The Acid Form of CBD Was Absorbed at Dramatically Higher Levels Than CBD Itself in Mice | Research

The takeaway

Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) reached blood concentrations roughly 100 times higher than CBD when given at the same dose to mice, suggesting it may be far more bioavailable.

CBD consumers, cannabinoid researchers, pharmaceutical formulators

CBDA plasma levels were approximately 100x higher than CBD at equivalent doses in mice

What the researchers found

CBDA plasma concentrations in mice were approximately two orders of magnitude (100x) higher than CBD under identical dosing conditions. Nanomicelle encapsulation improved bioavailability for both compounds in vitro and in vivo.

Why it matters

CBD products dominate the consumer market, but this study suggests the naturally occurring acid form (CBDA, found in raw cannabis) may be absorbed far more efficiently. This could change how cannabinoid products are formulated and dosed.

The numbers in context

CBDA plasma levels approximately 100x higher than CBD at the same dose; 10 cannabinoids and cannabinoid acids tested; nanomicelle encapsulation improved bioavailability; UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis used

How the study worked

Researchers tested 10 cannabinoids and cannabinoid acids using an in vitro intestinal cell model (Caco-2) and an in vivo mouse model. They also tested CBD and CBDA encapsulated in nanomicelles. Analysis used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry.

What this study cannot tell us

Mouse model may not reflect human absorption, single dose tested, long-term effects of CBDA vs CBD not compared, nanomicelle formulation adds complexity, in vivo results from inbred mouse strain

How to read the evidence

Preclinical study with both in vitro and in vivo data from one mouse strain; novel finding but needs human confirmation

When this study was published

Published 2025

The bigger picture

Most cannabis processing converts CBDA to CBD through heating (decarboxylation). If CBDA is dramatically more bioavailable, the industry convention of decarboxylating cannabis products may actually reduce their therapeutic potential.

Questions still open

Does CBDA's higher bioavailability translate to greater therapeutic effects in humans? Would lower CBDA doses achieve the same effects as standard CBD doses? Why has CBDA received so little research attention compared to CBD?

Common questions

What is CBDA and how is it different from CBD?

CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) is the natural form of CBD found in raw cannabis plants. Heat converts CBDA to CBD. This study found CBDA was absorbed about 100 times more efficiently than CBD in mice.

Could CBDA be more effective than CBD?

Possibly. CBDA reached dramatically higher blood levels than CBD at the same dose in mice. Whether this translates to greater therapeutic effects in humans hasn't been tested yet.

Read the original research

Unlocking the resorption potential of cannabidiolic acid: A comprehensive in vitro and in vivo bioavailability study.

International journal of pharmaceutics, 684, 126110

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Binova, Zuzana; Kucerova, Emilie; Nejedly, Tomas; Viktorova, Jitka; Cahova, Monika; Benes, Frantisek; Maly, Matej; Maly, Martin; Stupak, Michal; Kastanek, Petr; Hajslova, Jana; Stranska, Milena. (2025). Unlocking the resorption potential of cannabidiolic acid: A comprehensive in vitro and in vivo bioavailability study.. International journal of pharmaceutics, 684, 126110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.126110