Keeping up with the terminology of the CBD world can be difficult. Many who are not familiar with these terms use them interchangeably and confuse consumers and first-time buyers. Hemp oil and CBD oil are one example of this.
You may have come across both of them and asked yourself, is hemp oil the same as CBD oil? There are some similarities, but these two oils have fundamental differences that distinguish one from the other and make each useful for different purposes. Hemp oil is made from the seeds of the hemp plant, whereas CBD oil is made from the stems, leaves and flowers of a variety of cannabis sativa plants. If you want to learn more about the differences between hemp oil vs. CBD oil, their extraction processes, and their benefits, keep reading.
Hemp oil
Hemp oil, also known hemp seed oil, is extracted from the seeds of an industrial variety of hemp which belongs to the family of cannabis sativa plants. Does hemp oil contain CBD? The seeds that hemp oil is derived from contain little CBD and no THC, but contain a rich supply of nutrients with numerous health benefits.
How Hemp Oil is Made
Manufacturers extract hemp oil by using the seeds of the hemp plant and a cold-pressing procedure. This oil is processed further before being bottled to produce a refined final product.
Uses of Hemp Oil
The diverse nutritional profile of hemp oil allows it to be used in a number of ways. Since it doesn’t contain any THC and won’t get you high, it’s a good product to add to your food as a salad dressing or incorporate into bread, yogurt, and smoothies. Some nutritional supplements contain hemp oil because of its many bioactive compounds.
Effects and Benefits of Hemp Oil
Hemp oil is rich in different vitamins such as vitamins E, B, and D, and omega fatty acids including omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to better blood circulation, heart, and brain health, and improve immunity. Hemp oil also contains smaller amounts of the fatty acids gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), oleic acid and stearidonic acid. GLA has been found to help reduce the symptoms of PMS and improve skin and hair health. Hemp oil boasts a perfectly balanced 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that the omega fatty acids in hemp oil can treat the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Hemp oil has other potential benefits such as improving gastrointestinal conditions and having anticancer and antioxidant effects.
CBD Oil
CBD oil, or cannabidiol oil, can be extracted from two varieties of the cannabis sativa plant, namely hemp, and marijuana. But most CBD oils on the market are extracted from leaves, flowers, and stems of hemp because of its lower THC and higher CBD content. CBD is the main component in CBD Oil and an increasing number of studies are uncovering its potential health benefits.
How CBD Oil is Made
There are several methods for extracting CBD oil from the leaves and flowers of hemp. The two main methods use carbon dioxide or ethanol for the extraction process. This extract contains trace amounts of THC along with other phytochemicals. For THC-free products such as CBD isolates, these extracts will be refined further to produce a CBD oil with 99% purity.
Types of CBD Oil
There are three main types of CBD oil, each with a slight difference:
Full-spectrum CBD oil: this type of CBD oil contains all components of the hemp plant, including flavonoids, terpenes, other cannabinoids, and other phytochemicals. Full spectrum CBD oil benefits are more than the other types.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil: this oil is distilled in a process to remove chlorophyll and some other strong tasting elements of the CBD extract in order to have a milder tasting CBD extract and is often used in tinctures.
CBD oil isolate: this oil only contains pure CBD without any of the other phytochemicals and cannabinoids.
If you’re looking to buy the pure CBD oil, you should check the certificate of analysis (COA) on the product, which is provided by a third-party lab and ensures you of the product’s ingredients.
Uses of CBD Oil
An FDA-approved CBD medication, Epidiolex, is prescribed for rare cases of epilepsy and it can stop seizures. Studies are also emphasizing the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of CBD. Other potential uses of CBD oil include treating anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative conditions, but more research needs to be done before CBD oil can be officially used for these purposes.
Effects and Benefits of CBD Oil
Although research in this area is not yet conclusive, scientists believe that CBD affects the body by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and binding to its receptors. Through this interaction, it may bring balance to the body, improve the immune system, fight pain, inflammation, anxiety, insomnia, and even prevent cancer.
Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil
By knowing the differences between hemp oil and CBD oil, you will be able to choose the best product based on your needs. It’s true that hemp oil, or hemp seed oil, is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant while CBD or cannabidiol oil is extracted from the whole plant, including its leaves, flowers, and stems, but that’s not where their differences end. They also have different extraction methods, ingredients, and uses. But they also share some similarities. The best way to know if you’re buying hemp oil or CBD oil is to look at the label and the listed ingredients. If you’d like to use both, you can safely combine them together, but if you don’t know which one to choose, it’s good to know their similarities and differences.
Similarities between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil
Hemp oil and CBD oil are both extracted from plants in the cannabis sativa family.
Both contain CBD, although hemp oil has a lower concentration of CBD.
Both oils are non-intoxicating.
Both oils can be ingested or applied topically.
Differences between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil
Hemp oil and CBD oil are extracted from different parts of the plant.
Hemp oil is only extracted from an industrial variety of hemp, while CBD can be extracted from different varieties.
Hemp oil does not contain THC, while CBD oil can contain up to 0.3% THC.
Hemp oil does not offer the benefits of the entourage effect that full spectrum CBD oil does.
The Entourage Effect
Hemp oil might have its own noteworthy benefits, but it can’t create the entourage effect created by CBD oil. The whole plant extract in full spectrum CBD oil contains all the beneficial compounds found in the cannabis sativa plant.
Phytochemicals like cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes all contribute to the entourage effect. Cannabinoids like CBD provide various medicinal benefits, flavonoids have shown anti-cancer properties, and studies suggest that terpenes found in full spectrum CBD oil can fight pain and inflammation. These compounds work in harmony to create the entourage effect, highlighting that full spectrum CBD oil benefits are more significant than hemp oil and other types of CBD oils.
Takeaway
So, is hemp oil the same as CBD oil? No, there are notable differences between hemp oil and CBD oil.
Hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of the industrial variety of hemp, while CBD oil is extracted from the leaves, flowers, and stems of different varieties of the plant.
Hemp oil and CBD oil both have numerous uses and health benefits, but CBD oil, specifically full spectrum CBD, has more to offer because of the entourage effect. To understand these oils better, more research needs to be done, but the current available studies show that both hemp oil and CBD oil can be a great addition to your life for better health.
What are your experiences with hemp oil vs. CBD oil? Let us know in the comments below.
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