The terms CBD oil, hemp oil, and hemp seed oil are often confused — even on websites purporting to be authoritative. And some vendors use the terms interchangeably.
They shouldn’t. Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are sourced from the same plant and are each believed to provide health and wellness benefits, but they’re very different products. And some of the confusion is because the term “hemp oil” is used, sometimes deliberately, to refer to both hemp seed oil and more expensive CBD oil.
Here’s the bottom line.
Hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant, which contain virtually no CBD or other cannabinoids (including THC). CBD oil is made from CBD (cannabidiol) extracted from the other parts of the plants like the flowers, stalks, and leaves; it contains substantial amounts of cannabidiol and often small amounts of THC.
That’s why hemp oil is primarily used as a supplement by consumers seeking overall health benefits, while CBD oil is chosen by those interested in its apparent, and more specific, medicinal benefits.
Still confused? Read on.
Hemp and CBD
Both the hemp and cannabis plants are members of the cannabis sativa family, and each contains natural compounds known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are notable because once they’re consumed or otherwise used, they can interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to affect an enormous range of human functions.
The two plants are very similar, but their one major difference is important. Cannabis contains very little CBD and much greater amounts of psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), while hemp has bountiful amounts of cannabidiol and very little THC — meaning hemp products can’t get you high.
For that reason, marijuana is sourced from the cannabis plant, and the cannabidiol used to make CBD products is extracted from the hemp plant.
One part of the hemp plant, however, contains virtually no cannabinoids at all: the seeds. Hemp seed oil (sometimes spelled hempseed oil) is simply oil sourced from the seeds of hemp plants. It’s usually produced by using hydraulic pressure in what’s known as cold press extraction, the same process used to extract olive oil from olives and produce many types of fruit juices. Hemp seeds, and therefore the oil extracted from them, naturally contain no more than trace amounts of cannabinoids. However, they do contain bountiful levels of omega-6 (including GLA, short for gamma-linolenic acid) and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as antioxidants like vitamin E, amino acids like arginine, B and D vitamins, and minerals. All of those substances are known to provide health and wellness benefits, and the 3-to-1 ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s in hemp oil is believed to be optimal for the benefits they provide. Research has shown that hemp seed oil or its components may provide a large number of benefits. Some who want the apparent benefits of hemp seeds eat the seeds directly by sprinkling them onto salads, yogurt, or cereal, mixing them into smoothies, making baked goods with them, or using them to produce hemp milk. More commonly, people consume hemp seed oil as a supplement. They do it in a variety of ways. Those seeking external benefits often apply hemp seed oil to the skin or hair, either by itself or mixed with another essential oil to lessen the possibility of sensitivity or irritation (which some people may experience when first using the oil topically). Hemp seed oil is also used as an ingredient in many health and beauty products. The potential side effects of hemp seed oil are rare and generally minor. Some may experience stomach aches or diarrhea, similar to what they might feel when consuming castor or another type of oil. Those on blood thinners should speak with a medical professional before using hemp seed oil, however, because it can have negative effects on them. What’s the proper amount of hemp seed oil to use for its possible health benefits? There’s no definitive answer since research is still preliminary, the product isn’t regulated, and there’s no government-recommended maximum dose. Some experts suggest a daily dose of 30ml if you normally consume 2,000 calories a day, and adjusting from there. It should also be repeated before we move on: hemp seed oil contains no psychoactive THC, so there’s no chance that it can get you high or alter your perceptions in any way. CBD oil is a combination of cannabidiol extracted from hemp plants and a “carrier oil” that enhances the CBD’s absorption and effectiveness inside the body. The best carrier oil is MCT oil (MCT is short for medium-chain triglyceride) sourced from coconuts or palm kernels. MCT oil contains fat chains with fewer molecules than most other oils, so they pass through the digestive system quickly and aren’t degraded. Other oils like coconut oil and olive oil are sometimes used as carriers instead, but the CBD won’t be as effective. Since the cannabidiol in CBD oil comes from hemp, it contains very low levels of THC and delivers no intoxicating effects. That’s guaranteed by British law and laws in other countries where CBD is legal. The THC content in CBD products sold in Britain is limited to approximately 0.2%; the maximum is 0.3% in the US and most European nations. (Dispensaries in US states and some other countries where marijuana is legal often sell CBD oil produced with cannabidiol sourced from cannabis plants. Unlike the CBD oil sold widely in the UK and elsewhere, it can contain dramatically more THC than oil produced from hemp.) It is possible to purchase CBD oil or other CBD products with even lower THC levels. Producers can tailor their processes to extract three types of CBD from hemp: Why would people buy less effective CBD products if none of them have psychoactive effects? Most fall into two categories: either they have allergic or other negative reactions to THC, or they can’t afford to fail a drug test. Full-spectrum cannabidiol rarely triggers a positive test, but the chances are even lower with broad-spectrum CBD and non-existent with CBD isolate. When shopping for CBD oil, you can usually choose any of those three options, which should be specified on the product’s label along with the product’s potency. There should also be a link to the product’s online Certificate of Analysis (COA); that’s a report from a third-party lab, spelling out how much of each cannabinoid (and other compounds) is in the oil. Understanding the proper dosages of CBD oil can be complicated. The apparent benefits of CBD haven’t been proven to the satisfaction of the government or the medical establishment, so there’s no established guidance on dosing. The “right dose” can also depend on the desired health and wellness benefits and the oil’s potency. You can find CBD dosage instructions on many products, and there are CBD dosage calculators online, but it’s best to consult with your doctor or another health professional for advice before using CBD products. The only approved medical use of cannabidiol is for the treatment of several rare diseases, primarily forms of childhood epilepsy. Prescription medications Epidiolex and Sativex (a combination of CBD and THC) are available for affected patients through the NHS. Even though there’s only preliminary research showing the purported effectiveness of cannabidiol for other purposes, there’s some evidence that CBD oil and other products may be helpful for those dealing with a large number of medical conditions, illnesses, and diseases. They include: Some studies have even shown evidence that cannabidiol may help fight some forms of cancer, and research indicates that the risk of serious side effects from CBD use is quite low for most people. A reminder, though, that the data is all preliminary. The best advice is to check with a healthcare professional before using CBD products. CBD oil is consumed in most of the same ways as hemp seed oil. It can be consumed on its own, and the most effective method of administration is dropping it (in oil or tincture form) under the tongue, where it’s absorbed by the sublingual glands and moves right into the bloodstream. The oil can also be swallowed, mixed into dressings, sauces, recipes, or beverages, or used to make edible products. CBD oil is also the sole ingredient in CBD capsules and sprays available widely, which are easier ways for some people to consume the oil. It’s also used as an ingredient in CBD gummies and other edibles, and combined with skincare and beauty ingredients in an enormous assortment of creams, lotions, and other topical products. That should answer all of the questions you may have about hemp seed oil, hemp oil, and CBD oil, except one. The term “hemp oil” is often used colloquially to refer to both hemp seed oil and CBD oil, so it’s understandable that either product might be called hemp oil by consumers or stores that know very little about CBD and hemp. That doesn’t explain why quite a few manufacturers and vendors deliberately describe hemp seed oil as hemp oil or CBD oil. It’s not accidental, either. You commonly see the term“hemp oil” on product labels, on websites, and in advertising. Here’s the unfortunate truth. CBD oil is generally much more expensive than hemp seed oil (due to more expensive extraction techniques), so some disreputable hemp seed oil producers choose to mislabel their products as CBD oil and charge more for them. Since there’s very little government regulation of the industry itself, their behavior goes unpunished. There’s a flip side, too. CBD advertising is more heavily regulated in the UK than the production of cannabidiol products, so companies can be tempted to call their CBD oil “hemp oil” or “hemp seed oil” and avoid all of the regulatory quicksand. That’s also an unscrupulous procedure, but it’s not uncommon. Your best defense is to check a product’s label. Hemp seed oil should list “cannabis sativa seed oil” as its primary ingredient, while CBD oil should list “cannabidiol” or “hemp extracts” (usually identified as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate). If the ingredient label isn’t clear on what’s contained in the product, it might be best to move on to another brand.
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Why Is There Such Confusion About the Terminology?
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