If you’ve ever taken CBD products, then you might have noticed that they usually contain more than just CBD (if you’re someone who reads the labels, that is). Actually, one of the key ingredients you’ll often find listed is carrier oil. So, are you wondering, “Why does CBD need a carrier?” or maybe even “How do these oils actually affect my experience with CBD?”
Well, it just so turns out that carrier oils like MCT, hemp seed, and even olive oil don’t just bulk up the product and act as a filler. Instead, these truly play a pretty big role in its effectiveness.
So, let's go ahead and dive into why carrier oils matter, and how they influence the quality of your CBD products. Spoiler Alert: the choice of the oil itself can impact everything from the absorption to the overall experience of it!
What are Carrier Oils and Why Do They Matter?
Carrier oils are plant-based oils that dilute and “carry” essential compounds like CBD. In simple terms, they serve as a vehicle to help deliver CBD into your system more effectively. CBD, on its own, is a thick, crystalline substance that can’t easily be absorbed by your body. So, when it gets mixed with a carrier oil, it becomes bioavailable – meaning your body can actually process and benefit from it.
So, you should think of carrier oils as the trusty sidekick to CBD, amplifying its benefits. Without them, CBD wouldn’t be nearly as effective or easy to use.
CBD and Fat-Soluble Absorption
It’s best that we look more into the science-y part of CBD to get a better understanding. So, for starters, CBD is fat-soluble, so this means that it dissolves in fats rather than in water. Now, by binding CBD to a fat-rich carrier oil, you’re ensuring that it gets absorbed through your digestive system and into your bloodstream efficiently. If CBD was just floating around on its own, your body would struggle to absorb it, and you wouldn’t get the full range of benefits it can offer.
That’s why carrier oils matter; they make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck when using CBD products. But not all carrier oils are created equally though. Yes, you read that right! So, let’s go ahead and break down the top three oils you’ll find in CBD products: MCT oil, hemp seed oil, and olive oil.
MCT Oil
If you’ve looked at a bottle of CBD oil recently, there’s a pretty good chance that it was blended with MCT oil. But what is this, though? Better yet, why exactly is this the most popular choice?
What is MCT Oil?
MCT stands for Medium-Chain Triglycerides, a type of fat that’s derived mainly from coconut oil or palm oil. Unlike other fats, medium-chain triglycerides are quickly broken down, and then they’re used by your body for energy, thus making them easier to digest.
The Benefits of MCT Oil in CBD
MCT oil has a number of benefits, especially when it comes to it being used as a carrier oil for CBD. So let’s go ahead and take a look!
Enhanced Absorption
One of the main reasons MCT oil is such a popular choice for CBD products is that it can boost bioavailability. Due to its shortened fat chains, MCT oil is quickly absorbed by the body and then goes straight to the liver, where it’s rapidly converted into energy or ketones. So, this means that CBD can “hitch a ride” alone with MCT oil for fast and efficient absorption.
Neutral Taste
MCT oil is practically tasteless, which is ideal if you’re not a fan of the strong, earthy flavor some CBD products have. So, just by using MCT oil as the carrier, you get a smoother, more enjoyable CBD experience.
Keto-Friendly
MCT oil is popular among people following a ketogenic diet (or essentially just low-carb) since it’s quick to source energy and doesn’t raise blood sugar levels. For those trying to balance a keto lifestyle with CBD, MCT oil is a great option, too.
In short, MCT oil is a superstar in the CBD world because it makes your body absorb CBD quickly and effectively while offering a clean, neutral taste that doesn’t interfere with the CBD experience.
Hemp Seed Oil
Another common carrier oil in CB products would have to be hemp seed oil. Now, at first glance, it might seem like CBD and hemp seed oil come from the same place- and that’s because they do. However, you need to understand that they’re still not inherently the same thing. While CBD is extracted from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the hemp plant, the hemp seed oil is only made by cold-pressing the seeds of the plant itself.
What is Hemp Seed Oil?
We covered the difference between CBD and hemp oil (and how it’s made), but what exactly is this though? Well, hemp seed oil is a nutrient-dense oil packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as a range of vitamins and minerals. Despite being from the same plant family, it doesn’t contain CBD, THC, or any other cannabinoids. It’s purely the fatty oil from the seeds.
The Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil in CBD
So, why mix CBD with hemp seed oil? It turns out these two are a match made in heaven!
Nutritional Boost
Hemp seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids, which are excellent for your skin, heart, health, and overall wellness. Plus, adding it to CBD enhances the product’s nutritional profile, giving you an extra wellness boost too.
Synergy with CBD
Hemp seed and CBD come from the same plant, and when combined, they create a sense of “synergy”, plus there’s a lot of people out there who believe that using both together can enhance the overall therapeutic benefits of CBD.
Eco-Friendly
Hemp seed oil is a sustainable and environmentally friendly product, so for consumers who are looking to reduce their environmental footprint, it really is the best option.
So, if you’re after something a little more eco-conscious or at least want to get the maximum benefits from your CBD product, then hemp seed oil is going to be the best choice for you.
Olive Oil
The chances are pretty high that you have olive oil in your kitchen or pantry, right? But did you know that it’s also used in CBD products? While it’s not as common as MCT or even hemp seed oil, olive oil does have its own set of unique benefits when it gets paired with CBD.
Why Olive Oil?
Olive oil is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants, which makes it an appealing choice for use in wellness products. Plus, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, particularly in Mediterranean cultures.
The Benefits of Olive Oil in CBD Products
So, what does olive oil bring to the table (pun intended) as a CBD carrier oil?
High in Antioxidants
Olive oil is loaded with antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory properties. So, when it’s combined with CBD, these antioxidants may enhance the oil’s wellness benefits.
Rich Flavor
If you enjoy the rich, peppery flavor of high-quality olive oil, then you’ll most likely appreciate the CBD products that use olive oils as a carrier. It gives the product a more robust and luxurious feel.
Heart-Healthy
The monounsaturated fats in olive oil are great for heart health, and adding CBD will only enhance these benefits. For people looking to support cardiovascular wellness, olive oil truly is a great choice as a CBD carrier.
While yes it’s definitely true that olive oil may not boost absorption as much as something like MCT oil, this is still a great option regardless, especially if you want a CBD product with more complex flavors and additional antioxidant benefits.
Why Carrier Oils Matter Far More Than You Think
Carrier oils matter, and they are what really makes all the difference when it comes to these CBD products. While they might not get as much attention as the CBD itself, they still play a pretty big role in making sure the product is effective and enjoyable. So, all three of the carriers above have their own benefits and what makes each one stand out.
Now, it’s going to be on you which one you prefer, like the fast-absorbing MCT oil, the nutrient-dense hemp seed oil, or the antioxidant-rich olive oil, but overall, they’re different, so the experience with your CBD is going to be different.
So, next time, when you’re shopping for CBD, don’t just focus on the CBD content– ideally, you should take a look at the carrier oil too. You want to maximize the benefits, right? Well, understanding the role of these carrier oils can help you choose a product that needs your needs and helps you totally maximize the benefits from your CBD oil. You can definitely rest assured that you’re getting the most out of your CBD product!