CBD oil & hemp oil

Intro

The cannabis industry is experiencing a massive uplift in production, but many people aren’t sure how all these new products are different. Among the available products, you will most frequently come across two oils:

CBD oil and Hemp oil.

Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they have totally different compositions. Their only common point is the fact that both are obtained from the cannabis plant – although from different parts.

Hemp oil is the oil obtained from hemp seeds. Very rich in proteins, fatty acids, and vitamin E, this oil has long been used as a food supplement and as an ingredient in cosmetic products. Hemp oil, however, contains little or no CBD.

CBD oil is a potentially therapeutic oil that contains non-psychoactive cannabidiol or CBD as the main ingredient. CBD is extracted from cannabis flowers, leaves, and stalks and then dissolved in a carrier oil (such as coconut oil). CBD oil is a relatively new product mainly used to improve chronic pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, and epilepsy.

The active/key ingredients in both plants

CBD Oil

Commercial CBD oil typically contains 1-5% CBD as the main active compound, with some brands reaching up to 10%.

Depending on the cannabis variety and purification process used, CBD oil may contain traces of other cannabinoids including up to 0.3% THC – a concentration that won’t give you that classic euphoria you get from street marijuana.

Hemp Oil

Nutritional analyses revealed that 100 g of hemp oil supplies approximately:

• Energy: 550 kcal

• Proteins: 26 g

• Fats: 35 g

• Carbohydrates: 34 g

• Vitamin E: 30-40 mg

Hemp oil is thus a good source of nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamin E. Importantly, it’s among the plant oils with the highest protein content.

The main active compounds are its fatty acids, the most abundant ones being:

• Linoleic (omega-6): 55-63%

• Alpha-linoleic (omega-3): 13-25%

• Oleic (omega-9): 9-16%

• Palmitic: 4-8%

• Gamma-linolenic (omega-6): 0.5-4%

Hemp oil also contains antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols and lignanamides.

Because hemp oil is obtained from the seeds, it theoretically shouldn’t contain any THC or CBD.

However, contamination is possible if the dried flowers and leaves come into contact with the seed during the cold-press process.

Health benefits

Each oil has different active compounds and distinct health effects. Let me digress briefly into why both are fantastic for your health in different ways:

CBD Oil - To sum it up, CBD oil increases your body’s natural cannabinoids. It can lower inflammation, reduce seizures, and help with anxiety, low mood, and sleep problems.

Hemp Oil - Hemp oil's benefits far out-weight that of CBD on a clinical basis. Hemp oil has seen benefits for:

• Skin conditions - The Gamma-linoleic acid content from hemp oil may soothe the skin in people with eczema.

• Hormones - The essential fatty acids from hemp oil may reduce PMS symptoms for women. A study found that hemp oil reduced anxiety, bone loss, and high cholesterol.

• Heart disease - The fatty acids in hemp oil are good for the heart because they prevent artery clogging. On the other hand, animal and cell research suggests that CBD oil may act to reduce the negative impact of anxiety on the heart.

• Digestive problems - Hemp oil may help with constipation, while CBD may also soothe gut inflammation and reduce diarrhoea in people with IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome).

• Arthritis - As an anti-inflammatory, CBD may also improve rheumatoid arthritis.

• Bacterial infections - In one study, hemp oil inhibited a microbe that causes food poisoning and antibiotic-resistant infections.

Which is best?

Your oil of choice will largely depend on the health condition you want to improve.

To summary the improvements you could make with CBD oil:

• Epilepsy

• Anxiety

• Pain (such as nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and headaches)

• Sleep disturbances

• Substance abuse disorders

• IBS

To summary the improvements you could make with Hemp oil:

• Eczema

• Acne

• Premenstrual and postmenopausal symptoms

There are several other conditions in which both oils may help:

• Multiple sclerosis - CBD oil reduces muscle contractions and pain, hemp oil lowers inflammation and slows nerve damage

• Alzheimer’s progression

• High blood pressure

• Constipation

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Infectious microbe

On a last note, in terms of quality, you should try to find a 'cold-pressed' CBD or Hemp product as these retain more of the essential fatty acids and vitamins you will gain much benefit from.