Hemp oil, also known as hemp seed oil, is made from hemp seeds and is extracted through cold-pressing, similar to the way that olives are cold-pressed to make olive oil. It is a cannabis plant like marijuana but contains little to no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical that gets people “high.” Instead of THC, hemp contains cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical that has been used to treat everything from epilepsy to anxiety. Hemp oil is increasingly popular as a remedy for a range of conditions including skin issues and stress. It may contain properties that contribute to reduced risks of illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease, though additional research is necessary.
Hemp oil contains large amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 fats, which are two types of unsaturated fats, or “good fats,” and all nine essential amino acids, the materials your body uses to make protein. It also contains gamma-linolenic acid, arginine, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. In one serving of hemp seeds (3 tablespoons), you’ll find the following nutrients:
- Calories: 166
- Calories from fat: 131.4
- Total fat: 14.6 grams
- Saturated fat: 1.4 grams
- Trans fat: 0 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 grams
- Sodium: 01.5 grams
- Total carbohydrates: 5 grams
- Sugars: .45 grams
- Protein: 9.5 grams
Hemp seed oil provides several health benefits due to its high content of three polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and gamma-linolenic acid. Its ratio of omega-6 (linoleic acid) to omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) fatty acids is 3:1, which is ideal for health benefits in humans. Some of the health benefits of hemp seed oil include improved skin, reduced inflammation in the body, and lower blood pressure. However, it is important to note that hemp seed oil and CBD oil are not the same thing. While hemp seed oil is purely just pressed seeds from hemp plants, CBD oils contain a variety of ingredients including different cannabinoids.
There are no negative effects of hemp oil tincture as such, but it is important to note that the purity of commercial CBD is highly questionable, with contaminants including the intoxicant THC. If you are using hemp seed oil topically, be sure to try a small amount first to test for skin irritation. Additionally, hemp seed oil’s ability to lower blood pressure may cause issues for people who have chronically low blood pressure. It is always recommended to read the labels of your CBD oil, so you know what’s in each bottle and be cautious of any CBD oil that has more than 0.2% THC in it.
