Hemp Oil Extract: Fact vs. Fiction
Myth: Hemp is marijuana.
Fact: Industrial hemp and “marijuana” are two separate classifications of the Cannabis plant. Under federal law via the 2018 US Farm Bill, industrial hemp contains no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) while Cannabis plants above 0.3% THC are classified as “marijuana.”1
Myth: Hemp oil is psychoactive.
Fact: Up until recently, Cannabis was best known for its THC content—i.e., the psychoactive component. However, Cannabis plants contain other beneficial phytocannabinoids—such as CBDa or CBC—that do not have any psychoactive effects. By law, any hemp plant containing less than 0.3% THC is federally classified as industrial hemp.1
Myth: Hemp oil is illegal.
Fact: The 2018 US Farm Bill legalized activity surrounding the cultivation, and use, of hemp. That means any hemp-based product containing less than 0.3% THC is completely legal under federal law. However, certain state definitions currently remain in conflict with these federal laws.1
Myth: Hemp oil is addictive.
Fact: Hemp oil does not work in the body in the same way as other addictive species from the Cannabis sativa plant. In fact, the phytocannabinoids found in hemp oils have been shown to support the body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS), which controls and regulates many physiological functions in our bodies.2
Myth: Hemp oil and CBD oil are the same thing.
Fact: While cannabidiol (CBD) is the most popular of phytocannabinoids, the benefits of hemp do not stop with just CBD. A whole-plant, full-spectrum hemp extract contains various phytocannabinoids and terpenes that work synergistically to provide many health benefits compared to CBD alone.3
Myth: High doses work better than low doses.
Fact: While it is true that CBD isolates must be taken in higher doses than hemp oil in order to be effective, CBD alone does not offer the benefits found in whole-plant extracts. According to research, whole-plant extracts (featuring an array of phytocannabinoids) have been used to support health in many ways, even in low doses.4 Consult with your healthcare practitioner to determine the amount that’s best for you.
References:
- Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20181210/CRPT-115hrpt1072.pdf. Accessed May 17, 2019.
- Kaur R et al. Curr Clin Pharmacol. 2016;11(2):110-117.
- Pavlovic R et al. Molecules. 2018;23(5):1230.
- Grotenhermen F et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2012;109(29-30):495–501.
Submitted by the Metagenics Marketing Team
