You bought the oil, you took the drops, and you waited. And... nothing happened.
It’s a common frustration. Many people try CBD once, feel no different, and decide "it doesn't work for me."
But the problem is rarely the CBD itself. The problem is usually bioavailability.
Bioavailability refers to how much of the CBD actually enters your bloodstream to have an active effect. If you take 50mg of CBD but your body only absorbs 5mg, you won't feel a thing.
In this guide, we’ll explain why your body might be "wasting" your CBD and simple tricks to skyrocket your absorption.
What is Bioavailability?
When you swallow a supplement, it has to pass through your digestive system and liver before it reaches your blood. This process destroys a lot of the active compounds.
With standard oral CBD (like capsules or gummies), the bioavailability can be as low as 6% to 10%. That means you are losing up to 90% of the product you paid for!
Taking CBD oil sublingually (under the tongue) bypasses the digestive system, significantly increasing that percentage.
Video: How to increase CBD bioavailability
Want to get more value from every drop? Watch our breakdown on how to maximise absorption.
Mistake 1: Swallowing too fast
If you drop the oil in your mouth and swallow instantly, it goes straight to your stomach, where stomach acid breaks it down.
The Fix: Hold the oil under your tongue for at least 60 to 90 seconds. This allows the CBD to be absorbed directly into the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) under your tongue, entering your bloodstream faster and more potently.
Mistake 2: Taking it on an empty stomach
CBD is fat-soluble (lipophilic), meaning it dissolves in fat, not water.
If you take it with just water or on an empty stomach, your body struggles to process it. Research suggests that taking CBD alongside dietary fats can increase absorption by up to 4-5 times.
The Fix: Take your CBD after a meal containing healthy fats (like avocado, eggs, nuts, or yogurt) or simply with your morning coffee if it has milk/cream.
Mistake 3: Poor carrier oils
Since CBD needs fat to work, the oil it is dissolved in (the "carrier") matters.
Many cheap brands use olive oil or hemp seed oil. These are fine, but they consist of long-chain triglycerides which take longer to digest.
The Fix: Look for CBD in MCT Oil (Medium Chain Triglycerides). MCTs are processed rapidly by the liver, acting as a "fast track" delivery system for the CBD.
The Evopure difference (Ultrasonic & MCT)
We obsess over bioavailability because we want our products to actually work.
1. Premium MCT Carrier
All Evopure oils use organic coconut-derived MCT oil to maximise absorption speed.
2. Ultrasonic Extraction
For our blends like Flow, we use advanced ultrasonic extraction. This uses sound waves to break down the active compounds (like ashwagandha) into microscopic particles and infuse them directly into the oil.
Smaller particles = easier absorption = better results.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for CBD to kick in?
Sublingual oil (under the tongue) typically takes 15–30 minutes. Capsules or gummies can take 1–2 hours.
Why don't I feel anything from CBD?
You may be taking too low a dose, or your body isn't absorbing it well. Try holding it under your tongue longer or taking it with a fatty snack.
Does CBD build up in your system?
Yes. CBD is often more effective when taken consistently over weeks, allowing it to "build up" and support your endocannabinoid system continuously.
Is 1000mg stronger than 500mg?
Yes, it is more concentrated. A 1000mg bottle has twice as much CBD per drop as a 500mg bottle, meaning you need fewer drops to get the same dose.
Final thoughts
If you've tried CBD before and "felt nothing," don't blame the molecule—blame the method.
By switching to a high-quality MCT-based oil like Evopure and holding it under your tongue, you can unlock the real potential of CBD.
