Hemp Oil vs Cannabis Oil

***Disclaimer :  The opinions expressed on my blog are based on my own thoughts, knowledge, and experiences. Please keep in mind that I am not a Doctor or other health professional so please consult the appropriate professional before making any changes. ***

GREAT GUIDE TO READ FOR SOME GREAT INFO: UNDERSTANDING MEDICAL CANNABIS by ELEMENT WELLNESS

I get asked often what the difference is between Hemp Oil and Cannabis Oil. In this post I describe the difference at a very high level in a way that hopefully helps those who have asked.  Hemp oil vs cannabis oil – are they the same thing? If not, how do the two types of oil differ? If you happen to be one of those asking these questions and others on the same subject, then sit back and let me take you through some basics. Before we even start, understand that these two oils get their names from the plants from which they are extracted. Therefore, an explanation of the similarities and differences of the plants will provide an effective comparison of hemp oil vs cannabis oil.

So here goes... Hemp and cannabis are the same species, but…and yes I said BUT.. So lets keep going here... First, hemp and cannabis are not different plants per se. They are breeds or varieties of the same species: "cannabis sativa".   To be honest, it was only until after I was diagnosed and began doing my own research that I finally understood the difference between the two. The two varieties have several significant "differences" that range from how they grow and look to their uses and the chemical compounds in their extractions.   For instance, while hemp grows up to fifteen feet tall with long, massive stalks, cannabis grows outward with more leaves and buds and rarely exceeds five feet in height.  The industrial hemp plant also seem to grow comfortably closely packed together while each cannabis plant requires some space to grow. (very broad statements, I know folks but stay with me here...)

BUT.. and here is where that BUT comes back into play.. The most significant difference, especially in regard to the oils, is in the chemical compounds they contain, which are also referred to as cannabinoids. The primary difference between the two is in the cannabinoids..yes the cannabinoids.. (admit it it is a funny word - but get used to it as you will start to see it more and more as things start changing in this world).. While there are close to four hundred+  cannabinoids in both cannabis and hemp, there are two that stand out most: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).  These are the most active and the most studied.  Understanding these two cannabinoids is the key to making the right hemp oil vs cannabis oil decisions. Now lets look at each of them in detail.

THC is the cannabinoid that is responsible for giving a high or ‘stoned’ feeling to cannabis smokers. It is the part of cannabis that has given the whole plant a ‘bad name’ around the world.  You know things like "the gateway drug", or "pot heads", or "weeeeeed", or "stoners, burn outs, etc"...  Ya I know - to me all that nonsense is BS.

CBD, on the other hand, has healing powers that have been associated with the plant for centuries. In recent years, this compound has attracted much attention from researchers and experts for its ability to cure conditions such as pain, cancer, diabetes and arthritis. Together THC:CBD and dosed correctly can be life changing for many different diseases, disabilities, diagnosis, etc. 

MORE INFO BELOW:

HEMP vs CANNABIS-DERIVED CBD 

Cannabis Research

Hemp vs. Cannabis-Derived CBD

We know that hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of Cannabis Sativa L., but many people wonder if CBD sourced from low-THC/high-CBD strains of cannabis (in this instance, agricultural hemp at less than 0.3% THC concentration) is the same as or comparable to CBD sourced from higher-THC/lower-CBD cannabis (i.e., marijuana). To be clear, whether or not CBD from a low-THC vs. high-THC plant is better/worse/the same because of the presence of other non-CBD molecules (also known as the "entourage effect") is an entirely different question, and one that could vary wildly depending on both the type of ailment/disease the patient is trying to relieve and his or her physiological differences.

CBD-rich strains of cannabis that categorize the plant as “hemp” (less than 0.3% THC content) vs. “marijuana” (greater than 0.3% THC) are driven by the expression of genotypes that direct their phenotypic characteristics. The genotypes of various cannabis strains dictate the biosynthetic pathways that result in different phenotypes and variations in cannabinoid, terpene, stilbene, and flavonoid profiles, or “fingerprints.”

The Science of CBD Molecules (or Yeah, Mr. White! Yeah, Science!)

For those of you whose eyes have glazed over because you typically handle organic chemistry with extreme aversion, a) we don’t blame you, and b) bear with us here. Basically, the laws of physics, chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry remain the same whether a molecule is synthesized within and sourced from a cannabis hemp plant or a cannabis marijuana plant. A molecule of any compound is composed of a specific arrangement and configuration of atoms with a specific bonding pattern. The strain of cannabis plant, regardless of its percentage or ratio of CBD/THC, does not change these fundamental truths.

Furthermore, from a physiological standpoint, the human body does not recognize whether a CBD compound was sourced from hemp or a high-THC strain of cannabis – all of the body’s biologic activity, interactions with various enzymes, and receptors specific to CBD also remains the same. Human physiology does not make a conscious decision to treat CBD differently because it was sourced from whole-plant hemp material vs. whole-plant marijuana material.

However, although the CBD compound itself is the same, it’s a different matter as to whether CBD from different plants interact with their distinct cannabinoid and flavonoid profiles in a unique way. There are over 90 other cannabinoid compounds that have been characterized in cannabis, the majority of which have yet to be studied more extensively in biological systems. Thus, we’re still in the dark as to how exactly these cannabinoids interact with each other and whether they contribute to CBD’s non-euphoric, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, metabolic health, and neuroprotective benefits as part of an “entourage effect.”

We can draw an analogy from vitamin C derived from oranges being “different” than that from grapefruits or acerola cherries. Although it’s different in that it’s produced from different fruits, vitamin C retains its same chemical and biologic characteristics irrespective of the source.

The very same can be said about the CBD, CBC, CBG, THC, or any other cannabinoid not being “different” despite being sourced from different strains of cannabis. Although the CBD compound itself is the same whether it’s derived from agricultural hemp or a higher-THC cannabis strain, and the human body treats them the same, more research is needed to examine the relationship between CBD and other cannabinoids to see whether these additional compounds interact in a way that impacts the effects administered to the consumer.

In the near future we’ll be able to better determine how the entourage effect of different cannabis compounds working together creates a synergy of effects. There’s still much to discover about this wondrous plant!

SOME RESOURCES:

https://healthyhempoil.com/hemp-oil...

https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/is-cbd-from-cannabis-the-same-as-cbd-from-cannabis

Question: can you use hemp oil to get the cbd?

Answer:  Yes but you have to equal it out. The hemp oil from seed or male plant won't be as strong as cbd made from a actual female plant with buds. So you will have to take more to make it really count and you may need larger doses to get the same milligrams that you would from a smaller dose of "marijuana" CBD.