CBD Carrier Oils. Why They Matter, and The Different Kinds.
The oils with which CBD is mixed with serves a very important role. They create the base to help deliver the active component, CBD, to our bodies. Essentially carrier oils are the solvent to dissolve the hemp extract with, making them easier to use.
Carrier oils also serve other important roles such as enhancing the absorption of the CBD oil. Because CBD is a fat-soluble substance, the addition of a carrier oil greatly improves the absorption by our gut.
Carrier oil also allows CBD users to accurately dose themselves and/or their pets. Measuring a specific dose of CBD isolate would be almost impossible for consumers without the need for purchasing expensive laboratory-grade machinery and therefore the addition of these carrier oils is essential.
When purchasing your CBD oil, knowing what the carrier oil used is, is beneficial as each carrier has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages.
1) MCT Oil
Medium-Chain Triglyceride, or MCT, is the most common carrier oil on the market. It is an oil that is usually derived from Coconut or Palm-oil. As an oil, it has very little taste and has a viscous consistency. MCT is naturally anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.
Pros:
-The medium fat chains of MCT help for quicker absorption of the CBD.
-Due to the abundance of coconut and palm plantations, MCT is cheap.
-MCT has a high solubility, which makes it good for high dose CBD products.
Cons:
-Lacks phytochemicals and antioxidants that are found in other carrier oils.
-It is often highly processed.
-MCT offers little to no flavour, making it bland without the addition of flavourings.
2) Olive Oil
Rich in iron, vitamin k and vitamin e, olive oil is another popular carrier oil used by CBD manufacturers. Unlike MCT, olive oil is a long-chain triglyceride meaning it may take a longer time for the CBD to be absorbed but the efficiency of the absorption may be increased.
Pros:
-Rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants.
-A highly researched compound that offers many health benefits.
Cons:
-Olive oil has lower solvency than most of the other carrier oils on the market, making it difficult to produce CBD oils with high CBD content.
-A strong flavour profile and a thick consistency may make it unpalatable for many.
-The long-chain triglycerides mean a slower absorption.
3) Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds of the hemp plant. Unlike hemp oil, hemp seed oil has little to no cannabinoids or terpenes. It is however rich in antioxidants and has an abundance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
It is believed that the use of hemp seed oil can further enhance an entourage effect due to the presence of other hemp phytochemicals which are not found in standalone CBD extracts.
Pros:
-Hemp seed oil has a unique taste profile to it.
-It is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
-Phytochemicals not found in the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant are found in the seeds.
-It is a natural hemp byproduct, thus utilising the whole plant.
Cons:
-Hemp seed oil is one of the more expensive carrier oils.
-Ultra-high CBD tinctures may not be as effective due to a lower solvency rate in hemp seed oil.
Conclusion.
Without the use of carrier oils, it would not be possible for CBD producers to make products that are easy to dose and ones that our bodies could readily absorb.
At Cannable we believe in using only the highest quality, cold-pressed, hemp seed oil. Not only do our oils have a unique and natural taste, but they are also rich in fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) as well as a host of phytochemicals not found in MCT or Olive oil, making it more than just another CBD oil.