Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil, What’s the difference?
We admit that the CBD industry is confusing and can be challenging for a consumer to navigate. Often times we get asked questions like, “Is CBD Oil and Hemp Oil the same?” or “What is the difference between CBD Oil and Hemp Oil?” Although both oils are derived from the same plant, they are very different products and we aim to clear up the confusion by breaking down the distinctions and the terminology.
So, let’s start at the beginning…
The U.S. Farm Bill passed in 2018, legalizing the cultivation of Registered United States Industrial Hemp. This nationwide legalization made CBD accessible to the mass market and has created a “green rush” of cannabis-inspired products. Meanwhile, Hemp Oil has been around for decades for the purposes of cooking and skincare.
cbd oil
What is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol or CBD is just one of 100+ known phytocannabinoids found in the hemp plant. These cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help restore balance and physiological homeostasis.
The hemp plant undergoes an extraction process to remove chlorophyll, lipids, waxes and other destabilizing compounds. Within this intricate method, CBD becomes available to use through edibles, creams, capsules and oil. CBD Oil is the most effective due to its bioavailability. By sublingually ingesting the CBD Oil under your tongue it quickly enters the bloodstream.
CBD Oil can contain more than just CBD and may include other beneficial cannabinoids like CBC, CBDa, CBDV, CBG and THC; in addition to the naturally occurring terpenes and flavonoids from the hemp plant. Our Full Spectrum CBD Oil includes all of these therapeutic compounds; whereas our Broad Spectrum CBD Oil includes a different array of cannabinoids with the exclusion of THC. This is removed through a second distillation process, as are the terpenes.
what is CBD Oil used for?
The use of CBD Oil is being supported by substantial research and medical studies. In 2018, the FDA approved the first CBD drug–Epidiolex–for the treatment of seizures related to severe forms of epilepsy.
The body naturally produces its own cannabinoids, and research suggests that by consuming cannabinoids in CBD Oil, there is a synergistic interaction that occurs within the body’s endocannabinoid system that helps the body’s functions perform with greater efficacy. This is known as the entourage effect and CBD Oil is shown to help alleviate health and wellness ailments related to sleep, anxiety, migraines, arthritis and more.
what is CBD Oil good for?
The body naturally produces cannabinoid type-1 receptors and cannabinoid type-2 receptors, more commonly known as endocannabinoids. Some of these receptors are associated with inflammation and pain. Not only do the cannabinoids in CBD Oil attach to these receptors but some research suggests that they help the endocannabinoid system perform more effectively. The cannabinoids in CBD Oil not only amplify the beneficial properties of each cannabinoid but also amplify the attributes of the naturally occurring endocannabinoids in our body.
This is where all the action takes place and where consumers can find relief from some of their ailments and health conditions. Let’s take a closer look at some of the beneficial traits of the cannabinoids found in CBD Oil, and how they can positively impact your well-being.
CBD Oil for Sleep
Studies show the cannabinoid CBN may have potentially powerful sedative effects and the cannabinoid CBG may help with insomnia.
CBD Oil for Migraines
Studies suggest that cannabinoids like CBC, CBD, CBDa and THC have attributes that combat inflammation, which is a cause for migraines.
CBD Oil for Anxiety
Studies specifically have shown CBD displays properties that counteract anxiety from generalized social anxiety (GAD) disorder to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
CBD Oil for Arthritis
Due to CBD’s properties to decrease inflammation it functions as a protectant to the nerves.
CBD Oil for Post-Workout Recovery
Athletes may require longer periods of recovery after their training if their endocannabinoid system isn’t maintaining a healthy balance. This could impact their long-term results, progress and success. Due to CBD Oil’s therapeutic properties, it is shown to assist in the post-workout recovery by reducing inflammation during and after exercising; and reducing the aches and pains felt one to two days after training.
hemp oil
What is Hemp Oil?
Also commonly referred to as Hemp Seed Oil, Hemp Oil DOES NOT contain cannabinoids like CBD, CBDa, CBDV, CBG, CBN or THC. To put simply, Hemp Oil does not contain any cannabinoids and functions more as a naming convention for products that use derived material from hemp or cannabis plants (making it more confusing for consumers to navigate the hemp space).
Hemp Oil does, however, contain an abundant fusion of nutrients like protein, polyunsaturated acids and Vitamin E; in addition to Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Hemp Seed Oil is a cold-pressed extract from seeds, just like other carrier oils like Sunflower Seed Oil and Jojoba Oil; and has been populating the shelves in health food stores for decades. Whereas, CBD Oil is still relatively new to consumers.
What is Hemp Oil used for
Hemp Oil is great for cooking due to its low levels of saturated fats. It can add a crispy texture and a nutty flavor to foods, so it is a go-to oil for many chefs and novice cooks in the kitchen.
The high levels of Vitamin E in Hemp Oil also make it very attractive for the skincare industry from makeup to shampoos and facial cleansers to soaps.
The uses for Hemp Oil doesn’t stop there. Hemp Oil also has environmental benefits and can replace petroleum as a base for different types of plastics.
what is Hemp Oil good for?
Hemp Oil is regarded as a superfood and provides great nutritional value to your diet. The Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids found in Hemp Oil have been regarded as essential to the human diet; and Vitamin E is a beneficial antioxidant that prevents damage from skin conditions like sunburn, premature skin aging and hyperpigmentation.
Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil
how are they sourced?
While CBD Oil and Hemp Oil are derived from the same cannabis plant, they come from different parts of the hemp plant. CBD Oil uses the whole plant, from the stalks and flowers; while Hemp Oil comes from the seeds.
The compounds in the hemp plant, from the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, are separated in an extraction process to turn the biomass into CBD Oil. The safest methods for extraction include CO2 or ethanol, and neither process involves harsh solvents, chemicals or grueling refining processes.
Throughout the farming and extraction process, reputable CBD brands test the hemp and CBD Oil to ensure no unwanted substances and potency of the cannabinoids.
Hemp Oil, conversely, is conceived through cold pressing to better retain the raw, nutritious constituents of the seeds.
read your labels
Unfortunately for consumers, some brands are mixing the terms up and misleading the public since CBD Oil and Hemp Oil are both derived from the same cannabis plant. Whether this is done deliberately or inadvertently, we encourage consumers to do their research to make informed purchasing decisions.
Due to the extraction and purification processes, CBD Oil is more expensive than Hemp Oil, and we have found many Hemp Oil brands embellishing their products with Cannabis leaves and emphasizing the word Cannabis to piggyback off the CBD craze. When in actuality, these products don’t contain CBD.
More specifically we are seeing a lot of false advertising on platforms like Amazon, which is doing its customers a disservice by permitting sellers to advertise Hemp Oil products as CBD.
As of October 2019, Amazon’s policy guidelines still prohibit the selling of CBD, as indicated by 9i in their Compliance Checklist:
Listings for products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are prohibited, including but not limited to:
- Full spectrum hemp oil
- Rich hemp oil
- Products that have been identified as containing CBD by LegitScript
It’s a shame because customers are seeking health and wellness relief from CBD but they are unknowingly purchasing products that don’t actually contain CBD and are not authentic. In turn, they come to believe that CBD can’t help with their ailments.
We implore anyone interested in CBD Oil or CBD Gummies to do your homework to ensure you are purchasing a true CBD product.
more articles related to cbd oil benefits
what are cannabinoids?
Phytocannabinoids are naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant family. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 100+ known phytocannabinoids, which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help restore balance and physiological homeostasis. There are specific health benefits attributed to the cannabis plant’s isolated Cannabidiol (CBD) molecule, but all the cannabinoids have impressive therapeutic potential.
what is the endocannabinoid system?
Research has revealed that the endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining and controlling the body’s homeostasis (balanced system regulation). It accomplishes this through two known receptors: CB1 and CB2. The body produces its own endogenous cannabinoids, but many scientists suggest that a large portion of the population suffers from “cannabinoid deficiency.” Without sufficient dietary cannabinoids, the human endocannabinoid system operates at less than peak efficiency. This may lead to a general health decline. Supplementing our diets with full-spectrum phytocannabinoids could play an essential role in optimizing health.
What are the benefits of CBD Oil?
It’s not surprising to see the surge in Cannabinoid Oil (more commonly known as CBD Oil) as the interests in the therapeutic health benefits continue to grow. Scientific research suggests the different cannabinoids—CBC, CBD, CBDa, CBDV, CBG, CBN, and THC—all demonstrate benefits for mental and/or physical health. Learn how CBD can help support your health and well-being.
