hemp oil

Hemp Oil Vs. CBD Oil | Everything You Need To Know

As you shop for CBD products, you'll run across both CBD oil and hemp oil. What's the difference and which one is better for your needs?

CBDNerds Staff Updated on October 16, 2021

For those who haven’t been keeping up on all of the rules and regulations surrounding marijuana plants, the sheer number of options and guidelines within today’s marketplace can be overwhelming. Medical cannabis use, CBD food items, and more offer users a wealth of items to help overcome various issues, and products with THC are often used recreationally in states where they are legal. Among these choices are several types of oils which, in some cases, have literally changed the lives of the people who use them.

Specifically, both CBD oil and hemp oil have become more popular in recent years, with tons of attention being placed upon the legality and availability of these items. Yet confusion still remains, because if CBD comes from cannabis and if cannabis is technically the same as hemp, aren’t these two oils the same? From a scientific perspective, there’s a lot more going on than what meets the eye, so today we’re going to look at both hemp oil and CBD oil to gain a better understanding of these products.

Where Hemp Oil And CBD Oil Come From

In order to truly understand the similarities and differences between these two oils, it’s crucial that you know where they come from. Both hemp oil and CBD oil are sourced from the hemp plant, and funny enough, there remains quite a bit of mystery surrounding this greenery. On a basic level, the classic leaf imagery we all know and love comes from the cannabis plant, but there’s one crucial detail that determines if the plant becomes hemp or marijuana.

One of many compounds within the species, THC content establishes whether cannabis will be psychoactive or not, and thus whether it can be used as hemp for industrial purposes or as marijuana for medical and recreational use. As long as each plant contains 0.3% THC or less, it’s considered to be hemp, but even the slightest bit over that amount and you’ve got a crop that will be deemed as a drug.

Not only is THC content important when it comes to the fate of these organisms but CBD potency also plays a large role in how cannabis is used. It’s this cannabinoid, after all, that many people are drawn to for medicinal purposes, but even with such a rise in popularity as of late, there’s still some confusion around how it relates to hemp itself.

Hemp Oil and CBD Oil

What Is Hemp Oil?

In most cases when you see hemp oil for sale, it’s actually derived from the seeds of the cannabis plant. Some manufacturers will call it hemp seed oil while others prefer to leave the middle word out, but ultimately the two products are the same. Common sense would dictate that oil that comes from this plant would contain CBD, but in fact, the way in which hemp oil is processed makes it quite different from other products.

Hemp oil is made by pressing the seeds of the hemp plant, and as CBD, THC, and other compounds aren’t found anywhere near this part of the plant’s makeup, it offers little in the way of therapeutic value and absolutely nothing in the way of psychoactive effects. Instead, hemp oil or hemp seed oil is used in a little more of an industrial way and is often found in soaps, paints, and more. A visit to your local grocery store will likely have you find hemp seed oil on one of their shelves as it makes a great cooking companion and can be a better option than other highly processed oils.

Keep in mind, the main difference between hemp and marijuana has to do with THC potency, so using hemp oil in your favorite dishes or even rubbing it on your skin won’t get you high in the slightest. Unfortunately, because these products contain little to no measurable CBD either, you likely won’t experience any medicinal benefits either.

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Understanding CBD Oil

As of late, using CBD products has become one of the biggest health trends that this decade has seen. From people explaining that they’ve calmed their seizures to being able to fight anxiety, this cannabis compound has been hailed as a cure-all by many. While the FDA still has not approved CBD for widespread use, the substance is legal in many states across the country.

Using CBD oil can bring a wealth of benefits, but how exactly does it differ from hemp oil? If it’s derived from the hemp plant, isn’t it the same thing? While hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of the plant only, CBD oil is made using most, if not all, of the cannabis plant, as this allows manufacturers to capture more cannabinoids during the process. Ultimately, only CBD oil will actually offer the benefits that many are looking for, as it’s rich in the compound that can potentially help with inflammation, pain relief, and more.

Often times you’ll find CBD oil mixed in with other high-quality carrier oils in order to make it easier for the body to absorb, and these items can be available in topical or edible form. Different from cannabis oil, which is an entirely separate product, CBD oil may become a staple in your daily supplement regimen, but it’s always recommended that you discuss its use with your doctor first.

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Cannabis And The Future

A decade ago if you would’ve said that both hemp oil and CBD oil would be fairly common on the consumer market, people likely would have thought you were crazy. Now, the use of these items is ushering in an entirely new mindset when it comes to the various ways that hemp plants can be utilized. Legislation is continuing to help break down barriers when it comes to hemp, and before long, we may see a day where CBD products are legal in all 50 states.

Until then, if you have legal access to hemp oil or CBD oil, it’s worth it to integrate them into your life and see if you derive any benefits. While both products have the ability to meet various needs, only you will be able to determine how they can enhance your overall health and well-being.