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<\/p>\nWhile most people are familiar with hemp to some degree, there\u2019s also a wealth of misunderstandings over what hemp actually is. How is it different from cannabis? Does hemp contain any THC, and what sets hemp oil apart from CBD oil?<\/p>\n
Plus, many people are unfamiliar with hemp\u2019s potential medicinal uses, and how it\u2019s developed as a health-promoting ingredient.<\/p>\n
Today, we\u2019d like to provide you with a comprehensive overview of medicinal hemp. This includes an overview of how the plant reached the status it\u2019s at today, thanks to the years of growth and development of medicinal hemp research.<\/p>\n
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To start, it\u2019s important that you have a clear understanding of exactly what hemp is. Hemp is a plant and is actually the same species as cannabis. However, hemp and cannabis are not identical and do share a few notable differences.<\/p>\n
For one, unlike cannabis, hemp is quite low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is a psychoactive chemical and is the reason why ingesting marijuana makes someone feel high. So, seeing as how hemp is composed of less than 0.3% THC, it doesn\u2019t have the same effect on your body as cannabis \u2014 no high or feelings of euphoria.<\/p>\n
Currently, hemp and hemp-derived products can be sold legally throughout the United States. Certain ingredients like hemp leaves, flowers, seeds, protein, and even hemp seed oil can legally be used in medicine, food, and more.<\/p>\n
As time goes on, we\u2019re beginning to gain a clearer understanding of hemp\u2019s potential medicinal properties. Hemp has been used to help treat or alleviate symptoms of high cholesterol, constipation, arthritis, eczema (atopic dermatitis), and other conditions. Still, researchers are working to find better evidence of hemp\u2019s possible medicinal effects. The medicinal development of hemp is ongoing.<\/p>\n
Aside from being used as an ingredient in food and medicine, hemp has a variety of other practical uses<\/a>. For instance, hemp can be used to make cosmetics, cloth, rope, wood preservatives, printer ink, soaps, detergents, and lighting oil. So, not only does hemp show great promise as a medicinal ingredient, but it\u2019s also impressively multi-purposed.<\/p>\n Hemp is commonly confused with cannabis, Canadian hemp, hemp agrimony, and cannabidiol (CBD). However, it\u2019s important to note that hemp is not synonymous with any of these other plants or chemicals. They are all distinct from one another and have different uses and properties.<\/p>\n CBD can be either hemp-derived or cannabis-derived. Hemp tends to contain greater amounts of CBD, compared to cannabis. In turn, cannabis contains less CBD and more THC. Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating. This is why cannabis can make you high, but hemp can\u2019t.<\/p>\n Although our understanding of medicinal hemp is still growing, as new research is performed, some studies have suggested potential medicinal benefits. So, how has hemp advanced medically?<\/p>\n Well, in a 2014 review on plants that might work as treatment for skin conditions, some positive claims were made regarding hemp. The authors of this review claimed that, by applying hemp seed oil topically, one could strengthen their skin and make it better able to resist infection. More specifically, the authors suggested that hemp seed oil could be used to treat a wide variety of skin issues, including:<\/p>\n But why is this? Researchers have some good ideas as to why hemp seed oil might be beneficial for the skin. This kind of oil contains large amounts of beneficial fats, as well as several other helpful compounds. With topical application, hemp seed oil shows some medicinal promise.<\/p>\n It has also been suggested that the fatty acids contained within hemp seed oil could be useful for promoting brain health. Our brains require a variety of healthful fats, or else they won\u2019t be able to function properly. So, due to the fats and other compounds within hemp seed oil, it shows promise in this area.<\/p>\n Is there any further evidence showing how hemp seed oil could protect the brain? Actually, there is, and it\u2019s a relatively recent development. In 2018, a study was published in ACS Omega that used mice to test these potential benefits. According to the results of this study, when supplied with hemp seed extract containing the necessary active compounds, the mice\u2019s brains were better protected against inflammation. It\u2019s still not entirely clear if this could be replicated in humans, although it\u2019s certainly promising.<\/p>\n In terms of promoting heart health, hemp shows further promise, although research in this area is admittedly a bit limited. Additionally, many existing studies are outdated. Hemp seed oil has a comprehensive nutrient profile, which has led some to believe that it could be beneficial for the heart \u2014 and this does seem like a possibility.<\/p>\n According to an older study published in Nutrition & Metabolism, due to the nutrient profile of hemp seeds, they show potential as an ingredient capable of treating several health conditions<\/a>. This includes conditions such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.<\/p>\n Just a bit more recently, a 2014 review determined that by increasing an individual\u2019s intake of alpha-linolenic acid, they can expect to see a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease<\/a>. Why is this relevant? Alpha-linolenic acid actually happens to be one of the fatty acids contained within hemp seed oil. Alpha-linolenic acid, sometimes known simply as linolenic acid, can also be found in flax oil and fish oil.<\/p>\n Once again, while hemp shows significant promise in this area, more clinical trials will need to be done. At this stage, these benefits have yet to be proven \u2014 and that\u2019s exactly why research into medicinal hemp is ongoing.<\/p>\n Moving on from traditional hemp seed oil, full-spectrum hemp oil has also shown good medicinal promise. Unlike regular hemp seed oil, full-spectrum hemp oil contains additional ingredients, including plant matter. This plant matter then arms the oil with even more compounds. One of those compounds is CBD, which has gained significant popularity in the medicinal world<\/a> over the past few years.<\/p>\n Normal hemp seeds contain small amounts of these compounds. However, full-spectrum hemp oil is far more concentrated in CBD and other healthful compounds, allowing for more benefits to the body. But what are these benefits?<\/p>\n Natural pain relief is just the first possibility. Both CBD and hemp oil are regularly being used by individuals looking to relieve pain. In particular, if this pain is the result of inflammation, many people have claimed to have seen benefits after using these oils. Typically, these are people trying to avoid prescription or over-the-counter pain medications and are instead looking for a natural (but still effective) remedy.<\/p>\nWhat Is the Difference Between CBD and Hemp?<\/h2>\n
Does Hemp Have Medicinal Purposes?<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\nHemp and Brain Health<\/h3>\n
Hemp and Heart Health<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nFull Spectrum Hemp Oil: What Are the Benefits?<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nNatural Relief to Pain and Inflammation<\/h3>\n
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