Did you know that, according to Research and Markets, the global hemp oil market is expected to have a value of over £1,000 million by 2026? Additionally, it has an expected compounded annual growth rate of 35.8% between 2018 and 2026.
If you’re thinking of taking part in this market by buying hemp oil in the UK, you might be overwhelmed by all the information out there. You also might feel stressed if it’s the first time you’d be taking hemp oil.
That’s why we’ve put together this article. In it, you’ll learn everything you need to know about hemp oil in the UK.
Finally, you can buy hemp oil, take advantage of its many benefits. Read on to learn more.
What Is Hemp?
To understand whether hemp oil is right for you, you first need to understand what hemp is. First of all, we’ll start with what type of plant hemp is: the Cannabis sativa plant. There are many different types of Cannabis varietals, which contain different amounts of:
- THC (which gives you psychoactive effects)
- Cannabidiol (also known as CBD)
- Other phytocannabinoids
When you have Cannabis sativa varietals that contain a larger amount of THC, which is 0.3% or more, these are usually called marijuana. Hemp, however, is different. It’s genetically different from marijuana.
Why? Hemp contains a smaller amount of THC—0.3% or less. This means that you won’t experience any psychoactive effects when you take it.
Hemp has become incredibly popular in recent years because it contains cannabidiol, which has a large number of benefits when taken. Additionally, there are other compounds in hemp, such as:
- CBC
- CBG
- THCV
- Flavonoids
- Terpenes
Because of this, many people prefer to take hemp oil to only CBD oil or CBD isolate. By taking a hemp product that contains a larger amount of compounds, you can benefit from not only CBD but from how all of these compounds work together.
What Is Hemp Oil?
Now that you know what hemp is, you’re closer to understanding what hemp oil is. Generally speaking, hemp oil is oil made from hemp. However, there are different types of hemp oil, and knowing more about them will help you decide which type is best for you.
Hemp Oil Extract
This type of oil has been extracted from the hemp plant’s aerial parts (stems, flowers, and leaves). This is done so that the phytocannabinoids, which are beneficial and native compounds in the plant, can be extracted.
Out of these compounds, the most well-known is cannabidiol. However, hemp oil extract is different from CBD isolate in that it contains an entire bouquet of flavonoids, terpenes, and phytocannabinoids.
As a result, you’ll experience the entourage effect, which is something many hemp oil users look for.
Considering that THC isn’t legal in the UK, search for hemp oil extract that is broad-spectrum. It has all of these elements except for THC. Avoid full-spectrum, which includes THC.
Because you have an endocannabinoid system in your body, it’s receptive to all these different cannabinoids present in the hemp plant.
This system is a physiological homeostatic system, which impacts immunity, digestion, the brain, and other areas of your body. So if you want as many benefits as possible, hemp oil extract can be a great choice.
Hemp Seed Oil
Another type of hemp oil is hemp seed oil. This type of oil has been extracted not from the hemp plant itself, but from hemp seeds. It’s quite different from hemp oil extract in that you aren’t getting a large number of phytocannabinoids.
Chances are, you won’t get any phytocannabinoids, or it will be a negligible amount.
So why take hemp seed oil? It has healthy fatty acids. You can use it for cooking, and it can also support healthy hair, nails, and skin.
CBD Isolate
Finally, there’s CBD isolate, which is also referred to as hemp-derived CBD oil. This is an isolated extraction of CBD isolate, also called phytocannabinoid cannabidiol. If you’re looking for only the benefits of CBD and no other compounds, this could be the right choice for you.
Benefits of Hemp Oil Extract
Considering the number of useful compounds present in hemp oil extract, there are many benefits you can get from taking hemp oil extract. First of all, it’s good for your endocannabinoid system. How does this work?
If you want your body to function optimally, you need your endocannabinoid system to be working properly. We already do this naturally by doing things such as exercises and mediation.
When we do, we reset this system, putting our bodies back in balance. As a result, your body functions more smoothly when it comes to bodywide processes.
Sleep
Another benefit you get from taking hemp oil extract is that it promotes better sleep. Sleep improves significantly among people who take hemp oil extract. However, it isn’t clear what way of taking it is most effective.
For this reason, if you choose to take hemp oil for sleep issues, we recommend trying out different dosages at different times to find out what works best for you.
Maintains Strength
Hemp oil extract can also help you maintain strength. Hemp oil extract, in research, has also been shown to help with perceived life pleasure and stress resilience.
So if you want something to help you during a difficult time, hemp oil extract can make a difference.
Speak with a health professional or licensed counsellor about how you can benefit from hemp oil extract, which might be helpful combined even with counselling or medication.
Keeps Focus
Hemp oil can also help you maintain a current state, which means it can help you keep focus. If you have to concentrate in a work meeting or get a lot of studying done, this can help.
What to Look For When Buying Hemp Oil in the UK
When you’re buying hemp oil in the UK, there are specific things you should look for. First of all, you want to make sure that the hemp plant the oil comes from is organically grown 100%. This will minimise the exposure of the plants to pesticides.
If you aren’t sure where to start, look for agricultural hemp that’s certified organic by the EU. They have strict purity standards, so this is one of the best certifications you can search for.
Another important feature of hemp oil to consider is the extraction process used to extract it. You should only choose hemp oil that’s been extracted using olive oil, ethanol, or C02.
On the other hand, you should avoid hexane or butane extraction. This is because the extraction process can leave behind solvent residues that are harmful.
Note that if you choose hemp oil extracted with olive oil, you should store it in a cool, dark place. This way, you can avoid it from becoming rancid.
You should also consider DNA testing. DNA testing will tell you what you need to know about the hemp oil’s historical use, safety, and identity.
Finally, speaking of testing, quality testing is important—of both the hemp oil itself and the product containing the hemp oil. This way, you can ensure the active ingredients are potent and there are no contaminants affecting purity.
How Much You Should Take
Generally speaking, there isn’t any upper limit when it comes to how much hemp oil you can take. It’s been taken safely for a long time during human history, and since hemp is low in or contains no THC, you won’t have to worry about any psychoactive effects.
This said, however, it’s best to start slow. Especially if it’s your first time taking hemp oil, you won’t know how it’s going to affect you.
So take a small amount for the first few days. Then, if you still haven’t experienced your desired effect, start taking a little more. Keep in mind, too, that whenever you’re digesting a chemical, it takes a little longer to take impact.
Need More Information?
Now that you’ve learned everything you need to know about hemp oil in the UK, you might need additional information. Maybe you want to learn about products that contain hemp oil. Or maybe you want to learn about other hemp-based products.
Whatever information you need, we can help. At Impact, we’re experts when it comes to hemp oil in the UK.
We also sell hemp oil products you can enjoy. To learn more about how we can help you or about our products, contact us now.
