THC Water Soluble: Overview, Process, and Product Types

There may be a new way to get the most out of cannabinoids hitting the stores soon. A study published in Nutrients found that water-soluble cannabidiol (CBD) products show a superior absorption rate in the bloodstream compared to oil-based CBD. 

These findings delight cannabinoid manufacturers because of the endless possibilities water soluble cannabinoids open. Through water-soluble technology, cannabinoids like Delta 9 THC may be seamlessly blended into all types of solutions, such as beverages, energy drinks, seltzer, or water.  

Let’s get to know THC water soluble better in this blog. 

What is Water-Soluble THC?

Cannabinoids like Delta 9 THC are typically hydrophobic, meaning they don’t combine well or dissolve with water. Think of washing the dishes with only water; oil from fatty food won’t easily come off without an emulsifier like a dishwashing liquid. 

Now that water soluble Delta 9 THC is available, THC can be mixed with water-based solutions in a homogenized manner, and cannabinoid absorption into the blood has become easy and more efficient. Due to the increased rate of absorption and bioavailability, the onset period is considerably lowered, speeding up the process of feeling the effects. 

A water-soluble THC in a solution typically looks clear and colorless. It shouldn’t appear cloudy or settle in various levels of the solution. For THC to be truly water soluble, it has to be changed at a molecular level. Anything less than that shouldn’t be considered water soluble. 

How to Make Water-Soluble THC?

Nanoemulsion is the most common way of creating water-soluble THC. It involves the use of ultrasonic waves and similar technology that shatters THC molecules into very tiny particles—nanoparticles. 

The process wouldn’t be complete without the use of an emulsifier that coats the nanoparticle version of THC. Completing this would allow cannabinoid nanoparticles to mix with water and stay suspended in a liquid. 

Some of the best emulsifiers used in the cannabis industry include food-grade carrier oils, alcohols, and preservatives. 

How to Use Water-Soluble THC?

The opportunity to flawlessly infuse THC in water and into any solution has paved the way for the introduction of several nano THC products such as beverages, edibles, liquid drops, topicals, and softgel capsules. 

Let’s look at how THC water soluble changed the way the following cannabis products are created and presented:

Beverages

According to a study published in Addiction, for the first time in cannabis use, the daily use of the plant surpassed the daily use of alcohol in the US. Eighteen million people reported using cannabis daily, with only 15 million drinking alcohol at the same frequency. 

This trend in preferring cannabis over alcohol has taken a toll on major breweries and distilleries that are now investing hard in cannabis-infused beverages. The cannabis beverage market is poised to be an industry worth $8.521 million by 2027. 

Infusing cannabis with soda and similar beverages isn’t that easy. If you remember the early phase of cannabis beverage, it’s a disappointment in a can full of floating clumps of oil at the top or sticking at the sides of the can.  

Thanks to THC being water-soluble, consumers don’t have to deal with awkward cannabis beverage formulations. 

Edibles

THC edibles are Delta 9 THC-infused gummies, cookies, and other treat-like products meant to be sweet and discreet. Because they must go through the comprehensive human digestion process, the onset of effects is a big guesswork. 

With nano-emulsified THC, the onset of effects taken by edibles is less chaotic and more predictable. This saves a lot of beginners and veterans from consuming more edibles, only to find out that the kick is delayed. 

Tinctures and Drops

THC tinctures and THC drops mostly adapt an oil-based formulation using carrier oils such as MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) and coconut oil to blend with hydrophobic cannabinoids. 

As a staple cannabis product for years, people have been consuming THC tinctures via the sublingual method, which is the act of dropping THC oil under your tongue and letting the small blood vessels absorb the cannabinoid.  

The newer water-soluble THC tincture variants topped what traditional tinctures can do. For example, water-soluble THC’s onset time is around 10 minutes instead of the usual 15 minutes. Second, water-soluble THC tinctures offer precise dosing because of the perfected way THC is dispersed within the solution. 

Topicals

THC topicals, such as creams, roll-ons, lotions, and salves, are a great way to allow a specific area of the skin, muscle, and joint to benefit from cannabinoids.

With nano or water-soluble THC infused in topicals, THC is introduced to the skin in tiny particles with increased surface area. Compared to regular THC topicals, nano THC has a greater chance of penetrating the skin, allowing the area to receive the full force of the cannabinoid.

Softgels

Water soluble THC softgels provide a higher absorption rate, thus promising to deliver the cannabinoid fast onsite. The pharmaceutical industry has long been using nanoemulsion. The cannabis industry has just been catching up with the trend. 

Advantages of Water-Soluble THC Over Traditional THC

After going through this list, you’ll get a glimpse into the mindset of an entrepreneur as to why water-soluble THC is something to be applied ASAP. 

Improved Bioavailability (Faster Onset & Better Efficacy)

One of the biggest perks of water-soluble THC is the immense leap in bioavailability. Bioavailability alludes to the extent to which a substance reaches its intended site, often bypassing the majority of the digestive process. 

Due to THC being converted into nanoparticles, they can easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier, transporting more THC to the body’s site of action. This initiates fast acting onset and better efficacy. 

Consistent Dosing

Water soluble THC offers consistent dosing because THC nanoparticles are evenly distributed in a product. This uniformity in dosage prevents uneven concentrations of THC in beverages, tinctures, and edibles. As a result, there are no hotspots and low spots, encouraging a more predictable effect. 

Versatility & Ease of Use

Now, as a soluble particle in virtually any solvent, water-soluble THC can be incorporated into almost any cannabis product imaginable—beverages, tinctures, topicals, edibles, nano liquids, capsules, etc. With this attribute, consumers can choose from a wide range of options no matter how diverse their preferences are. 

Add to that the convenience of water-soluble THC drops, which people can easily add to practically anything—from drinks to food. This and many more versatility perks of water-soluble THC contribute to the ease of use. 

Less Noticeable Side Effects

With THC water solubles, you don’t need much to achieve the desired level of effect. It’s as if you’re microdosing THC, getting the most out of the littlest amount. In return, you’re cushioning your body from the usual side effects of taking high THC dosage. 

Enhanced Stability

There’s another reason manufacturers love water-soluble THCs. They are stable enough to support longer shelf life and have stronger resistance against clumping or separation than oil-based products. 

Challenges and Considerations

It may pose a solid business edge for processors and a brilliant technology for users, but water-soluble THC has its drawbacks and challenges. Let’s discuss some of its glaring downsides. 

Not Everyone Can Whip Out a Water-Soluble THC Formulation

The internet is full of white-label brands promising easy-to-order emulsifying ingredients and products to make water-soluble THC. However, not everyone on the internet can successfully make THC water-soluble. 

Most experienced manufacturers will say that the price of professionally formulating emulsions has become too affordable to consider DIY emulsifying agents. So, don’t gamble on doing it yourself or handing over the manufacturing process to unknown hands. 

Nano THC Products Meant to be Ingested Is Legally Risky

Manufacturing cannabinoid-ingested products is subject to legal risk because of the FDA’s current stance on it despite them not having a legitimate regulatory or approval process. Different states have unique laws on edibles and cannabis beverages as well. 

Some THC Water Soluble Products May Taste Bitter

Products tending to taste bitter or earthy are natural occurrences in manufacturing styles where a lot of cannabinoids are introduced in a formula. In the case of THC water solubles, breaking the THC particles into smaller particles increases the surface area. The bigger the surface area, the more pronounced the plant taste. 

Final Thoughts

The creation of water-soluble THC gave us insight into what science can do when confronted with a problem. Not only did water-soluble THC fix the bioavailability of cannabinoids, but it also improved consumer problems such as clumping. It’s only a matter of time before we see newer brilliant innovations kickstarted by nanotechnology. 

FAQs