MCT Oil vs. Other Carrier Oils for CBD
CBD oils are becoming increasingly popular as a safe and well-tolerated natural option for treating and assisting various health conditions.
With so many CBD oils available, the type of carrier oil can also vary. If you’re wondering what the difference between each carrier oil is and how they can benefit you, here’s a quick summary.
What are Carrier Oils?
Carrier oils are plant-derived oils used to carry plant supplements. Supplements like CBD absorb better with the help of carrier oil.
Carrier oils are fatty vegetable oils sourced from various parts of the plant they are extracted from. These oils often vary for both flavor and essence. Generally, they work to aid the absorption of the plant extracts mixed with while providing therapeutic benefits of their own. There’s a large variety of carrier oils on the market. Some oils offer excellent bioavailability and absorb better than others, but all are suitable for CBD use.
Benefits of Carrier Oils
Carrier oils are a vital part of CBD oils. Each type of carrier oil has unique properties and benefits.
Better Absorption
Carrier oils can improve the bioavailability of CBD, and they help your body absorb CBD oil. CBD is fat-soluble, so it’s only dissolved in oil rather than water. When you digest water-soluble substances, your digestive tract sends them directly into your bloodstream.
Fat-soluble substances get converted into fatty tissues, and they’re distributed through your body by the lymphatic system. Any excess substances get stored in your liver and fatty tissues (1).
All carrier oils are fat-soluble so that CBD can be dissolved in them. The oil then carries the CBD into the proper tissues, so they’re more accessible by your body.
Easy Dosing
CBD is potent, so you don’t need much of it for a medicinal effect. However, this can be a problem when it comes to finding the proper dose. If you want to take appropriate and consistent doses, it’s easier to measure out a specific number of drops from CBD oil.
CBD oils also come in a dropper which makes them convenient to consume. Some people like to place a few drops under their tongue to enhance absorption, while others like to mix in drops into their smoothies and soups.
MCT Oil
MCT oil is isolated from coconut oil or palm kernel oil, and it’s a concentrated source of medium-chain triglycerides. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are a type of fat that can be absorbed and utilized quickly within the body. MCTs get absorbed into your liver, where they are used as an instant energy source (2).
MCT oil is known for being a popular carrier oil for CBD. It is generally regarded as one of the best options available, as it absorbs better than most other carrier oils while providing greater CBD bioavailability.
MCT Oil Benefits
- MCT oil can help lower blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of diabetes (3).
- MCT oil can help fight bacteria. The fatty acids in MCT oil, like lauric acid, give it antifungal and antimicrobial properties, which can help reduce the growth of yeast and bacteria (4).
- MCTs can help promote weight loss. MCT breaks down fast and becomes an instant energy source rather than being stored as fat. It’s also known to increase a sense of fullness by the release of certain hormones and improve your gut microbiome and health by encouraging the growth of good bacteria (5).
- MCT oil is a light and thin oil and is almost flavorless, so it’s a great choice if you don’t like strong-tasting oils.
Other Common Carrier Oils
Other common CBD carrier oils include:
- Hemp seed oil. Hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. It has a high content of polyunsaturated acids and can improve skin and heart health (6).
- Sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is pressed from the seeds of sunflowers, and while it’s commonly used as cooking oil, sunflower oil can be a great carrier oil. It’s a great source of vitamin E and K, and it has a mild flavor.
- Arnica oil. Arnica oil is extracted from the Arnica herb. This herb is often used for medicinal purposes, and the oil is commonly used to treat aches and pains.
- Olive oil. Like sunflower oil, olive oil is commonly associated with cooking. However, olive oil can improve skin and hair health and works as an anti-inflammatory.
While all CBD carrier oils have various health benefits and work well with CBD, we recommend MCT oil for its versatile nature and health benefits.
Safety and Side Effects
Generally, common carrier oils won’t produce side effects for most people. However, some types of oils may not be suitable for people with certain illnesses or those taking certain medications (7). You should always check in with your doctor before adding anything new to your treatment regimen. While CBD oil is considered natural and well-tolerated, you may still experience side effects, especially if you haven’t taken it before.
If you have specific allergies, be especially careful about selecting CBD products with carrier oils you know will be safe for you. While all ingredients should be specified on the label, you can always check the complete list on the website.
For topical CBD oils or CBD creams that can be used for skin conditions like Eczema, remember that extra added ingredients or specific carrier oils may cause itchiness or a slight rash when applied for the first time. While this usually goes away after the initial period, check with a health professional if it persists. It’s important to be familiar with the potential side effects of the CBD oils you are using.
The Bottom Line
Many different types of carrier oil can be used in conjunction with CBD in CBD oils. MCT oil is regarded as one of the best carrier oil options for its versatility and health benefits.
Carrier oils can interact with your body composition and create side effects, so check in with your health professional before implementing a new carrier oil into your CBD regime.
**Standard Disclaimer: CBD is not FDA-approved. We make no such claims that using our products will guarantee relief. Moreover, research regarding CBD is still ongoing and in the early stages.**
