CBD OIL

The range of cannabis or hemp-based products available to the public is increasing over time. Variety is most welcome, as each of these products caters for different needs. Hempseed oil, cannabis oil, CBD oil … there are many options, that can be confusing to the average consumer. In this article, we break down the differences between hemp oil, also known as hempseed oil, and CBD oil.

The range of cannabis or hemp-based products available to the public is increasing over time. Variety is most welcome, as each of these products caters for different needs. Hempseed oil, cannabis oil, CBD oil … there are many options, that can be confusing to the average consumer. In this article, we break down the differences between hemp oil, also known as hempseed oil, and CBD oil.

Hempseed oil

Hempseed oil is, as its name indicates, extracted from pressing hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are not psychoactive (4mg of THC/kg) upon consumption of any kind. Hemp oil is legal in most countries, and can be found in food markets, together with other types of oil.

CBD oil

CBD oil is obtained via extraction made from cannabis flowers, preferably of a cannabis and hemp strains extremely rich in CBD (cannabidiol). Proper CBD oil can only be found in places where it has specifically been made legal.

Medicinal properties

Both CBD oil and hempseed oil share the particularity of not being psychoactive, a fact that plays a major part in their respective popularity. Especially in a context where cannabis is not legal in all countries, it makes for a safer alternative, as opposed to consuming cannabis. It also allows underage consumption for medical reasons.

Hempseed oil

Refined hempseed oil is generally considered a food item, thus making it legal in most countries. It is known for its countless health benefits, making it part of the very sought-after group of superfoods.

• Rich in proteins
• Full of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega 6 and omega 3
• Vitamin E antioxidants
• Linoleic acid (affects aging/skin conditions)

It is to be noted that hempseed oil contains some CBD. However, such small concentration would only affect positively patients suffering from non-severe to mild conditions.

CBD oil

CBD oil is made from cannabis flowers, from which resin and CBD are extracted, via an array of different available methods. It is recommended to seek information about the method used, and general quality of the product before acquiring CBD oil produced by a third party. Listing all the medicinal properties of CBD oil remains difficult to this day, as scientific research as well as anecdotal evidence keep uncovering more of them over time.

Appearance

Visible differences between hempseed oil and CBD oil may depend on the quality of either of them. Indeed, refined hempseed oil as well as CBD oil can appear to be of a lighter or darker colour, depending on quality, age, method of preservation, etc. These two types of oil are extracted from the same polymorphic species, which explains why they look identical in most cases.
Both show a rich, golden-green colour, not unlike olive oil.

Name

Hemp oil is known under different names: hempseed oil, hemp oil, culinary hemp oil, and at times, cannabis oil. While ‘hempseed oil’ is by far the most self-explanatory of all, it is also the most accurate. In order to determine if a product called ‘hemp oil’ or any of the aforementioned terms is in fact, hempseed oil, consult the list of ingredients. While various marketing and packaging reasons may justify the use of an erroneous or vaguer term in place of ‘hempseed oil,’ the ingredients should clear this up.CBD oil, on the other hand, is almost unmistakable for another product, as far as names go. In the majority of cases, the name ‘CBD oil’ will be used in the product’s description, or on its packaging. In rare occurrences, the words ‘cannabis oil’ are displayed; however, CBD being a staple of the medicinal cannabis industry, not mentioning the presence of it in a product would be counterproductive to say the least. Thus, it is likely a mention of it adorns some other corner of the package.