CBD oil with hemp oil vs CBD oil with MCT: what is the difference
CBD oil with MCT and CBD oil with hemp oil from Konopná farma Liptov have the same full spectrum extract, the same strengths from 5% to 30% and the same price. They differ in the carrier oil in which the extract is dissolved, which determines not only the taste but also the smell of the drops. In this article, we explain how the two carriers differ and how to choose between them.
A quick overview of the differences:
- Both ranges are full spectrum and, at the same strength, contain the same amount of CBD.
- We cold-press our hemp oil from hemp seeds. It has a nutty taste and a greenish colour.
- MCT oil is made from coconut oil. It has a neutral taste and a faint smell, so you cannot detect the typical aroma of hemp.
- There is not yet reliable evidence that either carrier oil provides better CBD absorption in humans than the other.
| CBD oil with hemp oil | CBD oil with MCT | |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier oil | single-variety cold-pressed hemp oil | MCT oil |
| Taste and smell | slightly nutty, with a hemp aroma | milder, almost neutral |
| Extract type | full spectrum | full spectrum |
| Strengths | 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30% | 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30% |
| CBD in 10 ml | 500 to 3,000 mg depending on strength | 500 to 3,000 mg depending on strength |
| Drops per bottle | approximately 230 to 240 | approximately 230 to 240 |
| Price at the same strength | the same | the same |
| Instructions for use | the same | the same |
| Storage | in a cool, dark place | in a cool, dark place |
| Use by | within one year of production | within one year of production |
Source: our own summary based on the product pages
Why does CBD oil need a carrier oil?
CBD extract is very thick and highly concentrated, which makes it difficult to dose accurately. That is why we dissolve it in a carrier oil, which determines the taste and smell of the final drops.
CBD does not dissolve in water but in fats, just like vitamins D and E, as confirmed by a review of studies on CBD. That is why our CBD is dissolved in oil rather than in a water-based solution. Thanks to the oil, it is evenly dissolved throughout the bottle, and every drop contains the same amount of CBD.
At Konopná farma Liptov, we make our CBD oils by mixing a full spectrum extract with a purity of 70 to 85% with the chosen carrier oil. We mix the ingredients thoroughly to create a homogeneous blend with an even distribution of the extract. The final CBD concentration is determined by the ratio of extract to carrier oil. For example, a 10 ml bottle with a 10% concentration contains 1,000 mg of CBD, while a 30% oil contains 3,000 mg of CBD.
We regularly test our CBD oils in a laboratory, where we verify their CBD and THC content.
CBD oil with hemp oil
This CBD oil is based on single-variety hemp oil cold-pressed from hemp seeds. It gives the oil a slightly nutty taste and a distinctive smell, complemented by the natural aroma of the hemp extract.
Both ingredients come from the same plant, but from different parts of it. We obtain the CBD extract from hemp flowers, while we press the carrier oil from its seeds. The result is a CBD oil with a natural hemp taste and smell.
What hemp oil contains
It is one of the oils with the highest proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which, according to a scientific study on hemp oil storage, make up about 80% of the oil.
| Component | Share in hemp oil |
|---|---|
| Linoleic acid (omega-6) | approximately 55% |
| Alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) | approximately 16 to 20% |
| Gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6) | approximately 1 to 4% |
| Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio | approximately 3:1 |
Source: our own summary based on a study on the properties of hemp oil and an analysis of hemp oil storage.
TIP
If you want to choose CBD drops with hemp oil specifically for their omega fatty acids, we do not recommend it in practice, because our 10 ml bottles contain only a small amount of hemp oil and serve a different purpose. For that purpose, we recommend our Premium hemp oil in a 250 ml bottle. This oil is suitable for cold dishes such as salads, spreads and sauces. We cover the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil in detail in the article Hemp oil and CBD oil: what is the difference.
Taste and smell
CBD oils with hemp oil have a slightly nutty taste and a distinctive but not overly strong hemp smell. How you perceive the taste also depends on your sensitivity to bitterness. Some people may find the oils fairly neutral, while others may notice a slightly bitter aftertaste, which is natural for hemp extract.
From our own experience, we know that customers’ worries about the taste are often greater than the actual experience of using the oil. Customer reviews confirm this, describing how they got used to the specific taste and smell of the oil fairly quickly, even at higher CBD concentrations.
CBD oils with MCT
In these CBD drops, the carrier is MCT oil, made of medium-chain triglycerides. The drops have a milder, almost neutral taste, so you can barely taste the hemp.
What is MCT oil?
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. Simply put, it is a type of fat that stays liquid at room temperature and has no strong taste. It consists mainly of two saturated fatty acids: caprylic acid and capric acid.
A 2022 review of MCT oils states that MCT does not contain the essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that hemp oil contains in high proportions. However, this does not matter in CBD oil, because the role of the carrier is to keep the CBD evenly dissolved throughout the bottle.
What is MCT oil made from and how?
The MCT oil in our CBD oils is made from coconut oil, which naturally contains medium-chain fatty acids. During processing, these fats are separated from the other components of coconut oil. The result is a light, liquid oil with a neutral taste and almost no smell, which works well as a carrier for CBD extract.
MCT oil is nothing new, though. The method for producing it was developed in the USA in the 1950s, and it has been used in food and beyond ever since.
The taste of CBD drops with MCT oil
CBD oils with MCT have a milder, almost neutral taste. MCT oil itself has no hemp taste, so the drops lack the nutty and slightly bitter note that hemp oil brings. You can barely taste the hemp in them.
We especially recommend the MCT version if:
- the bitterness or smell of hemp in the drops bothers you,
- you are sensitive to strong flavours,
- you are new to CBD oil and do not want the taste to put you off.
Why does the taste of the carrier matter in CBD oil?
Because taste and smell are the only differences you will actually notice when using it. The strength, amount of CBD, extract and price are the same in both ranges.
According to the instructions, which are the same for both ranges, apply 5 to 15 drops into your mouth and gently move them around the oral cavity, including between the teeth, for 2 to 3 minutes. Then spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with water. Use is recommended 1 to 3 times a day.
Because the oil stays in your mouth for several minutes and you repeat this routine every day, its taste and smell can strongly affect your overall impression.
Our tip
Choose according to the taste you prefer. If you like a neutral taste without a strong smell, go for MCT oil. If you prefer a slightly nutty taste and the natural smell of hemp, choose hemp oil.
How to choose the strength in both ranges
Choose the strength independently of the carrier. Both ranges offer the same percentages from 5 to 30%, so first choose the taste and then the strength based on your experience with CBD.
If you are not sure which strength is right for you, our article How to choose CBD oil will help. All our CBD oils are full spectrum. We explain what that means and how full spectrum differs from isolate in the article Full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate: what is the difference.
Tip: Since both ranges in our offer have the same strengths and prices, you can switch the carrier without changing the strength. If you do not like the taste of your first bottle, take the same percentage in the other version next time.
Important
Full spectrum oils may contain traces of THC; the exact amount is stated in the laboratory analysis (COA), which is available on request. CBD is not approved as a food in the EU (Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic). We do not recommend it for pregnant or breastfeeding women or for people under 18. If you take medication, consult your doctor; read more in the article Can I take CBD with other medications?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CBD oil with MCT and CBD oil with hemp oil?
The only difference is the carrier oil and the taste. The extract, strengths, amount of CBD, price and instructions for use are the same. The hemp carrier has a nutty flavour, while MCT is almost neutral.
Does CBD oil with MCT contain more CBD?
No. At the same strength, both oils contain the same amount of CBD; for example, a 10% oil contains 1,000 mg of CBD in 10 ml.
Is CBD absorbed better with MCT oil?
Reliable evidence from human studies is still lacking. CBD is fat-soluble, so it dissolves evenly in both carriers. Choose based on taste.
How should I store CBD oil with MCT and with hemp oil?
Both of our oils are stored the same way: in a cool, dark place, out of the reach of children. Use CBD oil within one year of the production date.
Sources
Author of the article
Študujem ekológiu, environmentalistiku a momentálne aj udržateľný urbanizmus, no o témy konopy sa zaujímam už od strednej. Najviac ma ale fascinuje to ako veľa rôznych vecí sa z jednej rastliny dá vyrobiť. Dá sa jesť, lieči ľudí aj planétu, môžete si ju obliesť, postaviť z nej dom aj auto. Keby bolo na mne, pestovala by sa povinne, haha!
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