by Kat Helgeson
“Hemp.” “Marijuana.” “CBD.” “Weed.” As the cannabis legalization movement grows and spreads, more and more people are incorporating all of these terms into their everyday lexicon. Words that were once whispered quietly between insiders are now spoken boldly. And that’s great! A big problem when it comes to cannabis has been a lack of understanding about what it is and what it offers, thanks to a combination of overzealous legislation against it and a lack of research. Now, thankfully, that’s all changing. We’re seeing more research into cannabis than we ever have before. People who’ve never tried it before are experimenting with it for the first time, both recreationally and for medical purposes. And people with questions are able to have conversations about cannabis and cannabis products that have always eluded them in the past. One complication, though, is that cannabis is a plant that can be used in many different ways, and from which many different products can be derived. For those who have grown accustomed, over the years, to simply talking about “weed,” it can be complicated to learn the many terms that refer to the wide variety of cannabis-based products. Here, we’ll compare and clarify the difference between two of those products—hemp seed oil and CBD oil.
CBD oil is sometimes referred to casually as “hemp oil,” which definitely makes distinguishing it from hemp seed oil confusing. And the name isn’t a misnomer. CBD oil is made from the hemp plant, so referring to it as hemp oil does make sense. Specifically, it uses the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant, which are rich in CBD. Because it’s made from the hemp plant, which is very low in THC, CBD oil will never have more than an extremely low concentration of THC, it’s not something you can use to get more than a little high. So what is it good for? Even if you’re not interested in the potential of a mild high, CBD oil is valuable for its medicinal benefits. It’s been effective as an antiepileptic, for pain, and anxiety management, to help mitigate addiction, and even to offset the effects of neurodegenerative disease.
When choosing a CBD oil, you should be mindful of how it was made. Be attentive to whether the CBD product is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate and understand the differences between these products and the risks of THC exposure.
Despite its name, hemp seed oil can be taken from either the hemp plant or the marijuana plant. However, unlike CBD oil, it comes from the seeds of the plant, which do not contain CBD or THC. Hemp seeds do contain is a lot of vitamins and nutrients that can help to improve overall health.
What’s in hemp seed oil specifically? It’s made from hemp seeds and they contain a lot of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid, vitamin B, vitamin D, and much more. It’s not a recreational substance, but it’s great as a wellness booster and nutritional supplement. Research also supports that incorporating hemp seed oil into your daily routine is good for your cardiovascular health—it’s known, after all, that omega-6 and omega-3 acids are good for heart health. Hemp seed oil is also beneficial for gastrointestinal health, skin conditions, and the strength of your immune system. It’s also non-comedogenic which means it won’t clog pores. This makes it an exceptional ingredient in the beauty industry. But do be aware of marketing gimmicks in certain parts of the CBD industry. Since CBD is trendy, companies have been inclined to incorrectly market products as having CBD when really the main ingredient is hemp seed oil. This term is called “weed washing” and it’s a rising problem within the beauty industry.
How do you get hemp seed oil? You can purchase pure hemp seed oil online or in health food stores, or you can get it incorporated in foods such as granola bars, cookies, and bread. Both oils are safe and healthy to consume. But it’s important to know the differences between CBD oil and hemp seed oil so you can make the right decision on the products that will address your specific needs.
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