Candice Williamson
It’s almost impossible to separate CBD from Hemp since CBD is derived from hemp. But as you shall find in this post, there are glaring differences between CBD and Hemp. Read on as we unpack the CBD vs. hemp contest.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most widely researched compounds of the cannabis plant and used to treat a wide range of ailments and diseases. When comparing CBD vs. hemp, experts mostly recommend CBD for conditions that have a primary symptom of pain.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another widely studied compound of the cannabis plant. It’s known for its euphoria-inducing properties. Those properties make THC popular among recreational marijuana users.
In addition to CBD and THC, cannabis produces more than 480 other compounds. These compounds categorized into cannabinoids and terpenoids. Cannabinoids refer to cannabis extracts that account for the most therapeutic properties of the plant. CBD and THC are examples of cannabinoids. On the other hand, terpenoids are compounds that give cannabinoids their distinctive flavors.
What Is Hemp?
To fully understand what hemp is and the difference between CBD vs. hemp, we’ll start by explaining what cannabis is.
Cannabis refers to the genus of plants that make up the Cannabaceae family. The cannabis genus comprises of three dominant species- Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis.
Below is an overview of cannabis strains.
Sativa
- Grows considerably taller than Indica species
- Features long branches that are characterized by vast distances between the nodes
- Feature long and thin leaves
- Their root systems are deep and expansive
Indica
- Grows to small and compact sizes
- Features robust stalks
- Wider leaves
- Condensed root systems
- They have dense and heavy buds
Ruderalis
- Grows to small and compact sizes
- Looks a bit feral compared to Sativa and Indica strains
- Features fewer branches than Sativa and Indica strains
- Trees are conically shaped
Cannabis can also be classified depending on its cannabinoid profile. In particular, its composition of the psychoactive element, THC. So far, the two major variants of the plant have been isolated based on that criteria. They include hemp and marijuana.
Now, you may come across articles describing hemp as a distinct cannabis species. However, it’s a variant of the cannabis plant that’s defined by its composition of THC. The fundamental difference between hemp and marijuana variants is that hemp contains a THC concentration of 0.3 percent or less. On the other hand, marijuana variants include more than 0.3 percent THC concentration.
Understanding the strength of CBD in a cannabis product is paramount before buying. That underscores the importance of shopping for cannabis-based products from reputable suppliers like Lazarus Naturals.
Is CBD Hemp?
When comparing CBD vs. hemp- CBD can be obtained from either hemp or marijuana. However, hemp-derived CBD contains a maximum of 0.3 percent THC, while marijuana-based CBD contains a higher THC concentration.
It’s important to remember that hemp-derived CBD doesn’t come with mind-altering effects. That’s due to its low levels of THC. One way to tell that CBD is ‘hemp-derived’ is by checking for the words ‘ hemp,’ ‘isolates,’ or ‘broad-spectrum’ on the product label.
Isolates are CBD products that contain CBD as the only cannabinoid. Broad-spectrum CBD contains CBD and other cannabinoids, except THC. Now, CBD can be derived from hemp; it’s not the single product to come out of the plant. As you shall find, later on, hemp has diverse applications.
CBD vs. Hemp – History
The history of hemp is nearly as extensive as cannabis itself. The first evidence of hemp usage in ancient civilization dates back to 8,000 BC. According to archaeologists, hemp was mostly prevalent in Asian regions that are now present-day China and Taiwan.
Archaeological findings suggest that the earliest civilizations used hemp to make cords and tents. The word ‘canvas’ and cannabis are closely related. That only goes to show how popular hemp was in the manufacture of canvas materials. By the time human agriculture began some 10,000 years ago, hemp was already a staple crop in most Asian countries.
Due to the resilience of hemp plants and their diverse applications, the plant’s popularity spread to various regions.
North America first introduced hemp in 1606. At that point, the plant was cultivated and used to manufacture various products like ropes, paper, and lamp fuels. Did you know that Thomas Jefferson wrote the draft of the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper? That’s definitive proof of how popular hemp was only a few years after its introduction in the Americas. North American farmers were legally required in the 1700s to cultivate hemp as one of their staple crops.
CBD may not be as old as hemp, and understandably so. For years, folk medicine and textile industries have used cannabis extracts. However, in the early 20th century, the popularity of cannabis as a medicinal herb started to become popular. Cannabidiol was first isolated from cannabis in 1940 by a renowned chemist, Roger Adams. At the time of isolation, CBD’s isomerism was still unrecognized. In 1960, researchers were able to determine the absolute configurations of cannabidiol’s isomers. After that, some of these isomers were synthesized.
It’s important to remember that CBD was still lumped together with other cannabis extracts at this time in terms of chemical properties. It was not until 1970 that an Israeli team of scientists, led by Raphael Mechoulam, found that CBD was non-psychoactive. That discovery opened up further research for CBD’s therapeutic properties.
CBD vs. Hemp – Applications
The Following are the Common Uses of Hemp.
Human Food:
One of the most common uses of hemp is in the manufacturing of food. As a food supplement, you can use hemp oil or seeds in salads. Some people even prefer adding hemp seeds to batter for baked goods. Hemp is full of unsaturated fatty acids in terms of a nutritional profile. So, it can be an excellent alternative to regular cooking oils. Hemp is also significantly high in proteins and dietary fiber, as well as other essential minerals like phosphorus, iron, and B-vitamins.
Animal Food:
Our furry friends can benefit immensely from snacking on an occasional treat of hemp. Feeding hemp oil or seeds to your pets promotes the radiance of their coats. Some of the animals that can enjoy hemp include dogs, cats, horses, cows, rodents, and poultry.
Along with being a dietary supplement, hemp shives are used for making mulch and animal bedding.
Cloth Making:
Another everyday use of hemp is in the manufacturing of clothing, including jeans, lingerie, sportswear, etc. Hemp is a preferred raw material in the textile industry due to its lightweight, breathability, and durability.
Popular clothing labels that use hemp in their products include Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Armani.
Other uses of hemp include:
- Beauty and cosmetic products
- Oil-based products like paint and candles
- Paper
- Bioplastic
- Biofuel
- Used in the manufacturing of materials like cement
- The manufacturing of hempcrete, which is a material made by mixing hemp and lime, is used for insulation and in construction.
Health Applications of Cannabidiol
CBD can treat, prevent, and manage a wide range of medical conditions.
Its powerful analgesic properties make it a perfect natural remedy against diseases that manifest pain. Indeed, animal studies conducted on rats have cited CBD’s positive effects on sciatic pain.
Cannabidiol relieves pain by impacting the body’s primary pain-signaling system, known as the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system regulates the body’s average homeostatic balance. CBD binds to endocannabinoid receptors in a manner that alters their chemical structures. Therefore, your endocannabinoids can bind more effectively to these receptors for improved cell-signaling.
In addition to pain, CBD can also relieve anxiety. The product treats anxiety by increasing the level of the body’s feel-good neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. Numerous studies have associated low serotonin levels with stress and anxiety.
CBD doesn’t increase serotonin levels directly. Instead, it increases your brain’s sensitivity to this chemical. Anti-anxiety effects are well-documented for CBD. The substance has especially been useful in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, which is one of the most severe forms of anxiety.
CBD can also be used to:
- Treat sleep disorders, such as insomnia
- Relieve inflammatory conditions like acne
- Fight cancer due to its anti-tumor and anti-nausea effects
- Treat mental and psychological conditions like schizophrenia
- Optimizing workouts by increasing your energy levels
- Boost your sex life and cardiovascular system through its vasodilation properties
Both CBD and Hemp come with diverse applications. But in any CBD vs. hemp contest, it’s evident that hemp carries the day. For medicinal purposes, CBD might be the top winner- while hemp is applicable in textiles and tent-making industries.
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