What Is Nano CBD | Benefits & Potential Drawbacks
Is Nano CBD the Next Big Thing or Just Marketing Hype?
Today we will make a deep dive into the world of nano CBD to take a look at what it is and how it differs from regular CBD oils.
It is marketed as being faster acting and more effective, but is that really true or just pseudo-scientific marketing tactics?
What is Nano CBD?
Nano CBD is an exciting technology that refers to CBD particles that have been broken down into ridiculously tiny, nano-sized particles. It is achieved through a process called nano-encapsulation which shrinks the size of CBD particles to 1-billionth of a meter so they can pass through cell membranes more easily.
The goal is to increase the bioavailability and absorption rate and bypass the need for processing the CBD in the liver.
The Nano-Encapsulation Process
Nano-encapsulation is when you encapsulate an active ingredient in a nanoscale carrier that protects and enhances the delivery of the ingredient. In the case of CBD, it means that CBD molecules are surrounded (encapsulated) by a carrier that helps them pass through cell membranes quicker and easier, giving you faster acting and more effective benefits.
Benefits of Nano CBD
To understand the potential benefits of nano CBD, we need to consider two important facts that factor into bioavailability.
- The human body is made up of around 60% water
- Oil does not mix with water
With these facts in hand, it’s easy to see that nano CBD has better potential for bioavailability in the human body than regular CBD oils. In essence, you get a higher percentage of CBD that enters your bloodstream and can be used by the body.
The benefits of nano CBD include.
- Quicker onset – Nano CBD products are absorbed more quickly than traditional CBD oil, providing faster relief from symptoms such as pain relief, sleep problems, and inflammatory issues.
- Increased effectiveness – The smaller particle size allows higher potency with less of the cannabis product, making it more effective at lower doses.
- Easier to mix with water – Traditional CBD oil doesn’t mix well with water, but nano CBD is water soluble, making it easier to incorporate into beverages and other products.
CBD flower: The quickest CBD method
The Particle Size Matters: It’s Not the Motion of the Ocean
As you’ve probably understood by now, nanotechnology is all about the size of the particles. The smaller the particles are, the bigger the surface area they have, and a bigger surface area means that they can interact more effectively with cell membranes to be absorbed quickly by the body.
Nano CBD is around 10 to 100 nanometers in size which is such a small size that it is almost impossible to grasp.
One nanometer is one-billionth (1’000’000’000) of a meter. An average human hair is 80’000 nanometers and one inch is roughly 25’400’000 nanometers.
Nano CBD vs. Regular CBD
Now that we understand what nano CBD is, let’s look at the differences between nano vs. regular CBD to better understand which product to choose and what to expect.
Particle size is a vital factor that sets nano CBD apart from regular CBD. As mentioned earlier, nano CBD has a smaller particle size due to the process of nano-encapsulation. This smaller size may allow the CBD molecules to be absorbed more easily by the body, increasing its effectiveness.
Another important difference is their bioavailability where nano CBD has a higher bioavailability than regular CBD, meaning that a larger percentage of the product can be absorbed and used by the body.
Solubility also plays a role in distinguishing nano CBD from regular CBD. While regular CBD oil isn’t water-soluble, nano CBD is. This makes nano CBD easier to mix with water-based products and beverages, broadening its range of applications and making it more convenient.
The onset of effects is perhaps the most important aspect in which nano CBD may have an advantage over regular CBD. Due to its bioavailability, nano CBD can provide faster relief from symptoms than regular CBD oil. For users seeking quick relief, this can be a significant benefit.
Lastly, the potency of nano CBD may be higher than that of regular CBD. The increased potency means that you require lower doses to achieve the same effects.
Water Soluble CBD Products
Upstate Elevator Supply Co uses nano-technology to reduce the particle size of CBD, thereby making the compound more bioavailable, so it’s easier for our body’s to absorb. Their products are as fun as they are effective!
Read our full Upstate review here
Upstate Elevator CBD Seltzers
I was thrilled when I opened up my package from Upstate CBD and saw that I’d been sent strawberry & tangerine flavor seltzers with CBD & CBG. Not only because I love seltzers for their subtle sparkling flavors, but also because I love the CBD/CBG cannabinoid combo.
This combination of cannabinoids really uplifts and motivates me, and these seltzers were so convenient for grabbing out of the fridge when I needed to rush out of the door to run errands or a refreshing afternoon pick me up.
Each can contains 6mg of nano-encapsulated CBD and CBG which doesn’t sound like a lot, but nano-cannabinoids work a lot harder than their non-nano counterparts, so 6mg actually goes a lot further than you think.
Nano-emulsion technology reduces the particle size of the cannabinoids, making them water-soluble. Their smaller size also means they have a greater surface area, which provides greater and faster absorption into the body.
I could definitely get used to having a stash of these seltzers in the fridge at all times.
Raw CBDA + CBD Capsules (100mg each)
Over recent months, more and more products containing CBDA have started appearing on the market. CBDA is the acidic precursor to CBD and it can be found abundantly in raw hemp flower.
CBDA and CBGA hit the headlines recently as, in a petri dish, they were shown to block the entry of COVID-19 into human cells, effectively disarming the disease. But there is also some preclinical evidence that predates this study to suggest that CBDA may also be more potent than CBD in combating nausea, inflammation, and pain especially.
At 100mg per capsule, these Raw CBDA + CBD capsules from Upstate Elevator Supply Co are extremely potent, so I gave them to one of my neighbors who is recovering from knee surgery (in case you’ve been reading any of my other reviews, I’d like to clarify that I have two neighbors who recently had knee replacements!).
This guy takes CBD in his usual daily routine but had never taken such high doses like this before. When he reported back a couple of weeks later he said that these capsules really helped him transition off his post-op painkillers. He took the capsules at night and found that they improved the quality and duration of his sleep by making it more pain-free.
The Future of Nano CBD
Nano CBD is still in its early stages, and a lot more research is needed to fully understand its benefits and potential side effects.
Some experts argue that there are significant safety concerns to nano CBD. They say that the smaller particle size potentially could lead to unintended interactions in the body.
As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more advancements in nanotechnology and its applications in both CBD and cannabis products.
