CBD Oil vs Hemp Oil: What’s the Difference?

When you have an interest in natural, hemp-based products, it’s likely you’ve come across CBD oil and hemp oil as you peruse products. Oftentimes, these two hemp-derived oils are marketed quite similarly. If you feel a little confused, that’s understandable, especially if you’re just dipping your toes into the world of CBD. Who wants to waste their time and money on the wrong products?

The vague descriptions many brands use for their products don’t help, not to mention those nefarious snake oil salesmen. Those charlatans would have you believe some strange things about these products without Certificates of Analysis (like ours) to back them up. While both oils have their benefits, it’s important to understand what you’re buying. Below, we’ll take a look at the differences between hemp oil and CBD oil. 

What Is CBD Oil? 

In most cases, CBD oil consists of two things: cannabidiol (CBD), which is the compound we love, and a carrier agent that helps it get where it’s going, like coconut oil. CBD comes from the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. All of these parts contain cannabidiol. 

At Fletcher Farms, we use a full spectrum CBD oil, which contains all the naturally occurring compounds found in the hemp plant, such as other minor cannabinoids (CBG, THC, THCV, etc) and beneficial phytonutrients. There are other types of CBD oil as well, such as CBD isolate, which is the just isolated CBD molecule in a crystalized form and broad spectrum oil, which contains CBD, minor cannabinoids, phytonutrients but removes THC.

What About Hemp Oil? 

Hemp oil is extracted from hemp seed. This seed contains no cannabinoids, which means there’s no CBD in hemp oil. When you’re looking for the soothing vibes of this cannabinoid, hemp oil is not for you. Also known as hemp seed oil, people have different reasons for seeking it out. 

What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil? 

With its increasing popularity in the United States, people tout the potential benefits of CBD products. For some of them, there are studies that come to the same conclusions. There are numerous reasons people try our products, but there’s no one answer that fits all of them. 

Among the most popular reasons, people use CBD to help with pain or inflammation. Some also use it as a natural remedy to manage their anxiety. As the research continues, CBD shows a lot of potential, but we’re not here to make any outlandish claims, and you should be wary of brands that do. 

And the Benefits of Hemp Oil? 

Whether you want to call it hemp oil or hemp seed oil, they have their benefits as well. For thousands of years, hemp seed-derived products have been used to promote general well-being. This is because they are packed to the brim with nutrients. Hemp oil is just one way to get some of those benefits into you. 

Hemp seeds are an excellent source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, offering an optimal range of omega-6 to omega-3. These elements have the potential to benefit those with skin diseases or provide relief from a condition like eczema.

CBD Oil and Hemp Oil: Spotting the Difference

Armed with this general understanding of their differences, you certainly don’t want to buy the wrong one by accident. While it’s not life-threatening, having to re-order products is a pain. Any CBD brand worth your time (and your money) is prepared. They should provide those Certificates of Analysis we mentioned earlier from an independent lab. This confirms the contents of their products. 

When you shop at Fletcher Farms, we provide COAs for all of our products. Unfortunately, this isn’t a legal requirement, so there are some retailers who try to skip this process. When you want to purchase CBD oil, check for these documents. Some unscrupulous stores market their products with vague phrases to navigate the hazy area of omission and misinformation. 

For hemp oil, all you really need to do is check out the ingredient list. You should see hemp oil or hemp seed oil or cannabis seed oil right there. These products should not make claims about CBD, because it shouldn’t be there. 

Finding What’s Right for You 

Your health is in your hands, and as such, it’s important to stay informed about what goes into your body. With a little research, you can find what you need to experience the benefits of whichever oil you prefer. 

When you’re in the market for full spectrum CBD products, stop by our store and put this new-found skepticism to work! You’ll find all our products make no weird claims and have been independently tested. Hopefully, we’ve been able to help you today. If you have any other questions about hemp and CBD, feel free to reach out!