3 Major Differences Between CBD And Hemp Oil
You have probably seen products labeled CBD or hemp oil. To a layman, these terms may mean the same thing since it is the same plant anyway. To an expert, though, they are entirely different products. But if experts understand the difference, then why use the two terms interchangeably? Some want to dupe buyers who know the difference between buying one product thinking it is the other, while some use it to navigate legal restrictions.
As a consumer, you should be aware of these differences so that when you buy CBD gummies online, you are sure that they are CBD products. You may not tell the difference by your naked eyes, but at least you can understand what the labels mean.
Differences Between CBD And Hemp Oil
1. Chemical Content: While some companies might market their hemp oil as CBD oil, it is misleading. Hemp seed oil and CBD oil, even though they are extracts of the same plant, are different products. The main difference between CBD oil and hemp seed oil is the cannabinoid content.
CBD oil comes from the Cannabis Sativa species. It gets extracted from the flowers, buds, and leaves of the plant and mixed with other essential oils. The mixture is first turned into pellets, which undergo an extraction process that utilizes CO2 or ethanol. Extraction produces an oil that is highly rich in cannabinoids and other essential nutrients found in the plant’s leaves, buds, and flowers. So, CBD oil contains other cannabinoids such as THC tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), contributing to its therapeutic properties.
Like CBD, hemp oil also comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant. But unlike CBD, hemp oil is extracted from the seeds, which do not contain cannabinoids. While CBD oil is obtained from extraction, hemp oil is derived from cold-pressing the seeds.
Cold-pressing ensures that all the essential nutrients in the seeds are not destroyed. Unrefined hemp seed oil is a green-colored substance just like CBD oil, and you may not tell the difference by looking at the two products. But chemically, there is a big difference. CBD oil, in its natural form, contains some THC (about 0.3%), while there is hardly any THC or other cannabinoids in hemp seed.
2. Therapeutic Benefits: While CBD oil and hemp oil both have health and wellness benefits, they differ in the therapeutic benefits they offer. CBD oil is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that help relieve pain, muscle soreness, stress, and anxiety.
CBD is also useful in improving sleep and supports neurological systems through cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). Hemp oil is rich in polyunsaturated acids, proteins, and vitamins E, B, B1, and B2, making it an excellent supplement for these vitamins. Hemp oil also contains various essential minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and fatty acids.
These minerals and vitamins are useful in controlling conditions such as acne and psoriasis. For example, Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that is useful in eliminating free radicals that cause skin problems. CBD oil is also helpful in treating acne and psoriasis but through a different pathway. While hemp oil replenishes essential minerals such as potassium and magnesium, CBD modulates the skin's chemical pathways that contribute to acne and psoriasis.
Hemp oil is also among the few plant extracts that contain both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the ratio 3:1, which nutritionists believe is the perfect ratio for human intake.
Due to the interaction that cannabinoids have with the human endocannabinoid system, CBD oil serves different purposes in the human body, including immune modulation. The endocannabinoid system controls many pathways, such as cognitive function, homeostasis, and immune function.
CBD oil constituents enable it to balance the internal body systems, making it preferred by those seeking alternative medicine and wellness options. Hemp oil, conversely, functions more as a supplement used mainly in skincare and food products.
3. Legal Status: Since hemp seed does not contain THC, it is not psychoactive and will not get you ‘high’ regardless of the amount you consume. Consequently, it is not regulated as a Schedule 1 drug. CBD, in contrast, is highly regulated due to its THC content. Moreover, this supplement is only legal if the THC content is 0.3% or lower. Nonetheless, CBD’s use is still highly regulated, and some states only allow its sale for medicinal purposes.
Currently, the U.S. FDA has approved CBD for use in the treatment of epilepsy only. Research on cannabinoids shows that their action on the endocannabinoid system can help treat certain conditions, such as epilepsy, resulting from inflammation in the brain. It is because of the legal status of CBD that some brands will label their CBD products as hemp oil. Such an act is misleading to consumers as they might purchase the product expecting certain benefits that the hemp oil might not provide.
Conclusion
Both CBD and hemp oil are products of the same plant, and both offer therapeutic benefits, some of which are similar. But these products are also different to a large degree. Hemp oil does not provide the therapeutic benefits that CBD does and might not help with insomnia or anxiety conditions. If you use CBD oil for these conditions, you should insist on buying CBD oil.
