(Newswire.net — April 3, 2020) — The “green rush” featuring cannabis-inspired products (you may refer to https://www.akcannabisclub.com/ for more information) is fast becoming a global phenomenon. They’ve been flooding the market with stuff ranging from edibles to beauty products. Chances are, you’re going to encounter CBD, cannabidiol, and hemp seed (or hemp) oil often. To many, especially those that are just beginning to uncover these wonder drugs, the terms can be confusing and may be perceived as one or the same.
What are the differences that set these products apart exactly? Let’s find out.
CBD vs. Cannabidiol
People often wonder what is CBD or what is cannabidiol? Cannabidiol can also be referred to as CBD, so they are basically the same thing. The two are compounds that are derived from cannabis and are said to have therapeutic and medical benefits. Recent and ongoing studies point to CBD being able to deal with medical conditions such as:
- inflammation
- chronic pain
- psychosis
- anxiety
- seizures among others
CBD vs. Hemp Oil
Cannabis and hemp are two varieties of the same plant species, Cannabis Sativa. The two may belong to the same species, but that is essentially where their similarities end.
As if products under the “cannabis” umbrella aren’t confusing enough, the green-washing that others do isn’t exactly helping. Quite often, you’ll just see the cannabis plant placed on the product label, but the specific ingredient used is not clearly indicated.
There are any number of ingredients that can be gathered from cannabis or hemp plants, from hemp to CBD oil, up to the Cannabis Sativa seed oil. Despite being used interchangeably, each of them has its own unique benefits.
To aid in clearing up the confusion, let’s take a closer look at hemp and CBD oils, how they compare and differ from each other.
CBD oil
As touched on above, CBD oil is derived from cannabis and is known scientifically as cannabidiol. It is one of 120 known chemical compounds found in marijuana plants and is one of the most common chemical compounds found in the plant. It is different from Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), though, which is also derived from cannabis, but CBD is not psychoactive.
CBD users say that it is a great relaxation agent, and also provides therapeutic benefits without causing you to feel “high.”
CBD oil is produced using various parts of the cannabis plant, including the stalks and flowers. The useful plant parts are pelletized during a process called extraction until a solvent or gas pull-out the CBD oil and other nutrients. The oil produced contains a high amount of CBD, so it will still need to undergo a series of tests. The procedure is done to ensure that the ideal level of essential compounds is met and no unwanted substances are left behind.
Hemp oil
Hemp oil, on the other hand, is related to many other carrier oils such as sunflower seed oil and jojoba oil. All of them are cold-pressed extracts from seeds (hence, Hemp seed oil). Hemp seed oil is an ideal seed oil which is high in antioxidants, omega-3, and fatty acids.
Hemp oil or Cannabis Sativa seed oil has been available for decades now, in health food stores, and can be found in abundance in smoothies and skincare.
What sets hemp oil apart from CBD is, it has absolutely no cannabinoids in it. So, no THC, CBD, or CBN. Generally, it is viewed as a superfood that is great at adding nutritional value to your diet. It is also valued among skincare products since it’s a known skin softener and powerful moisturizer that doesn’t clog pores nor contribute to oily skin. You may refer to the label to determine if the product is made of hemp oil. It shows up as hemp seed oil, cannabis sativa seed oil, simply, hemp oil, or virgin hemp oil.
It is not exactly harmful if you accidentally use hemp oil instead of CBD oil and vice-versa. Anyway, they are both wellness products. However, if you’re looking to maximize the benefits that one of these products offer, knowing which is which will go a long way in the right direction.