Cannabis, CBD, and marijuana have become household names. There are hundreds of cannabis-based products on the market, and people are finding it difficult to understand the terms used to describe them and their functional differences. Hemp oil and CBD oil, in particular, are two terms commonly mistaken for synonyms. This article will help you better your understanding of the products, including how they are composed chemically and when you can use each of them.
How are CBD oil and hemp oil obtained?
Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are both extracted from hemp. Hemp is a plant that has been known to humans for centuries, and almost each aspect of its anatomy has been harnessed and used industrially. Some of the older uses of the crop include making paper and crafting rope.
Over the past couple of decades, flowers have grown to become the most important part of the plant, as they have the highest concentration of terpenes and cannabinoids like CBD. There are many different strains of cannabis with varying cannabinoid compositions, but hemp is fancied for its high CBD:THC ratio.
That said, the part of the plant that hemp oil manufacturers are interested in is the seed, which, ironically, does not contain any cannabinoids. For cannabidiol, flowers are used.
What makes CBD oil different from hemp oil?
While they may be products of the same plant, hemp oil and CBD oil are different in an array of ways. For one, as shown above, they are extracted from different parts of the plant. Their chemical composition is also different given one comes from a protein- and fatty acid-rich region while the other -comes from an area predominated by terpenes and cannabinoids.
What are some of the properties and uses of CBD oil?
CBD oil has been on the rise in the past few decades, and its increased use has captured the attention of researchers and medical professionals worldwide. The cannabinoid works by activating the endocannabinoid receptors as well as other molecular targets outside the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Treating anxiety is one of the most common uses of CBD oil. According to a 2011 study, using CBD to treat people with social anxiety significantly reduces their anxiety, speech discomfort, cognitive impairment.
CBD oil is also used for chronic pain relief. Scientists are yet to find a solid link between the compound and pain alleviation, but there is evidence that CBD works on the endocannabinoid system, which, among other functions, influences how the human body experiences pain.
While most of the uses of cannabidiol are evidence-backed, the Foods and Drugs Administration has only approved its use in the treatment of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut – two rare forms of epilepsy. It is not exactly clear how CBD works to reduce seizures, but the cannabinoid is known to produce a number of potentially seizure-impacting effects on the brain.
For your own personal use, you can purchase CBD oil products over the counter or on the internet. Botanicam offers a range of CBD products, including topicals, tinctures, sensuals, and edibles, all of which you can view and purchase directly from their website.
What are some of the uses of hemp seed oil?
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Fighting inflammation
Pain reduction has been one of the main uses of cannabis all through history. Pain can originate from many sources, but culprit number one remains inflammation in the muscles, joints, and tissues. Studies show that hemp seed oil can be used to fight temporary inflammation and take away the pain that comes with it.
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Relieves stress
Studies show that up to a third of people experience some kind of anxiety at least once in their lives. While you have a 67 percent chance of avoiding that, everyday stress is virtually inevitable. Work, home demands, romantic relationships, and education all weigh you down, and stress swiftly sets in. The good thing is that this kind of stress is short-lived, and with the help of CBD-infused supplements or hemp oil, you can speed up the recovery process and get on with your day.
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Helps with weight regulation
Frequent intake of fiber (the indigestible or unabsorbed part of ingested food) is believed to improve body weight regulation. Hemp oil is believed to be fairly rich in fiber, and this makes it a great addition to your weight loss regimen.
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Skin treatment
Hemp oil that contains the omega-6 fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), can be applied directly on skin to provide moisturization and eliminate the discomfort that comes with itchy skin. It is also known to help with the treatment of such skin conditions as psoriasis, dermatitis, acne rosacea, and eczema. Additional benefits include strengthening of the skin and enhancing its role as a shield against fungal, bacterial, and viral infections.
Why it is important to know the difference
If you are looking for CBD oil on the internet, there is a chance hemp oil products will appear in the search results too. That can be highly confusing and you may end up spending hundreds of dollars on a product that you didn’t intend to buy.
CBD oil and hemp oil may be similar in some of their functions, but they are not entirely the same, and you cannot purchase hemp oil expecting to reap the benefits of CBD oil.
The fact that the price of CBD oil is higher than that of hemp oil may also call for sufficient knowledge about the two products before making any purchases. If you are looking for hemp oil or if the CBD properties you are looking for are also present in hemp oil, then it is best to ensure that you are not unknowingly buying something else.
What to look at when buying CBD oil
- Ensure CBD is listed as an ingredient in the blurb
- Check THC content
- Enquire about CBD extraction method used
- Check lab test results and Certificate of Analysis
- Conduct research about the product you are being offered
Conclusion
The differences in chemical composition of hemp oil and CBD oil are what determine the effects the two have on your body. Understand your problem as expansively as you can and only buy a product that you truly believe will work for your symptoms.