5 Most Common Carrier Oils For CBD: The Secret Of Efficacy Revealed

06. 11. 2023

CBD, or cannabidiol, is becoming increasingly popular for its potential therapeutic effects. However, to get the best effects, it's important to choose CBD with the right carrier oil. In today's article, we'll take a look at what the secret to CBD's effectiveness lies in, introducing you to the 5 most common carrier oils that will allow you to take full advantage of the natural substance's benefits, while also learning which carrier oils increase CBD's effectiveness and why to avoid CBD containing palm oil.

Carrier oils: What are they and what are they for?

Carrier oils play a very important role in CBD oils because they help dissolve the cannabinoid molecules so that they can be better absorbed by the human body. The most commonly used carrier oils in CBD products include:

Coconut oil,
olive oil,
hemp oil,
palm oil,
avocado oil,
and more.

Regardless of the method of application, most carrier oils have similar properties. They are characterized by their delicate scent and taste. More importantly, they do not prevent your body from absorbing the substances that have been added to the carrier oils; on the contrary, they facilitate the absorption of these substances.

Maximise the effects of CBD: The importance of carrier oil

The whole process begins with extraction, during which cannabidiol and other active ingredients are extracted from dried hemp or hemp sticks. This extract is then diluted with a carrier oil to create the final product. Different carrier oils are added to CBD products, sometimes alone, sometimes in combinations. The final product after the extraction process is somewhere between pure CBD and broad-spectrum CBD. Carrier oils serve several important purposes:

More efficient absorption

One of the key reasons for using carrier oils is that they increase bioavailability, meaning they make it easier for the body to absorb CBD oil. This is because CBD is best absorbed when it is bound to fat molecules, which the human body can break down more easily. The bioavailability of CBD varies depending on the type of carrier oil and the method of application.

More pleasant to use

Consuming pure CBD in powder form is not the most pleasant experience. Mixing CBD with a carrier oil and perhaps a few natural flavours will make consumption much more enjoyable.

Easier dosing

CBD is a potent substance and therefore, it doesn't take large amounts of it to produce therapeutic effects. Thanks to the carrier oil, CBD is diluted. Once diluted, it will be easier for youto dose what amount to take each day.

The 5 most common CBD carrier oils.

Carrier oils make it easier for the body to absorb CBD. Different oils are more or less easily absorbed by the human body. Below are the most common carrier oils and their advantages and disadvantages.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil contains long- and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), making it an excellent carrier oil. Unlike long-chain triglycerides (which most fats contain), MCT triglycerides are smaller and much easier to digest. Coconut oil is the most common carrier oil in the manufacture of CBD products.

Coconut oil has a number of advantages, for example it can mask the distinct earthy taste of CBD extract and its thinner consistency makes it easier to dose. Because coconut oil is much more digestible than other carrier oils, it is thought to increase the bioavailability of CBD oil. The human body can extract more active ingredients from a single dose of oil containing coconut oil than from products containing other carrier oils.

Olive oil

This is the most well-known healthy oil. Olive oil is extremely rich in oleic acid, monounsaturated fat, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, which are important components of cell membranes. However, because olive oil contains a large amount of monounsaturated fat, it takes longer to be absorbed by the body than coconut oil. In addition, its viscosity can make it more difficult to dose and its slower absorption reduces the effectiveness of CBD, but it is still a reliable and frequently used carrier oil.

Hemp oil

Hemp oil is made from hemp seeds, which are one of the superfoods that are extremely rich in healthy fats, quality proteins and other vitamins and minerals. The main advantage of hemp oil lies in the so-called accompanying effect. According to this theory, the effects of CBD are enhanced when taken together with other hemp substances. It is this effect that makes hemp oil a popular choice for broad-spectrum products that contain all the chemicals of the hemp plant.

Palm oil

Palm oil works very similarly to coconut oil in terms of CBD absorption into the body. It contains MCTs that make it easier for the body to break it down. However, the use of palm oil poses more serious problems because it is the cause of global deforestation. Due to the high demand for palm oil, hectares of rainforest are being cut down every day, leading to a reduction in habitat for endangered animals. And not only are animals losing their homes, but the loss of trees is also leading to global warming.

Avocado oil

This is a carrier oil that is becoming increasingly popular. Avocado oil contains lots of healthy fats and is known for its beneficial effects. Unlike other carrier oils, avocado oil has a distinct nutty taste. It is especially suitable for topical application as it is easily absorbed by the skin. Compared to other carrier oils used for CBD, it is much heavier and therefore can be difficult for the body to digest. It is also one of the most expensive carrier oils.