A study published yesterday by the journal Scientific Reports found that consuming a high-fat meal significantly enhances the bioavailability and alters the absorption pattern of high-CBD cannabis extract in both men and women.
(Photo credit: GETTY Images).
Researchers from Wageningen University in the Netherlands conducted a randomized crossover study involving 11 healthy participants—five men and six women—to assess how a standardized high-fat meal affects CBD absorption compared to fasting. Participants received a single oral dose of a CBD-rich “Cannabis sativa extract equivalent to 70 mg of CBD.
The study found that consuming a high-fat meal led to a substantial increase in CBD bioavailability. The geometric mean ratio (GMR) for peak CBD concentration (Cmax) was 17.4 (90% CI 12.4-24.2), while the total exposure (AUC) increased by a factor of 9.7 (90% CI 7.7-12.3).
Additionally, a distinct biphasic absorption pattern, or double peak phenomenon, was observed in participants who consumed a high-fat meal, likely due to lymphatic transport, enterohepatic recirculation, or a secondary meal effect. The effect was notably less pronounced in the fasted state.
These findings suggest that dietary fat plays a significant role in enhancing CBD absorption, which may have implications for optimizing its therapeutic use.
For the full study, click here.
