Hemp oil
Hemp oil, also known as CBD oil or cannabidiol, is a compound derived from the hemp plant, a member of the cannabis family that is distinct from marijuana due to its low levels of psychoactive compounds. Historically utilized for textiles, food, and paper, hemp has played a significant role in human culture and industry for thousands of years. The extraction of CBD from hemp involves a careful process where specialized cannabis sativa plants containing less than 0.3% THC are harvested, dried, and processed to isolate the beneficial compounds. Users often turn to CBD oil as a natural remedy for various ailments, including chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, and nausea related to cancer treatments.
The consumption of hemp oil can be versatile; it may be ingested directly, added to food, or vaporized for inhalation. Despite its growing popularity and potential health benefits, the market for CBD oil lacks comprehensive federal regulation, which has led to concerns regarding product labeling and authenticity. As such, consumers are advised to conduct thorough research and purchase from reputable sources to ensure quality and safety.
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Hemp oil
Hemp oil, also called CBD oil or cannabidiol, is a chemical compound harvested from the hemp plant. The hemp plant is a cannabis plant related to marijuana plants. However, unlike marijuana plants, hemp plants contain little or no psychoactive compounds. Throughout history, they have been used to create textiles and for food.
After being farmed, dried, and distilled, some of the chemical compounds found in hemp can be isolated. These compounds have been shown to provide numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation and pain. Some studies also show that CBD oil can be used to treat anxiety and depression. However, formal research into CBD oil is still being carried out.
Hemp oil can be consumed in a variety of ways. The oil itself can be orally ingested, directly administering the dose. It can be baked into food, or placed on top of food, to mask its taste. It may also be vaporized and inhaled.
Background
Hemp is a specific strain of the cannabis plant. The cannabis family is best known for being farmed for marijuana. Marijuana is a plant substance that contains high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When ingested, this psychoactive compound increases appetite and produces a high. Unlike its more famous cousins, hemp contains only small amounts of THC. It does not contain enough THC to give users a high. Instead, the hemp plant has been used for other purposes.
Hemp has been farmed for a variety of purposes for thousands of years. In most cases, hemp has been farmed for its fibrous and textile properties. When used to make fabric, hemp fibers create a strong, soft, warm, natural fiber. This fabric has historically been used for bags, rope, and clothing. Hemp has also been used as a means of making paper. The US Constitution is printed on paper made from hemp.
In many cases, hemp was also grown for food. Though the leaves of the plant are edible, most people using hemp for food consume the plant's seeds. Additionally, the hemp plant is known for being hardy, and is able to survive in numerous environments.
During the twentieth century, hemp came to be associated with marijuana. Marijuana, like most drug use, was viewed negatively by the American government. In 1937, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act. This made it significantly more difficult for small farmers to grow hemp. Over time, mass production of hemp in the United States continued to slow. When Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, hemp was no longer legally recognized as distinct from other varieties of cannabis. For this reason, all large-scale production of hemp products within the United States ceased. It was revitalized in 2018, when a new law legalized the production of industrial hemp across the country.
Overview
CBD, also called cannabidiol, is a chemical compound found in both marijuana and hemp. The chemical is found in significantly greater quantity in hemp than in marijuana plants. To harvest CBD, farmers grow specialized varieties of cannabis sativa plants that contain less than 0.3 percent THC. If the plant contains more than 0.3 percent THC, it is legally classified as marijuana, not hemp. These plants are grown and irrigated in a traditional fashion, before being harvested.
Once the cannabis plants have been collected, they are air dried for weeks in a well-ventilated area. This process is called curing. Farmers must be careful to ensure that mold is not introduced during curing. Mold growth could severely damage the crop. After curing, the flowers are stripped from the plant and sent to a processing facility. The rest of the plant is destroyed or sold. At the processing facility, the flowers are ground down, steeped in oil, and put through a process called winterization, which removes any fats. The resulting mixture is distilled, removing any contaminants. The distilled mixture is extremely refined cannabidiol, which may be tested for strength, bottled, and sold.
CBD oil is commonly used as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments. When ingested, it interacts with the body’s neurotransmitters in a way that reduces pain. For this reason, individuals who experience chronic pain sometimes use CBD oil regularly to reduce their symptoms. Studies show that CBD can also reduce both inflammation and static nerve pain.
Others claim that CBD oil reduces depression and anxiety. In most cases, these disorders are treated with therapy and prescription medications. However, such medications are often accompanied by negative side effects, including drowsiness, insomnia, and agitation. Some patients have turned to CBD oil as an easier method for coping with their disorders.
In some cases, CBD oil has been shown to treat the negative side effects of cancer treatments. Specifically, some studies have shown that CBD oil reduces the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy when administered to cancer patients. Other studies have shown that CBD oil slowed the spread of cancer cells in mice.
Unfortunately, some CBD oil products are known to have been mislabeled. Because there is very little federal regulation for the sale of CBD oil, unethical sellers can intentionally mislabel their products. They might label a product as containing a higher percentage of CBD oil than it actually includes. Manufacturers might also include substances in the oil mix without including them on the label. For this reason, buyers should exercise due diligence when purchasing CBD products, and consider purchasing them from reputable sources.
CBD oil can be ingested in a variety of ways. Some people orally ingest droplets of the oil, directly controlling their dosage. Others include the oil in or on foods, ingesting it with the food. Some users vaporize their CBD oil, inhaling it in a gaseous state.
Bibliography
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Murray, Dana. “CBD Oil vs. Hempseed Oil: How to Know What You’re Paying For.” Healthline, 2019, www.healthline.com/health/hemp-vs-cbd-oil#2. Accessed 11 Mar. 2020.
Punjabi, Rajul. “I Visited a Cannabis Farm to Find Out How CBD Oil Is Made.” Vice, 2018, www.vice.com/en‗us/article/wj9knb/i-visited-a-cannabis-farm-to-find-out-how-cbd-oil-is-made. Accessed 11 Mar. 2020.
Thompson, Dennis. “CBD Oil: All the Rage, but Is It Safe & Effective?” WebMD, 2018, www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20180507/cbd-oil-all-the-rage-but-is-it-safe-effective#1. Accessed 11 Mar. 2020.
“What Is CBD Hemp Oil?” Pure Kana, 2019, purekana.com/blogs/news/what-is-cbd-hemp-oil-full-guide/. Accessed 11 Mar. 2020.