CBD Carrier Oils: Which One is Best?

Introduction: Carrier Oil for CBD

So, you bought a bottle of CBD oil and are probably asking yourself, what is this other oil doing in my CBD? Why don’t I strictly have CBD?

What is MCT oil?

Don’t worry by the end of this article, all this confusion will be cleared up and I will also explain some of the best carrier oils to use in CBD.

First, for all this to make sense we have to explain CBD bioavailability.

CBD Bioavailability: What Does It Mean?

It’s definition time.

According to merriam-webster, Bioavailability is “the degree and rate at which a substance (such as a drug) is absorbed into a living system or is made available at the site of physiological activity”.

In the case of CBD, the bioavailability of CBD would mean the rate at which CBD is absorbed into your body, and how available it is to its site of action.

CBD, when taken orally is absorbed via sublingual veins and then absorbed in the digestive tract.

It then enters the blood and is then transported to its site of action.

CBD acts on Cannabinoid receptors that are dispersed in different parts of the body.

Compare that to CBD creams for example. They are applied topically on the outer surface of the skin.

Some of this CBD is absorbed via the skin, but very little if any CBD ever makes it into the bloodstream, so it does not become available to affect other areas of the body (it will only be able to act on the part of the body on which it was applied.)

Does CBD Have Good Bioavailability?

Pure CBD, unfortunately, has low bioavailability.

Furthermore, when CBD is taken orally (in the form of CBD oil), more of the CBD is lost, as it gets processed through the digestive tract.

The issue of low bioavailability is one which CBD manufacturers seek to remedy.

One enhancement is the use of carrier oils in the CBD oil, which seeks to increase this bioavailability because CBD get broken down and are stored in fat, therefore, mixing CBD with fat will increase bioavailability.

Another enhancement is the use of nanotechnology.

This process involves making the size of the CBD particles as small as possible.

The makes the particles easier to absorb into the blood stream.

It also makes their absorption more efficient, increasing their bioavailability.

Although this is an interesting & more complicated way of increasing bioavailability, we wrote this article to discuss carrier oils, so let’s talk about that.

Carrier Oils to Increase Bioavailability

Carrier oils are a must for CBD oils.

Carrier oils work to increase bioavailability, so you can get the most out of your CBD, plus some give an added health benefit!

As an added benefit, carrier oils increase the shelf life of your CBD as well.

Here are some common carrier oils you may see in your CBD oil:

MCT Oil

• MCT oil, or Medium Chain Triglyceride oil, is typically derived from coconut. The name comes from the fact that the compound is made of chains of fat molecules that are neither very short nor long (typically 6-12 carbons long), hence the “medium chain” part of the name. “Triglyceride” refers to the fact that there are 3 of these fat chains in each molecule (hence “tri”) attached to a glycerol molecule (hence the “-glyceride” part).

• MCT oil seems to be the most popular carrier oil I have seen in CBD oils. It is proven to be a viable option because the liver process MCT oil as fat and metabolizes the CBD infusion quickly. MCT oil is also a good complimentary oil with CBD because it is known to boost cognitive function.

Grapeseed Oil

• If you haven’t already guessed, as the name implies, grapeseed oil comes from the seed of grapes and it is an abundant byproduct of winemaking. Since grapeseed oil primarily consists of polyunsaturated fats, it doesn’t make it the best carrier oil to be used for CBD alone, as it does not mix well with CBD.
• However, when used in conjunction with other carrier oils it becomes favorable for its health benefits. Grapeseed oil contains high amounts of antioxidants, it is also anti-inflammatory, among other things. This makes it a viable option to use in conjunction with CBD oil because it works to enhance the effects of the CBD.

Hemp Seed Oil

• Hemp seed oil, similar to grapeseed oil, is better when mixed with another carrier oil such as MCT oil, in order to increase CBD’s bioavailability. Hemp seed oil is one of the best sources for Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. 
• As a matter of fact, hemp seed oil has the perfect ratio of Omega 3s to 6s. It has 3 times the amount of Omega 6 fatty acids to Omega 3. The average American consumes too little Omega 3 (the average ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 consumed is 12 to 1 and as high as 25 to 1 (see here for more on that)

If you’re not already familiar, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are strongly linked to cardiovascular health. Not having enough omega 3 is also linked to higher rates of hypertension and an increase in the risk of heart attack. So make sure you get your omegas!

Olive Oil

• Olive oil is known widely for its amazing health benefits and is considered one of the healthiest oils to consume. It’s also known to have anti-inflammatory properties. And what’s amazing is that research has shown olive oil to restore the CB-1 receptor, in the endocannabinoid system, to a normal level.
• In fact, a study performed showed that olive oil increases the amount of CB-1 receptors on cells. This makes them more receptive to CBD which can bind to them. That makes olive oil and CBD a perfect combo as the oil can act synergistically with the CBD.

Conclusion

Although it is said that there is no best carrier oil to use with CBD, I do see MCT oil in most CBD oils.

What makes MCT oil attractive is its ability to boost cognitive function as well as increase bioavailability in your CBD oil.

After all,

Low bioavailability is an issue with CBD, which the use of a good carrier oil seeks to address. Delivering CBD through something that is fat soluble, helps the body to metabolize it easier and use more of it.