New way to consume Medicinal Cannabis promises faster and more potent effect

Imagine being able to use cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) medications orally and obtain their therapeutic effects more quickly, with a lower dose and greater safety. That is the proposal of a formulation developed by researchers in Israel: a water-soluble powder containing cannabinoids. This formulation has been shown to be more effective than traditional oils.

In the clinical study, fourteen healthy volunteers (3 men and 11 women) participated in a test comparing two forms of consumption: sublingual oil and the new powder containing THC/CBD. Each participant took a single dose of 8 mg of THC and 8 mg of CBD in each of the formulations, with a 30-day interval between them. The researchers collected blood samples after the administration of the medications to evaluate how the body absorbed the cannabinoids and to understand the time needed for the maximum concentration to be reached, and what that concentration was.

The results were impressive! The cannabinoids from the powdered formulation were absorbed more quickly and in greater quantities. For example, the peak concentration of THC in the blood was almost three times higher with the solubilized powder, and reached in less than an hour, much lower than with sublingual drops. The same happened with CBD and its active metabolites.

In addition to efficacy, our pharmaceutical presentation was well tolerated and did not present significant adverse effects.

It is important to understand that, despite the good results, the study was conducted with a small group of healthy volunteers, so for these data to support public policies or broader clinical applications, it is essential that other studies be conducted, with a larger population, better gender and age distribution. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic results cannot be extrapolated to clinical efficacy, since clinical outcomes were not evaluated.

For those who use Medicinal Cannabis and need a rapid effect, such as in pain, anxiety, or seizure crises, this innovation can represent a significant advancement. Another relevant point, with greater absorption, lower doses can be used, reducing costs and the risk of unwanted effects.

This type of formulation is not yet commercially available, but studies like this demonstrate that the future of Cannabis-based products depends on science, precision, and safety, essential for more people to have access to effective evidence-based therapies.