What is Hemp Oil and is it safe?
Hemp oil can refer to a full-spectrum oil from the
Cannabis sativa plant or hemp seed oil, which is oil that comes from just the seeds of the hemp plant. There is very no risk of intoxication from hemp oil as all forms of hemp oil come from food-grain strains of hemp. The authors of a study in the journal
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research note that food-grain strains of hemp must contain less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the compound that causes the so-called “high” of marijuana. Hemp oil
is not the same as Cannabidiol Oil, more commonly known as CBD oil. The production of CBD oil uses the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant, which contain a higher concentration of CBD. Hemp seed oil, on the other hand, comes from the small seeds of the
Cannabis sativa plant. The seeds do not contain the same levels of compounds as the plant itself, but are still rich in nutrients, fatty acids, and useful bioactive compounds. Full-spectrum hemp oil that also contains plant matter may add other effective compounds, which may help with certain health issues, such as
inflammation.
Hemp oil loves your skin. Hemp oil contains fatty acids that provide exceptional benefits for skin health. A
2014 study looking at the lipid profile of hemp seed oil found high quantities of healthful oils and fatty acids. These oils and fatty acids have been proven to keep the skin soft, smooth, reduce irritation, and prevent breakouts making Hemp oil and excellent ingredient for nourishing and protecting skin from from inflammation and helps reduce premature aging. Another study in
2014 notes that the topical application of hemp seed oil strengthens the skins natural ability to resist infection. The authors also suggest that hemp seed oil may be a helpful treatment for a range of skin issues, including:
Full-spectrum hemp oil benefits Full-spectrum hemp oil also includes plant matter, which adds additional compounds, such as CBD.
Although hemp seeds contain small amounts of these compounds, a higher concentration may bring some additional benefits to the body.
Natural pain relief
Hemp oil has been used as a natural remedy for pain and inflammation for centuries. Its use has skyrocketed in recent years with the backlash over
side effects related to over the counter and prescription pain relievers. For those who do not want or can not take over-the-counter or prescription pain medications high-quality hemp oil topicals provide much needed relief. A
2018 review notes full-spectrum hemp oil is successful in the treatment of many types of pain including muscles, joints, and nerves.
Full-spectrum hemp oil's unique properties also help with general
stress and muscle tension. The natural combination of vitamins and fatty acids in Hemp oil have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, which helps relieve tension from stress and promote recovery from exercise.
References
Sources
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Citti, C., et al. (2018). Analysis of cannabinoids in commercial hemp seed oil and decarboxylation kinetics studies of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) [Abstract].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29182999
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Fleming, J. A., & Kris-Etherton, P. M. (2014). The evidence for α-linolenic acid and cardiovascular disease benefits: Comparisons with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4224228/
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Meng, H., et al. (2017). Selective cannabinoids for chronic neuropathic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wk/ane/2017/00000125/00000005/art00032
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Montserrat-de la Paz, S., et al. (2014). Hemp (Cannabis sativa L). seed oil: Analytical and phytochemical characterization of the unsaponifiable fraction.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf404278q
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Oláh, A., et al. (2014). Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4151231/
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Rodriguez-Leyva, D., & Pierce, G. N. (2010). The cardiac and haemostatic effects of dietary hempseed.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2868018/
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Tabassum, N., & Hamdani, M. (2014). Plants used to treat skin diseases.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3931201/
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Vučković, S., et al. (2018). Cannabinoids and pain: New insights from old molecules.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6277878/
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Yang, Y., et al. (2017). Cannabis sativa (hemp) seeds, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and potential overdose.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5665515/
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Zhou, Y., et al. (2018). Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed phenylpropionamides composition and effects on memory dysfunction and biomarkers of neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6288804/
Medically reviewed by
Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT