There are a lot of people out there who wonder what the difference is between hemp oil and CBD oil. To put it simply, hemp oil is made from the seeds of the hemp plant, while CBD oil is made from the leaves, stalks, and flowers of the hemp plant. Hemp oil has a lot of different uses, such as being used as cooking oil or for lubrication, while CBD oil is mainly used for its medicinal properties.
While they both come from the same plant, they are quite different.
What is Hemp Seed Oil?
Hemp oil is made by pressing the hemp seeds to extract the oil. The oil has a nutty flavor and is often used in salad dressings, sauces, or as a cooking oil. It’s also commonly used in lotions, soaps, and cosmetics. Hemp oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Hemp Oil Benefits
Some of the potential benefits of hemp oil include:
- Reducing inflammation
- Moisturizing the skin
- Reducing anxiety
- Soothing PMS symptoms
- Boosting the immune system
- Helping to reduce cholesterol levels
Is Hemp Oil Legal?
Hemp oil is legal in all 50 states, as it contains less than 0.3% THC (the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana its “high”).
What is CBD Oil?
Contrary to hemp oil, CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the leaves, stalks, and flowers of the hemp plant. It’s typically taken orally or applied topically to treat a variety of conditions, such as pain, anxiety, inflammation, and seizures. Unlike hemp oil, CBD oil does not contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
CBD Oil Benefits
Some of the potential benefits of CBD oil include:
- Reducing anxiety
- Relieving pain
- Reducing inflammation
- Reducing seizures
- Fighting cancer cells
While more research is needed, it’s evident that CBD helps with pain, inflammation and common symptoms of anxiety.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Like hemp oil, CBD oil and other CBD products are legal in all 50 states. As long as the product contains less than the legal limit of THC of 0.03% like our topical Trauma Oil, it is considered legal under federal law.
What About THC?
Now that we’ve gone over the common uses, properties and legalities of hemp oil and CBD oil, let’s compare them to THC.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
THC is the psychoactive compound found in marijuana that gives users the “high” feeling. THC is only found in trace amounts in hemp plants (<0.3%), while it is the main cannabinoid found in marijuana plants.
Marijuana oil is made by extracting THC from the marijuana plant. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, such as pain, anxiety, and nausea. Unlike hemp oil and CBD oil, marijuana oil contains high levels of THC (up to 30%). This is what causes users to experience a psychoactive feeling when using a product containing the THC compound.
Marijuana Benefits
Some of the potential benefits of marijuana include:
- Reducing pain
- Relieving anxiety
- Reducing inflammation
- Reducing nausea
As you can see, marijuana can provide some of the same benefits as CBD. However, because it contains the THC compound, marijuana products will create a psychoactive feeling while CBD products do not.
Is Marijuana Oil Legal?
Marijuana oil is not yet legal at the federal level, but it is legal in some states. In states where it is legal, you may need a medical card to purchase it.
The Bottom Line Between Hemp & CBD
Hemp oil and CBD oil are legal in all 50 states as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC. Hemp oil is made from the seeds of the hemp plant and has a variety of uses while CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the leaves, stalks, and flowers of the hemp plant. CBD is known for its medicinal properties and is becoming more and more of a viable solution to pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the differences between hemp oil and CBD oil discussed here.