The popularity of CBD products is continuing to grow throughout the United States, and for good reason. CBD has a ton of benefits for the mind and body that make it perfect for lotions, oils, drops, creams, and more.
In 2018, The Farm Bill was passed, which allowed the production of industrial hemp in the United States. Since then, CBD products have become much more prominent than ever before.
But CBD products are often used interchangeably with hemp products because they both come from the same plant. However, there are some differences between the two that should be noted when looking to obtain specific benefits.
So, what exactly is the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil, and what can both of these products do to benefit daily life?
What is Hemp Oil?
Hemp oil, often called hempseed oil, derives from the seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp seed is renowned for being high in vitamins B and D, as well as for being rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
Hemp is commonly used as a nutritional supplement because it contains a number of natural vitamins and antioxidants. However, it can also be used in clothing manufacturing. You might also see hemp being used in lotions and moisturizers because of its skin-nourishing properties.
Hemp seeds do not contain any CBD, but they are still rich in nutrients and compounds that have a number of benefits for the human body similar to other healthy oils like olive oil.
What Are the Benefits of Hemp Oil?
While there haven’t been large scale studies on the effectiveness of hemp, anecdotal evidence suggests that it can help maintain good cardiovascular health when ingested mainly due to improvements in total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides.
In addition, some manufacturers even add hemp seed oil to nutritional products like yogurts and snack bars. This is because it is rich in essential amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it comes from the same plant as hemp.
The main difference is that CBD uses the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the plant in its production, rather than just the seed.
Every part of the plant, besides the seed, contains some level of CBD.
CBD-derived products are loaded with benefits that make them very popular for certain applications. People use CBD products to help with:
- Balancing mood
- Easing feelings of tension and stress
- Exercise recovery
- Pain relief
- Skin nourishment
CBD extracts are often used as oil tinctures similar to essential oils. You might also see CBD being incorporated into moisturizers, creams, or gummies.
How Does CBD Oil Work?
Your body has a system called the endocannabinoid system, which is believed to influence a number of internal bodily processes. These include, but aren’t limited to, sleep, mood, appetite, and memory.
While scientists aren’t yet experts on this system or how CBD interacts with it, it is thought to inhibit endocannabinoid reuptake while increasing the activity of serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a key hormone in mood stabilization and feelings of happiness.
CBD interacts with receptors in the endocannabinoid system to help provide whole body wellness benefits, such as soothing tension and promoting relaxation.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
CBD has a number of benefits for mental and physical health that are more holistic than the specific benefits of hemp seed.
One of the most renowned uses of CBD is helping your body and mind to manage everyday stress. Because of the way it communicates with the endocannabinoid system, it is able to support the body’s response to stressful stimuli as well as provide and restore balance.
Furthermore, it has mood-lifting properties that work to relieve and ease feelings of tension and stress. This again comes from restored balance to the endocannabinoid system.
For physical health, CBD is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate everyday aches and pains while working to soothe discomfort and irritation throughout the body.
Are Hemp and CBD Oils Safe?
Hemp and CBD interact with systems that already exist in our bodies, and are both generally very well-tolerated and typically safe for use.
Studies have suggested that cannabidiol oils do not have negative side effects when used on a regular basis, even at a consumption of upwards of 1500 mg per day. Although information on both compounds is fairly new, the research highly suggests that there are no short or long term negative effects in either of these products.
Will Hemp and CBD Oil Get You High?
Hemp and CBD are in no part psychoactive, nor do they distort, intoxicate, or impair cognitive functionality. In fact, CBD might even be able to support cognition and help improve focus and clarity.
CBD and hemp are also 100% legal products, so drug tests typically do not look for these substances when administered. With that said, there is a small potential for drug tests to come up positive. If this is a concern for you, contact a physician to discuss next steps.
How Do I Use CBD or Hemp Products?
CBD and hemp are versatile, both in their benefits and their uses. There is no shortage of ways that you can reap the effects of these products in your everyday life.
Oils
Oils are a great way to consume CBD because they’re easy and quick to take, and the effects are experienced rather soon compared to other methods of consuming CBD by mouth.
To take CBD oil, hold a dose under the tongue for about 30-60 seconds. This can be done right when you get out of bed in the morning to kickstart your day with a boost of energy, or you can even use some at night to help unwind before bed.
Additionally, you can even drop a dose into your morning coffee for even greater ease (and some added flavor), or, drop some in your nightly tea to get some extra peace of mind before drifting off for bed.
Oils are profoundly versatile, so you can have a lot of freedom exploring ways that you like to take CBD the most.
Gummies
CBD can be manufactured in an edible food form, and one of the best ways is through gummies. CBD gummies are similar to a multivitamin, as both contain a number of nutrients that are essential to your holistic wellbeing.
Try taking one gummy daily as part of your usual wellness regimen. They’ll be able to provide the same effects as oils in a tasty, flavorful gummy that you’ll be excited to have again the next day!
Topicals
Believe it or not, another one of the best ways to enjoy hemp or CBD products is topically through ointments and creams.
CBD is a natural moisturizer, as it provides essential nutrients to the skin to visibly soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It’s perfect for soothing dry skin and bringing nourishment to your face or entire body.
And since it is known to have soothing and healing benefits, CBD takes temporary pain relief a step further by absorbing directly into the affected area. CBD pain cream is perfect for providing instant relief to sore, tender muscles. Not only can it work to alleviate feelings of pain, but it can also help you recover quicker after a tough workout.
In Conclusion
“CBD oil” and “hemp oils” are often used interchangeably because they come from the same plant, are rich in vitamins, and can help to moisturize the skin and provide other wellness benefits. However, CBD oil incorporates all parts of the hemp plant, whereas hemp oil only derives from the seed.
While both are well-tolerated compounds that are in no part psychoactive, CBD has broader benefits for mental and physical health. It is known to reduce feelings of stress and tension, bring relief to achy joints and muscles, as well as balance mood and support focus.
The bottom line is that both CBD and hemp oils have loads of positive attributes that make them great additions to your everyday life. Because of the Farm Bill’s passing in 2018, these have become more accessible than ever. Give them a try and let the oils speak for themselves!
Hemp is one of the most nutritious plants in the world. Smile’s CBD oils, gummies, and topicals incorporate every part of the hemp plant—from seeds to leaves and everything in between—to maximize its benefits for your mental and physical health. Smile gives you nothing but the best to help you turn that frown upside down.
Sources:
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2018/12/14/the-farm-bill-hemp-and-cbd-explainer/
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Hemp-Oil-Health-Benefits.aspx
https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/serotonin
