Hemp is experiencing a renaissance. Now that hemp has been legally distinguished from its relative of the same name (Cannabis sativa), you may purchase hemp products almost anywhere, from the most discerning health food co-ops to suburban big-box stores.
However, with cannabis being banned in all forms for so long, there’s likely to be some uncertainty when you go shopping.
Hemp oil is one of the most frequent forms, but how much do you know about it?
Here’s a quick rundown of everything you should know about hemp oil (including whether it does anything that boosts your productivity).
All you need to know about Hemp Oil
First and foremost, what exactly is it? The most common misunderstanding is that hemp oil is synonymous with CBD (cannabidiol) — or that it is cannabis.
CBD oil can theoretically be CBD hemp oil, but hemp oil isn’t always CBD oil – it’s more commonly hempseed oil.
Hempseed oil is widely accessible in supermarkets and may be used in both cooking and baking. While CBD oil is extracted from the leaves or buds of a cannabis plant, hempseed oil is extracted by pressing oil from hemp seed, much like olive oil is extracted by pressing entire olives.
Cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana), are not found in hempseed.
If you’re seeking a product containing those components, hempseed oil is probably not what you’re looking for.
CBD hemp oil is distinct in that it is taken from the flower buds and leaves of the hemp plant and includes naturally occurring cannabinoids such as CBD.
How does Hemp Oil Aid your Health?
Hempseed oil is nutrient-dense and a fantastic addition to your diet due to its capacity to provide critical fatty acids required by the body.
Because of its high omega-3 fatty acid and nutritional content, hempseed and hempseed oil are sometimes referred to as superfoods.
- Reduced swelling
According to a 2011 study of medical students, omega-3 fatty acids (such as those present in hemp oil) may help decrease inflammation. Some inflammation is natural, but excessive levels might increase your risk of getting heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.
- Redefined Skin Tone
Hemp oil and the omega-3 fatty acids it contains may potentially aid in the treatment of some skin disorders.
In a 2005 research, olive oil and hemp oil were compared in individuals with eczema. The researchers assessed skin dryness, itching, and the requirement for topical medicines to address symptoms.
According to reports, adding hemp oil to the diet relieved symptoms more than olive oil and according to another 2015 analysis, omega-3s found in foods like hemp oil may help with psoriasis when utilized as a part of a larger therapy strategy.
- Milder PMS and Menopausal Symptoms
Hemp oil’s fatty acids may aid with PMS and menopause symptoms.
A 2011 study discovered that eating 1 gram of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a form of omega-6 fatty acid present in hemp reduced the severity of PMS symptoms.
In addition, a mouse study published in 2010 discovered that the same fatty acid may help alleviate menopausal symptoms (of course, human research is still needed to confirm).
- A Cheerful Heart
The ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) in foods like hemp oil may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, which kills one out of every four people in the United States each year.
- Pain alleviation
When CBD hemp oil is included, pain reduction is one of the advantages. In 2018, a review of research concluded that CBD in full-spectrum hemp oil showed potential for pain relief.
Full-spectrum CBD oil includes everything that the hemp plant has, including terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids, and fatty acids. (Hemp oil derived from seeds that lack all of these active components.)
- Lessening of tension and anxiety
THC levels in the hemp oil and CBD hemp oil are not high.
Most are supposed to have less than 0.3 percent THC under federal laws, implying that you won’t experience the “high” commonly associated with cannabis.
CBD in full-spectrum hemp oil, on the other hand, has been demonstrated to lower anxiety as well as muscular tension.
The Bottom Line
Both hempseed and hempseed oil are GRAS (generally regarded as safe) by the US Food and Drug Administration.
That is, they had no concerns about the safety of these chemicals in people.
The biggest concern for many customers is mislabeling and misunderstanding the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD hemp oil. Due to a lack of regulation in the CBD business, many consumers are unwittingly purchasing hempseed oil while mistaking it for CBD hemp oil.
If you experience an allergic response to hempseed oil, stop using it.
