The CBD industry has grown and become extremely versatile and has evolved since regulations loosened up a few years ago in 2018. With these new rules allowing producers like us, our parent company Beebe Family Farms, and hundreds if not thousands of other solid brands to truly flourish.
While the new varieties and types of products can be a welcome change from where we started, it can sometimes be confusing. With Amazon throwing their market into the mix it can make it even more confusing.
So the question becomes, what am I buying? And will what Im buying work for me? Few people have had positive experiences buying from c-stores and amazon, usually receiving deceptively labeled products containing little to no CBD extracts (CBD concentrates) all!
Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil: Why Its Confusing
Hemp oil is not the same as CBD oil, and since there is often confusion around the two terms id like to explain the differences. Firstly, allow me to break down the definitions of each term. Hemp oil technically refers to an oil derived from the hemp seeds, and while it’s extremely rich in all kinds of nutrients, it has practically zero CBD content because the CBD is found in other parts of the plant. CBD oil can derived from the flowers where a high volume of CBD naturally occurs.
The issue appears to be that these terms are often used interchangeably by either dishonest or uneducated CBD companies. Many people would assume that as far as the CBD market is concerned, CBD oil refers to pure cannabidiol oil, while hemp oil refers to a hemp extract that contains CBD in addition to a variety of other naturally-occurring plant compounds such as additional cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Which is partly true but mostly false. I will explain further.
“CBD” has become somewhat of a blanket term for any product that contains a hemp extract with CBD in it. However, the truth is that CBD is simply one compound in hemp, and it happens to be the most prominent one. Many consumers consider the term CBD to mean marijuana minus the THC, which is the psychoactive compound that makes marijuana an illegal drug. But, when people search for CBD oil, they’re not necessarily looking for just pure CBD. Many are looking for a variety of hemp compounds. This is why it’s the responsibility of industry leaders such as us to educate consumers on the terminology that they’ll encounter as they research CBD.
It’s also important to know that due to certain limitations within the industry, companies feel that they cannot use the term “CBD oil.” The FDA has yet to start regulating CBD, although they have approved a CBD-based drug for epilepsy. This makes things tricky for CBD brands, as the use of certain terms can cause them to fail to comply with the FDA and state laws.
What is Hemp Oil?
Hemp oil is associated with food, as it’s commonly used as a culinary ingredient. It’s also found in skincare and haircare products due to its moisturizing properties. Hemp Seed oil comes from the seeds of the hemp plant, which contain a high level of omega fatty acids, as well as a decent amount of protein. But, the seeds of the hemp plant do not contain cannabinoids or any of the other compounds that are commonly sought after in CBD products.
What is CBD Oil?
To understand the CBD oil vs. hemp oil conundrum better, it’s important to comprehend what CBD is. CBD is a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. Hemp naturally contains a variety of cannabinoids. Interestingly, CBD is found in both the hemp and marijuana plants, but CBD and THC are inversely correlated, meaning the more THC (psychoactive), the less CBD (non psychoactive) and vice versa. So, CBD oil products are made from plants with high levels of CBD and only trace amounts of THC. Visit our other blog to see How CBD Works!
CBD oil technically refers to an oil containing hemp extract, which is derived from the CBD Hemp Flowers leaves, and stalks of the plant material. The hemp extract is naturally rich in a variety of compounds native to hemp, including CBD and other cannabinoids, as well as terpenes and flavonoids. CBD won’t get you high, which is why anyone can buy it throughout the United States. Lots of research has been done to study the unique properties of this cannabinoid, and as a result, many people take it daily for various health benefits.
Hopefully as you move forward in your CBD use, you will be able to avoid getting a less than decent product with the info i have provided! Love and good vibes!
