As amazing as CBD oil is, it has one drawback that just can’t be ignored:
CBD itself isn’t absorbed very well.
While the human body—in particular its specialized endocannabinoid system—loves CBD, most of the typical CBD oil one ingests gets broken down before it can make much of a difference. Leading scientists have described this chemical breakdown as “extensive” . . . and leading studies have called CBD’s oral bioavailability “very low.”
In the past, these limitations had to be circumvented by using different delivery methods. Instead of taking a tincture, for example, CBD users often opted to vape their CBD. Companies came up with CBD transdermals or even CBD suppositories . . . anything to avoid the liver breakdown seen with ingestible CBD.
But times have changed. In recent years science has discovered a new form of CBD oil: nano CBD.
Like many new things, nano CBD is a little controversial. That’s why this article will be geared towards helping you separate fact from fiction. Perhaps along the way you’ll be inspired to try nano CBD oil for yourself. Here’s a quick preview of what’s to come:
Table of Contents
What Is Nano CBD?
Nano CBD is a type of CBD that features tiny, specialized nanoparticles.
Traditionally speaking, “nano” was a math term that meant precisely 0.0000000001. But these days the nano prefix simply refers to things that are very, very small.
Contrary to popular belief, nano CBD does not feature smaller-than-normal CBD molecules. CBD’s molecular mass is 314.464 g/mol . . . and it always will be. The difference between conventional CBD and nano-enhanced CBD is how this new form of CBD is structured.
Nano CBD’s CBD molecules have been evenly dispersed into tiny, water-soluble liposomes which allow them to flow more easily into tight spaces. The liposomes of premium nano CBD may be as small as 25 nanometers (nm) across. Compared to the thousand-nm diameter of conventional liposomes, the difference is dramatic.
What Is in Nano CBD Oil?
Nano CBD shares a lot in common with regular CBD. First and foremost? Its active ingredients list.
Indeed, any premium CBD product draws its power from a premium full-spectrum hemp extract; nano CBD is no different. High-quality nano CBD oil will be rich in CBD, trace cannabinoids like CBG and CBN, and terpenes like ꞵ-caryophyllene and limonene. In an impressive display of mother nature’s own version of alchemy, these components actually work together and synergize.
From there, though, nano CBD oil’s ingredients vary from those of conventional CBD oil. Because it’s water-soluble, nano-CBD doesn’t require a carrier oil like hemp seed or olive oil. It uses distilled or ultra-distilled water for that instead. (For anyone who’s trying to watch their weight, yes, this means nano-CBD is low in calories!)
Nano CBD does contain a small amount of healthy fat, however. That’s because each liposome wrapped around the nano CBD is made of specially structured fatty acids called phospholipids. But don’t be alarmed—the cells in our bodies are phospholipids, too, so this process is as natural as can be. The phospholipids protect their contents from the outside world; in the case of nano CBD oil, they protect CBD from premature degradation. Thanks to its liposomes, the active compounds in nano CBD can reach their most important targets.
And while many different fat sources can be structured into liposomes, some are better than others. Look for nano CBD oils that use MCT oil (a pro-metabolism derivative of coconuts) and/or sunflower lecithin (a natural derivative of sunflower seeds) to get the job done. Side note: sunflower lecithin is also a powerful brain food.
Regular vs. Nano: What’s the Difference?
To summarize, ‘regular’ CBD and nano CBD differ in two major ways: what their ingredients are, and how these ingredients are structured.
But these physical differences lead to different pharmacological effects and radically different experiences. Here are some key points:
- Nano CBD is easy to digest, even for those with digestive problems
- Nano CBD is absorbed 4-5 times more completely than normal
- Nano CBD kicks in up to 10 times faster
- Nano CBD’s effects last longer
What makes nano CBD kick in so fast? The key is the special glands in your mouth collectively called the oromucosal membrane, which absorb nano CBD oil immediately upon contact. This means no more waiting for CBD to be digested or over-metabolized by the liver; nano CBD is a true sublingual that doesn’t rely on those pathways. Indeed, many users feel the effects of nano CBD within seconds.
Nano CBD has other practical benefits as well. Since its active compounds are protected by hydrophilic liposomes, nano CBD can be easily infused into your beverage of choice. Its mixability means you can add it to coffee, tea, cocktails, sports drinks, and more. If you thought taking CBD oil had to be boring . . . think again.
Is Nano CBD More Expensive?
Nano CBD oil can seem more expensive than other options, at least at first glance, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you actually do the math, nano CBD’s value becomes apparent. Here’s how.
Let’s say you’re trying to decide between two different CBD products. One is a conventional, fat-soluble CBD oil that contains 500 milligrams of full-spectrum CBD. Its price is $40—pretty affordable!
$40/500 = 8 cents per milligram of CBD
The other option is a 600-milligram nano CBD oil. It costs $75. That seems pricey, you might think. A simple calculation affirms:
$75/600 = 12.5 cents per milligram of CBD
The problem with this simple comparison is that it doesn’t take into account how much of the CBD in those bottles actually makes it into your bloodstream. Another calculation is needed:
The conventional 500 mg CBD oil has a bioavailability of around 15%, which means only about 75 milligrams of its CBD will be put to good use.
$40/75 = 53.3 cents per milligram of CBD
The nano CBD oil, on the other hand, has a bioavailability of around 60%, so 360 milligrams of that bottle will be absorbed, meaning its true value is more like:
$75/360 = 20.8 cents per milligram of CBD
That’s less than half the price of the seemingly cheaper ‘conventional’ CBD! This means you can take fewer milligrams of CBD and still get better results in the long run. And if nano CBD’s numbers seem too good to be true, here’s some research that backs them up:
- Maximal absorption “is increased and reached faster after oral administration … in a pro-nanoliposphere formulation.” [1]
- “The highly lipophilic nature of cannabinoids means that they are seen as suitable candidates for advanced nanosized drug delivery systems.” [2]
- “The [nanoparticle] formulation proposed proved to be a promising carrier for the oral delivery of CB13, a cannabinoid with high therapeutic potential.” [3]
Nano CBD: The Facts
The benefits of nano CBD oil are numerous. We’ve compiled a list of the top four benefits we know about nano CBD for sure. Take a look:
Fact #1: Nano CBD is water-soluble.
Nano CBD is water-soluble, which means it readily dissolves into the water—unlike conventional CBD oil, which mixes with water no better than, well, oil and water. Nano CBD oil can be mixed into any liquid quickly and easily, whether your favorite drink or your actual bloodstream.
Fact #2: Nano CBD absorbs fast.
Because nano CBD can be absorbed directly through those sublingual glands mentioned earlier, it kicks in nearly instantly. Customers report feeling relief within seconds—not the minutes or hours seen with other CBD products.
Nano CBD is highly bioavailable as well. While conventional CBD’s absorption rate tops out around 20 percent, nano CBD’s often passes 50 percent. That means better results and more benefits for your buck.
Fact #3: Nano CBD is totally safe.
Nano CBD is completely safe. It has the same safety profile as regular CBD. Even the normally-reserved World Health Organization recognizes CBD’s safety, having classified CBD as a risk-free substance back in 2018.
Indeed, nano CBD may actually be even safer than conventional CBD. That’s because most of CBD’s problems stem from how it impacts liver enzymes, potentially changing the properties of some pharmaceutical drugs. But nano-enhanced CBD gets absorbed so quickly that it tends to bypass the liver—and the liver’s volatile metabolism—entirely.
Fact #4: Liposomes are proven to increase the absorption of many different supplements.
While more research still needs to be done on the full range of benefits of nano CBD, science is already familiar with what happens to a supplement when it goes liposomal. “Liposomes have been considered as one of the most outstanding, versatile, and flexible carrier systems,” attests one research article. What we’ve seen of liposomal CBD so far is likely only the tip of the iceberg.
Nano CBD: The Fiction
Myth #1: Nano CBD molecules are smaller than normal.
While the particles that house nano CBD are smaller than average, the molecules themselves are not. Science is clear that the size of CBD molecules stays constant at 314.464 g/mol. It’s the size of the droplets that house CBD that become smaller, not the molecules themselves.
Myth #2: Nano CBD is more expensive than other types of CBD.
Nano CBD may be more expensive in terms of milligrams per bottle, but once you take into account the amount of CBD that actually reaches your endocannabinoid system (due to nano CBD’s improved bioavailability), Nano CBD is effectively 2-3 times cheaper than conventional CBD.
Myth #3: Nano CBD is the only effective CBD product.
While nano CBD is awesome, it’s only part of the puzzle that makes up optimal health. Other CBD products like topicals and capsules still have their place. Perhaps a dual approach combining nano-enhanced and regular CBD products is most effective? Only time (and the future research it affords) will tell.
For now, though, we know this: when it comes to harnessing the power of plants, a holistic approach is needed. Nature really does know best.
To Your Health,
Green Maiden
