Hemp oil and CBD oil are NOT the same thing. And some brands may be using consumers lack of awareness to scam them into buying impure or even completely false products.
Don’t get us wrong — there are many benefits of hemp oil. But it doesn’t come close to the level of benefits with CBD oil. It’s a completely different product, with entirely different uses!
So what’s the difference between hemp oil and cannabidiol (CBD) oil?
This article will completely break it down for you and make sure you’re never scammed and only buy real, pure CBD products.
Let’s dive in!
Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil: What’s The Difference?
Hemp oil and CBD oil are two totally different things. They both come from different strains of the same plant, but with entirely different uses. One helps with pain, seizures, and a plethora of other amazing benefits. The other is basically a healthy cooking oil that doesn’t really do any of these things.
What Is Hemp Oil?
Hemp oil is derived from the hemp plant — a strain of cannabis that doesn’t contain THC and therefore doesn’t produce the “high” effects of marijuana. Hemp oil is mainly used as cooking oil (i.e. an alternative to vegetable oil, coconut oil, etc.). The main hemp oil benefits are its high amount of fatty acids omega-3 and -6, as well as linoleic acid, which all help to keep our brains active and our memories sharp. But that has nothing to do with pain relief or anything you would take CBD oil for. You may also hear of “hemp seed oil” or “hempseed oil”. These are the same thing as hemp oil, but are NOT the same as “CBD hemp oil”, which we’ll discuss in a moment.
What Is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol – or CBD – is a cannabinoid found in the seeds, stalks, and flowers of the cannabis plant. It occurs naturally and can be extracted, independent of other cannabinoids, in oil form.
CBD oil touts many benefits, including (but not limited to):
- Pain relief
- Reduced inflammation
- Treatment of epileptic seizures
- Reduced anxiety
- Acne relief
CBD Hemp Oil vs. CBD Marijuana Oil
You may hear CBD oil referred to as “CBD hemp oil”. This is not the same thing as regular hemp oil, and all these terms can get very confusing.
The reason for all these different names is that CBD can be derived from either hemp or marijuana plants — CBD “hemp” oil is derived from hemp, while CBD marijuana oil is derived from marijuana. The latter — CBD marijuana oil — is still illegal in most states due to the THC content. But CBD derived from hemp is legal in just about every state. (Click here to see if CBD is legal in your state!)
Why You’re Being Lied To About Hemp Oil
Here’s where things get interesting. The reason many people are confused about hemp oil vs CBD oil is because some brands may be selling CBD oil on Amazon and incorrectly labeling it “Hemp Oil”.
Many of the sellers label their products as “CBD hemp oil for pain & stress relief” like the one above. They’re doing this because it’s illegal to sell CBD oil on Amazon (see below), but if a seller labels their CBD oil as hemp oil, they can get past Amazon’s system that blocks CBD oil.
This means one of two things:
- The seller is selling CBD oil and calling it “hemp oil” to get past Amazon’s blockers.
- The seller is selling hemp oil and falsely claiming it has the benefits of CBD oil.
Either way, you’re being lied to and it’s nearly impossible to know which is which. Hopefully, Amazon will catch on soon and put an end to this, but in the meantime, you need to know what you’re really buying.
How To Tell If Something Is Really Hemp Oil or CBD Oil
Due to the mislabeling of products and the lack of FDA regulations on Cannabis products, it can be very difficult to know what you’re actually buying.
Even if you are buying true CBD oil, there are different levels of purity and some companies add fillers to cheapen the manufacturing and make more money off unsuspecting consumers.
That’s why it’s important to know what to look for. Before you buy CBD oil online, take the following precautions:
Ask the company for a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). This proves the CBD oil is real and tells you where it came from and how it was extracted. If the company can’t provide one, do not trust them.
Be wary of low prices. High-quality CBD oil products are typically $40USD+ for a small bottle. Retailers can go lower than this, but if they are, it probably means they’re taking a loss for some reason.
Look at the label to see how many milligrams (MG) of CBD are in the product. The average dose of CBD is about 10 to 20 MG daily, so the total volume divided by a serving should be around that amount (roughly 300 MG in a four-ounce bottle).
There are other ways to ensure you’re buying pure CBD products as well. Check out our guide on How To Buy CBD Oil to learn more.
Parting Advice on Hemp Oil Vs. CBD Oil
Right now, with the lack of regulation, it can be extremely difficult to tell what you’re buying. Unfortunately, many companies may be taking advantage of this fact to turn a quick profit.
That’s why you should only buy from trusted brands and only listen to trusted sources!
Here at CBD Central, we work hard to break down the research on CBD and cut through the false information out there to bring you the truth about CBD. Read more on our about page.
Whoever you listen to, make sure you do your research before buying anything!
