If you are wondering “Are hemp oil and CBD oil the same thing?” you’re not alone. While both hemp oil and CBD oil can be extracted from the same plant, they are very different in their properties and how they interact with the human body.
Hemp oil may have some therapeutic properties, but won’t provide the sleep, mood, anxiety, and pain relief benefits that CBD is known for. If you want the beneficial effects of CBD but buy hemp oil, you are likely to be quite disappointed in the results.
Here is an overview of the similarities and differences between hemp oil and CBD oil.
What Is Hemp?
Hemp is a plant with many uses, but for years its cultivation was restricted. That’s because both hemp and marijuana are the same general type of plant, being members of the cannabis family. Most people associate marijuana with its psychoactive properties, which are generated by a chemical compound known as tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
THC is a phytocannabinoid, one of many (over 100) produced by cannabis plants. It and CBD (cannabidiol) are the most prolific cannabinoids. Plants higher in THC produce a psychoactive effect, meaning you can get high if you ingest or smoke the leaves or flowers of the plant.
Plants higher in CBD and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids produce no feelings of euphoria or paranoia, but have been found to have positive effects on wellbeing. Cultivation of a specific strain of cannabis known as Cannabis sativa has resulted in plants that are very low in THC, and which contain higher levels of CBD.
In the United States, Cannabis sativa has been divided into two classes: (1) industrial hemp, which must by law contain less than 0.3% THC; and (2) marijuana, which has more than that level of THC. Any amount of CBD is legal at the federal level, as long as it is derived from industrial hemp and has only legal trace (i.e., less than 0.3%) elements of THC.
Anatomy of the Hemp Plant
The entire hemp plant is useful for varying purposes. It is made up of four main parts:
The leaves and flowers
The leaves and flowers of the hemp plant are where the majority of the cannabinoids are found. CBD can be extracted from these parts of the plant, as can other cannabinoids, and additional beneficial compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids.
The seeds
The seeds of the hemp plant can be ground to create flour, or pressed to extract hemp seed oil, often referred to simply as hemp oil. These products are routinely sold for human consumption and have their own benefits.
The outer part of the stalk (bast fibers)
The outer part of the hemp plant stalk is commonly known as bast fibers. These are strong and durable, and can be made into cloth, rope, canvas, and other fiber-related textiles. Bast fibers can also be used to produce ethanol as a biofuel, as a cheap source of graphene, and as a highly renewable source of paper products.
The inner part of the stalk (hurds or shives)
The inner part of the hemp plant stalk is known as hurd or shives. These can be processed into building materials similar to concrete or compressed wood board, used as animal bedding and mulch, or compressed into pellets to be used as fuel.
How CBD Affects Wellbeing
The human body makes endocannabinoids, which interact with the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS is connected to the central and peripheral nervous systems, and helps control metabolic functions.
When the endocannabinoids in your system don’t correctly regulate these functions, pain signals can go up in number and severity. A shortage of endocannabinoids or a short endocannabinoid lifespan can cause numerous other problems, including symptoms of chronic illness, insomnia, mood swings, and/or fatigue.
Fortunately, scientists have discovered that phytocannabinoids are similar to endocannabinoids. Some can interact directly with receptors in the ECS, while others boost the longevity and lifespan of natural endocannabinoids.
CBD Oil vs. Hemp Oil
The main differences between hemp oil and CBD oil is where they come from and what chemical compounds they contain.
Hemp Oil
The seeds of the industrial hemp plant are pressed to extract literal oil that is part of the plant’s physical makeup. The oil is extracted, purified, and bottled, and is a byproduct of the plant itself. Hemp oil generally contains no CBD or other chemical compounds from the leaves or flowers of the hemp plant.
CBD Oils
CBD oil is actually a separate oil from another source, infused with CBD (and possibly other chemical compounds from the hemp flower and leaf.) Most CBD oil manufacturers use a medium-chain triglyceride (MTC) carrier oil like high-grade coconut oil.
MCT oils break down quickly in the body, serving as a source of fuel instead of converting to fat. Yummy CBD uses MCT coconut oil as the carrier for our own CBD infusions and tinctures. There is no oil from the hemp plant involved, just extracted compounds. We also use only industrial hemp sourced from organic growers, to ensure the plants are uncontaminated.
There are three different grades of CBD oil. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. When you are buying CBD oil for use as a holistic supplement, it’s critical to understand the differences between the types and how they work.
CBD isolate oil
If your CBD product is labeled as “CBD isolate”, it means that there is nothing infused into the carrier oil except cannabidiol (CBD) cannabinoids. CBD isolate contains no other chemical compounds, such as additional cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids. It is also 100% free of any trace amounts of THC. Many people buy CBD isolate thinking it is the “ purest” form of CBD, which in a sense may be true. However, you may not get the most optimized experience from CBD isolate.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil
Thanks to a phenomenon known as “the entourage effect”, CBD works better when other chemical compounds are present. These compounds include other non psychoactive cannabinoids found in the industrial hemp plant, such as CBD or CBG, as well as terpenes, which contribute to the aromatic side of hemp and flavonoids, which in turn contribute to the flavor. Both terpenes and flavonoids also boost the efficacy of CBD.
Broad-spectrum CBD can have some or all of these in addition to CBD (cannabidiol), but still contains no THC at all. Even the trace amount in the industrial hemp plant is stripped away, despite it being fully legal. This means you still don’t get the maximum beneficial effects of the CBD, because the entourage effect is only fully optimized when all compounds from the hemp plant are included.
Full-spectrum CBD oil
All Yummy CBD products are made using full-spectrum CBD. This means we include every chemical compound from the industrial hemp plant’s flower and leaf, including that tiny, trace amount of legal THC. It’s not anywhere near enough to have any psychoactive effect, but does provide an important synergistic effect in relation to how your body reacts to the CBD and other cannabinoids and compounds.
Full spectrum CBD oil is the most completely optimized version, which is why we use it in all of our products. We believe that full spectrum CBD oil is highly superior to other types of CBD oil, and far better than simple hemp oil for creating beneficial effects in your body, whether you are taking it to reduce pain, relieve anxiety, or improve your mood or sleep cycles.
The Benefits of Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil
Research on the benefits of CBD oil and even hemp oil is still ongoing, given that cultivation of industrial hemp for CBD extraction has only been legal since the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was made law. However, many studies are in progress, and researchers are rapidly verifying the claims made by independent users regarding the benefits of both hemp oil and CBD oils.
Be advised that if you are nursing or pregant, taking prescription medications, or under a doctor’s care, always consult with your healthcare provided before integrating these products into your wellness regimen. Also, be advised that over-the-counter CBD products are not intended for children.
Hemp Oil Health Benefits
Hemp seed oil contains unusually high amounts of three polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and gamma-linolenic acid, and its ratio of omega-6 (linoleic acid) to omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) fatty acids is 3:1, which is considered to be an ideal ratio for health benefits in humans.
This can make hemp oil beneficial in the same ways that other foods and supplements high in the same fatty acids may be. There is no research showing that hemp oil is more beneficial than other similar foods or supplements.
Skin health benefits
One dermatology study showed that ingesting hemp seed oil seemed to improve symptoms of eczema (atopic dermatitis). Hemp oil has also been shown to be helpful for other conditions affecting the skin, including psoriasis, acne, and even cradle cap.
Blood pressure benefits
Omega-3 fatty acids abundant in hemp seed oil can help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure). Research recommends using omega-3 fatty acid supplements along with approved blood pressure medicine to lower blood pressure.
Heart health benefits
Studies have shown that eating a diet that is high in linoleic acid can reduce both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly known as “bad” cholesterol, in turn reducing the risk of heart disease.
Inflammation and pain reduction
Gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) has been shown to reduce inflammation, which can contribute to the reduction of inflammatory-related pain in persons with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Pregnancy support
The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids may also make hemp oil a beneficial supplement for pregnant persons, since omega-3 fatty acids support healthy brain and eye development in the fetus.
CBD Oil Benefits
Since CBD infused oils can interact on a deeper level with the body, the benefits are more unique and far reaching. Studies show that CBD oils can be used for a wide range of wellness benefits, including:
Reduced anxiety and depression
Several studies have indicated that CBD can help with anxiety and depression, and this has been backed up by a massive base of anecdotal evidence from people who have successfully used CBD alone or in tandem with prescribed treatment to help reduce levels of anxiety and depression.
Improved sleep cycles
Used alone or in combination with natural sleep aids like melatonin, CBD has shown great promise as a way to get better sleep. Research is still pending which may show a clearer difference between the direct effects of CBD on sleep cycles, and when it is more useful as an indirect aid by way of decreasing pain or anxiety that could be interfering with sleep.
Pain management
CBD has been found to have a beneficial effect on pain levels thanks to its ability to boost endocannabinoid action in the body. Reduced pain signals to the brain can provide significant relief for chronic pain sufferers.
Enhanced appetite
People who suffer from eating disorders or who have decreased appetite due to nausea-inducing treatments for cancer (like chemo or radiation) have been shown to benefit from CBD use.
Neurological diseases
Epilepsy, dementia, and progressive diseases are all battlegrounds in which CBD is looking like a helpful weapon against pain and degenerative symptoms. CBD has been shown to help in the retention of cognitive function. And a certain CBD prescription drug is proven to reduce seizures in children with various epiliptic disorders.
Your CBD Oil Options
All of the CBD products offered by Yummy CBD are full spectrum, sourced from organically farmed industrial hemp, and batch-tested to ensure optimal CBD potency and THC levels below the legal maximum.
Orange Zest CBD Oil
Our standard CBD oil tincture contains 33 mg of CBD per mL and has a delicious orange flavor. It is great to use anytime of day.
Mellow Mint CBD Oil
Our CBD oil sleep formula contains 67 mg of CBD per mL, plus 1 mg of melatonin per mL, and has a smooth mint flavor. It is ideal to take before bedtime.
Check out our helpful CBD Buyer’s Guide, then visit our SHOP page to order our full-spectrum Yummy CBD products, including CBD oils and our popular CBD gummies!