As a consumer new to the CBD market, it can be very confusing to navigate the plethora of CBD and hemp products on the market. CBD oil and hemp, although from the same plant are not the same product and deliver vastly different benefits. 

What is Hemp Seed Oil?

Hemp seed oil, botanical name Cannabis Sativa is oil pressed from the seeds of the hemp plant. Cold pressing of the seeds allows the oil to be extracted and to be used in haircare, skincare and cooking as well as carrier oil in CBD products.

The seeds do not contain any CBD and thus none of the benefits of CBD can be accessed. Hemp seed oil still has a rich profile of Omegas 3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as linoleic acid and phyto-compounds that have many health and skin benefits. 

What is CBD oil and how does it differ?

CBD oil is the resin that is extracted from the entire planet. It uses the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant in its production. In particular the flowers contain the active cannabinoids and terpenes, which give the oil the distinct smell. The oil is extracted through supercritical CO2, this being the cleanest method of extraction to produce full, broad spectrum oil or CBD isolate. This extract is then mixed with a carrier oil such as MCT( Coconut) or hemp seed oil at varying concentrations. As the extraction process is so complex, to remove certain compounds, prices do vary considerably.

CBD can also be extracted from marijuana. CBD from hemp or marijuana is the same on a molecular level, the difference comes down to legality in that marijuana is high in THC and within the UK, the law states that CBD oil can contain a maximum THC content of 0.2% and that the THC must not be easily separated from the carrier oil and other cannabinoids.