Have you been wondering: what is hemp oil? Or, what is CBD oil? Well, there’s a big difference.
In this helpful hemp oil guide, we’ll explain all the key differences between the two and how you can get the most health benefits from both.
Hemp is a very special and versatile plant with a host of uses, from clothing to the culinary arts and recently, some derivatives have been legalized as a health supplement.
Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil
In general, all oils derived from hemp are hemp oils, even those not intended for human consumption, but CBD has special properties that set it apart.
Let’s explore the main differences between hemp oil vs CBD oil.
While hemp oil has little to no CBD content, CBD oil is a concentrate of a special chemical called Cannabidiol. CBD is one of a lot of different molecules that are uniquely present in the hemp plant.
CBD oil contains either very low or zero amounts of a different chemical called THC, which has intoxicating or pharmacological effects. That is why CBD is classed as a health supplement, not a drug. It doesn’t contain the part of the plant associated with a “high.”
Most people can tolerate the calming and enjoyable effects of CBD very well and they won’t experience any of the intoxication associated with THC.
Hemp oil is typically manufactured by cold-pressing hemp seeds, and this results in a rich and delicious culinary oil.
Meanwhile, CBD oil is manufactured by extracting the cannabinoid compound from the leaves, flowers, or stalks of a hemp plant. So, the part of the plant used is another key difference.
The human central nervous system has a set of cannabinoid receptors. While THC-containing products affect them by binding to them, CBD-containing products don’t. It’s also arguable that CBD’s calming effects are more of a restoration of a person’s equilibrium than calming per se.
The effect of CBD is to restore the central nervous system to a state of balance because CBD is what’s known as an anti-anxiolytic, or an anti-anxiety supplement.
The central nervous system controls a host of various processes including responses to pain, mood, stress, memory, and immunity.
CBD has the effect of bringing these things into default status, balanced alignment, or better regulation.
Is CBD Legal?
Yes, in most places, CBD is legal. Hemp-derived CBD products are common across the USA and are also sold in many European countries and Japan.
Products with less than 0.3% THC are federally legal across the USA but in some states, there are specific state-regulated restrictions. So, it’s important to also understand state law within the USA.
It’s also important to buy only CBD-containing products from reliable manufacturers, who can provide third-party vetted laboratory reports.
Hemp Oil Is Usually Used For Cooking
Hemp oil is usually used for culinary purposes such as salad dressings and does not contain CBD unless it specifically has the chemical listed on the package. It’s a healthy and nutritious addition to a diet.
This delicious oil comes in extra virgin or regular varieties just like olive oil, but surprisingly it contains 40% less saturated fat than olive oil. It’s very rich in Omega-3 and has a light, nutty taste.
It can also be used for treating carved wood, so it’s a good oil for treating wooden kitchen utensils. It is effective as a wood treatment and completely safe to ingest.
Hemp Oil and CBD Production Methods Vary
We already mentioned that the manufacturing methods for hemp oil and CBD oil differ. Cold pressing hemp seeds result in a dark, rich, and delicious oil that contains a lot of micro-nutrients such as minerals and Omega 3.
CBD oil is usually made using special laboratory extraction methods, for example, ethanol-based extraction or CO2 extraction. These processes extract cannabinoids (CBD) and terpenes from plant matter.
Then, it is typically added to a carrier oil, such as hemp oil or olive oil for consumption.
How To Shop For CBD Oil
The first thing you need to decide is whether you want to buy hemp seed oil for cooking purposes or some CBD oil for relaxation and a different set of health benefits.
Make sure you only buy from reputable retailers who have good laboratory reports available and good reviews.
If the product only says hemp oil, it probably is. Even if it’s in a small tincture bottle, it could be more suitable for dressing your salad than using it as a relaxation aid.
Some hemp seed oils are misleadingly labeled to look like CBD oil because of the big price difference between hemp oil and CBD oil.
Here are some key factors to look for when you shop:
1. THC content. Trace amounts of THC are common in some products, while others will say zero THC. For a product to be federally legal in the USA, it should contain 0.3% of THC or less.
2. Lab test results. To make sure you’re getting the correct potency and purity of product, you should only buy from retailers with third-party tested laboratory reports.
3. Additional ingredients. Some products have additional ingredients such as flavorings, and others are in specific oil types such as olive oil, MCT oil (derived from coconuts), or other carrier oils. Choose based on taste and nutrition.
4. CBD type. There are a few different common types of CBD extract. These are usually categorized as broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, or isolate (the purest form).
While it might seem that getting the purest form is best, some studies suggest there’s an entourage effect. This means that the other plant compounds and micro-nutrients in less processed oils (for example full-spectrum style CBD) such as minerals and fatty acids help the CBD to work more effectively.
5. Consider cost. Because this is a new product trend, there is a very wide range of prices and products on the market with different product quality, and some offer more value for the money than others. For example, some companies all offer bulk wholesale full spectrum CBD oil.
Hemp Has a Lot of Benefits
Did you know you can sprinkle hemp seeds on your morning cereal and that in general, the plant has a lot of health benefits? For example, hemp is associated with Omega-3, -6, and -9, all of which are heart-healthy fats.
Protein is another compelling benefit of hemp seeds as a food source. Hemp seed-based protein powders are a very popular product. They’re perfect for vegans who want to avoid dairy-derived whey products. Hemp contains 20 amino acids, including nine essential ones.
Hemp seeds contain a lot of fiber which is great for healthy digestion. Vitamin E is also a key nutrient in hemp, which promotes the growth and renewal of healthy skin, hair, and nails. Potassium also helps your organs stay in good condition.
Thank You For Reading Our CBD Oil Guide
We hope you enjoyed our detailed guide on hemp oil vs. CBD oil and the key differences.
Keep reading our interesting and informative articles to learn more about a range of topics!