CBD Vs. Hemp Oil – Is There a Difference?

So you want to try out CBD. All of your friends are raving about CBD massages and adding CBD to their coffee in the morning. You start to look around for CBD products, but find that you keep running into hemp oil. 

Hemp falls under the umbrella of “cannabis,” but so does marijuana. All of a sudden you have a million questions, and what seems like a million products to choose from in dispensaries and online stores. Are hemp oil and CBD oil the same thing? How do you know which one is the best product for you? Will the hemp oil shampoo in your health food store get you high? 

You can find all of the answers to your questions about CBD oil and hemp oil here. 

What Is CBD? 

This is the big question on everyone’s lips as they browse through beauty magazines and see CBD pretty much everywhere. CBD oil has recently become one of the hottest ingredients in the health and wellness industry. 

Cannabidol, or CBD, is an active ingredient and “cannabinoid” that comes from the hemp or marijuana plant. The biggest difference between hemp and marijuana is that hemp contains less than .3% THC. THC another cannabinoid, but it’s the stuff that gets you high. This is a completely separate ingredient from CBD – whether you’re trying out a product labeled “CBD oil” or “hemp oil,” you shouldn’t get high. (This is why it’s important to buy from a trusted retailer).

Are CBD Oil and Hemp Oil The Same Thing?

Sometimes, but usually not. Some CBD oils are marketed as hemp oil. But there is another product on the market that is easily confused with CBD oil. 

It’s hemp seed oil. You’ve probably seen it in beauty stores or even grocery stores. So have you been missing out on the opportunity to enjoy CBD all this time? 

Nope. When it comes to CBD oil and hemp seed oil, they’re completely different products made from different parts of cannabis. Patients who use CBD oil may find that they aren’t getting the results they want from hemp seed oil, and vice versa. Consider your needs and conditions before you purchase either of these oils. 

How CBD Oil Is Made 

Manufacturers use the entire plant to make CBD oil – this includes the stalks, leaves, and flowers. This increases the potency of CBD in the product. 

How Hemp Seed Oil Is Made

Hemp seed oil is made from just that – the seeds. Manufacturers use a very specific extraction process called cold pressing to get oil from hemp seeds. 

Where Does The Confusion Come In? 

As you’re shopping online or in a health food store, you might see a product advertised as hemp seed oil, hemp oil, CBD oil, etc. The makers behind these products understand how popular CBD has become in the health and wellness industry. They also understand that CBD oil goes for a lot more money on the market. 

When you see a product listed as “hemp oil,” it could be CBD oil. But it could also be hemp seed oil and come with completely different benefits than CBD oil. When you see a product listed as “cannabis sativa seed oil,” it is hemp seed oil. 

The best way to avoid this confusion is to know what you are looking for and do some research before you buy. Look at the back of the bottle to review the ingredients. Find reviews online. Stick with trusted retailers. And get a sample if you can! 

Benefits of CBD Oil Vs. Hemp Oil 

Why Try CBD Oil? 

CBD oil works with the endocannabinoid system to produce the following benefits:

• Anxiety or depression relief
• Reduced inflammation and joint pain 
• Sleep aid 
• Increased or regulated appetite 

Patients with many conditions, including fibromyalgia and PTSD, use CBD oil every day to treat symptoms. Talk to your doctor before trying out CBD oil for yourself. While it is a safe product to use, it may interact with other medications. 

Why Try Hemp Seed Oil? 

Hemp seed oil is more of a superfood than a miracle pain reliever. Rubbing hemp seed oil on your joints is most likely not going to help you find relief. Hemp seed oil is more known for: 

• Preventing breakouts
• Promoting glowing skin
• Adding protein and Vitamin E to your diet
• Treating eczema and dry skin 

Essentially, you’ll find CBD oil in your local spa, but you’re more likely to see hemp seed oil in the cooking or beauty aisles. 

Are They Legal? 

Yes! Cannabis has been legal for recreational purposes in Canada since October 2018. (Medicinal cannabis has been legal since 2001, but the stigmas attached to cannabis did not help its popularity.) Nowadays, you don’t have to have a prescription to walk into a store and pick up some cannabis – you just have to be 18 or 19 years old. 

Hemp seed oil has always been legal, but with the increased interest in cannabis and CBD, it is starting to see a surge in popularity. 

How to Purchase Hemp Oil and CBD Oil 

Where Can You Buy CBD Oil? 

Cannabis dispensaries – both online and brick-and-mortar – are your best bet for finding CBD oil. There are many brands that make CBD oil, so make sure you talk to a budtender or do some online research before you buy. Some CBD oil products have additional flavours or benefits. Others focus on delivering a high CBD content for a stronger dose. Sample, experiment, and ask questions as you’re finding the best CBD oil product for you. 

Where Can You Buy Hemp Oil?

Hemp oil is a little easier to find in Canada. Check your local pharmacy or health food store. It might also be hiding in the aisles of a grocery store that you visit every week. Since it has so many benefits for the hair and skin, check around the beauty care section. 

Try Out Both! 

When it comes to CBD oil and hemp seed oil, one isn’t better than the other. CBD is unlikely to treat eczema like hemp seed oil does. Hemp seed oil won’t alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. Assess what you are looking for before purchasing, and enjoy trying out new products as they are introduced to the market!