CBD oil is oil that has a high concentration of cannabidiol (CBD). It is usually extracted from whole plant hemp grown specifically to be high in CBD and only contain trace amounts of THC. The high amount of CBD and low amount of THC in hemp plants makes them ideal for extracting CBD oil. CBD oil that is extracted from hemp might also be referred to as hemp oil, full spectrum hemp oil, cannabis oil from whole plant hemp, hemp-derived CBD oil or CBD-rich hemp oil.
Hemp seed oil is not the same as CBD oil or hemp oil. Hemp seed oil doesn’t contain a significant amount of cannabinoids so it doesn’t have the same kind of benefits you can get from CBD oil. Hemp seed oil is extracted from hemp seeds and is generally used for cooking. While hemp seed oil does have some beneficial properties like being a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, because it doesn’t contain CBD, hemp seed oil is less expensive to produce and costs less for consumers to purchase.
Unfortunately, many people purchase hemp seed oil thinking they are buying CBD oil. Be sure to read product labels carefully. Products with hemp seed oil will oftentimes describe the health benefits of the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the oil but don’t mention CBD. If you’re looking for CBD, do your homework and only buy from businesses with products that are clearly labeled and indicate the amount of CBD in the product. Also, check the product label for information about where the hemp is grown (in the U.S.), how the CBD is extracted (look for CO2 supercritical extraction) and whether the products go through independent lab testing to verify CBD potency and to ensure the CBD oil is free from heavy metals, pesticides, chemical residue and other contaminants.