Hemp Oil: Hemp Extract Oil vs Hemp Seed Oil – What’s the Difference?

As hemp products become increasingly popular due to the natural benefits they offer, there’s a need to clarify the terminology that’s being used for the different types of oils that come from the hemp plant. This article explains the difference between hemp seed oil and hemp CBD oil and includes a list of interchangeable phrases that you may see to help you make the right choice when shopping for hemp products. 

Is Hemp Oil the same as CBD Oil?

Unfortunately, the broad term “hemp oil” is often used to describe both hemp CBD oil and hemp seed oil, which are two very different things. This has become a common source of confusion for consumers, as the names have come to be used interchangeably in many instances. Hemp seed oil and hemp CBD oil are both derived from hemp, a strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant. However, they come from different parts of the plant, which gives them unique properties and benefits.

Hemp seed oil is extracted from hemp seeds and is often used as a mild carrier oil in tinctures or balms, but it contains only trace levels of cannabinoids, like CBD. It is widely considered to be a superfood because of its high Omega-3 and Omega-6 content and is often used in the kitchen, adding essential fatty acids to dressings, smoothies, etc. Typically when the term hemp oil is used, it is referring to hemp seed oil, yet this is not always the case today. In the past, it was only legal in the United States to sell hemp seed oil, so there wasn’t a need to clarify the terminology.

Unfortunately, there are many misleading products on the market that are primarily hemp seed oil, but branded as CBD-rich hemp extract. Ingesting hemp seed oil alone or using it topically is not a reliable or effective way to get cannabinoids, including CBD, into your system.

“Hemp Extract oil” is a term that is commonly used to refer to the extracted substance from the flowers of the hemp plant (often called buds), which is rich in CBD and various other cannabinoids and terpenes, but can be found in small amounts in the seeds and stalk. CBD stands for “cannabidiol”, which is one of the compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant and is responsible for many of the health benefits that users report. 

Depending on a product’s formulation, the CBD listed in the ingredients could be sourced from an isolate, broad-spectrum hemp extract, or full-spectrum hemp extract. While there is still more research to be done, there are studies that show cannabinoids found in broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD oil (primarily CBD, CBG, CBC, CBD, and THCv) and terpenes work together to influence each other. This synergistic effect is called the entourage effect which is claimed to enhance efficacy.

Full-spectrum hemp extract oil isn’t intoxicating, as it typically contains trace amounts of THC that would not create a “high”. If you’re particularly sensitive, broad-spectrum hemp extract is the best option because it can be rich in CBD and contain the plant’s naturally occurring compounds and cannabinoids, but is free of THC.

CBD is usually ingested on its own or in a product such as chocolate. It can also be used topically as a balm applied directly to the skin.

Interchangeable Terminology

Now that legislation has made hemp legal and companies are utilizing other parts of the Cannabis Sativa plant, it has become increasingly important that consumers are properly educated on the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD oil. Because the term “Hemp Oil” is often used for both, to help eliminate confusion, we’ve put together a list of various interchangeable terminology that you may see when seeking out CBD-rich hemp extract. Whether you want hemp seed oil or hemp CBD oil, it’s important to always read labels carefully to ensure that you’re buying the type of oil that you desire. If a product doesn’t clearly define where or how its CBD is sourced, it is best to inquire before purchasing.

Hemp Extract Terminology

• Hemp Oil
• CBD Oil
• Hemp Extract
• CBD Hemp Oil
• Full Spectrum Hemp Extract
• Broad Spectrum Hemp Extract
• CBD-rich Hemp Extract
• CBD Isolate (pure cannabidiol)
• PCR – Phytocannabinoid Rich Hemp Oil

In addition to understanding the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD-rich hemp extract, there are other aspects to pay attention to when determining which type of product is right for you. When purchasing a CBD tincture, you’ll want to know the product’s potency, whether or not it’s full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate, if the product has been lab-tested, and if the hemp is US-Grown. Always seek brands that offer the utmost transparency, especially those who publish each product’s lab results so that consumers can verify the active cannabinoid content and confirm the product’s purity.