It’s easy to be confused by all the different Hemp-derived products on the market. The Farm Act of 2018 formally legalized Hemp in all its forms, although certain restrictions still apply. It had been somewhat legal since 2014, but only on an “experimental” basis.
That has opened the door for a whole slew of Cannabis-derived products, with more arriving on the scene all the time. One of the more confusing things is the existence of both CBD oil and Hemp oil. Are these the same thing? If not, how are they different? These questions and more will be answered as we go.
CBD Oil
CBD is meant to be a relatively pure extract. It contains only trace amounts of other cannabinoids such as CBN and THC so that you get the effects of CBD alone. This is relevant for many users because CBD (when isolated) does not necessarily have the same effects as the Cannabis plant. This is due to something called “the entourage effect,” which we will discuss later. For now, just understand that isolated cannabinoids behave differently when used together.
For example, it is a fact that CBD can sometimes cause a reduction in appetite. This usually occurs when someone has taken an especially large dose, and that is very interesting. It’s interesting because the Cannabis plant, when smoked, tends to stimulate hunger. Yet, the CBD (when isolated) has the opposite effect.
There are a number of devices on the market that can be used to test the purity of CBD oil, and you should not hesitate to get one of these if you are going to be buying CBD oil on a long-term basis. It should have a purity level to match that which is advertised.
Hemp Oil
There are two different products that might be referred to as “Hemp oil.” First, let’s discuss the kind that contains CBD. This will be labeled as such and might also be called “full-spectrum.” These products are extremely similar to the CBD oils that we have already discussed at length, except that they contain much greater amounts of other cannabinoid substances.
Obviously, they cannot have more than 0.3% THC, as that would make them illegal in most places. However, the Hemp plant contains well over a hundred different cannabinoids, and only one of them is illegal.
The “entourage effect” that we mentioned earlier is the reason that some people choose to go with full-spectrum Hemp oil. The Cannabis plant has been used medicinally for many centuries, with some sources going back thousands of years. However, all of those people were working with the whole plant or with simple extracts.
Thus, a simple extract like this is probably better for those who want to use traditional methods. What you get is something that contains all the same components as the source plant, but in a stronger and more concentrated form. There have been numerous studies showing that the properties of cannabinoids can change when they are separated, so there is some logic in using this kind of oil.
That brings us to Hempseed oil, which is the other kind of Hemp oil that you might find on the market. The main thing you need to understand about this stuff is that it contains little to no CBD. It is made entirely from the seeds, and those do not contain any significant amounts of cannabinoids. If you have ever wondered why so many people throw away their Cannabis seeds, that is the main reason.
However, hemp seeds have a very high nutrient value, and that makes them worth using. People don’t buy Hempseed oil so that they can enjoy the benefits of CBD. Instead, they purchase this stuff for its antioxidant and nutritional value. Hemp seeds have been cultivated for food since ancient times, although you don’t see nearly as much of that going on today.
You may have heard that CBD is a strong antioxidant, and that is true. What you may not know is that the seeds contain a large number of other antioxidants. These include Omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-6 fatty acids, Vitamin D, and Gamma-linolenic acid. The beneficial effects of antioxidants have been confirmed many times, and those omega fatty acids are some of the very best. Hemp seeds are a great way to get a big bunch of those antioxidants at every meal.
Conclusion
We hope that the above has provided a clear and concise answer to the question posed in the title. As you can see, CBD oil and Hemp oil are not really the same thing, even though both are derived from the same plant. It is always important to know what you are buying, as none of us can afford to waste money. Still, all of these things are useful in one way or another. We thank you for coming here once again to learn from us, and we hope to see you again soon.
