The Difference Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil

It’s a very common question: what is the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil? After all, don’t they both come from the same plant? Many people are confused, especially when it comes to making an informed purchase. So how do you know what to look for? How do you know what you’re purchasing? Will it meet your needs?

In this blog, we take a look at the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil and explain why they are not the same thing.

Just quickly, what is the main difference between hemp oil and CBD oil?

If you’re poor on time and you’re looking for a very quick explanation as to the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil, here it is: hemp oil is a culinary oil that is produced by cold-pressing the seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp oil has a number of health benefits, however it does not contain CBD. In contrast, CBD oil is produced by extracting cannabidiol (CBD), from the leaves and flowers of the same plant; it offers an enormous range of health benefits.

The bottom line: if you’re looking for the maximum health benefits, you want to purchase CBD oil rather than hemp oil.

Alright, so there is a difference between hemp oil and CBD oil…what about between hemp and marijuana? Will CBD get me high?

This is usually the next question that follows! If there is a difference between hemp oil and CBD oil, but they both come from the cannabis plant, does the user get high? No. Both hemp and marijuana are members of the Cannabis family, however hemp is Cannabis sativa and marijuana is Cannabis indica. The marijuana plant typically contains up to 30% of the psychoactive substance, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), whereas hemp generally contains virtually none (below 0.3%), so there is no psychoactive effect, or ‘high’.

The difference between hemp oil and CBD oil- understanding some terms.

We’re throwing a lot of terminology around now that we are discussing the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil, so let’s explain a few terms, so you can have a quick reference and further understanding as we elaborate more.

  • Hemp oil: sometimes also called hemp seed oil; a culinary oil that is made by cold-pressing the seeds of the Cannabis sativa
  • CBD oil: a therapeutic supplement oil that is produced by extracting cannabidiol from the leaves, stalks and flowers of the Cannabis sativa
  • Cannabidiol (CBD): a chemical compound that is extracted from the Cannabis plant and used to produced CBD oil. It is used to treat a number of ailments, including anxiety, arthritis, skin conditions, pain, insomnia and more.
  • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): a psychoactive chemical compound found in the marijuana plants, that produces the characteristic ‘high’ that marijuana users experience.

How are the two oils derived? Does the processing influence the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil?

There are some differences in the ways that hemp oil and CBD oil are derived, or processed, and this is reflected in the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil benefits. Hemp oil is typically obtained by cold-pressing hemp seeds. The resulting substance is a dark, thick, nutrient-rich oil. CBD oil can be extracted in a few different ways (usually CO2 or ethanol extraction), which allow the extraction of compounds from the whole hemp plant, resulting in a final product that contains many more beneficial plant compounds, such as cannabinoids and terpenes.

If there is a difference between hemp oil and CBD oil, which one do I need?

There is a difference between hemp oil and CBD oil, so it is worthwhile understanding the differences in what the two oils can offer the user in order to determine which is the most appropriate choice.

  • Hemp Oil

Hemp oil is commonly used in nutritional supplements because it is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, gamma linoleic acid and antioxidants. People typically choose hemp oil for its nutritional benefits. There is some research that suggests hemp seed oil can help to maintain good cardiovascular health by improving cholesterol. It may also be a useful nutritional supplement for improving skin conditions, and improving gastrointestinal conditions.

  • CBD Oil

There has been a lot of research into the potential benefits of using CBD, and the interest in its therapeutic benefits amongst the scientific community remains high. CBD oil is often chosen as a therapeutic supplement for common health problems such as pain and inflammation, stress, anxiety and depression, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, skin conditions, and neurodegenerative conditions.

There is a difference between hemp oil and CBD oil; how do I know what I’m buying?

Educating yourself on the main differences between hemp oil and CBD oil and reading product labels thoroughly will help you make an informed decision. You should read product labels and descriptions carefully, particularly looking for references to “CBD”, “cannabidiol” and “full-spectrum hemp extract”. If those are not listed in the ingredients, then you’re probably looking at a hemp oil product, and not CBD oil, and therefore you shouldn’t expect to experience any of the CBD oil benefits from it.

Many hemp oil products are labelled in a misleading way to make them look like they are CBD oil. When you shop with Transcending Organics, you can be sure that you are purchasing only the highest quality, full-spectrum whole plant extract CBD oil.

Transcending Organics CBD oil offers the benefits full-spectrum, whole pant extract CBD oil.

At Transcending Organics, we offer our customers superior quality CBD oil products. For our full-spectrum CBD oil, we choose to use 100% organic, non-GMO hemp, so that our customers reap the full benefits of the whole plant extract.

All of our CBD oils undergo stringent filtration procedures, so that the finished product is free from THC, therefore ensuring our CBD is lawful and will have no psychoactive or addictive properties for the user. Our CBD is also independently HPLC tested in the USA, offering our customers confidence and peace of mind when it comes to the quality of our oils.

Disclaimer

This blog post about the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil is intended for informational purposes only. This blog does not intend to diagnose or treat any health condition, nor is it intended as general or medical advice. Transcending Organics always recommends consulting with your trusted doctor or allied health professional for an accurate diagnosis of your condition.

References

Andre, C., M., Hausman, J., Guerriero, G., (2016), Cannabis sativa: The plant of a thousand and one molecules, Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740396/], accessed 21/06/2021.

Van Dolah, H., Bauer, B. A., Mauck, K. F., (2019), Clinicians’ Guide to Cannabidiol and Hemp Oils, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 94(9), [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025619619300072], accessed 21/06/2021.

Vigil, J.M., Montera, M. A., Pentkowski, N. S., Diviant, J. P., Orozco, J., Ortiz, A. L., Rael, L. J., Westlund, K. N., (2020), The Therapeutic Effectiveness of Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Using a Chronic Neuropathic Pain Model, Life, 10(5), [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7281216/], accessed 21/06/2021.

Vuckovic, S., Srebro, D., Savic Vujovic, K., Vucetic, C., Prostran, M., (2018), Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules, Frontiers in Pharmacology, [https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259] accessed 21/06/2021.