jason-crawford

Medically Reviewed by
Jason Crawford

Article Last Updated on January 3, 2023

Due to its many therapeutic properties, CBD (cannabidiol) has become the new favorite ingredient in the wellness world. For a few years now, the popularity of this cannabinoid has been growing constantly and it shows no signs of slowing down. People not only use it as a treatment to control the symptoms of different medical conditions, like chronic pain, arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, or post-exercise muscle soreness, but also just for general wellness.

As a result of the increasing interest in CBD from regular and non-regular cannabis users alike, an array of different CBD products were created on the market. You can consume CBD in various ways, and find the best CBD product suited to your needs. The most well-known CBD product is CBD oil, but there are also CBD capsules, tinctures, topicals (lotions, balms, creams), vapes, and edibles (CBD gummies, chocolates, candies, etc.).

CBD products have not yet been officially approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), save for one used to treat epilepsy.

However, as the cannabis industry is continually expanding, the CBD market included, new products are constantly being developed, and one of them is CBD water. If you’re unfamiliar with this product, don’t worry, we’ll cover all you need to know in this article.

What Is CBD Water?

Simply put, CBD water is mineral water infused with pure CBD extract.

CBD (cannabidiol) is the non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, and unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it can’t get you high. This is what makes CBD so popular – you’ll get all the health benefits, but without getting high. 

When CBD enters the body, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system which is a system of endocannabinoid receptors on a molecular level whose job is to maintain balance in the body. The endocannabinoid system helps to regulate different functions and processes in the human body such as mood, memory, the immune system, anti-inflammatory response, sleep cycles, etc.

CBD communicates with the endocannabinoid receptors and can influence some bodily functions – it can boost the production of serotonin to improve mood, or it can aid the body’s anti-inflammatory response and reduce inflammation. It’s usually tolerated well and rarely causes side effects.

All varieties of the marijuana plant contain CBD, however, the hemp plant naturally has the highest CBD content, which makes it the main source of CBD. In order to infuse the water with CBD, the CBD first needs to be extracted from the hemp plant and be further processed to make it water-soluble. Once the CBD hemp extract has been processed, it’s ready to be infused.

Everything You Need to Know About How Water-Soluble CBD Is Made

By nature, CBD is a hydrophobic compound, meaning that it doesn’t dissolve in water. Instead, CBD, like all cannabinoids, is lipophilic, meaning that it dissolves only in oil. This means that with the usual methods of processing and extraction, CBD won’t be absorbed in the water and the infusion would be unsuccessful. Therefore, in order to make it easier to infuse the water with CBD, scientists needed to find a way to make CBD water-soluble.

They found a solution in using molecular nanotechnology, which is an advanced technology that uses ultrasonic processing machines (or soundwaves) to break up the CBD into minute particles (nanoparticles). These CBD particles are only seen on a microscopic level – they are about one million times smaller than their original size, meaning they’re small enough to be incorporated in the water. Because of this technology, the water is sometimes referred to as nano CBD water.

Water Soluble CBD Bioavailability

Bioavailability refers to how much of a certain substance the body is able to absorb in the bloodstream before the substance is broken down by the enzymes in the body. Substances with high bioavailability can be ingested even in smaller amounts and it won’t lessen the benefits you get.

CBD is a substance with low bioavailability, meaning a big amount of CBD gets lost before it actually reaches your bloodstream. This is partly because it’s fat-soluble, whereas the human body is mostly a water-based system – 60% of the body is made up of water.

CBD products like edibles and capsules have a low bioavailability because they need to go through the digestive system first before being processed by the liver, where some of the CBD will inevitably be broken down.

Improving the bioavailability of CBD is one of the main reasons for the innovation of water-soluble CBD and CBD water. Since the human body is mostly made up of water, water-soluble CBD will be able to get absorbed much more effectively without being broken down so quickly. In fact, one recent study has found that water-soluble CBD powder had a 4.5 times higher bioavailability than lipid-soluble CBD powder.

However, it’s important to note that apart from this study, there aren’t many clinical studies done regarding water-soluble CBD and its bioavailability. As this is a fairly new product, there is a shortage of research that can confirm its effects.

The Pros and Cons of CBD Water

CBD water seems to be a product that promises a lot. Provided that the increased bioavailability of CBD water is accurate, CBD water may become one of the best CBD products on the market.

Additionally, a single bottle of CBD water will provide you with enough hydration, plus a beneficial cannabinoid with therapeutic properties – so what’s not to like? CBD is a compound that’s become a staple ingredient in many people’s medicine cabinets, so carrying a bottle with you at all times would be a great way to boost your system.

The Drawbacks

However, like we said, as it is a new product, it hasn’t been researched thoroughly enough and manufacturers are still perfecting their products. Another drawback is that the amount of CBD in a single bottle may not be enough for people who use CBD for medical reasons. Most brands produce water with 2 – 5 mg of CBD per serving size.

Additionally, CBD is sensitive to light and may quickly degrade when exposed to bright lights. Water is usually sold in clear plastic bottles that sit on shelves in the store where they’re exposed to a lot of light for weeks at a time. This can cause the CBD water to lose its potency over a short period of time.

Another possible drawback is that CBD water contains CBD isolate, or pure CBD extract, and no other cannabinoids (also THC free). This in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, but full-spectrum CBD hemp oil, for example, is rich in many cannabinoids (CBG, CBN), terpenes, and flavonols that work together to be more effective – something that you won’t get with CBD water. Finally, whether high-quality or not, CBD water is pricey.

CBD Water Price – Is It Worth It?

The health benefits of CBD are undeniable, but is it worth paying a lot of money for a novel product that has yet to break into the market? A 16-ounce (473 ml) CBD water bottle costs about $4 – $7 (without tax and shipping). If you buy in bulk it may come down to at least $3 per bottle, but it’s still more expensive than other CBD products.

For example, a standard 30 ml CBD oil bottle costs about $35-40 USD for 30 single servings, which is about $1 USD per serving.

Plus, due to the smaller amount of CBD present in the water, if you’re a regular user, you’ll probably need to buy a bigger quantity, which also means spending more.

Bottom Line – Should You Consume CBD Water?

There is no doubt that producing water-soluble CBD is an excellent way to increase the bioavailability of CBD and enhance its effects. However, this method seems to have too many flaws to be practical. Whether it can be improved or not, only time will tell. For now, despite its promise, it seems that the already established CBD products are better and a more effective way to use CBD.

A passionate advocate for the benefits of cannabis. Fraser Horton, who has a background in botany and a strong love of nature, has spent years researching how cannabis affects the body and mind. He established Leaf Nation in 2020, where he has devoted himself to educating people about the legalisation of marijuana and its safe and responsible use. Fraser is committed to highlighting cannabis’ potential for improving wellness and working to dispel the stigma associated with its use.

Disclaimer

The information presented on this page is provided as a public service to aid in education and is derived from sources believed to be reliable. Readers are responsible for making their own assessment of the topics discussed here. In no event shall Leaf Nation be held reliable for any injury, loss or damage that could happen if using or abusing drugs.