10. Although lidocaine is marketed as its hydrochloride salt, it doesn’t exhibit the same level of physiological activity as the free amine. The free amine is more lipophilic and diffuses across a neuron cell membrane more rapidly than the ionic salt, resulting in a more rapid onset of anesthesia. Therefore, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is added to a solution of lidocaine prior to injection. How does the addition of sodium bicarbonate promote a faster anesthetic effect?