When you choose to opt for CBD for the therapeutic effects that the compound has on the human body, there are a number of considerations that are probably on your mind.

The most important of these — for most people — is how effective the CBD will be when it comes to delivery of relief or the effectiveness of the CBD product. Each product and every different method of consuming CBD will have a different degree of effectiveness and while this is a long and technical discussion, one major factor is the bioavailability of the compound. If you are hearing this term for the first time, there is nothing to worry about.

This article is a brief primer that talks about the concept and how much CBD you are actually getting.

What is Bio-availability/Absorption?

To put it in the simplest way possible, bioavailability is the degree — and the rate at which — a product or substance is absorbed into your bloodstream. While this is a general term used in pharmacology, in this context, we are talking about CBD and other compounds in particular.

This means that CBD bioavailability stands for the rate at which the compound is reaching your bloodstream and having the desired effect. Under ideal conditions, if you want the maximum effect of the compound, intravenous administration is the only way to get “100%” of the CBD into your bloodstream. Most people, including myself do not want to inject themselves with CBD or any health products, and this is where all the other methods come in.

WARNING: This is important to remember when you see CBD products advertised to have 100% absorption or bio-availability. Because, it's simply not true!

Different Methods of Dosing CBD and Related Bioavailability

As there are many different methods of consuming CBD, their bioavailability and extent of effectiveness have been slotted under four main categories below.