If it’s an oral preparation, such as a capsule, infused edible or tincture that is fully swallowed, the likely answer is that a high fat content meal proceeding the oral CBD dosage vastly improves pharmacokinetic measures of effectiveness.
In a small scale 2019 study published in the journal Epilepsia by researchers from the University of Minnesota, eight adult human subjects were given a CBD containing capsule under either a fasted state, or after being fed a large high fat content breakfast. Blood plasma CBD concentrations were assayed over the course of 72 hours. On average the maximum concentration (Cmax) was 14 times, and area under the curve (AUC0‐∞ or total CBD measured in blood plasma), 4 times higher in the fed state. Given the lipophilic (non-polar) nature of CBD, this should not be too surprising. So at least based on this study, make sure to take your CBD capsules after a hearty meal!
In future posts we will continue to explore the pharmacokinetics of various CBD delivery options, and consider what happens to the portion of CBD dosages that do not end up in the blood stream.
Citation:
, , , et al. Food effect on pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol oral capsules in adult patients with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2019; 60: 1586– 1592. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.16093
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