What are the Main Differences Between Hemp Oil and CBD?

In recent times, a boom in the agricultural industry made a breakthrough after the 2018 Farm Bill was passed. This bill allowed the creation of industrialized hemp (Cannabis sativa), and while some medical marijuana laws still apply, the cannabis compound, cannabidiol (CBD), was legalized. The compound was recognized by interacting flawlessly with the human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). 

Discovered in the 1990s, the ECS was found when researchers explored the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a cannabinoid found in marijuana (Cannabis indica). This system, which is in charge of regulating your mood, memory, fertility, appetite, and sleep, has endocannabinoid receptors all over your body, which are in charge of sending signals to the ECS whenever it needs to take action. THC, however, floods the ECS, which, in turn, gives your body a high.

When THC enters the body, it overwhelms the ECS, and quickly attaches itself to the receptors in your immune system and brain. Once this happens, your body is thrown off its natural balance, preventing then natural cannabinoid neurotransmitters to communicate with your neurons. This reaction can result in anxiety, poor judgment, and slow down your reaction time.

Hemp, compared to marijuana, possesses virtually no levels of THC, thus was considered more beneficial to one’s ECS. But with the rapid expansion of the hemp industry, it spawned two kinds of oils that people often mistake one for the other: Hemp and CBD oils.

Both oils are quite similar but there are a few main differences that exist between them. In this article, you’ll be able to tell one from the other and even develop a preference the next time you visit your local hemp goods dealer. Many of these vendors, like Synchronicity, should be able to tell the difference between the two, but here’s a quick read for you just to be sure.

Similarities of Hemp and CBD Oils

Before we tell them apart from each other, let’s first consider what makes both of them similar.

Both oils are known to possess a number of therapeutic and soothing properties. They can both help relieve pain, make anxiety fade, and are edible. This is due to the low levels of THC that can help regulate your ECS. Because of that, they can assist in encouraging your body to have a better mood or a more restful evening when you go to bed. They can even be used as a vape juice!

Differences Between Hemp and CBD Oil

If you’re still having a hard time deciding whether to use hemp or CBD oil, the section below can help you come up with a sound decision. This section discusses the differences between hemp and CBD oil. 

1. Extraction Method 

Hemp oil is produced by cold-pressing the seeds of the hemp plant. Compared to CBD, hemp oil possesses greater nutritional values as it has 25 times more omega fatty acids than olive oil, and it might make your heart healthier. Because hemp oil is largely ingested, it could easily improve various functions in your body.

CBD is made by extracting oils from the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant itself. When ingested or put under your tongue (for fast absorption), CBD may improve emotional stability and mental awareness. This means that CBD greatly affects what goes on in your mind as opposed to hemp oil that vivifies the goings-on in your body as a whole.

2. Known Health Benefits

Hemp oil has been known to relieve the pain of arthritis by stimulating cartilage repair or even lower the blood sugar levels of diabetics. After use, it may also lower one’s cholesterol levels. If used externally, it can help relieve itchiness, treat acne, expedite a wound’s recovery, fade scars, prevent inflammation, or even treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. This means it could be used as a beautifying agent as it doesn’t clog any pores. Furthermore, this means extra moisturization for your skin, making it look more supple. It might even boost your immune system’s strength, making you look younger.

CBD has also been reputed to improve the quality of one’s sleep. Ingesting CBD before bedtime may allow your muscles and nerves to calm down while dulling any stress, anxiety, or pain you might have experienced during the day. Consider using this opposed to traditional sleep medication as those have prolonged or more serious side effects. Unlike CBD, they cannot be used for long periods of time.

3. Monetary Value

Aside from the benefits, it’s common for consumers to consider the price of the products they’re eyeing to buy. This is especially true if they’re planning to incorporate the product into their daily routine and use it for years.

If you’re looking forward to experiencing the benefits of CBD oil, you should be ready to shell out a large amount of money as this product usually costs more than hemp oil. The price of CBD oil varies per brand but the average cost of this product will land somewhere between $0.05 to $0.20 per mg. 

The price of CBD oil is influenced by different factors, such as its hemp origin, strength, type of CBD extract, and premium ingredients (some brands use coconut oil or all-natural flavoring in their CBD oils) present. The more organic the CBD oil is, the more expensive it can get. 

Hemp oil, on the other hand, is cheaper as you can buy a bottle of 5000mg of this product for $3-$3.20. There are many factors that contribute to the price of hemp oil, such as the quality of the hemp oil seeds and its extraction process.

Always Look Through the Ingredients

In the market, it’s quite an easy task for the vendor to slap on a couple of marijuana leaves on the package, add hemp oil, highlight the word cannabis, then sell it to you at premium prices. There’s nothing more disappointing than buying a product that claims it has CBD but doesn’t have it at all.

Hence, in the end, always look through the ingredients at the back of the product. This is the easiest way to tell the difference between the two. Doing so won’t get you cheated if you’re strictly looking for one or the other.