One of the biggest benefits and applications of CBD is helping with conditions such as anxiety and depression or even post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). Cannabidiol has been seen to help improve mood among people battling this mental condition. This happens via a mix of actions that include releasing bliss hormones in the brain, inhibiting GABA uptake to increase brain activity, and by inducing a calming effect in the user.
Now if you have been looking for CBD online, you have no doubt come across the terms hemp oil and CBD oil. And in many cases they are used interchangeably which can lead one to ask – which is the right one to take for anxiety?
What is hemp oil and what is CBD oil?
Hemp oil is oil extract derived from the hemp plant. The hemp plant is a particular species of the cannabis sativa plant. The hemp plant is mostly used and harvested for making construction materials and clothing. However, hemp oil has been seen to contain CBD.
Note: Hemp oil should not be confused with hemp seed oil. That is oil extracted from hemp seeds. Hemp seed oil, unlike hemp oil, does not contain any CBD whatsoever but has other great health and cosmetic benefits.
And on the other hand you have CBD oil. CBD oil refers to CBD extract from the cannabis plant in general. That could be from the hemp plant, other species of cannabis sativa, or even from cannabis indica varieties.
Difference between CBD oil and hemp oil
One of the differences between these two is that they are derived from different sources. Another difference is that one is legal at a federal level and the other is not. Hemp oil is legal all cross the US and this is why most CBD products are derived from hemp or marketed as such. However, CBD oil is not legal at a national level, only in states where cannabis is legal medically or for recreation. Thirdly, CBD oil is generally richer compared to CBD derived from hemp plants; CBD oil has more terpenes, flavonoids, and more CBD per plant.
How both hemp oil and CBD oil fair against anxiety
Because both hemp oil and CBD oil contain cannabidiol, both will help with anxiety. The chemical compound cannabidiol is the key. Other factors are secondary, and some are simply background noise. The concentrations of the CBD are what will matter most. And that mostly falls on the purview of the manufacturers. Do their hemp oil or CBD oil contain as much CBD as they claim on the labels? The truth is that most will not even come close. So it is important to research your CBD oil and hemp oil suppliers keenly.
The verdict: Cannabidiol is the key
If you live in a state where cannabis is legal, opt for CBD oil over hemp oil because, as mentioned earlier, it is richer in phytonutrients compared to hemp oil. As such, it will offer you greater benefits for anxiety and general wellness. However, if you live in a state where cannabis is not legal, you have no choice but to buy hemp oil. But in either case remember that CBD (cannabidiol) is the determining factor and is what will help with your anxiety. So check the product labels and buy from reputed suppliers who will not shortchange you on the cannabidiol content percentage.
