What is “Pico” and Why Particle Size Matters

When it comes to CBD emulsions, particle size is everything. Not only does it determine how well an oil-based compound like CBD can mix with water, but it also influences how reliably that solution performs in clinical and wellness settings. For years, fat-soluble cannabinoids were limited to oil-based tinctures, creams, and capsules. But that began to change around 2018 when nanotechnology entered the cannabinoid space.

By shrinking CBD particles down to the nanoscale, formulators created more stable water-based products with smoother textures and improved dispersion. The result? A wave of cannabinoid-infused beverages, tinctures, and topicals that were easier to work with and more appealing to consumers.

But innovation didn’t stop at nano. Today, PICO IV is the first and only company to bring CBD into the pico realm, achieving a particle size even smaller than nano. Let’s break down what that means and why it matters.

What is Nanotechnology?

Before we get to picotechnology, it helps to understand its scientific foundation. Nanotechnology involves reducing particles to between 1 and 100 nanometers, small enough to stay evenly suspended in a liquid. This was a game-changer for the cannabinoid industry. Because CBD is naturally hydrophobic (it resists mixing with water), breaking it down to a nano size allowed formulators to develop more consistent and functional water-soluble products.

This breakthrough made CBD more versatile and enabled a wider range of applications, from drinkable supplements to water-based topicals. It also set the stage for a new generation of cannabinoid innovation, where particle size could be pushed even further.

Introducing Picotechnology

Picotechnology takes particle reduction to the next level. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. A picometer? It’s one thousand times smaller than that—just one trillionth of a meter. To put it in perspective, it’s one-millionth of a millionth of a millimeter.

Shrinking CBD to the pico level not only improves dispersion, it enables something nanoemulsions can’t achieve: sterile filtration. That’s a major advancement for medical and clinical use cases.

Why Sterile Filtration Matters

Sterile filtration is about more than just cleanliness; it’s about opening up a new world of applications. But the challenge? Most nanoemulsions can’t be passed through a sterile filter without stripping out the CBD particles themselves. Picotechnology changes the equation. By breaking CBD down into particles small enough to pass through sterile filters without degradation, PICO IV delivers a clean, stable, and professionally viable water-soluble solution. No compromise required.

What Picotechnology Means for Absorption

When it comes to CBD, or other cannabinoids for that matter, absorption has been one of the biggest hurdles. Whatever the dosage is listed, the body will always end up absorbing less, depending on the method, because it has to pass through the skin barrier. With topical applications, absorption rates can be difficult to measure. In general, it can be as low as less than 5% or as much as 45% in cases with high-dose formulas. Sublingual is one of the better methods for absorption, consistently 15-35%. What makes a pico emulsion even better is that the smaller particles mean they can more easily pass through any barriers and are more readily absorbed by the body, resulting in nearly total absorption.

The Takeaway

Particle size might seem like a technical detail, but it’s one of the most important factors in creating a clean, stable, and effective water-soluble CBD solution. Nanotechnology moved the industry forward, making it possible to suspend CBD in liquid and expand product formats. Picotechnology builds on that progress, taking the particle size even smaller, small enough to allow for sterile filtration without compromising the integrity of the compound. It’s a quiet but important shift that opens the door to new standards in safety, consistency, and formulation quality.