What is CBD Oil ?
What is the difference between CBD Oil and Hemp Oil ?
Where do CBD Oils and Hemp Seed Oils come from ?
How is CBD Oil made ?
How is Hemp Seed Oil made ?
What are the Benefits of Hemp Oil ?
How does CBD Oil work ?
Summary
What is CBD Oil ?
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a naturally derived substance present in the Cannabis Sativa plant. This plant class has two distinctive strains - marijuana and hemp- both containing vital compounds like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD. While marijuana features low levels of CBD and higher THC content, hemp on the other hand carries elevated levels of CBD but lower amounts of THC.|
THC is psychoactive and hence gives the ‘high’ sensation, but CBD is not and provides no euphoric sensation or ‘high’.
CBD usage has become increasingly popular due to the reported benefits, including aiding pain relief and helping people sleep. Users have also reported improved concentration and energy levels, due largely to the way in which CBD interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)
What is the difference between CBD Oil and Hemp Oil ?
CBD oil and hemp oil are two terms that people often confuse, but they actually refer to very different products.
To clarify, in this discussion we are considering the differences between CBD Oil and Hemp SEED Oil – they are very different products and it’s valuable to understand what those differences are.
Specifically, CBD oil comes from the stalks, leaves and flowers of the Hemp plant while hemp seed oil is derived from seeds. Since the former contains a greater amount of CBD it is suitable for more targeted usage.
Despite possessing no cannabinoids such as CBD or THC, hemp seed oil still offers noteworthy benefits due to its rich nutrient content; considered by some to be a superfood. This includes beneficial compounds with antioxidant characteristics which can provide numerous health advantages such as reducing inflammation or enhancing heart health.
Where do CBD Oils and Hemp Seed Oils come from ?
As previously noted, two oils derived from the C Sativa species of plant are CBD Oil and Hemp Seed Oil. These oils respectively come from the flowers, leaves, and stems or seeds of industrial hemp plants that are grown legally across the globe for their versatile use. Ranging from clothing to ropes to biofuels, this remarkably adaptable plant has served humanity well for many centuries.
How is CBD Oil made ?
Various methods exist for extracting CBD from 'industrial hemp', but most commercial techniques utilize solvents. These solvents are efficient in separating the CBD molecule from other compounds to create a purified solution. After evaporation, only the pure form of CBD oil remains.|
Using C02 to extract CBD Oil
Using CO2 for extraction is the most common method for extracting CBD, and is similar to extracting essential oils for making perfumes. Using a closed loop extractor method the hemp is placed in a chamber which is then filled with CO2. As pressure is applied to the chamber the CO2 turns to liquid, which enables it to absorb the hemp’s oils and flavours. The resulting liquid of both CO2 and CBD oil is then pumped into another chamber where the CO2 is transformed again into gas. Although safe and efficient this method isn’t always alcohol free, so may be further refined with an alcohol solvent to create CBD isolate or CBD distillate.
Alcohol Extraction
Another simple extraction method is to use liquid solvents such as ethanol or butane. Some people believe plant based solvents such as ethanol help to maintain hemp’s natural chemical properties during extraction, although tests have shown that the solvent residue isn’t always fully removed during the evaporation process. Also, by using natural solvents the chlorophyll of the plant may also be removed, which can give an unpleasant, taste to the resulting oil.
How is Hemp Seed Oil made ?
In order to create Hemp Seed Oil the seeds are first cleaned to remove leaf matter as well as any exterior dirt or contamination. The seeds are then loaded into hoppers which expel into a series of cold presser heads, creating long chunks of hemp cake which separates the oil via a corkscrew process. The fresh oil passes through a sold -filter filtration process, and flushed with nitrogen gas throughout the process to remove any suspended oxygen molecules. The oil created is of dark to clear light green colour and a nutty flavour, rich in omega 3 and 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and low in fatty acids.
What are the Benefits of Hemp Oil ?
Hemp Seed Oil is the only edible Oil containing more than 80% polyunsaturated fatty acids, and it’s Linoleic Acid (LA) and Linolenic Acid (LNA) ratio of 3:1 is considered by many nutritionists to be the optimum ratio. Another benefit of Hemp Seed Oil is the high level of Vitamin E which supports immune function and helps prevent inflammation due to its antioxidant properties.
How does CBD Oil work ?
No matter how one uses CBD, the beneficial outcomes are thought to arise from its engagement with receptors in the central nervous system. These gains are especially attributed to how it interacts with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), a complex communication network that is vital in regulating significant bodily functions such as controlling pain, achieving restful sleep patterns, governing memory retention and inflammatory responses, and adjusting immune activities.
The ECS triggers actions by managing the levels and activities of most other neurotransmitters via Cannabinoid receptors found primarily at CB1 receptors situated in our brains. Partnered with endocannabinoids produced by our bodies to stimulate these cannabinoid receptors which bear structural similarities with similar molecules found within the cannabis plant.
An alternative variety of cannabinoid receptor goes by the name CB2, and its primary location within immune tissues permits it to perform an essential role in facilitating the regulation of immune function. In terms of intestinal inflammation and bowel pain specifically, CB2 receptors are crucial for their control.
Summary
Scientific research is ongoing to learn more about the ECS and how it regulates our body, although there are many, many stories from CBD users about the positive effects they have experienced. With so many different products available, and so many reported benefits, the popularity of CBD is expected to grow exponentially.