Beta-caryophyllene (BCP), a sequisterpene, is a common constituent of the essential oils of several plants including hemp, and is thought to interact with the endocannabinoid system by binding selectively to cannabinoid receptors type 2.
 
In a study published in Molecules, researchers concluded that a formulation of BCP by the company Geocann, which utilizes drug delivery technology, resulted in significant improvements in all pharmacokinetic parameters of BCP compared to BCP in its neat oil form.
 
In total, the authors administered a dose of either Geocann’s BCP, which used VESIsorb delivery technology, or BCP neat oil, to 24 healthy subjects in fasted conditions. Overall, the VESIsorb formulation showed a 360% increase in maximal plasma CBD concentration, a 220% increase in area under the curve, and a 215% faster time to peak absorption.
 
“While decades of preclinical research have investigated the potential therapeutic benefits of BCP – such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-depressive – this trailblazing study provides the scientific data demonstrating a VESIsorb technology-based BCP API reaches therapeutic plasma levels faster and more efficiently,” Dr. Anthony Petraglia, chief medical officer of Geocann, said. “Simply put, improved bioavailability with VESIsorb directly translates to safely delivering higher BCP plasma levels with a much lower dose while maximizing therapeutic benefits.”
 
This was the first published study to demonstrate the safety and tolerability of BCP at doses as high as 100 mg, which is about ten times higher than normal daily human exposure, and was also the first published study to demonstrate that BCP has poor bioavailability in humans. Further, the study is the first to reveal there is no significant difference between men and women for all investigated pharmacokinetic endpoints.
 
VESIsorb has been tested to dramatically improve the bioavailability of poorly-absorbed ingredients including cannabinoids, terpenes, CoQ10, QH Ubiquinol, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids.
 
Geocann has exclusive global rights to VESIsorb for cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoid formulations, and is partnering with medical, pharmaceutical, and wellness brands. The company has already commercialized BCP VESIsorb formulations with companies including Nestlé Health Science, Theralogix, and Cronos.
 
“As our unmatched IP portfolio and body of supporting scientific evidence continues to expand, we are grateful for the peerless reputation the company is receiving in the global marketplace,” said Jesse Lopez, CEO and founder of Geocann. “Most importantly, Geocann is proud of the support we provide to the leading brands we serve, and nothing gives a brand a better advantage than a peer-reviewed published study showing their products work better than competitive offerings.”