Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first cannabidiol (CBD) -based drug, consumers have been increasingly interested in the benefits of hemp seeds and CBD oils.
First of all, it is important to know that the names for these products are very confusing. "Hemp oil" is another way CBD Oil to call. However, some people also refer to hemp seed oil as hemp oil.
Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are very different products.
The stems, leaves and flowers of the hemp plant are used in the manufacture of CBD oil. These contain higher concentrations of CBD, a compound with numerous potential health benefits.
Hemp seed oil, on the other hand, is obtained from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. The seeds do not contain CBD, but they are rich in nutrients, fatty acids, and beneficial bioactive compounds that can also have health benefits.
A better understanding of hemp seed oil and CBD oil can enable both doctors and consumers to choose the safest and most suitable product.
Hemp seed oil
Hemp seed oil is obtained from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. It contains omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid, and other nutritious antioxidants. It is also rich in B vitamins and vitamin D.
Using hemp seed oil will not get you high because it contains no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and little to no CBD.
Usage
Hemp seed oil is not used for recreational purposes. This is because the levels of THC and CBD that produce the psychoactive effects are either low or absent.
Some supplements contain hemp seed oil because of its high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid, and nutritious antioxidants.
Hemp seed oil is also used to make clothing and fibers.
How it works
It is claimed that hemp seed oil can help maintain good cardiovascular health by improving cholesterol levels.
However, the evidence of its effectiveness for these purposes is inconclusive.
Bring
When manufacturers add hemp seed oil to foods like bars, bread, cookies, and yogurt, it's an excellent source of nutrients. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids.
Hemp seed oil also has several potential benefits, including:
- Relief from constipation
- Benefits for the cardiovascular system
- Influencing the immune system
- Improvement of the complexion
- Improvement of gastrointestinal complaints
Some other possible benefits of hemp seed oil are:
- anti-cancer effect
- antioxidant effects
- Anti-aging effect
Hemp seed oil also contains other ingredients that may be of benefit to the consumer.
How is it made?
Manufacturers extract hemp seed oil from the seeds of the hemp plant.
Since the oil is extracted from the seeds and not from the leaves, flowers or the stem of the cannabis plant, hemp seed oil does not contain THC.
Risks and side effects
It cannot be of any benefit to the cardiovascular system as some people believe. Some consumers also report digestive problems, but not everyone experiences them.
Less than 0,2% by dry weight of hemp seed oil contains THC, so hemp seed oil consumption is unlikely to induce intoxication.
CBD Oil
In general, there are three different types of CBD oil on the market:
- Full-spectrum CBD oil that contains all the components of the cannabis plant, including THC (but in very low concentrations)
- Broad spectrum CBD oil that contains multiple compounds but no THC
- CBD oil made from CBD isolate that contains only CBD
It is important to know that these terms are not regulated and are therefore used interchangeably by some manufacturers.
One should always check the Certificate of Analysis (COA) of CBD products. Usually this test is carried out by a third party. Reviewing the COA is the only way to fully understand what exactly a CBD oil product contains.
One should always check the Certificate of Analysis (COA) of CBD products. Usually this test is carried out by a third party. Reviewing the COA is the only way to fully understand what exactly a CBD oil product contains.
Uses
Some people use CBD oils for their purported medicinal properties.
For example, people can use CBD-based products at
- Epilepsy
- Pain and inflammation
- Anxiety and depression
- Treatment of addictions
- inflammatory skin diseases
- neurodegenerative diseases
Aside from CBD's anti-epileptic effects, researchers have yet to confirm the other potential therapeutic benefits of CBD.
Because CBD oil contains THC, some people can use it for recreational purposes due to its psychoactive effects. Other effects of THC may include preventing nausea and vomiting.
These oils may also contain minor amounts of other phytocannabinoids and terpenoids, which may have other effects that need further study.
How it works
Researchers are still trying to figure out how CBD works on the body, but they suspect that it works in a number of ways, including through:
- Inhibition of the reuptake of endocannabinoids
- Activation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, which plays a role in the regulation of pain, and the g-coupled receptor 55
- Increase in the activity of serotonin receptors
The full-spectrum THC in CBD oil binds to the CB1 receptor in the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for its psychoactive effects.
Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils may also contain beta-caryophyllene, which can bind to the CB2 receptors. The researchers are still in the process of researching the function of the CB2 receptors.
Effect and benefit
Several components of the various CBD oils have specific effects.
The following list summarizes some of the ingredients in CBD oils and their possible effects:
Effects
- anti-epileptic
- soothing
- anti-inflammatory
- Anti-anxiety drugs
- antidepressant
- neuroprotective
- THC for nausea
- anti-inflammatory
- soothing
- neuroprotective
Researchers are still in the process of studying the effects of the ingredients in CBD products.
How is it made?
CBD oil is extracted from the flowers and leaves of the plant. Using special extraction processes such as carbon dioxide extraction, manufacturers can obtain an extract that is rich in CBD and other components.
Although the manufacturers for full-range CBD suppliers have to leave all ingredients intact, for CBD isolate they only need to extract CBD.
Risks and side effects
Research suggests that products made from CBD are safe and have limited side effects. Although there is a lack of information about the safety of the various CBD oils, researchers have studied the side effects of each ingredient in CBD products.
For example, no side effects were reported when participants took 300 milligrams (mg) of CBD per day for up to six months. One Study Also showed no side effects when participants took up to 1.500 mg per day for a month.
Larger studies on the effects of Epidiolex, a CBD supplement for people with epilepsy, reported some side effects. This includes:
- fatigue
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- Increased liver function tests
Experts advise people planning to use CBD products to ensure that they can trust their source. Incorrect labeling and manufacturing processes can result in human exposure to contaminants or THC in CBD isolate or broad spectrum CBD oil.
At this time, the regulations for product labeling in the United States are unclear. In order to choose a suitable and safe product, experts recommend ensuring that:
- the manufacturers did not use solvents in the extraction
- the Ministry of Agriculture certified it as organic
- the product has been tested for pesticides and herbicides
- the concentration is clearly indicated on the label
People planning to use CBD oils or other products derived from CBD should speak to a doctor or qualified cannabis expert first, as CBD can interact with certain other drugs.
Summary
Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are both extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD oil is extracted from the flowers, leaves and stems, while an extract from the seeds of the hemp plant is used for hemp seed oil.
Products that contain hemp seed and CBD oil tend not to be high because the THC content is very low, if any.
Both CBD and hemp seed oils have numerous potential health benefits, but since research is limited, scientists need to study them further.