Novel oral delivery system for cannabis produces faster, higher blood levels than standard oil, with effects shaped by use history
A new oral delivery technology (Solutech) produced significantly faster absorption and higher peak blood levels of THC and CBD compared to standard MCT-oil, and participants' cannabis use history significantly influenced their pharmacokinetic profiles.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Solutech produced significantly greater peak concentration, faster time to peak, and larger absorption rate constants for THC, CBD, and metabolites compared to MCT-oil. Participants who started using cannabis later in life had higher peak levels of THC and CBD. Those with more years of recreational use had higher total exposure to THC and CBD.
Key Numbers
32 participants; single dose of 10 mg THC + ~10 mg CBD; blood collected at 17 timepoints over 48 hours. Age of first use and years of use both significantly affected pharmacokinetic parameters (p≤0.032 and p≤0.048 respectively).
How They Did This
Randomized, triple-blind, comparator-controlled parallel study in 32 healthy adults. Participants received a single dose of either Solutech or MCT-oil containing ~10 mg THC and ~10 mg CBD. Blood was collected at 17 timepoints over 48 hours.
Why This Research Matters
Oral cannabis bioavailability is notoriously variable. This delivery technology could make oral dosing more predictable, and the finding that use history affects pharmacokinetics has implications for personalized dosing.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis products move toward pharmaceutical-grade formulations, delivery technologies that improve bioavailability and reduce variability could bridge the gap between recreational edibles and precision medicine.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single-dose study. Small sample size (n=32). Only healthy participants tested. Long-term safety and efficacy not assessed. The influence of use history on pharmacokinetics needs replication.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does faster absorption translate to faster therapeutic onset?
- ?Would repeated dosing change the pharmacokinetic advantage?
- ?How does body composition interact with these delivery systems?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Novel delivery system enhanced most pharmacokinetic parameters vs. standard oil
- Evidence Grade:
- Well-designed triple-blind RCT but small sample size and single-dose design.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Comparator-Controlled Parallel Study Investigating the Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol in a Novel Delivery System, Solutech, in Association with Cannabis Use History.
- Published In:
- Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 7(6), 777-789 (2022)
- Authors:
- Berl, Volker, Hurd, Yasmin L(21), Lipshutz, Bruce H, Roggen, Markus, Mathur, Eric J, Evans, Malkanthi
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03709
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is Solutech and how does it work?
Solutech is a novel oral delivery system designed to improve the absorption of cannabinoids compared to standard medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil formulations. It produced faster and higher blood levels of both THC and CBD.
How does cannabis use history affect blood levels?
People who started using cannabis later in life had higher peak blood levels of THC and CBD. Those with more years of recreational use had greater total exposure. This suggests prior use patterns influence how the body processes cannabinoids.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03709APA
Berl, Volker; Hurd, Yasmin L; Lipshutz, Bruce H; Roggen, Markus; Mathur, Eric J; Evans, Malkanthi. (2022). A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Comparator-Controlled Parallel Study Investigating the Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol in a Novel Delivery System, Solutech, in Association with Cannabis Use History.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 7(6), 777-789. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0176
MLA
Berl, Volker, et al. "A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Comparator-Controlled Parallel Study Investigating the Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol in a Novel Delivery System, Solutech, in Association with Cannabis Use History.." Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0176
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Comparator-Controlled Parallel S..." RTHC-03709. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/berl-2022-a-randomized-tripleblind-comparatorcontrolled
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.