What is the difference between CBD oil and hemp oil?

What is the difference between CBD oil and hemp oil?
Hemp oil and CBD oil both come from the cannabis plant. But while CBD oil is made from the flowers, leaves, and stems, hemp oil uses extract from the seeds of the cannabis plant. The oils have different nutritional profiles and produce different effects when taken. So what are the similarities and what are the differences?

What is hemp oil?

A deep green oil that is made by pressing the seeds from the strains of the hemp plant. Hemp oil or hemp seed oil is considered a healthy and nutritionally balanced oil as it provides a high level of monounsaturated fats. It also provides the ideal balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Just one tablespoon provides the daily requirement for essential fatty acids. If you don’t eat eggs or fish, hemp oil can be a great alternative for those essential nutrients.

Hemp oil also gives the body a healthy supply of magnesium. Magnesium deficiency has been linked with insulin resistance, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Hemp oil is popular in the kitchen for its nutty and earthy flavour and can be added to salad dressings or used in dips. Although, as it has a low smoke point it’s not suitable for cooking or frying.

Hemp oil has been praised for having many health benefits. Aside from the nutritional goodness, it can also be applied topically. A 2014 study found that the application of hemp oil made the skin stronger and better to resist infection. It was thought that sufferers of dermatitis, psoriasis, varicose eczema, lichen planus and acne rosacea could benefit from using the oil.

The fatty acids in hemp oil could also be good for brain health and a recent study showed that it could help prevent inflammation. Plus, fatty acids are also linked with good heart health.

What is CBD oil?

Made from the flowers, leaves, and stems, CBD is not psychoactive and does not produce a ‘high’ but it does have beneficial relaxing effects.

Like hemp oil, it can be applied topically and also ingested. One of CBD oil’s biggest benefits is it helps to balance the body’s endocannabinoid system – which is responsible for creating balance or homeostasis throughout the body. Every system of your body needs to be in homeostasis to achieve optimal health. CBD doesn’t fuel the endocannabinoid system but it works like petrol in a car – helping your body to run smoothly.

CBD oil has been described as having multiple benefits for physical and mental health. A healthy gut is vital for a strong immune system, heart health, brain health, improved mood, healthy sleep, and effective digestion. CBD has been shown to help people suffering with gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS and Crohn’s disease.

CBD oil has also been used to treat sufferers of chronic pain and for inflammation associated with conditions such as arthritis. The oil has been shown to improve anxiety, A 2014 study with animals found that the impact of CBD on the serotonin receptors produced antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects. CBD oil has also been used to aid sleep which can have a hugely positive impact on mood.

Have a look through our CBD oils here.

Written by Kat Romero