When it comes to CBD, carrier oils provide a means of delivering the cannabinoid to your body. But with so many different oils on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?
In this article, we'll be comparing two of the most popular carrier oils for CBD: MCT oil and hemp seed oil.
Both of these oils are popular choices for carrier oils, but they have different benefits. We'll take a look at the differences between MCT oil and hemp seed oil and how carrier oils actually work.
What are carrier oils and why do you need them for CBD?
Carrier oils are oils that are used to dilute and carry essential oils and other plant extracts.
CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like MCT oil or hemp seed oil. Carrier oils help to increase the bioavailability of CBD, meaning that more of it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
But why do you actually need them? Couldn't you technically just take it on its own?
You could, but it wouldn't be very efficient.
Increases bioavailability
CBD by itself isn't very bioavailable. This means that it's difficult for the body to absorb and put to use. Carrier oils are used to increase the bioavailability of CBD.
They're often made from plants that have levels of healthy fats, for example, coconut oil or olive oil.
Adding CBD to a carrier oil increases its bioavailability up to three times as much, making it easier for the body to absorb it and use it effectively.
As a result, they can play an important role in increasing the effectiveness of CBD products.
Ease of dosing
A carrier oil also makes it much easier to get the correct amount of CBD.
When we extract CBD from hemp plants, it has a high level of CBD. A carrier oil helps to dilute the concentration of CBD. It's simpler to measure how much you take at once after it's been diluted.
The benefits of MCT oil as a carrier oil for CBD
MCT is short for medium chain triglycerides. It's a type of saturated fat that is derived from coconut oil. Unlike other oils, MCTs are absorbed and metabolized quickly by the body.
MCT oil makes a great carrier oil for CBD because it can help the body to absorb CBD more effectively.
When it comes to carrier oils, the higher the saturated fat content, the better. Cannabinoids are fat-soluble, which means that the higher lipid content the carrier oil contains, the more efficiently it can absorb.
MCT oil contains up to 90% saturated fat, much higher then other carrier oils.
The main reason why most CBD oils are made with MCT oil rather than hemp seed oil is because MCT oil contains more saturated fat.
MCT oil can break down and transport more CBD molecules throughout the body, delivering more cannabinoids to our cells for absorption.
The benefits of hemp seed oil as a carrier oil for CBD
Hemp seed oil is a popular choice for carrier oil when it comes to CBD products.
While it's not as good as MCT oil in terms of its saturated fat content (only 11%), hemp seed oil does offer a number of benefits that make it desirable.
Hemp seed oil contains phytonutrients and terpenes, which help to increase the entourage effect.
The entourage effect is when different cannabinoids work together to increase the overall effectiveness of the oil.
This happens because each compound in the hemp plant has a different effect on the body, and when they work together, they're more powerful than when they're used alone.
Another benefit of using hemp seed oil as a carrier oil for CBD is that it contains omega-3s and omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acids.
These nutrients are essential for maintaining healthy skin and hair. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can be helpful if you're using CBD to manage pain or inflammation.
How carrier oils actually work
Carrier oils are used to dilute CBD oil and make it easier to take. They also help the body absorb CBD more effectively.
Carrier oils can be made from a variety of different materials, but they all work in essentially the same way.
When you ingest CBD oil, it passes through your digestive system, makes its way to the liver and is absorbed into your bloodstream.
However, a large part of the oil is actually broken down by this process before it has a chance to be absorbed. This is where intestinal lymphatic transport plays a crucial role in CBD's absorption.
Basically, lipids adhere to the walls of whatever internal transportation system they're passing through.
We all know that there are good and bad saturated fats (called lipids). Bad lipids don't break down easily, instead they just sit there and accumulate.
Good lipids, on the other hand, absorb very quickly and efficiently directly through the intestinal wall.
MCT oil is a good saturated fat, which is why it makes one of the best carrier oils for CBD.
How to choose the right carrier oil for you
Both MCT oil and hemp seed oil have their own benefits.
Speaking purely in terms of absorption power, MCT oil is the clear winner due to its higher saturated fat content.
But if you're looking for a carrier oil that also offers additional benefits like omega-fatty acids and phytonutrients, then hemp seed oil is the better choice.
It really all comes down to what you're looking for in a carrier oil.
Nowadays, many manufacturers offer CBD oils that contain both of these carriers in a single bottle, so you get the best of both worlds.
Ultimately, when it comes to CBD you want the most absorption possible, and MCT oil is one of the most effective ways to achieve that.