Although hemp oil (or hemp seed oil) and CBD Oil are derived from the same plant, they have different properties. The main difference is that the former contains no CBD, whilst the latter certainly does. In this post, we explore in more detail what distinguishes these two products of the hemp plant, and how you can tell the difference when shopping.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD Oil is a natural extract of the hemp plant, which has been cultivated for various uses since at least 8,000 BC. In recent years, its popularity has increased as more people have become aware of the benefits of its active compound, cannabidiol (CBD). Unlike THC (the psychoactive compound found in marijuana), CBD is both legal and non-intoxicating. Rather than give you a ‘high’, it’s prized for its ability to provide a stabilising sense of calm and focus.
What is hemp seed oil?
Hemp seed oil, on the other hand, doesn’t contain any CBD. This is because it’s made from the seeds of the hemp plant rather than the leaves, stalks, or flowers. Whilst it can’t provide the same soothing effects of CBD Oil, it does have a variety of other applications; its rich fatty-acid profile, for example, makes it suitable as a dietary supplement, skincare ingredient, or for use in cooking.
Hemp seed oil vs CBD – How to tell them apart
Despite clear differences in their properties, it can still be difficult to tell CBD Oil and hemp seed oil apart. This might be due (at least partially) to the marketing techniques of some hemp oil producers; occasionally, they try to blur definitions between the two in order to benefit from the increasing popularity of CBD Oil.
Regardless of the reasons for confusion, our advice remains the same: check the ingredients of the products you’re buying. Hemp seed oil will be listed as _cannabis sativa_ oil or simply hemp seed oil, whilst CBD Oil is usually labelled as cannabidiol, or CBD Hemp Oil. And if it’s CBD Oil you’re looking to buy, we’d also recommend checking to see if it has independent lab reports – these will detail the oil’s chemical composition, stating how much CBD and other cannabinoids it contains.
Grass & Co. CBD products are food supplements, not medicines. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and none of it replaces advice from your GP or healthcare professional. The Food Standards Agency advises healthy adults not to exceed 10mg of CBD a day. CBD is not recommended for anyone under 18, or for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking prescribed medication.
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