The industry around cannabis is very confusing, and there is so much conflicting information out there. One of the major points of confusion is the difference between hemp oil and CBD. Hemp is now legal at a federal level in the United States, and the sale, distribution, and purchase of hemp products are legal at varying degrees in different states.
This basically means that hemp sees regulation at a state level. The same goes for CBD, which is an extract from the hemp plant. But is CBD the same as hemp oil? If not, what are the differences between the two?
Hemp is a variety of cannabis plants belonging to the Cannabis Sativa L family. In order to classify as hemp, it is legally necessary that it holds a THC content of less than 0.3%. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a cannabinoid found in all cannabis plants primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Meaning it is the reason you get euphoric and the feeling of getting high.
Cannabis plants with a THC concentration greater than 0.3% are marijuana or Cannabis Indica. Although hemp contains negligible amounts of THC, it contains high concentrations of CBD. CBD or cannabidiol is the cannabinoid found in hemp responsible for most of the health benefits of cannabis. The trace or negligible concentration of THC found in the hemp plant is insufficient to yield any psychoactive effects.
Hemp oil comes from the seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp oil comes through a process of pressing the hemp seeds to force the oil from the seeds out in order to collect it. Although some oils may have a brownish or yellowish tint, hemp oil is commonly clear and ranges from light to dark green.
CBD, in turn, comes from the stems, leaves, and stalk of the hemp plant. Hemp seeds are not a source of CBD as the seeds themselves don’t contain any of it. Different types of processes go into extracting the CBD. The type of process used will determine the purity of the CBD oil extracted from the plant.
The most common extraction method is winterization, followed by short path distillation. Winterization basically freezes the plant to extract the various compounds, and distillation then isolates the CBD from the other compounds extracted. Other methods of extraction may involve the use of solvents or a centrifuge.
An important difference between hemp seed oil and CBD is that hemp seed oil does not contain any CBD. However, the oil does still have some health benefits.
The hemp seed oil has, according to research, many health benefits of its own. These benefits derive from the nutrients, fatty acids, and other compounds contained in the seed of the hemp plant. However, many of the health benefits are still under research in order to confirm the validity of the claims and to determine how they work. The health benefits of hemp seed oil may include:
The negative side effects of hemp seed oil may include the following:
Side effects may affect rather mild, all things considered. However, if any of the side effects manifest, it is better to discontinue use immediately and consult a doctor.
The psychoactive effects of cannabis are attributed to THC, a cannabinoid that is found in all species of the cannabis plant. However, only trace amounts of THC are present in the hemp stems, leaves, and stalk. While no THC has been found in the actual seeds, tiny amounts have been found in the seed shells. These amounts of THC are negligible and cannot get you high.
CBD or cannabidiol is a cannabinoid found only in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors that form part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for regulating a wide range of bodily functions.
CBD interacts mainly with CB-2 receptors found throughout the gastrointestinal tract (gut) and the immune system. This interaction either inhibits or stimulates a response from the immune system. It also results in the release or inhibition of other chemicals and hormones in the body. The health benefits of CBD are primarily due to the interaction that it has with the endocannabinoid system.
This is another way in which CBD differs significantly from hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil does not interact with the endocannabinoid system as CBD does. Nonetheless, the fatty acids contained in hemp seed oil help synthesize cannabinoids to support the immune system. Hemp seed oil may therefore play an important role in supplementing the immune system.
CBD yields a variety of health benefits. Most of these health benefits are still under research to confirm their validity. Health benefits of CBD include:
The negative side effects of CBD may include:
The side effects are rare, and when they do occur, they are rather mild. However, if negative side effects do happen, it is best to either lower the dosage or discontinue use depending on the severity and persistence of the side effects. It is best to consult a doctor if side effects are severe or persistent.
Also, you should not use CBD if you are taking any other chronic medication. The research established some interactions with medications. Yet, it is currently uncertain what effects CBD will have when used in combination with most other pharmaceuticals.
There are 3 main types of CBD:
Full-spectrum CBD contains a trace amount of THC, which is the psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. Broad-spectrum and isolates do not contain any THC whatsoever.
THC is the compound responsible for the psychoactive properties of cannabis and the feeling of getting high. The trace amounts found in full-spectrum CBD are negligible and, therefore, cannot get you high. Broad-spectrum and CBD isolates do not contain any THC and, thus, cannot get you high either.
While CBD and hemp oil are both extracts from the hemp species of the cannabis plant, they depart from each other in just about every other way. In fact, the only similarities that they share lie in some of the health benefits that they provide. Also, in the fact that they both might contain trace amounts of THC.
Both CBD and hemp oil are something you can apply topically (directly to the skin), consume (edibles) or inhale (vaping or smoking). The delivery method determines how quickly the product enters your body and how fast it works. CBD dosage also plays an important role.
The most significant differences in deciding are CBD same as Hemp Oil include:
The better the quality of the CBD and the purer the product, the more costly it will be. However, the concentration of CBD is often higher in quality products. Pure products are also more effective at delivering health benefits.
CBD has more health benefits than hemp oil and is, thus, more potent at delivering these benefits. However, the effectiveness of CBD might saw an increase with the use of hemp oil to support the immune system.
CBD allows you to adjust your dosage to your needs as well as choose products that will be most effective at treating a specific health condition. There is also a wider range of options available in CBD products to meet the preferred method of delivery of different individuals. All in all, CBD oil is a much more versatile product than hemp oil.
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