"Water-Soluble" Cannabinoids and Other Bioactives: Benefits and Production Methods

Cannabis edibles and orally administered oils act slowly and unreliably because the incorporated cannabinoids do not dissolve in water. Similar poor performance profiles are observed for other water-insoluble bioactive ingredients as well. Since humans are mostly made of water, water-insoluble ingredients cannot be efficiently absorbed into our bloodstream. Alcohol, on the other hand, is water-soluble and, as a result, absorbs quickly and completely. This presentation will demonstrate how to ultrasonically manufacture liquid and powdered “water-soluble” cannabinoid and alkaloid nanoemulsions that can be readily mixed into and administered as beverages or consumed directly as fast-disintegrating tablets. Similarly to alcohol, cannabinoids, alkaloids, and other bioactive ingredients incorporated in these "water-soluble" formulations are absorbed into the bloodstream without delay, significantly accelerating their onset of action and increasing their bioavailability. Pre-clinical pharmacokinetic study results will be demonstrated.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe how rapid action and high bioavailability are essential for deriving reliable therapeutic benefits from cannabis extracts and other bioactive ingredients.

2. Summarize why cannabis extracts and many other bioactives are not water-soluble,so their oral/digestive administration is very inefficient and unpredictable.

3. Determine how the delivery efficiency of such bioactive ingredients can be significantly improved by formulating them as “water-soluble” liquid or powdered nanoemulsions.