Is Hemp Extract Worth Taking?

While people are obsessed with the isolated tinctures from cannabis, people forget about natural cold-pressed hemp oil as a supplement. It doesn’t have a harsh chemical extraction process, contains natural phytochemicals and doesn’t have enough THC to get you high.

Of course, the hype within the newly emerging cannabis market isn’t about hemp, but rather tinctures like CBD. You’ve probably seen your favorite internet celebrities pushing their CBD oil drops as if it were a cure-all for most ailments, taking any credit away from the whole, natural plant.

Hemp vs CBD?

We need to clear up that hemp oil is not the same as cannabidiol (CBD), although it can contain trace amounts of it. When you take a hemp extract, you are taking whatever cannabinoids that make it through processing, and that includes CBD and THC. In total, there are 113 known cannabinoids in hemp with their properties that you would be missing out on with an isolated tincture.

CBD has the benefit of being anti-inflammatory while avoiding any side effects of THC or other cannabinoids, so the effects are at least measurable. If you want to eliminate any chance of getting high or feeling anxiety, that’s the main draw why people are using it for medicinal purposes.

In the case of something like Liposomal hemp extract, you will find a hefty dosage of cannabidiol to justify using it, along with other beneficial cannabinoids. You also won’t be missing out on a dose of healthy fatty acids that would have otherwise been filtered out or destroyed with processed tinctures.

It is down to cost and personal preference when using CDB or hemp oils for medicinal purposes. If you have a bad reaction from one of the complex components of hemp, pure CBD extract may be a better option to try.

Hemp Over Medical Marijuana? 

Marijuana and hemp are relatively the same and MJ certainly does have it’s beneficial components. The issue is that medical marijuana will also give you a hefty dosage of THC, even if it’s a relatively weak strain. If you have a bad reaction due to side effects or simply don’t have access to medical marijuana, hemp or hemp-based products could be a better alternative.

Hemp has a very minuscule amount of THC that’s unlikely to get anyone high, and that goes with an oil extract as well. Modern strains are being selectively bred to have higher amounts of CBD and other beneficial cannabinoids while keeping the THC very low.

Of course, there are uses for medical marijuana that has a full-blown dose of THC. It’s the desired effect of increasing appetite is useful for patients having trouble eating and are severely underweight (notably AIDS patients). There are also some overlapping benefits between THC and CBD, like anti-anxiety or pain reduction.

THC from medical marijuana is also an important treatment for muscle spasms that multiple sclerosis patients commonly suffer from. This is due to nerve damage caused by MS that leaves muscles stiff, sore and with impaired movement.

The legality of both medical marijuana and hemp-based extracts vary based on geographical location, even from state to state. Hemp oil may be easier to obtain where medical marijuana is not permitted, and usually is not even considered a controlled substance.

Final Thoughts

Hemp oil certainly deserves a little more attention with the booming legalized cannabis industry as it’s viable for medicinal purposes while being quite economical. Just like any other supplement or natural medicine, be sure to consult with a medical professional if you’re planning on using it. There are still certain side effects from using it and may not be great to mix up with certain medical conditions.