So what’s the difference in CBD oil vs Hemp oil and why does it matter anyway? First let’s get the technical part out of the way and then we can discuss the benefits of choosing the product that’s right for you. We are living in a time of exceptional learning and growth when it comes to treating medical conditions with the use of CBD oil. But what is exactly is the difference between the cannabis-derived CBD oil and its relative, hemp extract? Here’s what you need to know…
First, in order to understand the differences in these different derivatives, it is important to note a little history.
Cannabis Sativa is the scientific name of the plant referred to by many names – marijuana, hemp, cannabis, and others. This plant has been grown and utilized all over the world and for all types of purposes for centuries.
While our ancestors didn’t have microscopes and laboratories to understand the materials and mechanisms of the plant, they did know and appreciate it for its wide range of uses. So let’s get technical…
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that act on the cannabinoid receptors in your brain. Delta9-Tetrahydrocannbinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the most well-known cannabinoids. Other cannabinoids include:
And this is by no means a complete list. As of this article, there are 113 different cannabinoids that each contribute their own part to the psychoactive and medicinal experience. So why do you need to learn about cannabinoids? Because cannabinoid content is a vital component of the hemp oil vs. CBD oil debate.
Although hemp oil and CBD oil may seem like the same thing they are actually remarkably different. They do however derive their origins from the same plant species, Cannabis.
Cannabidiol (also known as CBD) is one of the most vital components of marijuana, and studies are now showing that it’s a significant component to supporting a wide array of medical problems. But because it’s derived from cannabis, oil that contains CBD is often confused with hemp oil. Both come from the same plant, contain components sought after for their healthful properties and have established themselves as useful products but there are differences.
Within the genus Cannabis there are three species.
Strains from Cannabis indica, Cannabis Sativa, and hybrids of the two (e.g., Blue Dream, Cherry OG, and Kandy Kush) make up the bulk of the products you can find at your local dispensary. Cannabis ruderalis, on the other hand, is considered a feral species, meaning that it grows in the wild. In addition, Cannabis Ruderalis is naturally low in THC.
Hemp oil and CBD oil come from different strains of the Sativa species. Hemp oil and CBD oil are also produced from different parts of their respective plants.
Hemp oil is produced from the seeds of the plant, much in the way almond oil or olive oil is produced. Whereas CBD oil is produced from the stalks and stems the industrial hemp plant.
The most important thing to remember about hemp is that it is NOT psychoactive or medicinal like the Cannabis Sativa plant. This is because the hemp plant is very low in cannabinoids.
Hemp oil and CBD oil are both low in the psychoactive chemical THC when compared to other marijuana products. The THC concentration must be 0.3% or lower in most countries to be considered hemp. What that means for you the consumer is that there is no way to experience a marijuana “high” at such a low percentage. This also makes CBD legal to consume in all 50 states. There are different strains being developed often. Developers have been able to cross breed species to control the ratio of CBD to THC, giving you the therapeutic benefits without the high. Now here is where the true difference in Hemp oil and CBD oil come to light.
Hemp oil has a very low CBD count, usually under 4%. The percentage of CBD in Hemp oil is so low that it is all but useless medicinally. Hemp oil can be made from the seeds of any plant in the cannabis family but is primarily derived from hemp. The seeds themselves contain as much as 50% of their weight in oil, which is easily extracted. For the most part, these seeds are used for their nutritional value rather than as a medicine.
On the other hand CBD oil has a very high CBD count, somewhere around 20%. The high levels of CBD in CBD oil makes it ideal for medicinal purposes, treating everything from nausea, seizures, anxiety, depression, pain and many other conditions.
And to reiterate neither Hemp oil nor CBD oil will get you high.
So what would you use Hemp oil for and what would you use CBD oil for? Let’s explore some of those differences.
Perhaps the easiest way to do this would be to compare hemp oil to coconut oil. Think of hemp oil as a food product or industrial product enhancer. Hemp oil is high in Vitamin E, Vitamin B1 & B2, Potassium and Magnesium among other things. Hemp oil is also used in products like lotions, shampoos, soap, plastic and paint. Hemp oil is good for things like moisturizing your skin, promoting a healthier immune system and helping to prevent degenerative changes in your vital organs. All good stuff but nothing compared to the benefits of quality CBD oil.
CBD oil is MEDICINE. It is used to treat a host of conditions and disorders. CBD or cannabidiol, a phytocannabinoid is one of the 60 compounds which are present in the cannabis plants.
The CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system which leads to the physical changes in the body resulting in beneficial effects. Below is just a sampling of the conditions CBD oil has been known to treat:
Depression.
Understanding the differences between Hemp oil and CBD oil is very important. As you can see their usage varies drastically. These differences are of particular note for consumers who may think that both oils can be used interchangeably. There can be a lot of confusion when it comes to the labeling of these products. Some producers of these products may label hemp oil as medicinal when their effects haven’t actually been proven. These misrepresented labels only add to consumer confusion. Knowing your product will allow you to discern what to look for when shopping.
By utilizing one of the largest Colorado based organic hemp farms Healthworx CBD can assure quality throughout the production process from seed to point of sale, a Government requirement. Our customers demand the best from us and in turn we demand only the best from our suppliers. We guarantee our CBD product to be 99%+ pure and completely free of THC. Healthworx CBD is produced in a USDA Certified Food-Safe facility, with each batch tested for purity and contaminants.
So where do you start and what product is the right fit for you?
At Healthworx we carry everything from oils, tinctures, lotions, capsules, vape cartridges and many other forms of pure THC free CBD products.
You can contact our customer service associates or affiliates today or check out our blogs for more information.
Disclaimer: The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this disclaimer. We collected this information from various sources for the convenience of our customers. The statements made regarding these products were not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products is not confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information presented here is not meant as a substitute for information from health care practitioners. It is also not meant as an alternative to information from health care practitioners. Before using any product, you should consult your doctor and ask about the risk of interactions or complications.