Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil: What Is the Difference?

Before CBD had its big boom, you may have seen hemp oil on the market. Many consumers get confused about hemp oil vs CBD oil because, well, it’s confusing. The two are not the same. But if CBD oil comes from the hemp plant, wouldn’t hemp oil contain CBD? 

It’s important to understand the difference between hemp and CBD oil because the two work differently. They do not offer the same benefits and should not be used interchangeably. Unfortunately, the confusing nature of the two terms has led to some consumers accidentally using hemp oil and thinking it’s CBD. This leads to frustration as users do not get the benefits they were hoping to experience. 

CBD’s legal status is blurry, leading to more confusion and issues with labeling. Luckily, CBD is legal in Tennessee, allowing us to produce and sell it without issue. But if you spend just a few minutes looking at CBD or hemp oils online, you’ll notice the labels are confusing and sometimes misleading. 

We’re here to clear it up. Hemp oil and CBD oil are not interchangeable terms. While they both have unique benefits, they should not be confused with each other. 

Hemp Oil vs CBD: Straight from the source

Before we dive into the differences between the two, let’s take a look at where they originate. 

CBD oil comes from either hemp or marijuana. The two plants are very similar, but there are some key differences between hemp and marijuana. The biggest difference is the THC content. Hemp plants have significantly lower THC contents, which make them perfect for extracting CBD with low or no THC. 

CBD oil is typically extracted from hemp. But it’s not the same as hemp oil. 

Why?

Because CBD is extracted from the flowers of the plant, often referred to as the buds. CBD can also be pulled from the stalks and stems of the hemp plant but is most commonly found in the flowers. 

On the other hand, hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. In fact, it’s often referred to as hemp seed oil. There is no cannabidiol (CBD) present in hemp seeds. No matter how much hemp seed oil you extract, it will not contain CBD. 

What are the benefits of CBD oil?

The benefits of CBD come from its interactions with cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This series of neurotransmitters and receptors work to keep the body in balance, or homeostasis. 

If the endocannabinoid system is out of balance, CBD may help by stimulating various receptors. Because there are cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, CBD can provide a vast range of therapeutic effects by helping the body reach homeostasis. 

The endocannabinoid system keeps many bodily processes in order. It is responsible for regulating inflammation, pain, memory, immune response, and more. By stimulating receptors in this system, CBD has the potential to manage many conditions. 

Anxiety, chronic pain, and sleep troubles are common reasons users turn to CBD. Keep in mind that most positive experiences are anecdotal, though we do have promising evidence of CBD’s efficacy for many of these conditions. It’s particularly beneficial for inflammation-based conditions. 

Additionally, CBD is FDA-approved for two rare forms of childhood seizures. Its potential to manage epilepsy is another reason many people turn to the compound. 

CBD is also used for overall wellness, regardless of if users have a health condition or not.  CBD oil also contains terpenes, flavonoids, and lipids. This powerful combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and therapeutic effects allows CBD to be a beneficial tool for overall wellness. 

What are the benefits of hemp oil?

Now, just because CBD oil and hemp seed oil are different does not mean one is better than the other. They both have benefits. In fact, hemp oil has been used for years to benefit overall wellness. 

There are some overlaps in the benefits from the two oils. Both are used to fight inflammation and promote overall wellness, though they do so in different ways. 

Hemp seed oil contains an optimal omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid ratio. This is beneficial for fighting inflammation.

On top of that, hemp seed oil has long been used for its protective cardiovascular benefits. It’s also consumed to boost mental performance, something that may stem from its optimal fatty acid ratios.  

As you can see, some of the hemp oil benefits are very similar to those of CBD. The key difference is that hemp oil is more beneficial for overall health due to its nutritional value. CBD, on the other hand, can provide more targeted relief alongside overall wellness because of its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. 

THS Farm’s CBD oil combines both benefits

We know that hemp seed oil and CBD oil both provide therapeutic health benefits. That’s why we include hemp seed oil as part of our carrier blend for our CBD products. Alongside olive oil, the hemp seed oil boosts the therapeutic effects of our CBD products  because of the optimal omegas it provides.