Researchers from the University of South Australia have found a way to make cannabidiol (CBD) work better in the body, potentially transforming how it’s used to treat conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other brain-related diseases.
CBD is a natural compound from the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, it doesn’t cause a “high.” Instead, it’s known for easing pain, reducing inflammation, and protecting brain cells. But there’s a catch—when taken by mouth, CBD doesn’t dissolve well in water, so the body can’t absorb it easily.
That means only a small amount actually reaches the bloodstream and starts working. As a result, people often need high doses, which can increase costs and potential side effects.
To solve this problem, the research team created a phospholipid complex—a mix of special fat molecules that can better carry CBD through the body. These fats include phosphorus and are known to improve how drugs dissolve and pass through the gut.
According to lead researcher Professor Sanjay Garg, this new formulation increased CBD’s ability to dissolve in water by up to six times. That means the drug can be absorbed more efficiently in the digestive system, making it more effective at lower doses. The findings were published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Professor Garg explained that earlier attempts to improve CBD’s effectiveness—such as synthetic versions, oily mixtures, or capsule forms—only helped a little. This new method, however, showed a major improvement.
In lab tests, the new CBD-phospholipid complex (CBD-PLC) showed a huge jump in how much of the drug could dissolve: from 0% with regular CBD to 67% within three hours. This suggests that the new version can release the medicine much better.
Even more promising, when tested in simulated gut cells, the new formulation was 32% better at passing through the intestinal wall compared to standard CBD. This is a key step for any drug to reach the bloodstream and start working.
Another big plus? Stability. Traditional CBD products can break down when exposed to heat, light, or air, which reduces their strength and shelf life. But the CBD-PLC remained stable and effective over 12 months under different storage conditions.
Thabata Muta, a Ph.D. student and first author of the study, says this could be a game-changer. “Better absorption means smaller doses can be used to get the same result. That reduces side effects and makes treatment more affordable,” she said.
This innovation doesn’t just benefit CBD. The research team believes their method could help with many other medicines that struggle with poor water solubility—a common issue that limits the use of many helpful drugs.
As CBD products become more popular—especially with the global market expected to jump from around $7.6 billion in 2023 to over $200 billion by 2032—this discovery could help millions of people get more reliable, affordable, and effective treatments.
The team is now looking for partners to help bring their discovery to the real world. Clinical trials and commercial development are on the horizon, with the hope that this improved CBD formula will soon be available for patients who need it most.
Review and Analysis
This study addresses one of the most significant challenges in CBD-based medicine: poor absorption in the body. The use of a phospholipid complex offers a practical, scalable, and science-backed solution to increase CBD’s effectiveness without needing to increase the dose.
Key improvements include:
- A sixfold increase in water solubility
- 32.7% better absorption in cell models
- Long-term stability, meaning it stays effective longer
The discovery could lead to better results for patients, lower healthcare costs, and faster development of other tricky-to-absorb medications. While more research and clinical testing are still needed, this breakthrough is a promising step toward making CBD-based therapies more reliable and accessible.
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The research findings can be found in International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
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