Just like cannabis, hemp, and marijuana are used interchangeably so are hemp oil and cannabidiol oil. However, all the terms refer to different plants or herb components. To begin, cannabis is the family to which both marijuana and hemp belong. The main difference between marijuana and hemp lies in their composition.
While both contain cannabinoids, marijuana has a higher content of tetrahydrocannabinol while hemp comprises of mainly cannabidiol. THC has psychoactive properties whereas CBD doesn’t which is why hemp has the legal stamp while marijuana doesn’t. But if hemp contains CBD then how are hemp and CBD oil different?
The Difference Between Hemp Oil And CBD Oil
Cannabidiol oil is that which comes from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of the hemp plant as these parts have a higher concentration of CBD. Cannabidiol is extracted in its isolate form to make it into an oil through the CO2 extraction method. This procedure ensures that cannabidiol doesn’t lose its potency and is not accompanied by other cannabinoids or terpenes.
Then there is hemp oil which is of two types. The first is that which is a full-spectrum oil. This oil contains all the cannabinoids and compounds found in the plant. The second is hemp seed oil. This oil is sourced from the seeds of the plant. Hemp seeds do not contain any cannabinoids. Rather they are a source of other nutrients.
Health Benefits Of Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is made through cold pressing and comes from the cannabis sativa strain. This means that it is safe to use as the THC content in it is below 0.3%. If it is greater than 0.3%, the plant is not considered hemp but marijuana. Hemp seed oil is supremely healthy. It is a rich source of many vitamins and minerals including magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, B1, B2, and B.
Antioxidants and proteins are also found in hemp seeds oil. Plus, it is abundant in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well. Some experts believe that the ratio in which fatty acids are found in hemp seed oil is optimal. Considering hemp seed oil has a rich nutritional profile, it has several benefits for health. Let’s look at the prominent ones of these below:
1 – Skin Health
Hemp seed oil holds several benefits for the health of your skin. It can protect your skin from premature aging. It also can relieve your skin of redness, inflammation, and irritation. Furthermore, its antibacterial properties may help treat psoriasis, rosacea, acne, and eczema.
2 – Brain Health
Research shows that the role hemp seed oil plays in improving brain health is promising. The oil comprises of polyphenols and other active compounds that can protect the brain against inflammation. Moreover, fatty acids in hemp seed oil can enable better brain functioning.
3 – Heart Health
Some studies hint at the possibility of hemp seed oil being beneficial for heart health. Accordingly, hemp seed oil may improve cholesterol and blood pressure levels. It may reduce atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the ALA found in it may be able to decrease cardiovascular disease risk.