Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil – What Is The Difference?

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L) is a plant that has many potential benefits.

Unfortunately, it has long been confused with high potency cannabis and marijuana. Cannabis is controversial due to its psychoactive effects that can cause users to feel “high”; however, it also has many potential medical benefits that have come to light in the last two decades.

Scientists have been looking for ways to separate the compounds responsible for the recreational and the therapeutic effects of cannabis, and we’ve come to the point of scientific advancement where that is now possible.

To add to the confusion between true hemp and cannabis, there are primarily two types of oil extracted from hemp, and both offer specific benefits. Hemp oil is usually obtained from the seeds whereas active CBD oil is generally produced from the flowers and leaves.

Hemp oil and CBD oil are both obtained from hemp (Cannabis Sativa L) but the extraction process for each oil is different.

In the case of hemp oil, production is rather simple and only requires pressing the seeds to extract the oil, the same process is used to get other oils including olive, coconut, peanut or sesame oil. This is a very safe process as it doesn’t involve any flammable materials and can even be attempted at home.

However, the extraction and purification processes for CBD oil are more complicated, and the risk can be significant depending on the extraction process used.

One of the most popular methods to produce CBD oil is “solvent extraction”, the easiest and safest technique. The process involves mixing a solvent (alcohol, CO2 or butane) with the hemp, applying heat and then letting the solvent evaporate to leave the CBD oil. This method can also be used to produce CBD oil at home (extreme caution required). In the case of industrial production, some other high-tech methods including supercritical CO2 extraction can extract even more cannabidiol from the plant.

Now we understand the basic methods of extraction, so let us take a look at both types of oil and then see how hemp oil differs from CBD oil.

First, we have to note that both oils are obtained from the Cannabis sativa plant (true hemp); however; hemp seed oil is usually extracted from plants with low CBD content while CBD oil is obtained from plants with higher concentrations of CBD.

Now let’s focus on where the oil comes from.

In the case of hemp oil, the seeds are usually the primary source of oil.

In the case of CBD oil, the flowers and leaves are the primary sources.

None of these oils produces a “high” because they are THC-free in the case of hemp oil and have low levels of THC in the case of CBD oil.

That is why both of these oils are either legal or non-regulated in most countries.

What is CBD oil

CBD (Cannabidiol) is commonly used as alternative medicine and as a nutritional supplement. CBD oil is produced by an extraction process, which involves extracting CBD oil from the hemp plant and then diluting it using a base oil such as hemp or olive oil.

CBD oil can be made at home with just a few basic implements or can also be easily purchased online. The CBD market has expanded a great deal due to the widely reported benefits, some of which have been investigated by recent scientific research.

Many new CBD oil products are appearing offering consumers various ways to consume it. To cope with demand, and to produce CBD oil industrially, many farmers have begun to plant hemp in place of less popular crops. Consumers should be aware that CBD concentrations in most commercial CBD oils can vary considerably due to the lack of regulation and also partly due to the procedures used during the extraction process.

CBD oil is being widely researched in an attempt to identify which diseases and conditions it may help to treat. Scientists are currently designing studies to determine if CBD may be able to reduce anxiety and depression. Cannabidiol is also considered a possible treatment for acne, when used topically it prevents the sebaceous gland from secreting excessive sebum. Disorders like chronic pain syndromes, seizures, inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and even cancer are all the subject of cannabidiol studies to assess if they can be treated by ingestion of CBD.

Recent research into the effects of CBD on anxiety disorders has indicated that CBD oil may have the potential to reduce anxiety and cognitive impairment. If the results are supported by human trials, it may be a potential treatment option for anxiety whether the condition is due to a stressful situation or as a result of a personality disorder.

Although CBD oil is primarily being researched for its potential benefits in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, seizures (epilepsy) and chronic pain, there are many other diseases and conditions that CBD oil may one day be proven to be effective.

In most cases though, CBD acts as a complement to regular and traditional medication rather than a sole treatment option. Some of the potential conditions include nausea and vomiting, muscle spasms, artery blockage and heart disease prevention, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and low appetite (especially in cancer patients).

Different Kinds Of CBD Oil 

Hemp oil

Hemp oil – also known as hemp seed oil – is extracted from hemp seeds by cold pressing.

This oil can be used in many different ways: As a food source, as a nutritional supplement, for cooking, in the manufacture of cosmetics, and for making plastics

The significant difference between hemp oil and CBD oil is the primary uses.

Hemp oil mainly used as a foodstuff and can be an alternative to coconut oil or olive oil. In fact, it is quite a healthy alternative because it contains dozens of micronutrients and vitamins including vitamin E, Potassium, Vitamin B1, Polyunsaturated fats (omega 3, omega 6, omega 9), Vitamin B2 and Magnesium.

The nutritional benefits of these compounds are thought to have positive health effects including boosting the immune system, lowering blood cholesterol levels, helping with skin health and preventing heart disease.

Nevertheless, hemp oil is not only a foodstuff; it also can be used for manufacturing purposes to produce shampoos, soaps, plastics, bio-diesel fuels, lotions and paints. Hemp oil is widely used as a supplement for a healthy lifestyle; it is not a medicinal supplement, and the amount of CBD in regular hemp oil is not enough to achieve the health benefits of cannabidiol.

In a nutshell, hemp oil provides more health benefits than any other type of vegetable oil but does not offer the potential benefits of cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD).

As you can see, this is a significant difference between hemp oil and CBD oil. They come from similar plants and have similar components, but they have very different purposes. That is why people looking to start their CBD journey should be very careful with product selection.

For those wishing to make their own hemp or CBD oil, you should be clear about the differences between these products because you might use the wrong method or the wrong part of the hemp plant to produce your oil. When it comes to purchasing hemp oil or CBD oil, a lot of misinformation is being published by the media – especially online. It’s not rare to find companies advertising CBD oils that are actually just hemp oil in disguise.

“Authoritative” online news sites do not even seem to understand the differences between hemp oil, cannabis oil and CBD oil.

Most journalists do not bother to research the facts, as facts often dampen a “sensational story”.

Consumers are the ones who need to be the most alert and be sure to read the oil’s analysis certificate before making a purchase.

Once you start your CBD journey and have some experience of your own, it can be rewarding to take part in the hemp revolution and share your knowledge with others to let people know about your experience with new hemp and CBD products.

Author: hempfrontiers