A couple of years ago, the farm bill passed in the USA legalized the production of hemp plants and also allowed CBD (cannabidiol) to be used as medicines provided it passed certain tests. As a result, the use of CBD for medicinal purposes started increased phenomenally all over the world in the last 2 years. Hemp seeds and hemp oil are components extracted from the same group of cannabis plants, from where CBD is extracted.
However, hemp has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for more than a hundred years. It is indeed quite surprising to know that not many people are aware of the main differences between hemp oil and CBD oil, and also the purposes they are used for. Here is a brief comparison of the two products to clarify the misconceptions that you might have.
Components present
CBD is legalized in many countries to be used as medicine only if it contains less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is also obtained from the cannabis plant, but it contains psychoactive components that affect your motor skills and thinking capacity. It makes you feel euphoric. Therefore, CBD oil is legalized only if it contains very little of this element. Apart from less than 0.3% THC, CBD oil contains other non-dangerous cannabinoids from the cannabis plant.
On the other hand, hemp oil has completely different components in it. It has been used for many years for different purposes. Hemp oil or hemp seed oil doesn’t contain any CBD in it. It is legalized in almost all countries. The main components of hemp oil are Vitamin E, concentrated proteins and polyunsaturated acids. You will be surprised to know that hemp oil is a rich source of healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well.
How is it extracted?
Hemp oil, commonly referred to as hemp seed oil, is extracted only from the seeds of the cannabis plant. No other parts are involved in this process. The seeds are then exposed to cold-pressing technology and mixed with other neutral carrier oils to retain its original nutrients.
The shells of the seeds are removed and the seeds are then chilled completely to ensure that all unnecessary substances are removed and only the nutrients remain. The final hemp oil that you get is extremely rich in the right ratio of nutrients that you need for your overall health. You will not find any amount of CBD, THC or other cannabinoids in this oil.
CBD oil, on the other hand, is extracted from many parts of the cannabis plant. The whole plant, including the stem, leaves and flowers, is used for extracting the CBD oil. The parts of the plant undergo a separation process, where they are introduced to ethanol or carbon dioxide, to extract the CBD oil. This is then exposed to various levels of testing to ensure that the final output is on part with the legal requirements of that particular geography.
The final CBD oil that you get is rich in CBD and other useful cannabinoids of the plant, but contains only very minimal (less than or equal to 0.3%) component of the psychoactive THC.
Purposes
The main reason for many countries to legalize CBD is because of its potential to interact with one’s endocannabinoid system and bring about internal balance. CBD oil is known to give immense relief against seizures, control anxiety & sleep disorders and reduce chronic pain. Therefore, it is mostly used for internal healing and wellness.
Hemp oil, on the other hand, is mostly used in the cosmetic and food industry. Since it contains a lot of antioxidants, hemp oil is known to keep your skin healthy & vibrant, thereby preventing the oxidative damage caused by the free radicals. So, hemp oil is mostly used for external cleansing.
Always check the labels of the products thoroughly to understand the components to avoid any confusion between CBD and hemp oil-based products.
