Are you starting to learn about cannabis-based products?
The current health crisis increased the cannabis demand in the United Kingdom. Hemp oil and hemp seed oil are two of the more popular cannabis products around.
However, these products often confuse a lot of beginners. What are their differences? Continue reading below to settle the hemp oil vs hemp seed oil debate.
Hemp Oil vs Hemp Seed Oil: The Critical Differences
Both hemp oil and hemp seed oil come from the cannabis or hemp plant. Despite this fact, their primary difference is the part manufacturers harvest from.
Hemp oil often comes from the flower. You can also get them from other parts of the plant, such as the leaves and stalks.
Meanwhile, hemp seed oil comes from the seeds. Manufacturers extract the oil by cold-pressing the seeds.
The extraction location spells the difference when it comes to their effects and benefits. Hemp oil coming from the flower contains cannabidiol (CBD). It is a prevalent active ingredient in cannabis.
CBD is also a primary component found in medical marijuana products. Hemp seeds contain little to no traces of CBD. Instead, they are rich in minerals and other healthy elements.
Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil
The differences between hemp oil and CBD oil are as confusing. Some sellers label CBD oil as hemp oil to market their products. Others mislabel their hemp oil products as hemp seed oil.
Sometimes, hemp oil is equivalent to CBD oil. It happens when the product comes from parts of the hemp plant containing CBD.
Best Uses for Hemp Oil
Hemp oil offers many health benefits, especially for the endocannabinoid system. It features an extensive network of cellular receptors and chemical signals. You can find them in the brain and throughout the body.
These CB1 receptors control neurotransmitter activities. They also keep the levels in check to prevent imbalances. It is their job to adjust the activity by turning them up or down.
For example, when you feel hungry, the CB1 receptors provide immediate feedback.
Taking hemp oil helps ease the body’s response to pain. It impacts receptor activity, reducing inflammation.
Some hemp oil users combine the product with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the intoxicating component of marijuana. The combination provides a more powerful effect, helping ease pain in people with multiple sclerosis.
Hemp oil also promotes better sleep. Patients with Parkinson’s disease claim they sleep better after taking hemp oil. They experienced an improvement in their REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) symptoms.
RBD causes people to act out their dreams, causing nightmares and shorter sleep.
Hemp oil may also help treat pesky skin conditions like acne. Dry skin can lead to overproduction of oil, causing the pores to clog up. This condition can develop into acne.
If you have oily skin, hemp oil can moderate oil production. It moisturizes the skin without clogging the pores. This hemp oil guide is a great post to read if you wish to learn more about its uses.
Best Uses for Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seeds resemble chia seeds and flax seeds. They also contain a myriad of vitamins and minerals, making them similar to superfoods.
Some of its nutritional offerings include protein, fiber, and Vitamin E. You also get minerals like potassium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, iron, and calcium. It also comes with mega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that reduce cholesterol levels.
Pregnant women benefit from the omega-3 content. The fatty acids help develop the brain and retina of the fetus.
The same fatty acids regulate digestive juices. With millions of good and bad microbes in the gut, hemp seed oil can promote the good ones. Your digestion improves while your immune system becomes stronger.
The hemp seed oil also contains Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) and lipase. These combine to remove plaque building up on your cell membranes and blood vessels.
Its amino acid arginine also helps produce nitric acid, relaxing your blood vessels. When your blood vessels relax, you avoid experiencing high blood pressure.
GLA can also assist in weight loss by reducing your sugar cravings. It works as a natural appetite suppressant, lowering your calorie intake.
Hemp seed oil is perfect for people wishing to grow their hair. The essential fatty acids moisturize the hair, making it grow faster. They also reduce dandruff, dryness, and scalp itchiness.
Tips for First-Time Buyers
When buying hemp oil or hemp seed oil, ask the manufacturer about their growing practices. Pick a supplier using organic methods to grow the hemp plant. It reduces the risk of getting a product with contaminants like pesticides.
Start with agricultural hemp with an EU certification. Passing the EU standards reflects the purity of the hemp plant.
Ask about the hemp extraction process. Extractions using CO2, olive, or ethanol are your best bet.
If you picked a product coming from olive extraction, store it in a cool and dark place. It keeps the product from turning rancid.
Avoid hemp oils using butane or hexane extraction since they leave harmful solvent residues. Determine the form of hemp oil or hemp seed oil you want to take. Liquid oil doesn’t sit well with some people.
You may go for hemp capsules as alternatives. After all, the capsules offer longer shelf life and easy storage. Meanwhile, bottled hemp oils need refrigeration to ensure their freshness.
Study the current cannabis laws in the United Kingdom. Hemp oil is legal in the country as long as it contains less than 0.2% THC. It should also come from an approved industrial hemp strain.
Make Healthier Choices Now
Following our guide about hemp oil vs hemp seed oil allows you to pick the right product for your health needs. Getting proper nourishment ensures you make the most out of your investment.
However, staying healthy goes beyond choosing health supplements. Take a holistic approach to your lifestyle. Ask a dietician or nutritionist for expert advice.
Did you find this guide helpful? Consider reading our other posts today.