Many are curious as to what the difference is in this highly raved about Brain Octane oil and any high MCT oil. Me too! I feel the difference and ran my own Brain Octane experiment along with a few others out of curiosity. Everyone hands down agrees there is a difference. The video below is really interesting and informative, direct from Dave Asprey. But I also want to share with you what I discovered about bulletproof brain octane oil.
Scientifically speaking, when it comes to Bulletproof’s oils here is what I found: their Upgraded MCT is 100% Capric and Caprylic Acid and 6 times stronger than coconut oil (when it comes to providing medium chain triglyceride fatty acids), yet the Brain Octane is 100% Caprylic Acid and 18 times stronger than coconut oil. Well, what does this mean to us?
Caprylic Acid is one of the three fatty acids (along with Capric Acid and Lauric Acid) that are found in coconut oil. It is a potent antifungal that kills Candida cells, as well as restoring our stomach acidity to normal levels. It gets in our intestinal tract and starts killing Candida cells. Like other antifungals, Caprylic Acid works by interfering with the cell walls of the Candida yeast.
Brain Octane is more refined than founder Dave Asprey’s Upgraded™ MCT Oil. He says it is made of 100% Caprylic Acid (C-8). This is a major reason why you would want to use Brain Octane instead of MCT oil. Caprylic Acid rapidly metabolizes into ketones that can be used by the brain for instant energy without breaking down glucose from dietary sugars or carbohydrates. So if we want the highest level of brain performance from our Bulletproof Coffee then I guess he is saying to use the Brain Octane.
He promotes that his Brain Octane also aids in the re-balancing of yeast in your gut and says it will help to bring candida into balance in your system, which aligns with my research above on Caprylic Acid.
Take a look at the results of one of the tests that I did with a group and the amazing things I discovered about Brain Octane.
For more reading about your brain and other paleo related topics, check out my eBooks page.
If you have any questions about Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil or any of their other products, please reach out directly to Bulletproof here.
If you have any questions or suggestions just email me at Tina (at) Paleomazing.com.
I'm a cookbook-collecting, recipe-developing paleo junkie, and I live in the kitchen. I'm hooked on farmers' markets, traveling, eating healthy, and hiking until my legs scream at me. There's nothing better than hanging out with family and good friends. I have fun and sleeping is just plain boring. Read more About Tina Turbin.
I have only been trying Brain Octane for a few days. But so far is seems to hit my stomach a bit harder than the same amount of Bulletproof MCT oil. Not to the “disaster pants” level but enough to experience a bit of discomfort 2-3 hours later.
Hi Samantha,
Cut back to a teaspoon on the oil and work up. That oil is known for loosing up “the system”.
Let me know how that goes, will you?
Fondly,
Tina
None of this seems to answer the question if brain octaine oil is better, equal or worse for weight loss? I get that it’s better for the brain, what about weight loss is that also better with brain octaine?. Thanks for any help
Hi David,
Thank you for writing in.
Bulletproof Exec, Dave Asprey suggests his Bulletproof MCT for weight loss over his Brain Octane (on his podcasts). Personally I find they both are ideal, yet Brain Octane most definitely helps with more physically-related things. Read my other articles on my Successes on Brain Octane to get the full details. I hope this helps.
Fondly,
Tina
I find that the brain oil totally controls the appetite. I have no cravings. I put 1 tsp in my keto coffee in the morning and 1 tsp in my salad in the afternoon and 1 tsp in my water that I drink w or after dinner.
Capric Acid (the other element of MCT oil besides Caprylic) is also a very powerful antifungal. If you do a search for “capric acid candida albicans” you will find published studies about it.
Hi Jerome,
You’re right – thank you for sharing!
Fondly,
Tina
Tea tree oil is anti fungal but not so great for males to use in personal care products. Would Brain Octane oil be safer to males to use topically? Also, my husband hates the smell of tea tree oil. I assume the Brain Octane oil would not be smelly since it has no flavor. Has anyone used it for a topical fungal infection? Environmental Working Group has been raising awareness about the chemicals we put on our skin. We need to be careful to not poison ourselves with mindless use of chemicals in personal care products.
Hi Sara,
I’d save your money and have your husband use fractioned coconut oil. I’d highly recommend Ellie’s Best Fractioned coconut oil.
I am going to be sharing a blog soon as we tested it with fabulous results on skin and health.
I hope this helps.
Fondly,
Tina
Hi, the reason I have been using coconut oil is for the lauric acid. I used to be able to get lauric acid pills/supplements but can’t find them. Does te bulletproof product still have large quantities of lauric acid? Or is that cut out when they are increasing the amount of caprilyic acid?
Julie
Hi Julie,
You can address any and all questions about their products via this link: https://www.bulletproofexec.com/contact/.
Benjamin will reply promptly.
Also, I did a Google search and found many Lauric Acid supplements.
Fondly,
Tina
“medium chain triglyceride-free”?!
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, they ARE triglycerides.
Hi Fred,
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. This typo has now been corrected.
Have a great one!
Fondly,
Tina
I understand the brain octane is better for brain function but does it help at all with weightloss?
Hi Linda,
I am not sure if it helps with weight loss.
According to Dave Asprey, his XCT ( previously his MCT) was better for FAT loss. You should contact someone at the bulletproofexec.com and ask though.
Hope this helps!
Tina
What other methods are there for using Brain Octane besides putting it in your coffee?
Hi Debbie,
Good question! I’ve written many blog posts about Brain Octane, Skinny Coconut Oils and MCT oils. Place the term “Brain Octane” in the search box (located in the top right section of any page at my website) and you can find more info.
I also use it on top of French toast, on salad and really any way I care to get more oils in my body, as well.
Fondly,
Tina
Is Brain Octane suitable for those who are underweight?
Hi Alvera,
I don’t know the answer to your question unfortunately. I would suggest a google search on this one to learn more about the benefits.
Fondly,
Tina
Very interesting info there. Thank you. My only concern with mct oils is that they’re highly refined, ergo processed… and I don’t like to use processed foods without knowing how they’re processed. Does anyone know how the CO is refined to make mct oil?
Hi Brina,
Good question. I would suggest contacting the company to get this answered. http://www.bulletproof.com
I hope this helps!
Fondly,
Tina
Brain Octane undergoes our special triple distillation process with only water, heat and pressure to create the cleanest product possible – free from harsh chemicals and solvents.
Thank you very much for that information. I’ll certainly be happy to give it another go.
Can I use both brain octane and coconut oil with Collagen protein powder in coffee while fasting? Or does this negate the fasting time?
Thank you.
Gale.
Hi Gale,
Thanks for your question.
I personally use whatever I want in my morning coffee and a “fast” is whatever you want a fast to be, but if you are trying to “fast” to get to ketosis you will to want to use the Collagen protein powder. For example some people fast on carrot juice and this is loaded with sugar but there are people who do carrot fasts.
Hope this helps!
Fondly,
Tina
I want to do intermittent fasting with the brain octane and collagen protein powder in coffee for weight loss and energy. Eat evening meal. I’m working on hormones so don’t want to disrupt them by going into ketosis. So coffee with products during day and low carb, moderate protein and high fat for meal? Is this a good way to do my fasting for weight loss? Twice a week? Thanks. Gale.
Hi again,
Collagen will halt the “burn-ketosis” of fat as fuel but a fast is a fast on anything you want. It all depends on what your goal is. You mentioned weight loss, but I assume you mean fat burn. IF this is your goal, then you can try using your collagen at another time of day on those two fast days, as a suggestion. I do use my collagen with mine on days I feel I need the morning protein as it also stabilizes my blood sugar which I sometimes need or feel I need. It is a day to day thing with bodies.
Hope this helps!! Tina
I have never heard that collagen interferes with fat burning. Do you have any resources you recommend so that I can look into this more?
Hi Nikki,
Collagen can halt ketosis or fat burn on a morning fast, and basically can take one out of the “fast” per se. If you use it as part of your diet to burn fat in your regimen and do not overload on protein, then possibly this will be fine. I highly suggest you do two things: listen to the podcast by Dave Asprey on Collagen in coffee and that topic coupled with fat burning etc. as well as do some Google searching to read up on this to come to a conclusion you feel comfortable with. I am not an expert on collagen, but I do work with many professionals, do a lot of research and try and stay updated on both. I hope this helps!
Fondly,
Tina
Is this oil fractionated?
Hi Jim,
You should reach out to Bulletproof Exec to get the fine details, but yes and more. Fractionated coconut oil is a form of the oil that has had the long-chain fatty acids removed via hydrolysis and steam distillation. Just this one change makes the oil liquid at room temperature, and extends the product’s shelf life.
Hope this helps!
Fondly,
Tina
If Just 1 teaspoon is causing gastric distress would it help to take it with food or how can I get into the product without having a blowup ?😁
Hi Cindy,
Good question. I would definitely contact Bulletproof directly with this question: https://www.bulletproofexec.com/contact/.
Please let me know what you find out.
Fondly,
Tina
Being that Brain Octane is a better grade of coconut oil, would applying it to my skin help with wrinkles/etc.?
Hi Christina,
Thanks for your comment. You can email Bulletproof Exec, but in all honestly it is quite costly for the skin. You can use coconut oil or fractionated coconut oil just as well in my opinion.
Fondly,
Tina
Seems like an advertisement rather than an unbiased opinion. Just my opinion.
Hi Joel, Sorry you feel that way. I only promote products I truly believe in and have had first hand experience using. some of these products have actually helped many people I know as well. give it a try 🙂
I’m drinking a cup of bulletproof coffee with Octane oil, collagen peptide powder and grass-fed butter every morning as my latte. Can I also add MCT oil to that drink or do you think it’s o too much? Thank you for any input.
Hi Janette,
I say try it. You can also try using cocoa butter. That is what I have been using and it is great.
Hi I just recently started the keto diet and using BPC and more recently with MCT I started getting real bad acid reflux and headaches everyday.
After doing research I think the MCT oils are the culprit. I didn’t have issues when I was just using coconut oil. Do u think your brain octane oil would be better or the same as the MCT?
Hi Tim,
I am not sure what BPC is. I can only suggest you contact your doctor or try and see if you better with MCT. Octane is the same as MCT but missing one ingredient( so to speak). So you may not do well with it. It is also very concentrated.
Great post! I learned something new today. Thanks for sharing!