Products like CBD topicals fly off the shelves in most states in America and dozens of countries worldwide. It has taken only a handful of years for the industry to transform from a niche market to a billion-dollar juggernaut.
Despite this, the CBD market continues to face an enormous array of difficulties. The lack of meaningful regulation is one of the most pertinent. Unlike hemp, CBD does not have FDA approval. As a result, each state has the option of overseeing the market as it sees fit. Unfortunately, most don’t bother to provide oversight at all.
Other pressing matters include increasing the bioavailability of products like Premium Jane CBD gummies, better extraction methods, and more consistent CBD levels. In this article, we check out how technology is helping the industry fix these issues.
Boosting Absorption Rate
The trouble with CBD is the extremely low bioavailability rate of most products. According to a review of studies published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in 2018, most of the cannabidiol we consume doesn’t make it to the bloodstream.
One study revealed that the absorption rate of orally consumed CBD is between 13% and 19%. In the best-case scenario, it means that only 19mg of every 100mg of CBD edibles make it to where it is supposed to go. This is because it undergoes the first-pass metabolism. Vaporized CBD has a bioavailability rate of up to 55%, though it is likely closer to 40%. Ascertaining the absorption rate of CBD topicals is trickier, and there are few relevant sources.
CBD manufacturers use the benefits of nanotechnology to improve bioavailability. It involves shrinking CBD molecules to nano-size. This process ensures they can penetrate the membranes with a greater degree of efficacy. As a result, more CBD molecules enter the bloodstream, which equates to higher bioavailability.
Better Extraction Methods
One of the biggest debates surrounding the industry relates to extraction methods. In the early days, solvents such as butane, acetone, and ethanol were used to take CBD from hemp and cannabis plants. However, it meant that the residual solvent was possibly left in your CBD topicals and oils.
Fortunately, the tide has turned as technology has intervened to help out. New extraction methods ensure that companies no longer have to use hydrocarbons. This is a relief because hydrocarbons potentially add cancer-causing agents to the crude extract from the hemp plant.
Supercritical CO2 extraction is widely regarded as the best way to take CBD oils from hemp and cannabis. It involves the use of carbon dioxide, which takes the place of hydrocarbons, and acts as the solvent. This form of extraction is extremely expensive, and companies that implement it tend to charge more. Nonetheless, it is worth paying extra for a greater degree of quality.
Consistent CBD Levels
It is also a fact that some CBD brands fail to achieve consistency with their products. There is evidence that certain companies mislabel their products. They can have too much or too little CBD. More worryingly, such products could also have THC levels that exceed legal guidelines.
Producers are now seeking ways to cultivate hemp plants and enjoy a greater level of control over their yield’s CBD content. As a result, consumers can shop confidently, knowing that each batch has the same CBD level as the last.
There have also been significant improvements in the level of lab testing. Reputable brands pay third-party laboratories to test each batch of products thoroughly. They look at CBD and THC levels, but also contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals.
Final Thoughts on Technological Innovations Helping the CBD Industry
Ultimately, CBD brands need to embrace the technological advances available to them. Doing so enables them to produce higher quality products. It also boosts a company’s reputation in the eyes of consumers. Remember, the industry is poorly regulated, so it is the brands that go the extra mile to provide guarantees of quality that will succeed.
A prime example of this is Premium Jane CBD gummies. Available in strawberry and lime, each one contains 25mg of CBD. Premium Jane uses CO2 extraction and also offers full third-party lab reports on its website. These gummies are just a small part of an expanding range of high-quality products.