The holistic health market today is nothing short of a complex maze, and everyday people are given the near-impossible task of navigating it to make important decisions about their wellbeing. This is especially true when it comes to CBD oil and hemp oil, with their many similarities and equal, if not greater, number of distinctive differences and purposes for application. So, what exactly are the differences between CBD and hemp oil? How can we confidently choose between the vast range of products that manufacturers derive from each one? On the surface, CBD and hemp appear very similar, and their oils are derived from different parts of the same plant. To make matters more confusing, the language surrounding CBD and hempseed oil is often used interchangeably. For example, “hemp oil” and “hemp extract” are not at all the same thing, yet both phrases are frequently used to describe different products. This leads to considerable and understandable confusion for people browsing the aisles at their local health and wellness stores, making it extremely difficult to choose a product that will have the desired effect. In this article, we’ll explore the facts vs. fiction, dispelling certain marketing ploys and myths that plague the industry. Our goal will be to equip buyers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about full-spectrum the CBD oils they purchase.
Where do CBD oil and hemp oil come from?
Like any other plant-derived product, quality matters. Conscientious producers like The Happy Camper extract CBD oil from raw, organically grown hemp from reputable U.S. growers. Hemp enjoys a long reputation as a well-known protein source that’s rich in healthy fats and essential fatty acids. Research has also found significantly high amounts of vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, and zinc in the powerful hemp plant. Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a phytocannabinoid found in hemp that is believed to support a wide variety of functions in the body and brain. CBD oil is extracted from hemp’s densely potent flowers, stalks and leaves. In contrast, hemp oil is derived exclusively from the seeds of the hemp plant. Neither CBD oil nor hemp oil contain significant levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that produces feelings of being “high”. Both hempseed oil and CBD oil derived from this beneficial plant reflect its original biological makeup, but the different extraction processes used for each result in major differences between the two with regard to ingredient composition and potential health benefits.
How are CBD oil and hemp oil made?
Industry leaders like The Happy Camper derive CBD oil from the hemp plant using a two-step, cold-filtration process that does not negatively impact the environment. Once the hemp plant has been properly harvested, dried, and shucked, we use a clean alcohol and CO2 extraction agent to infiltrate the ground plant material. Then, we work in small batches, removing the alcohol residue and testing for quality and potency. This process is labor-intensive, but it ensures that every bottle of The Happy Camper CBD oil contains a rich and robust mix of the original hemp plant’s natural cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds. Conversely, hemp seed oil is obtained by harvesting and drying hemp plants and extracting their seeds, which are then pressed or cold-pressed to extract the oil.
What’s in CBD oil versus hempseed oil?
The distinctive extraction processes outlined above are important because each results in different compound and ingredient makeup of the final product. When derived conscientiously from quality, organic hemp sources, CBD oil contains a powerful mix of synergistic plant terpenes, beta-caryophyllene, flavinoids, phytocannabinoids, and nutritional fatty acids. The Happy Camper produces only Full-Spectrum CBD Oil, which contains all compounds of the cannabis plant including trace, non-intoxicating levels of THC.
CBD oil can also be found in these forms:
- Broad-spectrum: Contains some cannabis-plant compounds
- Isolate: Contains only the CBD cannabis-plant compound
Hempseed oil, on the other hand, does not contain any CBD. Instead, it contains Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid, oleic acid, stearidonic acid, and high levels of B and D vitamins.
What are the benefits of CBD oil and hempseed oil?
All humans and animals have what is called an Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This system is responsible for helping regulate many of the body’s basic functions including mood, sleep, digestion, and immune-response. CBD oil accesses the ECS through cannabinoid receptors that respond to naturally occurring “endocannabinoids” in the immune system, central nervous system, brain, organs, connective tissues, and glands. Hemp-derived CBD works in synergy with other secondary phytocannabinoids to help the body maintain homeostasis and regulate important psychological processes. Put a different way, some researchers believe the Omega fatty acids, phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavinoids in CBD oil works to support:
- Healthy sleep*
- Relief from exercise-induced soreness and inflammation*
- An overall sense of calmness and relief from occasional anxiety*
The ingredients in hempseed oil, meanwhile, have been positively linked to things like healthy heart and skin function and relief from gastrointestinal issues.
Could CBD oil work for you?
Introducing CBD oil as a part of your daily wellness routine is a personal choice that only you can make. The first step is understanding where CBD comes from, how CBD oil is made, and how its ingredients interact with the human body. From there, you can begin to explore the many diverse brands and products in the market and decide what CBD dosage and regimens may be best for you. A word of caution: Whatever course of self-care you choose, remember that quality is everything. Be sure that every CBD product you try comes from a reputable provider like The Happy Camper, who uses industry-leading standards for quality and is committed to customer education. And above all else, be sure to use only products that have been third-party tested and verified, with transparent and readily available certificates of analysis.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.