What is Nano CBD and How Does It Differ from Regular CBD?
Author: Ondrej Stovicek
Nano CBD is not a new cosmic term; it is simply water-soluble CBD! Products made with nano technology are created using similar methods as classic CBD products. So what makes them different?
What is CBD Oil?
When CBD is extracted from hemp, the result is a thick, oily substance containing a wide variety of hemp compounds. Cannabinoids, like CBD, are hydrophobic, meaning they do not dissolve in water. Even when isolated, CBD remains a hydrophobic substance. The term "CBD oil" specifically describes oil-based tinctures, but it also refers to CBD within any product formed from these extracts.
What is Nano CBD?
Nano CBD, or water-soluble CBD, undergoes a process that breaks the oil into small particles. These tiny droplets are then mixed with a surfactant that emulsifies the particles, keeping them stable and preventing them from rearranging. Despite its name, nano CBD does not actually dissolve in water. The small particle size allows them to disperse in liquids, aiding in the absorption of CBD into the body. These water-soluble extracts can be in liquid or powder form and are used in various CBD products like tinctures, capsules, food, and beverages.
Technologies Used in Nano CBD Production
Nanoemulsions: Created using a mechanical process to produce 10-100 nanometer particles. The small particle size allows for the use of minimal natural surfactants, reducing the need for synthetic surfactants.
Liposomes: Spherical structures ranging from 50 to 5,000 nanometers, consisting of a hydrophilic layer surrounded by a hydrophobic bilayer. CBD extract can be stored in the bilayer membrane, but this method requires complex manufacturing and a high level of surfactants.
Microemulsions: Form 100-5,000 nanometer droplets by solubilizing CBD hemp oil in water. This chemical process requires a high amount of surfactants, resulting in some undesirable side effects. This size emulsion is not commonly found in the CBD industry.
Classic CBD Oils vs. Nano CBD
Bioavailability: Classic CBD oils are subject to the first-pass effect when ingested. The compounds must pass through the liver before reaching total circulation. Much of the CBD is destroyed by the liver, and only a fraction of what was consumed reaches the bloodstream. Bioavailability is defined as "the amount of a substance that enters the bloodstream when introduced into the body and therefore may have an active effect."
For example, when swallowing oil-based CBD, studies show that the bioavailability can be as low as 4%. Nano CBD, however, due to its smaller particle size, offers greater bioavailability.
Comparison of CBD and Nano CBD Effects
Efficiency: With classic CBD, the effect comes more slowly, lasts longer, and is absorbed less. For example, in sublingual tincture form, the onset of effects takes 20-60 minutes, but the effects can last up to 8 hours.
With nano CBD, the effect comes faster—about 20 minutes—but the effects last only 5 hours.
Which One to Choose?
It depends on your preferences. Nano CBD is more expensive to produce, making the product more costly compared to conventional CBD oils. Consider whether a faster onset of effects or a longer duration of effects is more important to you.
At present, our range includes only classic CBD oils. We recommend combining cannabinoids to create a synergistic effect. Try using CBD + CBG hemp oil together to see how it affects you.