Bioavailability and Why It Matters

“CBD has a calming, anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. It was found to reduce free radicals and help with the reduction of things like sun-induced aging. Studies have shown that it also reduces oil production, so people with acne can benefit from topical CBD products.” – Dr. Nakhla, CBE, Western University

In this article we will focus on topical and transdermal bioavailability, the role that seaweed plays as a transdermal delivery system, and why the CBD that Seaflora Skincare uses is a CO₂ extracted isolate.

Bioavailability – the proportion of a drug or other substance which enters the circulation when introduced into the body and so is able to have an active effect.

In short, bioavailability is the degree and rate at which a substance is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Topical and transdermal bioavailability

For CBD to work, your body must first absorb it. This means that it must find its way from its point of delivery and into the bloodstream, from where it can travel around the body to interact with cannabinoid receptors, such as CB2, as well as non-cannabinoid receptors, such as the vanilloid receptor TRPV-1 and the serotonin receptor 5-HT1A.

Absorption of CBD has a lot to do with how it is delivered to the body. You can vape or smoke CBD concentrates. When you inhale CBD, such as vaping it, your lungs absorb the compound very quickly.

Without doubt, the most common method of administering CBD is orally. From the digestive tract, CBD then travels to the hepatic portal system, through the portal vein, and on into the liver. Enzymes in the liver, which have mixed functions, break CBD down, reducing cannabidiol concentration significantly before sending the leftovers to the bloodstream.

You can take CBD sublingually, which means holding it under the tongue for a minute or two before swallowing. This method allows the mucus membranes of the mouth to absorb CBD instead, bypassing the digestive system and metabolism in the liver entirely.

When you apply CBD oils or creams onto your skin, it’s unlikely to reach the bloodstream. In using CBD this way, you get targeted relief to a specific area. The skin absorbs CBD so that it can interact with cannabinoid receptors nearby. Generally, human skin is not very permeable. It blocks the majority of substances to prevent them from entering the body. That is why Seaflora uses our seaweed complex to build the delivery system.

How does seaweed help?

Compounds found in seaweed are being used in transdermal patches that deliver a variety of drugs through the skin. The skin is a body boundary, but one through which positive elements may pass without being broken down and processed by the liver as is the case with oral delivery.

In recent years, there have been major advances and increasing amounts of research on the utilization of natural polymeric materials as drug delivery vehicles due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Seaweed polysaccharides are abundant resources and have been extensively studied for several biological, biomedical, and functional food applications. Alginate, carrageenan, fucoidan, ulvan, and laminarin are polysaccharides commonly isolated from seaweed.

As their usage as carriers for the delivery of various therapeutic molecules (e.g., proteins, peptides, anti-cancer drugs, and antibiotics). Seaweed polysaccharide-based delivery systems have demonstrated their high potential for safe and efficient drug delivery.

A thin layer of alginate on the patch builds the delivery system through the dermal layers.

Polysaccharides and Seaweed

Generally, polysaccharides are considered safe, biocompatible, stable, hydrophilic, and biodegradable, and they can be modified into different forms, such as chemically modified polysaccharides, hydrogels, scaffolds, fibers, and NPs. NPs have many advantages for drug delivery purposes compared with larger (micro-sized) particles because they easily penetrate into targeted areas.

Seaweeds are the most abundant source of polysaccharides, as alginates, agar and agarose as well as carrageenans. Seaweed polysaccharides have hydrophilic surface groups, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and sulfate groups, which interact with biological tissues easily.
[Ermakova, S.; Kusaykin, M.; Trincone, A.; Tatiana, Z. Are multifunctional marine polysaccharides a myth or reality? Front. Chem. 2015, 3, 39. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2953395/

Bioavailability and CBD

Having discussed the science behind how seaweeds build the delivery system through the dermal layers, now let’s talk about the bioavailability of the CBD isolate we incorporate in our Sea Silk Massage Oil and Seaweed Body Gel.

According to the Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, chronic pain relief can be best achieved through the transdermal delivery, for CBD may serve to provide patient needs driven treatment in the form of a non-addictive non-opioid therapy. (download PDF here)

There are many methods of extraction. We felt the best course of action would be to focus on the safest method of extraction. The safest method,
CO₂ extraction also provides us with 100% THC Free Isolate.
You can review other methods of extraction here. https://www.apekssupercritical.com/cbd-extraction-process/

CO₂ Extraction Method Pros

Selective and tunable for different molecular weights
No residual solvents
Cold extractions and separations are good for temperature sensitive extractions (i.e. terpene preservation)
Minimal facility safety requirements
99.9% THC Free

The finished product is a pure crystalline powder that is 99.9% CBD. This isolated version of CBD is excellent for anyone who is sensitive to THC or can’t have THC show up in a drug test. Military service members, police officers, emergency first responders, and anyone else who absolutely can’t fail a drug test will find that CBD offers the relief they need, without the fear of having THC in their system.

Our carrier oil for the isolate is a coconut derived Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil. MCT oil is the most efficient way to deliver CBD oil so the cannabinoids interact with the body quickly and easily. Studies have found MCT oil can assist with energy and brain function, making it a great addition to CBD. All of the potential benefits of MCTs complement what studies, research and testimonials are starting to show us about CBD. It’s also been found that this combination can also help with metabolism. CBD will shift the metabolism away from burning sugar and towards a fatty-acid metabolism, while MCT oil will help the fat burning process. The more the endocannabinoid system is regulated and balanced, the more that metabolism can typically improve.

Some of your skincare products don’t even really work…

The beauty God’s didn’t make all skin care equally, some of your products in your beauty bag don’t even reach the correct point in your skin to make a change. What makes cosmeceutical products far more superior to your standard off the shelf labels are their bioavailability.

There’s no point applying an ingredient if it will only travel to the epidermis and not penetrate down into the deeper layers of the skin where the changes will become more evident. For example Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid, a company could simply add this to their product and highlight its percentage on the label, however Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid is quite unstable when in water based serums.

Using an isolate, the ingredient absorbs at a rapid pace into the dermal layers offering fast, effective pain relief and quick reduction of skin and muscle inflammation. The question now becomes, how much do I need to apply for it to be effective.

CBD Dosage

How to tell if it’s the right dosage for the given individual take into account important factors such as:

The concentration of CBD
The weight of the individual
The individual’s body chemistry
The severity of the condition being treated

With that being said, there isn’t a “one size fits all” dosage, and there may be some trial and error while gauging your proper dosage.

Neuroscientist Nick Jikomes at Leafly, explains that, as our body’s physiology changes, so do the receptors in our Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which are directly responsible for interactions with CBD. As a result, optimal CBD dosages will shift throughout an individual’s lifetime.

We believe that CBD works as more of a tool that helps to restore our health and body to a state of balance, then maintains that balance by supporting our health and acting as a preventative measure against degradation. As long as it’s extracted within the proper parameters, CBD oil does have benefits for skin. We’ll be following the research and the regulations closely, and we’re excited to see how the research behind CBD oil’s topical benefits continues to grow.

Resources:

CBD Skin Benefits? What Fresh Bliss Is This?!

CBD Benefits On The Skin

“Immersing yourself in a healthy lifestyle was something that began with destination spas, but now day spas, resort and hotel spas are all branching out to offer wellness-based services, such as stress relief, life coaching, nutrition and fitness counseling.” says Julie Sinclair, editor in chief of American Spa Magazine.

With legalization of marijuana in Canada, many of these establishments are incorporating alternative medicine, such as CBD, popular short hand for the compound cannabidiol, into their treatments. Cannabis: the plant that keeps on giving. Its uses are incredible and can be traced back thousands of years. There are various species of cannabis, and cannabidiol is one molecule that has been gaining a ton of popularity.

In 2012, Israeli scientists identified more than 1,200 human genes affected by CBD, has been shown to regulate the expression of 491 genes, 165 in skin. (1) Cannabidiol has been shown to activate both the cannaboid and PPAR Gamma receptor in skin, which is probably responsible for it’s claimed skin benefits. Reported skin benefits include:

Improved moisturization
Improved skin barrier
Skin soothing/anti-inflammatory
Antipruritic
Acne/oil control
Treating Psoriasis/Atopic Dermatitis
Enhanced skin repair and cell regeneration
Anti-aging effects
Stronger hair follicles and overall healthier hair
Reduced stress, anxiety and their direct effects
Improved skin health and appearance
Reduce the appearance of dark spots

“Our data demonstrate that the topical application of CBD regulates over 150 genes in the skin. This likely affects wound healing, pigmentation, aging, acne and more – all important considerations for companies developing skincare products” Dr. Bridget (Keenan) Early, Scientific Sales Manager at GeneMakers.

CBD Treatment Add-on for Facials, Massages, Detox Soaks and more.

People are still often cautious of using CBD oils as they sometimes confuse CBD with THC, but there are actually stark differences between the two. While THC is known to get people high or alter their state of mind, CBD does neither. It is not psychoactive and also has more medical use than THC. In vitro studies indicate CBD may interact with different biological targets, including endo-cannabinoid receptors and other neurotransmitter receptors.]

The human body contains a specialized system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in regulating a variety of functions including sleep, appetite, pain and immune system response. The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system, giving you one more good reason you should consider adding CBD to your next massage appointment.

Cannabidiol

Cannabidiol has a myriad of health and wellness benefits, skin benefits and when it comes to massages, CBD products fit perfectly. Infact, CBD topicals provide one of the easiest ways to take advantage of CBD’s skin benefits and can be used to target specific areas of the body that require particular attention for pain relief when caused by chronic inflammation. By implementing CBD infused massage oils and topicals, you can benefit both from the relaxing and invigorating effects of a massage with the medicinal pain and discomfort relieving effects of CBD.

Rachel Lapidos, Author at WELL+GOOD gave this quote in a review of her CBD massage experience, “Typically, even walking is a chore after doing so many sprints on an incline – but the CBD, coupled with the massage, seems to have been successful in vanquishing that seriously annoying soreness. I feel as though I could go run a mile without any pain (though in my blissed-out state, I decided not to).”

Inflammation

Inflammation is directly linked with acute pain, particularly at joints or in muscles. By applying CBD topicals directly to the affected areas, the cannabinoid’s natural anti-inflammatory effects can help reduce the inflammation and therefore relieve any discomfort being experienced due to sore muscles. When applying Seaweed and CBD together, you maximize the anti-inflammatory power!

Cell culture study found that CBD oil prevented sebaceous gland cells from secreting excessive sebum, exerted anti-inflammatory actions and prevented the activation of “pro-acne” agents like inflammatory cytokines. (2)

You’ve probably been lectured your entire life about the importance of nutritious foods and vitamins to keep your body healthy. While glowing skin can be a benefit of being in good health, sometimes your skin needs a little extra nourishment of it’s own.

Smshdplants CBD Massage Oil combines nature’s most powerful skincare ingredients in a bioavailable formulation of organic Alaria & Nereocystis seaweeds, medium-chain-triglycerides, coconut oil and sunflower oil. The CBD is a THC free, CO2 extracted isolate from North American certified organic hemp.

Seaweed & CBD Skin Benefits

It turns out seaweed and CBD offer many of the same benefits. Both offer superior bioavailability for quick absorption and a cornucopia of antioxidants that help to protect your skin from environmental stress, are anti-inflammatory, help regulate sebum production and slow the natural aging process. On top of all those benefits, the seaweeds also encourage collagen production, protect elasticity and helps to visibly diminish wrinkles, skin dullness and ruddy skin tone.

Another significant CBD skin benefit is that is has been found to soothe sensitive skin, and studies indicate that it may even be able to help inhibit certain disorders like psoriasis and eczema. More research is needed, but what exists certainly looks promising, and researchers speculate it all comes down to CBD’s substantial skin-calming and skin-normalizing effects.

Packed with nutrient-rich, all-natural properties, Seaweed and CBD are the ultimate team to add to your beauty regime. Getting a massage, in a soothing environment, relaxes the mind and body, giving you time in silence for reflection and mindfulness as you enter a state of bliss. If you’re looking for a powerful, healthy, body relaxant that is widely accessible and legal, try a CBD add-on to your next spa treatment.