There’s no doubt that hemp and CBD products are starting to get more popular. Everywhere you look it’s CBD-this and CBD-that. Some shampoos even have hemp compounds and you may even see stores offering hemp oils and edibles. It’s even in some skincare. But whilst there isn’t much scientific literature about hemp that describes its benefits, there are plenty of companies that are already cashing in by making hemp-infused products.
But should you really try them out? Are hemp products worth the investment, or is it just a fad that doesn’t have any scientific backing?
Hemp and CBD products have benefits, but it depends on who you ask
As mentioned in the beginning, there isn’t much scientific literature to show that hemp has tangible benefits. However, many studies have been carried out on people and many of them have generated positive results that showcase some of CBD’s abilities to relieve pain and even alleviate anxiety and stress. This alone has prompted many people to go out and try hemp and CBD products, but this is usually where the confusion starts because hemp and CBD are entirely different.
The differences between hemp and CBD
Hemp products typically use hemp seed oil which is derived from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. It contains healthy nutrients like omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids and even has nutritional antioxidants. It’s also high in vitamins B and D, and it contains none of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that causes the high that you’ll find in cannabis.
However, that’s about where it ends.
Hemp products typically don’t contain much CBD which is the compound that contains the supposed pain-relieving and stress-beating effects. However, since both products do come from the cannabis plant, it can leave some people feeling a bit confused.
CBD products should be clearly labelled and not confused with hemp products
Brands such as Simply CBD will clearly label their CBD products. While there can still be a bit of confusion regarding the types of CBD oil on the market and its uses, it’s a good idea to separate hemp and CBD as the two aren’t exactly interchangeable. While they both have plenty of positives and reasons to use both, it’s best not to get them mixed up.
So, what are hemp products actually good for?
Hemp seed oil is typically added to nutritional products like edibles, but it can also be found in beauty items like shampoo and skincare products. Hemp seed oil has great benefits such as relieving constipation and it could potentially improve skin conditions. There is also some research to suggest that it provides antioxidant and anti-ageing effects which is why it’s used in beauty products.
As you can see, it’s easy to get mixed up with hemp and CBD products since they come from the same plant. However, they are entirely different and it’s worth looking deeper into the products that you plan to buy to get a better understanding of what you’re actually paying for.
