What’s the difference between CBD oil and hemp seed oil? A beginner’s guide

You may have heard the terms ‘hemp extract’, ‘hemp seed oil’ and ‘CBD’ used interchangeably. But are they the same, and if not, what makes them different?

Well, although they all come from the same plant - the Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) plant, a species filled with hundreds of naturally occurring compounds known as cannabinoids - there are some subtle differences. 

So here we’ve put together an easy-to-understand guide outlining the difference between the most popularly used terms to describe products that come from this amazing plant.

Let’s start with the basics:

• CBD vs hemp extract
• CBD oil vs hemp seed oil
• Benefits of hemp seed oil
• CBD vs THC
• CBD vs cannabis or marijuana
• What’s better – CBD or hemp seed?

As the CBD industry is so new, often different words are used to talk about the same thing - which is where it gets confusing.

CBD and hemp extract are the same thing. You can use these terms interchangeably to refer to the compound extracted from the Cannabis sativa L. plant that’s often incorporated into health supplements to support daily wellbeing.

However…

CBD oil (hemp extract oil) and hemp seed oil are not the same. So, what’s the difference, you ask?

Well, although they’re both sourced from the Cannabis sativa L. or industrial hemp species, they come from different parts of the plant.

Hemp extract oil is sourced from the stem, stalk and, in our case, the flowering head of the hemp plant as these parts are known to have the most concentrated levels of cannabidiol (CBD). One of the most effective ways to take this type of supplement is in a tincture - with a few drops held underneath the tongue for a few seconds.

Hemp seed oil is made by cold-pressing only the seeds of the hemp plant – and, most importantly, doesn’t contain any CBD. Instead, it is reaped for its many benefits since it’s rich in Omegas. Instead of a tincture, hemp seed supplements come in capsule form and are a good source of Omega 3, 6 and 9 for everyday wellness, health and skincare.  

At a glance:

• CBD oil comes from the whole plant and contains many natural cannabinoids like CBD and CBG. It can come in oil or capsule form.
• Hemp seed oil comes from the seeds of the plant and is rich in Omegas but contains very little cannabinoids (less than 1 mg). It’s popularly used in skincare and haircare products.

There are a plethora of health benefits for using hemp seed oil every day.  Its moisturising, hydrating and oil regulating properties make it an excellent skincare product to promote skin health and as it contains gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), it also contributes to hormone balance and minimising symptoms associated with PMS, such as period cramps.

Hemp seed oil is also rich in essential Omega fatty acids, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 and a good source of Omega-9. These essential fatty acids help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood which is good for promoting heart health. 

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound and by itself will not make you high.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), on the other hand, is psychoactive and in high volumes is the compound associated with recreational drug use.

As all legal CBD oil products in the UK contain less than 0.3% THC (some less than 0.2%), it won’t get you high. When used regularly, it can feature as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

The main difference is that CBD or hemp extract contains more CBD and very little THC. Anything with higher levels of THC is classified as marijuana.

At a glance:

• CBD or hemp extract is high in CBD, low in THC.
• Marijuana is low in CBD and high in THC (this is the one that will give you that ‘high’ feeling).
• Hemp seed oil contains no CBD or THC

It really comes down to personal choice – whether you are looking to enjoy the benefits of full spectrum CBD that harnesses all the natural plant matter of the Cannabis sativa L plant, or the benefits of hemp seed oil, such as Omegas and more.

If you want a supplement that’s completely free of THC - perhaps you’re an athlete or in the military where you have to take regular drug tests, then the uses of hemp seed oil capsules are a fantastic alternative for boosting wellbeing.

Daily Wellness Capsules
Enhance your everyday wellbeing with our Daily Wellness hemp oil capsules with added vitamin D.
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Daily Glow Capsules
See the results of hemp seed oil for skin before and after with our Daily Glow hemp seed oil capsules with skin-enriching herbals and vitamins.
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Daily Vitality Capsules
Get a much-needed energy boost with our Daily Vitality hemp seed capsules with B vitamins, Rhodiola and more.
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We hope we’ve demystified some of the confusion around hemp and CBD! Reach out to us on social if you have any questions.

References

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hemp-seed-oil-vs-cbd-oil
https://www.healthline.com/health/hemp-vs-cbd-oil
https://canex.co.uk/cbd-oil-vs-hemp-oil-what-is-the-difference/
 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324450
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6381057/