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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.