There is a lot of hype around at present concerning Nano CBD. So what exactly is Nano CBD and does it deliver? Nano just refers to very, very small particles. In fact, Nano CBD particles are about a millionth of their regular size. It is not a new technology and it has already been used, in other industries, for decades.
Nanotechnology has most commonly been used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries in order to deliver the smallest molecules to our cells. The supplement industry is jumping on the bandwagon by creating Nano products to avoid absorption taking place in the intestines.
Nanotechnology comes down to one thing. Bioavailability. When we take 100mg of CBD orally, the bioavailability is around 20% meaning you absorb around 20mg of CBD. Traditional Isolate and Distillate is oil-based. This means that in order for your body to absorb the CBD it must be processed in the digestive tract and adhere to fat lipids. It is then processed through the liver and made available to your ECS (Endocannabinoid System).
The ECS is made up of three parts:
- Endocannabinoids
- Receptors in the Central Nervous System
- Enzymes that help break down these cannabinoids.
The ECS is responsible for regulating many of the functions we take for granted like sleep, hormone regulation, signaling the body’s need for food or rest, serotonin regulation. So its little wonder that when the body gets out of whack through illness and disease the ECS steps in to try to regulate the body’s systems. Medical science solidifies this research and even states that the ECS may have more far-reaching effects on the body.
CBD Bioavailability and How Your Body Breaks it Down
So how does CBD, and more importantly, Nano CBD come into the equation? The body appears to be able to process small particles more easily and effectively than the larger oil-based ones found in Traditional Isolate and Distillate.
Let us clarify here that Nano CBD is not in itself water-based. Many companies are using terms like Nano CBD, water-soluble CBD, and Nano-emulsified CBD. These terms basically refer to the same thing: CBD particles that are broken down into exceedingly small particles and are then coated with some form of surfactant that essentially makes them stable and float in water. This makes them appear to be water-soluble as the particles are so tiny but in fact, they are still oil-based particles. They are now just tiny, coated oil-based particles.
The problem with this process is that the surfactant is 100% chemical. The tiny particle of CBD needs to be coated in order to make it shelf stable leaving it up to each individual company to choose which surfactant they’d like to use. Several companies selling Nano CBD products on the internet at present use a surfactant called Propylene Glycol. This particular stabilizer was named ‘Allergen of The Year’ in 2018 by The American Contact Dermatitis Society because of its allergen and irritant properties.
There is a long list of stabilizers used to coat the tiny CBD particles. URB597, AM251 and Rimonabant are often used too. If you don’t like the sounds of ingesting anything but complete plant medicines then Nano is probably not for you.
The majority of CBD companies that sell Nano CBD do not provide any documentation on how the Nano molecules were broken down and made shelf-stable. Their COA’s do not reflect anything other than the % of each present cannabinoid.
Another major problem is that many of the terpenes and are lost in the Nano process leaving you with essentially an Isolate CBD rather than a Broad or Full Spectrum CBD. One factor many experts can agree upon is that a Broad or a Full Spectrum is far better for you as it is a complete plant matter and each of the compounds present complement each other.
This is called the Entourage Effect. Simply put, it is the increased benefit your body receives from ingesting a plethora of cannabinoids rather than just one cannabinoid isolated on its own. The genus of Cannabis Sativa contains 113 phytocannabinoids. Any loss of these essential cannabinoids through a chemical process of extraction can damage or completely eliminate delicate cannabinoids.
Risks with Nano CBD and the Research
Are there any risks involved with orally ingesting Nano particles? Dr Singh, a professor at the University of British Columbia has expressed concern about Nano particles possibly being absorbed by the internal organs causing inflammation and tissue damage. There definitely needs to be more clinical trials conducted on any negative impacts of Nano particles.
Dr Singh is more concerned however with the method of creating the Nano particles and whether any negative and unhealthy chemicals are used in this process than the Nano particle itself.
Things to look for when choosing a Nano CBD product:
- Does the bioavailability increase in absorption by the body outweigh the increase in cost
- What chemicals are used in this process and does the COA or website truly reflect the analysis
- Is it Broad or Full Spectrum or have many of the cannabinoids been destroyed in the process
- Is the main ingredient oil? If so it is not a Nano CBD product. Its just marketing hype.
- Does the product suggest shaking well before use? If so the product is not water stabile.
- Is it an organic full plant CBD? Unfortunately, many inferior forms of CBD end up being converted into Nano CBD, particularly those with a low cannabinoid profile.
This is not to say all Nano products are bad but they are most definitely not created equally.
How to take Nano CBD products
If you are already taking a tincture consumed sublingually your bioavailability is much higher than ingesting a gummy or a capsule.
There is still much research to be done in this arena. Science is changing our lives daily. If your current method of consuming CBD is working for you stick to it. If you are tempted to try a Nano CBD product definitely take some time to review COA’s and research the extraction method. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you are looking to take a Broad or Full Spectrum Nano CBD product examine the COA against one of traditional oil-based CBD products and take particular heed to examine the overall cannabinoid profile and not just the percentage of CBD.
OC Wellness Solutions is dedicated to providing current information on wellness and wellbeing. We are located in Southern California and we sell a range of wellness and health-related supplements. We are dedicated to helping our customers make healthy, plant-based selections to heal their bodies.
