These small particles can penetrate different types of tissues, even beyond those they target. However, Dr. Singh advises consumers to be more concerned about whether a product is made safely and is non-toxic than whether it contains nanoparticles.
Summary: Is nano CBD more effective than regular CBD?
There is still very little research on this topic. Their results look promising - nano CBD is absorbed into the body more efficiently. For consumers, this means that they get more from less CBD when taking nano CBD. This is the main advantage and benefit of this form of cannabidiol. However, there are also some risks associated with using nano CBD oils and other products - they often contain other chemical compounds, for example. But the lack of research is limiting. We advise you to be cautious when choosing nano CBD products and to familiarise yourself with the possible risks. In addition, some manufacturers of nano CBD products tend to exaggerate and exaggerate the great qualities of their "high-tech" products - logically to sell their products. That's why you're best off going with a company that presents the results of tests by an independent party.
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