What’s the Difference Between CBD Oil & Hemp Seed Oil?

CBD oil and hemp seed oil are not the same thing. Both come from the hemp plant, but CBD oil is derived from the leaves, stalks, and buds of the plant while hemp seed oil comes from the seeds. As a result, hemp seed oil does not contain any of the cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids found in CBD oil. So, you cannot expect the same benefits from hemp seed oil as you would from CBD oil.

In this article, we’ll look at the key differences between CBD oil and hemp seed oil. We’ll focus on each oil’s benefits and introduce you to some popular and effective CBD oil products. But first, let’s get a little background on hemp and CBD.

Fast Facts:

• CBD oil offers therapeutic benefits**
• Hemp seed oil is used for skincare
• Hemp seed oil is cheaper to produce than CBD oil
• Some companies falsely sell hemp seed oil as CBD oil
• A Certificate of Analysis verifies what kind of oil is in your product  

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring, non-psychoactive compound found in all cannabis plants. It’s one of over a hundred such compounds found in the cannabis plant, called cannabinoids. Other cannabinoids include THC, CBG, and CBN, just to name a few. Our CBD products are made with hemp, a low-THC form of cannabis.

Hemp vs Cannabis

Cannabis comes in two forms: hemp and marijuana. Marijuana is cannabis that is high in THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content. Hemp¹ has only very small amounts of THC (less than 0.3%, by law). Thanks to the 2018 US Farm Bill, the growth, manufacture, and sale of hemp is legal in the United States. Marijuana is more closely regulated, and is not legal at the Federal level. All of our products are made with legal hemp.

What Does CBD Do?

CBD delivers a range of health benefits,² including sleep, minor pain relief, stress relief, and more.** Most of these benefits occur thanks to CBD’s unique interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system.** This system features a network of receptors tied into nearly all of the body’s major organs and systems, helping them to maintain homeostasis (balance). This interaction helps to regulate such essential functions as sleep, mood, memory, appetite, stress, and more. CBD and other cannabinoids bind with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system, bolstering the system’s effectiveness.** This is how CBD delivers benefits for sleep, stress relief, minor aches and pains, and overall wellness.**

Hemp Oil vs Hempseed Oil vs CBD Oil 

Hemp oil is a general term for oil that is extracted from the hemp plant. Depending on the company you are purchasing from, this could apply to hemp seed oil or CBD oil. So, it’s important to read the label of your product to make sure you’re actually getting CBD oil.

CBD oil is the oil that is extracted from the leaves, stalks, and buds of the hemp plant. This oil is rich in cannabinoids (including CBD), terpenes, and flavonoids. All CBD products are made from this oil.

As one might expect, hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds of the hemp plant. This oil does produce some benefits for skin and hair health, and can often be found in skincare products. However, hemp seed oil does not contain any of the health-boosting compounds found in CBD oil. 

Types of CBD

When you shop for CBD, you’ll find that products contain one of the following: full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD, or CBD isolate. 

Full Spectrum CBD

Full spectrum CBD³ is the oil that is initially extracted from the plant, with no further filtration. As such, full spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids of the plant. This includes a small amount of THC (less than 0.3%). 

The Entourage Effect

The main benefit of using products made with full spectrum oil is the Entourage Effect.⁴ This refers to the phenomenon by which CBD and other cannabis compounds, when consumed together, actually bolster one another’s effects.

Broad Spectrum CBD

Broad spectrum CBD is the same oil as full spectrum, only the THC has been filtered out down to non-detectable levels. In the process, a few other compounds are also removed. Still, broad spectrum is a robust oil and is used in a majority of CBD products. This form of CBD oil can still produce the Entourage Effect, though not to the degree that full spectrum does.

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is a form of CBD with all other hemp compounds filtered out. As such, CBD isolate does not produce the Entourage Effect. CBD isolate may be preferred for drug testing sensitivity, since it contains no THC.

CBD Oil Products

Technically, all CBD products are CBD oil products, since they all derive from the same CBD-rich hemp extract. Even CBD isolate products, which are filtered all the way down to 99% CBD only with no additional hemp compounds, still derive their CBD from that extract. But if you walk into a store and ask for CBD oil, you’re almost certainly going to be handed a CBD oil tincture.

CBD Tinctures

CBD oil tinctures are oils optimized for sublingual use. These tinctures are made by combining CBD oil with a carrier oil (such as MCT oil), plus other ingredients to help produce desired effects. A carrier oil helps your body to absorb into your bloodstream. 

CBD tinctures are held under the tongue so that the oil can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the capillaries of the mouth. This is a much quicker means of absorption than edible products, such as CBD gummies, which must pass through the digestive system before being absorbed into the bloodstream.

Our CBD tinctures come in multiple formulas to serve a variety of needs. Here’s a quick-glance guide to CBDfx tinctures:

Product Name	Type of CBD Oil	Used for …
CBD + CBG Wellness Tincture	Broad spectrum	Daily wellness
CBD + CBN Calming Tincture	Full spectrum	Stress relief and relaxation
CBD Sleep Tincture	Broad spectrum	Sleep
Relax Blend CBN Mushroom Tincture	Broad spectrum	Stress relief and relaxation
Focus Blend CBG Mushroom Tincture	Broad spectrum	Energy and focus
Ultimate Chill THC Drops	Full spectrum + THC	Stress relief and relaxation
Sweet Dreams THC Drops	Full spectrum + THC	Sleep

Potential Side Effects

While side effects for CBD are rare, they can occur (usually from taking much more than the recommended serving). CBD side effects can include dry mouth, diarrhea, drowsiness, and lack of appetite. CBD can also interact adversely with some medications. So, if you are taking medication and wish to try a CBD tincture, please contact your physician.

Shopping for CBD Products

Some shady companies will use hemp seed oil in their products and try to pass it off as CBD oil. This is because hemp seed oil is cheaper to produce, and these companies assume that customers won’t know the difference by looking at the label. This is why it’s important to shop with a reputable CBD company. 

Every reputable CBD company will supply a Certificate of Analysis for each of their products. This is a third-party lab report that tells you exactly what cannabinoids and other compounds are in your product. It will also alert you to the presence of any contaminants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and other harmful chemicals. For your own safety and satisfaction, never purchase a CBD product that does not come with a Certificate of Analysis.

We hope that you have found this article helpful and wish you the very best on your CBD journey!

1. US Department of Agriculture. (2023, January 3). What is Industrial Hemp? Ask USDA.https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-is-Industrial-Hemp 
2. Greenspoon, P. (2024, April 4) Harvard Health Publishing. CBD: What We Know and What We Don’t https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018.
3. Mutchler, C. (2022, March 12). What Is Full-Spectrum CBD? Verywell Health.https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-full-spectrum-cbd-5088630
4. Russo, E. (2019, January 8)The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2018.01969/full