Hemp oil and CBD oil are often used interchangeably, leaving out the intricacies and nuances of each and conflating the properties they both have. While people think they are the same, it couldn’t be further from the truth. First, they are made from totally opposing parts of the plants. Second, they offer different benefits and, therefore, have different uses. Let’s get down to the main differences between CBD oil and hemp oil you should know.
What Is Hemp Oil?
Hemp oil is the oil extracted from the hemp seeds of the plants in the species Cannabis Sativa. This is why most people get confused and lump all of them in the same category. The most significant difference between cannabis (marijuana) and hemp is the THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, content in the plant. THC is the compound responsible for cannabis’ intoxicating effects. If it’s less than 0.3% THC, then it’s considered hemp. Anything more is the good old-fashioned weed.
The seeds don’t contain any THC or CBD, but they are loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, and fatty acids. This gives hemp oil a completely different chemical profile compared to CBD oil. Let’s take a look at CBD oil and see what’s going on there.
What is CBD Oil?
On the other hand, CBD oil is extracted from all the rest of the plant—leaves, stalks, and flower buds. While the hemp plant has little to no THC in it, it’s packed with CBD, up to 40% in some strains. It’s not possible to get hemp seed oil with THC (unless you mix it, of course). However, it’s possible to obtain marijuana strains with high CBD content. These are mostly of the Cannabis Indica variety though, so be wary of drowsiness and munchies.
What Can I Use Hemp Oil For?
Hemp oil has been legal for a long time. You can, therefore, find it in many health and beauty products. It can also be taken orally or cooked into food. Some of the main benefits are it can improve the elasticity of your skin and hydrate it as well. Great for people who have dry skin from something like eczema. It doesn’t clog pores and can be used as a skin softener. Hemp oil also promotes hair growth and can fight against hair loss at the same time.
What Can I Use CBD Oil For?
CBD oil and CBD, in general, have many health applications. It is used as an anti-inflammatory and a pain reliever. This makes it great for migraines, chronic pain, muscle pain, and conditions such as arthritis. It’s also sufficient to help those with epilepsy and even aid those undergoing chemotherapy. It can be used in a cream or a salve to soothe the redness and pain from sunburns, bug bites, and more. Be sure to check out “CBD Oil & Migraines: Everything You Need to Know” or “CBD Oil & Back Pain: Here’s What You Should Know” to see how CBD oil can benefit the body aches you may be having.
Alongside those uses, CBD’s been used to alleviate insomnia, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and many more issues neurological in nature. It also has some of the same relaxing and calming effects you get with THC but with none of the intoxication. So as you can see, even though they come from the same plant, hemp oil and CBD oil have entirely different properties (save for the anti-inflammatory). Be sure to also check out “CBD Oil & Depression: Everything You Need to Know” for more insight on how CBD oil can help to treat your depression.
What’s the Best Way To Use Hemp Oil?
The answer depends on what you are looking for. If it’s for your skin, then there are many hemp oils infused beauty products in the market. Such products will make it healthy, smooth, and looking younger for longer. Lotions and creams for the face and skin to help keep it moisturized without clogging your pores and adding in those plentiful nutrients, fatty acids, and antioxidants. The same goes for the hair. Hemp shampoos and other hair care products infused with hemp oil are available to promote growth.
On the other side, hemp oil is phenomenal to cook with. It’s recommended to use low-heat, slow-cooking recipes because of hemp oil’s low burning point. But with all the vitamins (like B and E), minerals (like magnesium), and the others mentioned above, every meal can be immune-boosting, and healthy-heart focused.
Which is the Most Efficient Way To Use CBD Oil?
The most common method of consumption of CBD oil is smoking or vaping. It’s relatively easy, has a low prep time, and the effects are felt almost immediately. However, there are some health concerns about smoking. Smoke, in general, is harmful when you are burning plant matter. Vaping, on the other hand, is still new and CBD hasn’t been legal very long, so its long-term health effects are still unknown.
A healthier choice is eating it in food (edibles) or ingesting its capsules. Check out these hemp capsules we found just for you. The food choices are endless. There’s brownies, cookies, gummy bears, suckers, spaghetti, and the list goes on. Substitute your olive oil for a little CBD oil, and it can be used in nearly every recipe. It takes longer to feel it, the effects last longer.
Then there’s topical application. If you have sore muscles, joint pain, or a specific problem area, creams and salves are the better options. It only takes around 15 to 30 minutes for CBD analgesic properties to take hold and can last for a long time as well. No matter who you are or what you need it for, there’s a way for everyone to enjoy the benefits of using CBD oil.
Take a look at “From Hit to Kick: Time For CBD Oil to Take Effect” to see how long in time each one of these variations take to take effect.
CBD Oil vs Hemp Oil: Are They Legal?
On the federal level, hemp oil is legal as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC. However, it may be illegal under some state and local laws. CBD is illegal at the federal level, but it’s legal under some state laws for both recreational and medical use. No matter which one you choose, make you sure are familiar with the regulations with your particular city and state.
CBD comes from hemp plants and all the nuances between what’s considered hemp and marijuana (but it’s all cannabis!). Therefore, it’s easy to see why there can be confusion between CBD oil and hemp oil. Hopefully, we’ve taken a little bit of the trouble from you, and you can now make an informed decision on which is best for you. If you are considering CBD oil for any medical reasons, always be sure to consult your doctor or primary care physician.
Thank you for reading! If you have a chance, take a look at “Can CBD be Used to Treat Allergies?” to see how CBD products can be used to help fight with your allergies this upcoming season.
Let us know in the comments below if you’re already using either CBD oil or hemp oil in your everyday life, and for what. Also, be sure to follow us on Instagram or Facebook for more inspiration and knowledge from the world of medical marijuana and CBD.
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