Coconut oil has a high concentration of fatty acids (saturated fats). The surplus of these fatty acids in coconut oil create a strong binding agent for cannabinoids.
Compared to olive oil, which contains a saturated fat content of less than 20%, coconut oil contains over 80% saturated fats and thus has the ability to retain far more cannabinoids during infusions, making it far more efficient. Coconut oil is a near-perfect medium for cannabis-infused oils.
Coconut oil uses and health benefits
Coconut oil also contains other sets of beneficial acids that have been known to have a list of potential health benefits. Lauric acid is a great example—when digested, lauric acid creates a monoglyceride that acts as an antimicrobial.
These fatty acids are found in abundance in coconut oil, making it a top contender for those looking for a healthier oil base than butter or canola oil.
Another fantastic benefit of using coconut oil is it will remain solid at room temperature. This makes it a great medium for using as a topical agent. Furthermore, its solid state allows the oil to be easily stored via gelatin capsules, a widely popular and highly effective method of consuming cannabis.
Gelatin oil capsules are so simple and easy to make at home—the ingredients can be purchased from just about any pharmacy or online, making for a fun and simple DIY project.
How to make cannabis-infused coconut oil
Aside from the fact that you can purchase coconut oil relatively inexpensively from just about anywhere, the process of decarboxylating and infusing cannabis into coconut oil requires only a few simple ingredients and can be done at home with minimal effort.
How to use cannabis coconut oil
Once you’ve got an infusion of coconut oil, the uses are endless!
- Combine your infused coconut oil with beeswax and aloe to make your own an infused cannabis topical
- Use your coconut oil in place of oil in a recipe of your choice to make a variety of infused dishes (try Herb Roasted Potatoes!)
- Infused coconut oil can easily be used as a lubricant in the bedroom (But be safe! Coconut oil may weaken condoms)
- Put your infused coconut oil into capsules for easy measurable dosing
- Make an infused cannabis tea latte
Expect to see coconut oil remain a staple in future cannabis infusions across the market. As major brands continue to innovate, coconut oil should thrive on the ingredient lists of more products to come.
If, however, you don’t have access to a dispensary near you or want to try a fun DIY with your own material, you can always make your own at home. Trust us, you’ll go coconuts for this stuff!
Why should I choose to make cannabis infused coconut oil?
Excitingly, nutritional potency is another characteristic of this unique oil. According to this article, coconuts contain ingredients that support bone health. Apparently, it may even assist in regulating blood sugar. That sounds like a worthy addition to weed edibles! Furthermore, this oil is straight up delicious! The subtle hint of savoury cannabis mixed with sweet coconut rounds out dishes beautifully.
Virgin, Refined, Hydrogenated or MCT?
Coconut oil comes in a variety of different types, and which one you choose can have a significant impact on how your edibles turn out.
Virgin Coconut Oil
Typically the result of an expelling process, virgin coconut oil is the natural, otherwise unaltered oil of the coconut – Again, expect it’s mild coconut scent and taste to carry over to your end product.
This oil has a rather low smoke point (only 350°F) meaning it can be good for lower-heat applications like sauteing or in baked goods but is unsuitable for high-heat tasks like basting or deep frying. If kept in a dark, cool location you can expect virgin coconut oil to have a shelf life of two to three years.
Refined Coconut Oil
After expelling the oil from the coconut meat it is then sent through a refinement process that can take several steps. Typically the oil is heated for deodorizing purposes and then filtered to remove impurities and strip away bacteria – This gives it a much higher smoke point (near 425°F) and no overt flavor. Expect refined coconut oil to have a shelf life of around six months.
Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
This is coconut oil that has been partially hydrogenated to help increase it’s solidity and shelf life in warmer environments. Unfortunately the hydrogenation process also creates trans fats, which as nearly any medical professional will tell you are terribly unhealthy. Staying away from hydrogenated oils of any type is usually a smart decision.
MCT Coconut Oil
Part of the fad “keto diet” wave, the “MCT” in “MCT Coconut Oil” stands for “medium-chain triglycerides”. MCTs are saturated fats that contain a shortened chain of carbon atoms, enabling them to be processed more quickly (and thus release energy faster) than fats with a long chain of carbon atoms – Health benefits to this are somewhat outside the scope of our article/website, but when combined with a diet that forces the body into ketosis these medium-chain triglycerides can be beneficial.
Is Coconut Oil Healthy For Me?
So, do your own research here, but in our opinion, absolutely not. The claims of coconut oil being healthy are misleading, to put it mildly, and only really stand up in a comparative sense. Is coconut oil healthier than, say, vegetable shortening? Sure, but only in the same way sunbathing for days on end is healthier than literally standing inside Chernobyl.
Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fats – Compare 100 grams of coconut oil (82.5g of saturated fat) to the same amount of lard (39.2g) or olive oil (13.8). Lauric acids, MCTs and other healthy benefits aside, the sheer fat content of coconut oil outweighs any potential it has as a “healthy” food.
That doesn’t make it any less tasty, though, and to be quite frank some days you want to feel that artery-clogging goodness in your baked goods. Just understand the health risks of coconut oil, and try keep it to occasional usage as part of a healthy lifestyle, and you’ll be fine.
Now let’s talk infusion. First we’ll outline a simple, basic cannabis-infused coconut oil recipe – Afterwards, we’ll go through how the technique may differ depending on what type of cannabis material you’re infusing into your oil.
The saturated fats in coconut oil are in the form of “Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)” – this basically means your body burns the saturated fats found in coconut oil in the same way it burns carbs.
Carbs (and the sat. fats in coconut oil) are used directly for energy rather than being stored as fat in your body. However, just like carbs, if you eat more than your body is able to burn then the excess will indeed be stored as fat.