Examination of a New Delivery Approach for Oral Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Pharmacokinetics Study

Adv Ther. 2019 Nov;36(11):3196-3210. doi: 10.1007/s12325-019-01074-6. Epub 2019 Sep 12.

Abstract

Introduction: Therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in specialized populations continue to emerge. Despite supra-physiological dosing being shown to be tolerable in various pathologies, optimization of CBD absorption has obvious benefits for general health and recreational usage. Our objectives were to: (1) to investigate a joint pharmacokinetic-physiological time course of multiple recreational-equivalent (< 100 mg) dosages of oral CBD in young healthy adults and (2) evaluate a newly developed technology (TurboCBD™) for the enhanced delivery of CBD.

Methods: In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, 12 participants received placebo, generic 45 or 90 mg of CBD, or TurboCBD™ delivery technology capsules on five separate occasions.

Results: Although there were no differences in the 45 mg conditions, circulating CBD levels were higher with the TurboCBD™ 90 mg group at both 90 (+ 86%) and 120 (+ 65%) min compared with the 90 mg control (p < 0.05). Total area under the curve tended to be higher with TurboCBD™ 90 mg compared with 90 mg (10,865 ± 6322 ng ml-1 vs. 7114 ± 2978 ng ml-1; p = 0.088). Only the TurboCBD™ 90 mg dose was elevated greater than placebo at 30 min (p = 0.017) and remained elevated at 4 h (p = 0.002).

Conclusion: Consistent with higher bioavailability, TurboCBD™ 90 mg at the peak CBD concentration was associated with an increase in cerebral perfusion and slight reduction in blood pressure compared with baseline and the 90 mg control. Further studies are needed to establish the mechanisms of action of this technology and to explore the therapeutic potential of acute and chronic dosing on more at-risk populations.

Funding: Lexaria Bioscience Corp.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03295903.

Keywords: Cannabidiol; Cerebrovascular conductance; Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; Pharmacokinetics.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral*
  • Adult
  • Biological Availability*
  • Cannabidiol / administration & dosage*
  • Cannabidiol / blood*
  • Cannabidiol / pharmacokinetics*
  • Capsules / administration & dosage*
  • Capsules / pharmacokinetics*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Placebo Effect
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Capsules
  • Cannabidiol

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03295903
  • figshare/10.6084/m9.figshare.9679580