CBD vs. Hemp Oil, What’s the Difference?

Hemp-derived Products in the Marketplace

As hemp-derived products flood the marketplace, it can be difficult to determine what they all are. You see CBD, hemp, marijuana… are they all the same?

Typically, when people refer to CBD vs. hemp oil, they are not talking about the same thing. While some use the term interchangeably, and by the dictionary’s definition either one may be technically correct, by industry standards they are vastly different.

The hemp plant is incredibly versatile in the sense that it can create many different products, including CBD and hemp oil. In addition to these two products, people have created plastics, concrete, soaps, and tinctures derived from hemp. Some people even claim that hemp can replace fossil fuels! Of course, more research and experimentation is needed before we can expect to fill our gas tanks with hemp. One of the most attractive things about the hemp plant is that there is no THC present, unlike marijuana. THC is what causes the psychoactive effect that marijuana produces, and not everyone desires that.

CBD vs. Hemp Oil: Identifying CBD

To further differentiate CBD vs. hemp oil, we first need to identify what exactly CBD is. CBD is what people are looking for when they are trying to reduce stress, sleep better, or improve sore muscles. It is a compound found in the hemp plant, along with many others, called a cannabinoid. THC, CBN, and CBG are also cannabinoids that you may have heard of before. These are naturally-occurring in the hemp plant and have incredibly powerful benefits.

A cannabinoids’ role in our bodies is very simple; the compound first meets a bodily receptor known as the endocannabinoid receptor. The endocannabinoid receptor and the cannabinoid, in this case CBD, work together to create homeostasis in our body. The receptor is part of a system in our body called the endocannabinoid system, a system designed to perfectly receive cannabinoids like CBD. This system has been studied for decades, it is not pseudoscience. There is a lot of research to prove not only its existence, but its importance.

In order to create a CBD product, a manufacturer must first extract CBD from the hemp plant. CBD is typically going to be a lot more expensive than hemp oil, both because of the processes it takes to create the product and the therapeutic value of it. Sometimes people will identify it as CBD-hemp oil, which is still CBD oil. In addition to the processes one must go through to extract CBD, hemp farmers must be careful to not breed a “hot crop”, aka a plant with greater than 0.3% THC. A hemp plant with THC levels exceeding this amount is still illegal under federal law.

Interested in CBD? Here are some things to know

If you’re interested in CBD, there are a few things to keep in mind. The CBD company you choose to support should be fully transparent and make their third-party lab results available online. The lab results ensure that a company is putting as much CBD into their product as they claim, and also tests for other things like pesticide and solvent residue. The CBD company you choose should also be providing free, easily accessible educational resources whenever possible, such as an updated blog. With CBD being such a new industry, education is necessary. CBD brands should be doing their part to answer the questions that come with using CBD, and their website is a great platform to do so. The general rule of thumb to remember is that CBD brands should always be telling you more, not less. More about their ingredients, their company’s processes, CBD in general, etc.

The CBD industry is booming, and research supports this. There was an astounding 706% year-over-year growth period from 2018 to 2019 according to The Brightfield Group. This is due to the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, which effectively legalized industrial hemp at the federal level. People love CBD, it supports their lifestyle and enhances their wellness. The CBD industry is poised to grow by 107% every year until 2023.

CBD vs Hemp Oil: Identifying Hemp Oil

When people talk about hemp oil vs. CBD, they are most often talking about oil that is created by cold-pressing hemp seeds. It is also sometimes referred to as hemp seed oil. This produces an amazing, vitamin-rich oil that is used in cosmetics, skin care products, cooking oils, hair care lines, and other miscellaneous products. Like CBD oil, there is no THC present. However, hemp oil does not have any cannabinoids present, not even CBD.

Just because there is no CBD in hemp oil, doesn’t mean it isn’t beneficial. Hemp oil is jam-packed with nutrients, including omega 3, omega 6, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Not only are these fatty acids present in hemp oil, the 3:1 ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids is considered optimal among most experts. These fatty acids are essential for optimal brain and heart health and are said to reduce inflammation, too.

A 2014 review notes that applying hemp seed oil topically both strengthens the skin and helps it to better resist infection. The authors of this review also suggest that hemp seed oil may have the potential to help various skin conditions including: dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and acne rosacea. Keep in mind that hemp oil does not work the same way CBD does. Hemp oil will not interact with the endocannabinoid system, but rather provides your body with essential nutrients that allow it to work better. Using hemp oil is similar to swapping your cooking oils for something healthier or picking up a cleaner beauty product, the endocannabinoid system will not be involved. With that being said, there are many benefits to having a diet rich with high-quality hemp oil.

If you still aren’t sure, check if there is a dosage on the package. All CBD companies are required to clearly label how much CBD is in their product, usually indicated in milligrams, while hemp oils don’t have doses. If you still need further assistance identifying CBD vs. hemp oil, contact the company you are interested in.