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What's the difference between hemp oil and CBD
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If you’ve been looking to try CBD, you may also have heard of hemp oil, cannabis oil and cannabidiols oil. When it comes to CBD it can be confusing to know which types of products or brands would be best for you. So, we’re here to help you find the right products and advice. Read on to discover the differences and similarities between hemp and CBD oil.
What is hemp seed oil?
Hemp seed oil or hemp oil is the fatty oil extracted from hemp seeds. Even though hemp oil and CBD are often referred to as the same thing, hemp oil is very different to CBD oil. For example, hemp oil contains very few cannabinoids compared to CBD.
Hemp seed oil is created from the seeds of the Cannabis plant also known as a hemp plant. It's high in omega fatty acids including omega-3 and omega-6, as well as vitamins E and other minerals. Hemp oil is available to buy in many high street shops and online in the UK, and it’s used in a whole host of products from skincare to salad dressings. Hemp oil is available in different formulations such as hemp tablets, capsules, oils and sprays so how you choose to take hemp oil is up to you.
What is CBD oil?
Cannabinoid (CBD) is a chemical found in hemp and cannabis plants. The oil is created through an extraction process which is then formulated into sprays, drops and capsules. It’s classed as a food supplement and may not be suitable for everyone to use. Read our CBD guide to find out more about CBD oil and whether it’s safe for you to take.
What plant does CBD and hemp seed oil come from?
Hemp seed oil and CBD come from a strain of the cannabis plant family. To produce these oils legally they’re derived from the legal strain of cannabis known as industrial hemp which is legal in many countries. It’s grown on farms around the world including the UK, using organic hemp oil regulations and standards, but what is hemp used for besides seed oils? Hemp is primarily used to produce paper goods and rope amongst other items due to its strong and durable fibres.
How are CBD and hemp oil made?
Hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp/cannabis plant, they’re ground and the oil is left as a residue. CBD oil is created in a different way using other parts of the plant including the flowers, stalks and leaves. CBD oil has a more complex extraction process, as the CBD needs to be removed from the other cannabidiols present within the plant. The CBD oil is also often blended with another oil, this can be anything from coconut oil to hemp seed oil.
Which is better hemp oil or CBD oil?
Which oil is better for you will depend on a variety of factors, and how you want to use the oil. Hemp oil can be used to refer to both hemp seed oil and CBD oil which are very different and are available as numerous products. For example, hemp seed oil is mostly used for skincare or cooking due to its vitamin properties. Whereas CBD oil is used by many people for a variety of health concerns. However, you should bear in mind that there is little evidence and validated clinical trials to support the claims surrounding CBD. If in doubt speak to a pharmacist, or your doctor about whether CBD oil a better option for you.
What is hemp oil good for?
Being high in omega fatty acids, hemp oil can help support heart health, however there are also other sources of omega 3 and omega 6 which may be more budget friendly, easier to find in your local supermarket and possibly safer.
The NHS states that sources rich in these omega 3 and 6 include:
- vegetable oils
- oily fish
- some nuts.
Hemp oil benefits and uses vary depending on the type of product you have, for example hemp oil is often used in skincare products. It’s thought to be good for skin due to its nutritional makeup and levels of vitamin E. However, there is little evidence available to support the benefits and claims made about hemp oil. Plus, hemp oil uses and instructions will also change based on the products it’s in, so make sure to always read the labels and speak to healthcare practitioners for advice.
Does hemp oil contain CBD?
This depends on whether the term hemp oil is being used to describe CBD oil or hemp seed oil. As we’ve discussed hemp seed oil and CBD oil are very different even though they’re created from different parts of the same plant. Hemp seed oil does not contain CBD, as the seeds it’s created from don’t contain this compound. Whereas CBD oil is high in CBD, you can find out more about CBD and its properties here.
Does hemp oil make you sleepy?
Hemp oil, also known as CBD oil, is commonly taken and available from pharmacies and high street shops across the UK. You may know of family or friends who take hemp (CBD) oil and say it has many benefits including helping them to sleep. However it’s unclear whether taking the oil can help you sleep, and more studies need to be carried out to prove it’s efficacy.
If you’re struggling to sleep we have a guide that could help you get a good night’s sleep. If you’re regularly struggling to get to sleep or have insomnia, make sure to speak to your GP about possible treatment options and more advice.
Does hemp oil have the same benefits as CBD oil?
CBD oil and hemp oil are sold as a food supplement and not a medicine, which means it’s unclear whether they can offer any health benefits. You may have heard from friends that these oils can help with common ailments, but there’s limited research around the results and usage. If you want to try CBD oil for the first time we recommend speaking to your doctor or a pharmacist, especially if you’re taking other medication.
References
CBD oil is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any ailments.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet.
www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Cannabis-QA-considerations-final-updated.pdf
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hemp-seed-oil-vs-cbd-oil,
www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/cannabidiol-cbd
www.cot.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/tox202002cbd.pdf
www.vitalitycbd.co.uk/blogs/cbd-knowledge-hub/hemp-oil-vs-cbd-oil
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2868018/
www.patient.info/news-and-features/does-cbd-oil-really-work
www.britannica.com/plant/hemp
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng144/chapter/Recommendations
www.nhs.uk/conditions/medical-cannabis/
www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/different-fats-nutrition/
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324450#skin-health
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
