Cannabis + Coconuts, a Pairing We’re Raving About This Summer!

Written by: Mica Cruz

Sitting poolside, joint in hand, feeling the summer breeze and coconut trees swaying above you—nothing beats summertime! It’s the season for dipping in the water and all things relaxing, but if you can’t head to the beach or the pool this summer, you can still relax with a bit of cannabis and it’s very good friend, coconut!

Just the tropical scent of it can take you back to your last summer vacation, not to mention that it’s used as one of the best infusion mediums. Coconut oil has a number of benefits, and so does cannabis, so it makes sense that pairing the two would create a synergy of potential health benefits! 

Cannabis + coconut oil benefits

Coconut’s higher fat content means the cannabinoids have more chances to bind with its oil. Compared to olive oil, which has 20% fatty acids, coconut oil has 80%. It’s so good, in fact, that more and more cannabis producers are using coconut oil or MCT for their infusions. MCT stands for medium-chain triglyceride, which is a coconut oil derivative. It’s a medium-chain fatty acid that’s used by the brain and body as an instant source of energy instead of being stored as fat.

Coconut is heart healthy. Even though coconut oil has a higher fat content, it contains saturated fats that actually raise HDL (good) cholesterol, according to a study done on 32 Thai volunteers in 2014 by Surarong Chinwong, Dujrudee Chinwong and Ampica Mangklabruks. An increase in HDL may lower your risk of heart disease, according to a 2009 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology. We know now that you need fat when extracting THC from cannabis, so if you’re using fat, take care of your heart by choosing coconut oil.

It’s good for your brain. Have you heard about bulletproof coffee? Some biohackers swear by coconut oil as a brain-energy boost. Cannabis is also known for improving cognition, minimizing oxidative stress in the brain and even potentially checking the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Since coconut oil is made up of MCTs, it means that instead of being stored, these fats go straight to the liver and are used as a quick source of energy or are turned into ketones. Ketones are used by the brain for energy when you’re on a ketogenic diet. The two’s brain-boosting effects might also boost creativity and brain energy—an excellent combo.

It’s good for the skin. A 2018 study on individuals with dry skin showed that coconut oil is great for the epidermis, and it can also reduce symptoms of eczema. Mix it with the skin-healing properties of cannabis’s powerful antioxidants to create a synergistic effect for inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema while simultaneously encouraging skin growth and new cell generation.

So, how can you enjoy coconut oil’s benefits with cannabis?

First, head down to your local health store, or go online and purchase some coconut oil. It keeps well in the fridge in a glass jar, so make a batch of infused oil, and use it in many different ways.

• Use it as a relaxing, all-natural body oil. Coconut oil is known for its benefits because of natural fatty acids that ensure your skin stays soft. This oil is great for post-sun recovery after long stretches by the pool or beach. 
• You can use coconut oil, infused or not, for baked goods. Since butter and coconut oil have a similar consistency, you can substitute cannabis infused coconut oil in many recipes—it’s often used for vegan treats for that reason. If you just want a cannabinoid boost, add a tablespoon or two of infused oil to the butter you use in a typical baking recipe.
• Coconut oil also has potential antibacterial properties that can help to treat dandruff, keeping your scalp healthy and smelling like you’re in the tropics.

There are a lot of creative ways you can use cannabis and coconut oil this summer and beyond, and that’s why we’re diggin’ this pair. Its high-fat content makes coconut oil an ideal medium for infusion, while the many potential restorative properties of both coconut and cannabis are reasons to become a fan. 

This wellness power couple can be used orally or topically, super-convenient for people on the go, or as a great alternative to smoking bud. Consuming cannabis orally produces a stronger and longer effect, which would give you more bang for your buck, too! We’re hoping to see more amazing cannabis products with this pairing on the shelves in the near future.