If you’re having a nosy at the ‘ingredients list’ on your favourite CBD oil (which we advise you should always do!), you’ll often notice that one of the ingredients is MCT oil.
So why exactly is there MCT oil in your CBD oil?
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including…
- What is MCT oil?
- What are the benefits of MCT oil?
- Why do MCT oil and CBD oil work so well together?
Let’s begin.
In this guide:
What is a carrier oil?
“What is a carrier oil, and why is it in my CBD?”
The carrier oil in CBD oil is the ingredient which allows your body to process and absorb all the CBD goodness.
A carrier oil works because – as a fatty plant-based oil – it contains the kind of molecules that your body is accustomed to processing.
The fat molecules in the carrier oil directly bind to the CBD compound, allowing the body to process the CBD easily.
This, in turn, improves the absorption and bioavailability of the product.
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What is MCT oil?
MCT is a supplement derived from Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs): fatty acids found in dairy products, coconut oil and palm oil.
MCT oil is often and most effectively extracted from coconuts but is actually a general term for several different oils – including caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid and lauric acid.
Each has varying effects, and all are found in different amounts within MCT oil.
Benefits of MCT oil
MCT oil is highly effective in aiding CBD absorption and extending shelf life.
MCTs work by binding to the cannabinoids, speeding up their delivery to the bloodstream.
So why does MCT oil tincture work so well?
It’s to do with their rapidity. MCT oil is a fast energy source and thus a helpful delivery method for other substances – including our good friend CBD.
The leading quality that sets the MCT oil apart from other oils is its ability to influence how quickly the body processes foods and other compounds.
Unlike other vegetable and plant-based oils, MCT travels directly to your liver from the digestive system. From there, MCTs are converted into ketones by the liver.
There’s no messing around – MCTs get straight down to business. As such, they do wonders when breaking down fat-soluble compounds.
MCT oil also produces leptin and Peptide YY, which are responsible for regulating your appetite. Because MCTs are instantly converted into energy, they are not stored as fats in our bodies.
Why are MCT oil and CBD oil combined?
CBD oil and MCT oil are a power combination: think salt and pepper, bread and eggs, hydrogen and oxygen. You get the gist.
While MCT is an effective carrier oil for many compounds – not just CBD – there’s a reason that CBD, in particular, benefits from the helping hand of MCTs: CBD can only be dissolved in fats or oils.
What does this mean? Well, crucially, you can’t use water to dissolve the hemp extracts found in CBD products. So fats are essential for delivery, and MCTs are the best of the best.
What are the benefits of CBD with MCT oil?
Let’s look at the key benefits of combining CBD and MCT oil…
Improved CBD absorption
It’s all about bioavailability, baby!
Manufacturers add carrier oil to CBD products to enhance the bioavailability of CBD. The carrier oil makes it easier for CBD and other cannabinoids to travel into the bloodstream and be absorbed by the body.
Let’s look at how this works…
Our bodies can absorb water and fat-soluble compounds. The water-soluble compounds, such as minerals and nutrients, enter your bloodstream through the water-soluble pathway.
The process for fat-soluble compounds is a little more complex.
Unlike water-based minerals, fat-soluble compounds like CBD do not enter the bloodstream. Instead, they are converted into small particles to make their way to the bloodstream through the lymph system.
Our body has to break the CBD into tiny particles, known as micelles. If you take CBD products with a fatty substance like vegetable oil, your digestive system quickly dissolves the ingredients.
This allows your body to process and absorb the cannabinoids quickly and more completely.
Sustained CBD release
Extended shelf life
One of the main reasons manufacturers add high-quality carrier oil to CBD products is to allow the products to have a longer shelf life without losing effectiveness or potency.
CBD products typically last for one or two years, and carrier oils play an integral part in extending the shelf-life of CBD.
Read more: How to store CBD oil
What are the side effects of CBD with MCT oil?
While CBD oil and MCT oil are undoubtedly a magical combination, there are some side effects to be aware of.
Bad cholesterol
Consumption of too much MCT oil can be associated with an increase in the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. This can be bad for heart health and could lead to cardiovascular diseases.
Don’t panic – but do ensure you consume MCT oil in moderation.
Stomach problems
It’s all about moderation – consuming too much MCT Oil can upset your stomach, causing diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Weight gain
Again – this one is dependent on the amount of MCT oil you are taking.
MCT oil is saturated fat and could lead to the storage of fat in the liver if it forms more than half of the daily fat calories of an individual.
As a rule, MCT Oil should never exceed 10% of an individual’s total daily caloric intake.
Again – while this is a legitimate side effect, if you’re taking MCT oil as part of a CBD oil tincture and sticking to the maximum recommended CBD doses – there’s no cause for concern.
Frequently asked questions:
Can I use MCT oil as a carrier oil?
Which is the best carrier oil for CBD?
Final thoughts on CBD and MCT oil
What can we say – MCT oil and CBD oil is a match made in heaven. CBD really found its perfect partner, and we couldn’t be happier for them both!
The ingredients complement each other perfectly, making MCT oil the most effective carrier oil to ensure you ingest all the goodness of CBD quickly and effectively.
While there are side effects associated with overconsumption of MCT, if you ensure you are taking the correct dose of MCT – by buying CBD oil from a reputable supplier (cough, cough!) – this combination is a clear winner.
