CBD Vs. Hemp Oil: Which Is Better At Treating Pain?

Countless brands and celebrity endorsements are now infused with CBD, a naturally occurring chemical in cannabis plants that played a starring role in everything from Kristen Bell's wellness initiative to Kim Kardashian's themed baby shower. However, the plant also has another buzzy byproduct: hemp oil. The primary difference between the two is that CBD extracts come from the leaves, flowers and stalks of the plant, while hemp oil comes from cold-pressed seeds from one kind of the cannabis sativa plant (via Good Hemp). It might help distinguish between the two by referring to hemp oil as hempseed oil; "CBD oil can technically be CBD hemp oil, but hemp oil is not necessarily CBD oil — and is most often hempseed oil," Emily Kyle, a certified holistic cannabis practitioner and dietician, told Greatist.

Both products have a range of health benefits. Using CBD oil has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, could benefit heart health as well as alleviate cancer-related symptoms (via Healthline). Hemp oil, in contrast, can help lower blood pressure, improve skin texture and reduce inflammation (via WebMD). However, both oils have been known to relieve pain.

Hemp oil has great nutritional benefits; you can usually find it in your local supermarket. As Emily Kyle told Greatist, "Hempseed and hempseed oil are often referred to as a superfood due to their high omega-3 fatty acid and nutrient content." The Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation as well as boosting the immune system. Because of this anti-inflammatory property, it can also be used topically to help with pain (via Good Hemp).

However, CBD oil definitely wins when it comes to treating pain. Research has shown that CBD oil can help with managing chronic pain, especially back pain (via Healthline). There is still more research that needs to be done to know whether CBD helps with arthritis or provides relief during cancer treatment, but it looks promising. Furthermore, there is a lot of anecdotal advice to suggest that it does help with relieving joint pain (via Healthline). If you're experiencing chronic pain or migraines, a combination of the two might help. As always, speak to your doctor before taking either.