When shopping for CBD products, whether oils, creams, capsules, or edibles, it’s easy to get confused. Some manufacturers refer to products as hemp-based to convey that they contain CBD. On the other hand, some hemp oil products contain absolutely no CBD. Does it even matter? In this article, we’ll go over the main differences between CBD oil and hemp oil so that you can feel more confident when shopping for products.
How is hemp oil made? How is CBD oil made?
To make hemp oil, you need to extract the oil from fatty hemp seeds. In good quality products, this is done using a method known as cold pressing. Once the pure, virgin oil has been extracted from the flesh and outer layer of the seed, it’s ready to be packaged. It’s a very simple process!
Making CBD oil involves a lot more steps than hemp oil. That’s because CBD isn’t naturally available in hemp oil. In order for our bodies to be able to absorb CBD, it needs to be heated past a certain point that turns it from an acid into a non-acid.
To make CBD oil, you also need to use different parts of the hemp plant, generally the flowers and the stalks rather than the seeds. These hemp parts are pressed, distilled, and heated following a process called CO2 extraction. This turns hemp into a CBD-rich extract that can be processed by our bodies.
When this CBD-rich extract is mixed with a carrier oil like hemp seed oil, you get the product generally known as CBD oil.
To recap: what’s the big difference? Hemp oil and CBD oil use different parts of the plants and different processes. As a result, the end product is completely different, even though it may look the same.
How does CBD affect you? How does hemp oil affect you?
As we’ve mentioned, CBD oil has to go through a process that activates the CBD molecules so that they can be absorbed by our bodies. On the other hand, hemp oil doesn’t contain any CBD. This means that it will affect you very differently. However, that’s not to say that hemp oil has no benefits for your wellbeing.
When you take hemp oil, you get a good amount of health omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. This is great for your body. Hemp seed oil has also been found to reduce blood pressure, balance out hormone levels, and strengthen joints and bones. It’s one of the healthiest oils that you can use in salads and cooking, and definitely something worth adding to your diet.
Hemp oil can also be used for cosmetic purposes. It improves the texture of your skin and strengthens your hair, and can be used as a non-comedogenic moisturizer. This makes it an oil of choice for anyone with oily or combination skin.
CBD has different benefits than hemp oil, and it’s used not just to strengthen overall health but also to relieve certain conditions. For example, research has found that CBD can provide relief from inflammatory or neuropathic pain, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, epilepsy, itching, and many more symptoms. This makes it a great option for people who suffer from a wide range of health conditions, as well as for people simply trying to improve their overall wellbeing.
Are hemp and CBD oil legal?
For the main part, hemp seed oil has been legal for years. In fact, it’s considered a cooking staple in many cultures. On the other hand, CBD hasn’t always been legal. To this day, it still hasn’t been approved by the FDA. Although it’s legal on a federal level in the United States, we recommend that you check your local laws. Unlike hemp seed oil, its legal status has been subject to a lot of change and could continue changing in the years to come.
Takeaways
Both hemp oil and CBD oil can be incredibly beneficial for your body. However, CBD oil certainly has some additional benefits that justify its higher price point. Don’t expect to stop pain by taking hemp oil, but CBD could offer some significant release. So if you’re looking to add a wholesome oil to your salads or other dishes, hemp oil is the one for you. But if your priority is to improve your wellbeing and relieve painful symptoms, then make sure that the product you choose really contains CBD that has been activated.