How to tell what your buying
**Understanding Hemp, Hemp Extract, and CBD: A Simple Guide**
Hemp, hemp extract, CBD, hemp oil, hemp seed oil – you might have come across these terms recently and wondered, "Aren't they all the same?" Don't worry; you're not alone. With the growing interest in natural and alternative health solutions, these terms have gained prominence, but they're often used interchangeably or misunderstood. Today, we'll break down these terms using the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple) method.
1. **Hemp: The Mother Plant**
To start, think of hemp as the mother plant. It's a type of plant that belongs to the Cannabis sativa species, but it's not the same as the marijuana plant. While both marijuana and hemp come from the Cannabis genus, hemp contains very low amounts (0.3% or less) of THC – the compound that produces the 'high' in marijuana.
**Uses of Hemp:**
- **Textiles**: Hemp fibers are strong and used in making clothing, ropes, and more.
- **Edibles**: Hemp seeds are nutritious and can be consumed.
- **Extracts**: Various compounds can be extracted from hemp, including CBD.
2. **Hemp Extract: The Good Stuff Inside**
When we talk about hemp extract, we mean the compounds extracted from the hemp plant. These can include a variety of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytochemicals.
3. **CBD: A Star Compound**
CBD, or cannabidiol, is just one of the many compounds (cannabinoids) found in the hemp plant, but it's gained the most attention for its potential therapeutic benefits. It's non-intoxicating (meaning it doesn't get you 'high') and is often used in wellness products.
**How it relates to Hemp Extract:**
- CBD is a component of hemp extract. So, when you buy a CBD product, you're often getting hemp extract with a specified amount of CBD.
4. **Hemp Oil vs. Hemp Seed Oil: Here's the Twist**
This is where many get confused, so let's clarify:
- **Hemp Seed Oil**: As the name suggests, this oil is derived from hemp seeds. It's rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, making it great for skincare and nutrition. However, it contains no CBD or other cannabinoids because these compounds are not present in the seeds.
- **Hemp Oil**: This term can be a bit ambiguous. Sometimes, it's used as another name for hemp seed oil. But, more often nowadays, it refers to hemp extract that includes the spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds found in the plant – and this would include CBD.
**The Key Difference**:
Hemp seed oil is purely from the seeds and has nutritional benefits but no CBD. Hemp oil (when not referring to hemp seed oil) contains a broad spectrum of hemp's beneficial compounds, including CBD.
**In Conclusion**
Remembering these terms can be boiled down to a few key points:
- **Hemp** is the overall plant.
- **Hemp Extract** is what you get when you extract the beneficial compounds from the plant.
- **CBD** is one of those beneficial compounds.
- **Hemp Seed Oil** is purely from the seeds and contains no CBD.
- **Hemp Oil** can be tricky, so always check if it refers to hemp seed oil or if it's an oil rich in CBD and other cannabinoids.
Always make sure to read labels and product descriptions carefully, and when in doubt, ask the manufacturer for clarity. With this guide in hand, you're well-equipped to navigate the world of hemp and its derivatives!