Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is particularly cultivated for the industrial uses of its derived products. Humans have used it for thousands of years for different purposes. Hempseed oil has been available for decades while CBD oil is a new ingredient for several users only made prominent by the recent wave of cannabidiol legalization across the globe.
Hempseed oil, sometimes called Cannabis Sativa seed oil, is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids but contains little or no CBD. It is predominately used in cooking and is known as a ‘superfood’ and also a great moisturiser. Ordinarily, one might think that hemp oil and CBD oil are the same, especially as CBD is a major active ingredient of the hemp plant. Although they are used interchangeably, they differ from each other to an extent.
What are Their Similarities?
They are ultimately gotten from the same plant; hemp, and are similar in some other ways.
- Both CBD oil and hemp oil does not give the “high” effect associated with THC.
- They are both oils.
- Both have a similar route of administration or consumption, such as oral consumption and topical application.
How About Differences?
Despite the similarities, a few differences exist between the two.
- CBD oil is extracted from the parts with more cannabidiol concentrations such as leaves, stalks and flowers of the hemp plant, while hemp oil is gotten from the hemp seeds which contains very little cannabidiol.
- Hemp oil has been used for decades while CBD oil is new.
- Unlike CBD oil, which contains a tremendous amount of CBD and cannabinoids, hemp oil is only a nutrient-rich oil containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
What to Look for When Searching for CBD Oil
The following tips would help you differentiate between hemp oil and CBD oil.
Label: Checking the label can help you understand the difference. Hemp oil is extracted from hemp plants’ seeds. On the other hand, CBD oil is extracted from different parts such as leaves, stems and flowers but not the seeds. CBD oil suspension commonly contains carrier oil like olive or coconut oil. Sometimes, they are labelled full or broad spectrum.
Application: Hemp oil is different from CBD oil, and is also applied differently. Hemp oil is usually used in making beauty product for the skin and hair or used in cooking. CBD oil which commonly refers to the tincture containing CBD can be ingested sublingually. CBD oil finds its way into many other CBD products like edibles and topicals.
Price: Usually, CBD oils’ production cost more than hemp oil; hence, CBD oil costs more than hemp oil. It would, therefore, be strange to find a product made with premium CBD oil at a low price. If you do, the chances are that the standard of the product is compromised.
CBD Content: The CBD content of CBD oil surpasses that of hemp oil and are labelled to display their amount in milligram per unit. CBD oil may possess other organic compounds, generally called phytocannabinoids. Unlike hemp oil, more premium CBD oil brands publish its other constituent agents like terpene and cannabinoid.
Let’s Resolve the Confusion
Although both hemp oil and CBD oil are derived from the hemp plants and are wellness ingredients used for many purposes – to support lifestyle, you should get the right product when you desire it. If you mistakenly purchase one instead of the other, do not worry much. Buying one in place of the other is not harmful, but your desire to derive the full benefits of CBD oil is hampered when you use hemp oil instead.
Sadly, some brands take advantage of the trend of CBD to make untrue claims about the CBD status of their product. So, to get the right product, always check the product label to know its actual content. Ask questions if necessary, to be sure that you are buying what you want.
