What is hemp oil?

With cannabis becoming more and more available by the day, a range of questions are emerging about it and the products it is in. One particular area of interest has been hemp oil and what exactly it is. 

When people discuss “hemp oil”, what they are usually actually talking about is a substance called hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil is a substance that has been around for centuries; however, it has been becoming especially popular as states across the country continue to expand access to cannabis products. 

 

How is hemp seed oil made?

Like all other seed oils, hemp seed oil is created with an oilseed press machine. There are  different types of press machines and even different techniques that can be used, but the basic concept is consistent. First, the raw hemp seeds are put into a seed hopper before being crushed by an expeller screw. Following this, the oil runs through canals which purify the substance, separating the pulps from the oil. The final product is a raw, unfiltered substance that can be infused into a variety of products. 

Although the process may seem fairly simple, it is actually quite complex. There is a lot that goes into making an oil that is high in quality. Everything from the quality of the raw seeds to their moisture content must be considered to create the perfect batch. 

 

What are the benefits of hemp seed oil?

Like other cannabis infused products such as CBD oil, hemp seed oil is popular because of the benefits it offers for your health. The properties within the substance contain many amino acids, health fats, and other nutritional characteristics. Because of this, it is often infused into health and wellness products — especially foods that are marketed by healthy brands. Here are some of the medical benefits that hemp seed oil offers:

 

Reduced blood pressure

Hemp seed oil is abundant in omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are helpful when it comes to lowering blood pressure in people who experience hypertension (also known as high blood pressure). Research shows that when hemp seed oil is used in combination with traditional medicine, it can exacerbate the positive impacts and further the effectiveness of the treatment. 

 

Healthy skin

Recent studies about the dermal impacts of hemp seed oil found that the substance, when consumed orally through tinctures, can improve symptoms related to the condition eczema. These effects, like the other benefits on this list, can be attributed to the power of the fatty acids within the oil. It has also been found useful for reducing the negative impacts of other skin related conditions such as acne and psoriasis. Overall, hemp seed oil can strengthen the cells within the skin and aid in fighting these problems. 

Cardiovascular health

Research has shown that high ratios of polyunsaturated fats to saturated fats can reduce levels of cholesterol and atherosclerosis in the body. The proportions that are present in hemp seed oil align with these ratios which allows it to have the same effect for those who use it. Because of this, hemp seed oil has been connected with preventing heart disease and improving the overall health and strength of the cardiovascular system. 

 

What is the difference between CBD oil and hemp oil?

Due to the close associations that many people make between different cannabis products, CBD oil and hemp seed oil are two substances that are often confused. Some believe that they are the same and have the same effects while others know little about the two as individuals in general. However, there are many stark differences between the two that pretty much make them entirely different from one another. 

The main difference can be found in what parts of the hemp plant the two oils actually contain. CBD oil is made from all parts of the hemp plant (the leaves, the flowers, and the stalk) while hemp seed oil is only derived from the actual hemp seeds. This means that there are no levels of CBD in hemp seed oil. Another difference can be seen in what the two oils are able to do for your health. Hemp seed oil is mostly used just as a substance that increases the nutritional value of foods and cosmetic products. CBD oil, on the other hand, has properties that allow it to be used for a number of medical benefits ranging from anxiety reduction to treatment of rare cases of epilepsy. Due to these differences, it is important to decide what you are looking to achieve with cannabis derived oil to figure out which one is best for you and your needs.