Given the widespread popularity of CBD in its various forms, it’s no surprise that an ever-growing interest in hemp is appearing too. But what’s the difference between hemp oil vs. CBD oil? What do the two have in common?
Although they are similar to an extent, there are also important differences. This guide will address all of your questions about the differences and similarities between hemp oil vs. CBD oil.
Hemp Oil Vs. CBD Oil: The Basics
You can think of hemp oil like olive oil. It’s used culinarily and in beauty products and is made by pressing hemp seeds. It also carries health benefits comparable to those of olive oil, such as containing omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids. However, it does not carry the same benefits that are attributed to CBD.
Think of CBD oil, or cannabidiol, as a health supplement. CBD is one specific chemical compound extracted from the leaves, flowers, and stalks of the hemp plant. However, full-spectrum CBD contains many other beneficial compounds too, in lower quantities. CBD is most often extracted using supercritical C02 extraction, which is a complex process involving expensive machinery. The final product is highly concentrated and is much more expensive than hemp oil.
What is Hemp Oil?
Hemp is a part of the Cannabis sativa plant family, along with marijuana. Just a few of the ways that hemp is used in the U.S. include as clothing material, vitamins and supplements, and beauty products. Sometimes known as industrial hemp, it is a crop grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products.
It should go without saying that hemp oil also comes from the hemp plant, specifically the seeds. Another critical piece of information to remember is that, among all of the various products that come from hemp, so too does CBD oil itself. This is where things could get confusing, but just remember that hemp oil and CBD oil are not the same.
Industrial hemp is used to produce many industrial and consumer products and has a characteristically low amount of THC (the psychoactive substances found in marijuana) in it. The only type of hemp used for hemp oil is industrial hemp.
Hemp oil is an ingredient in everyday household items, made from the seeds of the hemp plant. People enjoy it as cooking oil, facial moisturizer, and as the basis of eco-friendly art supplies. Unrefined hemp oil, similar to CBD oil, has a greenish hue to it; however, the latter tends to be more of a dark yellow.
Refined hemp, however, is clear, is found in a variety of products, and has a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids. That being said, hemp oil has no CBD nor does it have any of the other cannabinoids
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil comes from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of hemp plants, rather than the seeds. CBD is naturally extracted from hemp plants and is mostly made up of cannabidiol, whereas other cannabis-based oils don’t have as high of an amount of cannabidiol.
The substantial amount of cannabinoids contained in full-spectrum CBD oil, in particular, makes it an attractive and low-risk option for addressing many ailments that it is suggested to help alleviate. Among just a few of the potential benefits of CBD oil include alleviation of symptoms of cancer, seizures, anxiety, and depression.
Recent studies suggest that CBD has the potential to help manage a plethora of mental, physical, and even emotional issues. However, these studies are limited and often focus on CBD products which include THC as well. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is another chemical derived from the cannabis plant family but differentiates itself from CBD and hemp by way of its psychoactive properties.
It’s safe to say that more research on CBD will emerge, especially with the way it’s being positively handled in the media, which focuses mainly on its benefits. CBD users, especially those who believe in the compound’s ability to assist them in their medical needs, are hopeful that new studies will focus solely on CBD and its benefits, rather than CBD as it relates to THC.
Summary of Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil
While hemp oil is useful and nutritious, it is a completely different product from CBD oil. It is important to be wary of those who try to capitalize on the CBD craze by selling hemp oil at a massive markup. Keep in mind the differences between hemp oil vs. CBD oil.
CBD is a chemical compound found in the hemp plant and, once extracted, can be used to provide relief from a host of ailments. Hemp oil is extracted from hemp seeds and is both healthy and useful for things like cooking and skin care, but it doesn’t carry the same benefits as CBD.
