You decided that you want to try the therapeutic benefits of CBD. Be it chronic pain relief, relaxation, or the various health benefits in store, you’re really keen to try it out. You go online and start searching, and see a full list of products that may all seem the same. You’ll see hemp oil, CBD oil, and CBD-infused hemp oil, and pretty much all of them seem like what you need. After all, all of these products are derived from hemp. However, there can be huge differences between hemp oil and CBD oil. One will grant you the benefits of CBD, and the other likely won’t.
When it comes to trying the health benefits of CBD oil for yourself, buying the wrong product can make you feel like you’ve wasted your time. Rather than getting relief for chronic pain, you end up with a watered-down liquid that doesn’t really do anything. A key point to remember, even though CBD oil comes from hemp, CBD oil, and hemp oil are far from the same product. To clear any confusion, take a look at a head-to-head comparison of CBD oil vs hemp oil below.
Cannabinoid Content in Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil – The Main Differentiator
Hemp oil, which can also be referred to as “hemp seed oil,” is extracted from hemp seeds and not the actual hemp plant. By contrast, CBD oil is extracted from the cannabinoid and terpene-rich plant, primarily the flowers (aka “buds”) where most of the cannabinoids and terpenes are found. This difference is key because hemp seeds tend to only contain trace amounts of the valuable chemical compounds from the cannabis plant like CBD (cannabidiol).
Hemp seed oil does offer value, but not because of its cannabinoid content. The oil is typically a food source and can be found in a number of health and beauty products because the oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats, antioxidants, and amino acids. It can be taken with other supplements or medication, unlike CBD oil since CBD interacts with many other products.
CBD oil comes in many different forms, including:
- CBD oil isolate, which contains only the CBD cannabinoid
- Broad-spectrum CBD oil, which contains the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant except THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
- Full-spectrum CBD oil, which contains all-natural cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant and less than 0.3% THC
CBD oil is made by infusing the cannabinoid-based extracts from hemp into a carrier oil. The carrier oil can be anything from hemp seed oil and olive oil to MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil. CBD or cannabinoid-based oils are used for therapeutic purposes. For example, CBD may help with sleep or certain types of pain.
Other Differences Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil
So far, you’ve learned that hemp oil is essentially valuable as a food source, while CBD oil is a cannabinoid-rich product used for therapeutic purposes. Check out the other noteworthy differences between hemp oil and CBD oil.
How They’re Made
Hemp oil is created in a few different ways by food manufacturing companies. However, the most common method is a “cold-press” process that involves pressing hemp seeds to extract the oil. Producing pure CBD oil and by extension CBD products, however, is a far more technical process that may involve complicated equipment and methodologies. For example, many processors use CO2 extraction, which involves using pressurized CO2 to extract and isolate valuable compounds from the cannabis plant. This crude oil is then further refined to eliminate invaluable plant compounds. The refined cannabinoid oil is then added to a carrier oil for easy dosing.
Where You Buy It
You can purchase hemp seed oil at just about any grocery or health food store. CBD oil, however, is not sold just anywhere, even though some CBD products are making their way into stores. The best way to find authentic, well-sourced pure CBD oil is to purchase products directly from a reliable brand. Look for published third-party lab tests that show the purity and potency of products, positive product reviews, and an established reputation.
Cost
CBD oil is naturally more costly than hemp oil. The more in-depth extraction processes, use of more plant material, and rigorous testing processes can mean high-quality CBD oil can be anywhere from $25 to $80 or more for a 30mL bottle. Hemp oil should be much cheaper for a much larger amount. For example, you may be able to buy eight ounces for around $10 to $20. Unfortunately, some shady companies deliberately take advantage of hemp oil vs CBD confusion and try to sell hemp oil as CBD oil at similar prices.
Label Information
A CBD oil product label should look much different than a hemp oil label. A CBD oil should give you an ingredient list, the exact milligram measurement of cannabinoids in the bottle, and usage recommendations. By contrast, hemp oil must give you nutritional information (e.g. calories, fat, carb content, etc.), ingredients, and serving size information to be compliant with FDA regulations.
Find Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil You Can Trust at Nirvana
Whatever CBD oil advantage you’re looking to experience, choosing a high-quality product is exceptionally important. Nirvana is a name you can trust in CBD oil. Each of our products is made with broad-spectrum extracts, which means you get all the valuable cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant without THC. Be sure to take a look at our collection of CBD oil tinctures.
