The Carrier Oil Used With Oral Cannabis Products Significantly Affected How Much CBD and THC Reached Different Tissues

What the researchers found

Sesame oil resulted in significantly higher concentrations of both CBD and THC across all tissues and timepoints compared to EPA/DHA omega-3 oils. Different carrier oils also affected tissue distribution: DHA-enriched oil delivered more CBD to the brain than the mixed EPA/DHA oil. Heart tissue had the highest CBD concentration at 1-2 hours, shifting to adipose tissue by 3 hours, consistent across all carriers.

Why it matters

The carrier oil in cannabis products is rarely discussed but can dramatically affect how much cannabinoid actually reaches target tissues. This has practical implications for anyone taking oral CBD or THC products for specific conditions.

The numbers in context

Sesame oil: significantly higher CBD and THC across all 6 tissues at all 3 timepoints (p<0.05). DHA oil: more CBD to brain than mixed EPA/DHA. Heart had highest CBD at 1-2 hours; adipose highest at 3 hours. 6 tissues profiled: serum, adipose, brain, liver, heart, muscle. Most tissues profiled to date for acute oral cannabinoid distribution.

How the study worked

Male C57BL/6 mice were gavaged with CBD (5 mg/kg) and THC (1 mg/kg) combined with sesame, mixed EPA/DHA, or DHA-enriched oil. Cannabinoid concentrations were measured in serum, adipose, brain, liver, heart, and muscle at 1, 2, and 3 hours using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

What this study cannot tell us

Mouse model with single oral dose. Only three carrier oils tested. 3-hour timeframe captures acute distribution only. Male mice only. Doses (5 mg/kg CBD, 1 mg/kg THC) may not translate directly to human dosing. Different oils have different fatty acid compositions beyond EPA/DHA content.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary: single animal study with acute dosing and three carrier oils, though comprehensive tissue profiling and quantitative methodology.

When this study was published

2025 study.

The bigger picture

Cannabis product manufacturers often choose carrier oils based on marketing appeal (MCT oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil) rather than bioavailability data. This study suggests that carrier oil selection could be optimized to improve therapeutic delivery.

Questions still open

• Would MCT oil or olive oil (common in commercial products) perform similarly to sesame oil? How does carrier oil affect chronic dosing? Could carrier oil selection be tailored to target specific organs for different conditions?

Common questions

Read the original research

Orally consumed cannabinoids: the effect of carrier oil on acute tissue distribution in male C57BL/6 mice.

Journal of cannabis research, 7(1), 38

Citation

Lust, Cody A C; Hillyer, Lyn M; Pallister, Mitchell; Wright, Amanda J; Rogers, Michael A; Rock, Erin M; Limebeer, Cheryl L; Parker, Linda A; Ma, David W L. (2025). Orally consumed cannabinoids: the effect of carrier oil on acute tissue distribution in male C57BL/6 mice.. Journal of cannabis research, 7(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00298-4

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