Lipophilicity
/lip-oh-FIL-ih-SIT-ee/
The tendency of a molecule to dissolve in fats, oils, and non-polar solvents rather than water. Cannabinoids are highly lipophilic.
In Depth
The high lipophilicity of cannabinoids (logP values of 6–7 for THC and CBD) has major pharmacokinetic implications: poor water solubility limits oral bioavailability, extensive distribution into fatty tissues creates large volumes of distribution, and accumulation in adipose tissue leads to prolonged elimination half-lives (THC terminal half-life: 20–57 hours in chronic users). Lipophilicity also enables cannabinoids to cross the blood-brain barrier and placenta. Formulation strategies (nanoemulsions, cyclodextrin complexes, lipid nanoparticles) aim to improve bioavailability.
Related Terms
More in Chemistry
Decarboxylation
The chemical process by which a carboxyl group (COOH) is removed from a molecule, releasing CO₂. Converts inactive cannabinoid acids (THCA, CBDA) into their active forms (THC, CBD).
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)
The acidic, non-psychoactive precursor to THC found in raw, unheated cannabis. Converted to THC through decarboxylation.
CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid)
The acidic precursor to CBD found in raw cannabis. Converted to CBD through decarboxylation.