What You Need To Know Before Using Hemp Oil

CBD products are now on shelves worldwide, offering a broad spectrum of benefits to various users. A sister of CBD, hemp seed extract, offers natural wellness remedies in a similar vein. Mindbodygreen explains that hemp seed extract contains only 0.3 percent THC, much like CBD and other store-ready cannabis products — thus, you will not get high from using this type of product. However, hemp seed oil contains no CBD at all, making it a kitchen and self-care staple for many people. 

Hemp seed extract comes from the seed or stalk of a hemp plant, helping it retain the beneficial properties that cannabis plants contain. Rather than simply focusing on the benefits of the THC and CBD content, health professionals have started to uncover the nutrients of other parts of the plant. Hemp seed extract contains phytocannabinoids, the outlet notes, and these offer qualities that are said to positively impact the endocannabinoid system. 

This system impacts multiple biological processes including digestion, sleep, mood, memory, and fertility, Healthline explains. A complex network of receptors that turn on and off various functions, the endocannabinoid system works with specific enzymes and molecules. When using hemp seed extract, you're directly impacting this system and setting off various receptors.

Hemp seed oil and hemp seed extract are different

While hemp seed extract contains less than 0.3 percent THC, hemp seed oil contains no THC at all. Like other oils, you can use this variant of hemp seed for cooking and self-care due to its high level of fatty acids. In fact, Mindbodygreen explains that you may know this oil as cannabis seed oil and that its large doses of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids have people hooked on its natural high. Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, a nutrition and wellness expert and author of Eating in Color, tells the outlet, "Hemp seed oil is a nutty-tasting oil that contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It's a healthy ingredient that provides beneficial fats and is made sustainably."

You can add this oil to your salad dressings, smoothies and soups, she suggests, but you won't get any CBD at all. Boasting inflammation-fighting benefits and a healthy dose of antioxidants, hemp seed oil can bolster your cardiovascular health and soothe various skin conditions when used topically, according to Nourish by WebMD. In addition to making a great kitchen staple, hemp seed oil moisturizes and fortifies your hair, skin, and nails, the outlet attests. You can add it to face masks, hair masks, and even use it as a cuticle oil.

Long story short: Opt for hemp seed extract when looking to soothe your endocannabinoid system, and pick up hemp seed oil when you need an antioxidant-packed cooking agent!