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What is bioavailability?
In order to have an effect, CBD needs to reach your endocannabinoid system. Depending on how you take it, the journey there differs — and along the way, some of the CBD is lost. Bioavailability is the percentage that actually reaches your bloodstream: the higher it is, the less product you need to feel the same effect.
No everyday format reaches 100% bioavailability (that’s only achievable in medical settings), but understanding the differences helps you choose the right format and dose. Here’s how the common formats compare, based on published research.
How the formats compare
| Oils (under the tongue) | Edibles & capsules | Vaping | Creams & balms | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical absorption | 13-35% | 4-20% | ~31% on average (studies range 11-45%) | Works locally at the skin — see below |
| Time to feel effects | 15-25 mins | 30 mins-2 hrs | Within minutes | 25-45 mins at the applied area |
A note on creams and balms: topical CBD isn’t really a “bloodstream” product at all — it works locally at the skin and the tissue beneath it, which is exactly why people choose it for targeted areas. We’ve explained the difference properly in our guide to topical vs transdermal CBD.
How to maximise bioavailability
Oils: hold the drops under your tongue for 60-90 seconds before swallowing — the vessels under the tongue absorb CBD far better than the stomach does.
Edibles: take them with food rather than on an empty stomach — studies suggest CBD absorption can be 3-5 times higher alongside a meal.
Vaping: take slow, steady puffs and wait a few minutes between them; a lower device wattage gives a smoother, more efficient vape. (E-liquids only — never vape CBD oil tinctures.)
Creams and balms: apply directly and generously to the area you’re targeting, and top up regularly.
Storage matters too: keep your CBD out of sunlight, away from heat, and sealed against oxygen, so the active ingredient you paid for is still there when you use it.
What can change your personal results
Liver function: the liver clears CBD from your system, so people with liver conditions may find effects last longer and feel stronger — start lower and build up if needed.
Neurological conditions: some conditions, such as Huntington’s disease, are associated with feeling less effect than expected at a given dose.
Age, sex and weight: all three influence absorption, though not predictably — we don’t recommend pre-emptively changing your dose for these, just adjusting gradually based on what you actually feel.
What this means for your dosage
Start low and work up — our CBD Dosage Guide walks through this step by step, and the Food Standards Agency recommends staying within 70mg of CBD per day. And if you’re not getting the effect you want, remember the format matters as much as the dose: switching between oils, edibles, vape or topicals changes both how much CBD you absorb and how quickly you feel it.
Our education resources are shaped by the work of our Scientific Advisor, Professor Mike Barnes. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact lisa@hempwell.co.uk, who will be more than happy to help you work out the optimal CBD application for you.