The craze for CBD products is at an all-time high, and it’s not just limited to common folks. Researchers, universities, and labs across the globe are pouring in money to learn more and more about this miraculous compound’s nature and potential health benefits.
According to an article published in Science.org, funding for cannabis research in the USA has grown from $30.2 million in 2000 to $145 million in 2018. As per Statista, the demand for CBD products is estimated to reach around $16 billion in valuation by 2026.
You’ll find plenty of research validating CBD’s efficacy for anxiety, pain, and sleep-related issues. New studies have found that it’s effective in treating neurological disorders and also works on animals just like humans.
Owing to such a scientific temperament, the world now has the first FDA-approved CBD prescription medicine for epilepsy, known as Epidolex. One thing that concerns many users is CBD’s absorption rate, and a recent study found that high-fat foods can increase it.
So read on as we shed light on the benefits of taking CBD with high-fat foods and how it can improve your wellness journey.
Why Does Fat Increase The CBD Absorption?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a fat-soluble compound, also commonly known as lipophilic in scientific terms. It means that it can mix and dissolve well with oils and fats as compared to water.
That’s why you’ll notice that most CBD oils have an MCT carrier oil in them, like coconut. When CBD is consumed with high-fat foods, the fats in the food can aid in the dissolution and transportation of CBD, improving its absorption into the bloodstream. When our digestive system breaks down fats, it forms micelles.
These micelles are small spherical structures that dissolve compounds of lipophilic nature, including CBD. The dissolved CBD carries micelles and then moves through intestinal walls, where CBD further gets absorbed and mixed into the bloodstream.
This is a long process; that’s why edibles take around 2 hours to work. Whereas sublingual methods work much faster because there is a digestive process involved and CBD gets directly released into the bloodstream through the blood capillaries under the tongue.
Study On The Correlation Between CBD Absorption And Fatty Foods
We have come a long way since the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized CBD consumption, production, and sale at the federal level. CBD is now easily available in almost all the US states, both through offline stores and online CBD brands like Colorado Botanicals.
You can find more information about CoboCBD here. But one thing that concerns many people is CBD’s absorption rate, as people want to get maximum benefits for every penny they spend on each CBD drop. It seems like we have an answer now.
Recently, the University of Minnesota published a study on epilepsy with the intent of learning how eating fatty foods with CBD enhances its absorption rate in the human body.
To learn about high-fat foods’s impact on CBD absorption, epilepsy patients at the MINCEP Epilepsy Clinic were given pure CBD (99%) concentrate capsules. Two groups were formed: one was given pure CBD capsules on an empty stomach, and another was given capsules after a high-fat breakfast, having 840–860 calories.
Blood samples were taken over 72 hours after dosing to measure CBD levels in the plasma using a validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis method. The result found that CBD’s absorption in the body increased tremendously with fatty food.
As compared to taking it on an empty stomach, with fatty foods, CBD’s amount in the body increased by four times. The study co-authors noted that the absorption rate can vary depending on the type of food and its fat levels, and the increased absorption can result in a decrease in the amount of money people spend on medication.
So yeah, maybe having a CBD gummy before bed after dinner can work better for you than taking some CBD drops in the morning on an empty stomach. Just try to mix things up until you find your perfect spot.
How Does CBD Work In Our Body? Does It Have Side Effects?
CBD works in our body by influencing and enhancing the working of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. These receptors are part of our body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a complex cell signaling network and is mainly responsible for maintaining a state of balance in our body.
It controls various biological processes, including our anxiety levels, immune response, stress levels, memory, appetite, and more. It’s found in all mammals and is spread throughout the body. That’s why even CBD topicals provide localized, targeted relief when you rub them on affected skin areas.
The CB1 and CB2 receptors of this system are there to interact with our body’s endocannabinoids, Anandamide and 2-AG. CBD enhances the working of these receptors without binding to them. CBD also targets non-cannabinoid receptors present in our brain regions, such as GHT1A, TRPV1, and more, which results in improved sleep quality and better rest.
In terms of side effects, CBD is generally well tolerated among humans. Even at fairly high doses, it’s completely non-lethal. If you do end up taking more than required, it may cause slight drowsiness and fatigue.
In some cases, it may also cause headaches and nausea due to its dehydrating properties. That’s why it’s recommended to increase your water intake when adding a new CBD product to your wellness routine.
Also, breastfeeding and pregnant women must stay away from it completely, as there’s not enough research to determine how it may impact a child’s growth. So yeah, stick to your daily dose, stay hydrated, and CBD won’t cause any harm.
Summary
To sum it up, CBD absorption increases in our body when it’s taken with fatty food because it’s a fat-soluble compound. To experience this firsthand, you can try to take your favorite gummies along with fat-rich food items like nuts and avocados.
A study done by the University of Minnesota found that subjects who took CBD pills with fatty foods had a higher concentration of CBD in their body as compared to those who took the pills on an empty stomach.
The difference was up to four times greater in the different control groups. Just make sure that the CBD product you use is made with 100% natural ingredients and comes with the latest, most up-to-date lab test reports.
Brands like Colorado Botanicals can be a great choice for well-tested and high-quality products. Remember, it takes time to work, so start with a low dose and monitor the results for some time before messing up with the dosage levels.