Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are often used interchangeably, but they couldn’t be more different.
For one, the laws surrounding the two products greatly vary. CBD was only legalized in the US a few years ago (with certain caveats of course). This led to a surge in CBD-infused products hitting the mainstream market. By contrast, hemp seed oil has been on the market for decades as it has long been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s been sold at health food stores, specialty shops, and has been used in cooking, skin care, clothing, etc. for many years. To compound confusion, ‘hemp oil’ refers to CBD-infused products, while ‘hemp seed oil’ is used to describe oil that does not contain active CBD.
Let’s break down the differences between these two oils and take a look at how they’re made, how they’re used, and their benefits.
How is CBD Oil made?
CBD oil comes from both hemp and marijuana plants – both of which are cannabis plants. Manufacturers extract CBD using highly intricate extraction processes; one way to extract CBD oil is through a process called carbon dioxide extraction.
This is the part where many consumers get confused: there are three different types of CBD oil on the market right now, and they are vastly different from one another.
Here’s a simple description of each:
- Full-spectrum CBD oil: Contains all compounds of the cannabis plant, including traces of THC
- Broad-spectrum CBD oil: Contains several compounds of the cannabis plant, except for THC. (It’s sometimes described as ‘THC-free distillate’)
- CBD isolate: Contains only CBD – this is perhaps the most in-demand CBD-derived oil as it is the most ‘pure’ of all the oils.
An important point for consumers to remember is that the above terms are not regulated, meaning some manufacturers who don’t know the difference (or who want to quickly boost their profits) can use them interchangeably. This can make it more overwhelming for consumers to pick the right product for them, especially with the steady rise of CBD products to choose from.
With that in mind, here’s a tip for anyone feeling overwhelmed: Always check the ingredients! CBD will typically be listed as ‘cannabidiol’, ‘full-spectrum hemp,’ ‘hemp oil’ (not to be confused with ‘hemp seed oil’) or ‘PCR hemp extracts.’ Hemp seed oil on the other hand is commonly listed as ‘cannabis sativa seed oil.’ Once you can differentiate between the two, you will be well on your way to finding good products that fit your needs.
What are the uses for CBD oil?
CBD oil is used for a wide range of things and is believed to have more health benefits than hemp seed oil. Some uses include: treating pain and inflammation, reducing anxiety, treating depression, insomnia, alleviating skin conditions, the list goes on.
Some Benefits
Studies show that CBD can help in the following:
- Treating depression and anxiety
- Relieving pain
- Reducing inflammation
- Treating neurological disorders
How is Hemp Seed Oil made?
Hemp seed oil is derived directly from hemp seeds. To make the oil, manufacturers extract the oil directly from the seeds of the hemp plant through a process called cold pressing.
Hemp seeds contain imperceptible traces of CBD, as well as a number of highly nutritional ingredients, including omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid, and other antioxidants. Hemp seed is also rich in B vitamins and vitamin D. This is why hemp seeds are often described as a superfood. Hemp seeds are highly nutritious, though they differ from CBD as they don’t treat as many physical ailments or neurological disorders like CBD is believed to treat.
Hemp seed oil also does not contain THC – which is the psychoactive compound that makes a person feel “high.”
What are the uses for Hemp seed oil?
Hemp seed oil can be used as a supplement to fuel your nutritional needs. It should also be noted that hemp plants have been used to make a wide range of high-quality products like paper, textiles, clothing, fuel, and food for thousands of years.
Some Benefits
Some studies found that hemp seed oil can help with the following:
- Improving skin conditions, e.g. acne
- Improving gastrointestinal health
- Increasing antioxidant intake
- Reducing the effects of aging
Watch out for clever marketing tactics
More consumers are eager to buy CBD oil – and they’ve shown they’re willing to shell out more money for the higher-end products. As consumer demand increases, it’s important for consumers to stay educated on what to buy and what to look out for, as companies can take shortcuts like labeling hemp seed oil as CBD oil.
CBD is more expensive to produce, so there is a certain temptation for the unethical company to take shortcuts. So before you purchase your next oil, make sure you check the ingredient list, educate yourself, and follow the tip mentioned above.