Is Hemp Oil Good For You?

Adaptogens and superfoods are getting increasing attention for their potential health benefits. From medicinal mushrooms to functional herbs, natural supplements have created an incredible new world for wellness. But in this booming $8 billion dollar market, one plant reigns supreme: hemp.

From the health food store to the cosmetics counter, you’ll see hemp oil in everything from facial serums to edible gummies. It’s normal to wonder, how is hemp oil good for you? What specific wellness goals can hemp oil drops help you meet?

In this short guide, we’ll explain the benefits of hemp oil in-depth. We’ll also make recommendations for how you can harness the power of hemp into your daily routine.

Defining “Hemp Oil”

First things first: what is hemp oil? What’s it made out of? And is hemp oil the same as CBD oil? 

Let’s break it down.

What’s in Hemp Oil?

Any product labeled as hemp oil or CBD oil is derived from industrial hemp. In accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill, these products should contain less than 0.3% THC content by weight. As such, they won’t have psychoactive effects.

But there are a few different versions of hemp oil to be aware of:

• Depending on the product, hemp oil may refer to full-spectrum hemp extract ,sometimes called full spectrum CBD oil, which is made from hemp plants. This is because hemp seed oil is used as a carrier for CBD. Why? CBD comes from hemp stalks, leaves and flowers.
• Hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp seed does not contain CBD.
  

Next, we’ll go over hemp oil in more detail so that you can discover how hemp oil can work into your wellness routine.

Hemp Seed Oil Characteristics

If you’re wondering is hemp good for you? You need look no further than your local health food store for evidence!

The seeds of the hemp plant can be found in products including:

• Hemp hearts (whole hemp seeds minus the hull)
• Hemp milk
• Hemp seed oil

Nutritional Content of Hemp Oil

Like other seeds and nuts, hemp seeds have numerous beneficial compounds. 25% of their nutritional value comes from protein. Another 30% comes from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that can help to decrease “bad” LDL cholesterol and increase “good” HDL cholesterol. This is one reason why the American Heart Association recommends a diet rich in polyunsaturated fats, like those found in hemp seeds. 

Some of the most notable compounds in hemp hearts and their derivatives include:

• Omega 6 fatty acid  – Also called gamma linolenic acid, this PUFA may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels. In addition, it is thought to help decrease inflammation. It may even have a positive effect on PMS symptoms.
• Omega 3 fatty acid – This fatty acid is another PUFA, also known as alpha-linolenic acid. It is thought to support healthy brain function, including mood. In addition, it may help combat inflammation, improve bone health, and reduce the risk of some diseases.
• Vitamin E – This substance is known for its strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that help repair cellular damage caused by environmental stressors including smoke, ozone and other irritants.
• Amino acids – Amino acids are the building block for protein. Hemp seeds are especially rich in arginine, which may help to lower blood pressure.

Researcher Jace Calloway, Ph.D., notes that “The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in hemp seed oil is normally between 2:1 and 3:1, which is considered to be optimal for human health.” 

As you can see, hemp seed oil may be beneficial for a variety of health goals, including:

• Boosting mood
• Improving your dietary balance of fat
• Decreasing inflammation
• Brightening skin (learn more about hemp oil benefits for skin)
• Supporting overall health

What About CBD in Hemp Oil? 

While hemp seed oil is mostly known for the nutritional properties of the hemp plant’s rich seeds, full spectrum hemp oil with CBD has its own unique benefits.

In addition to CBD, full-spectrum hemp oil or full spectrum hemp extract contains other cannabinoids and terpenes that, when combined, create an “entourage effect,” a stronger positive effect through partnership.

Some of CBD oil’s most potent potential benefits include:

• Supporting healthy sleep cycles – Do racing thoughts keep you up at night? Or do you fall asleep easily, only to wake up in the middle of the night and feel wide-awake? Insufficient sleep can take a physical and psychological toll. However, full spectrum hemp extract may be able to help. The CBD and the cannabinoid CBN in full spectrum hemp extracts can partner with terpenes like linalool to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
• Soothing soreness – Discomfort is a part of life, whether hunching forward over your laptop strains your neck or your workout regimen burns your quads. Good thing there’s full spectrum hemp extract with CBD. The extract’s CBD, along with other cannabinoids like CBG and CBC, can help to relax your muscles and reduce post-exercise soreness so that you feel more comfortable in your body.
• Supporting mood and health – When you can’t get your mind off your problems, it’s easy to become listless and nervous. In time, your “off” mood may affect your physical health, too. CBD and its partner compounds within full spectrum hemp extract can help to reduce stress and improve your outlook. As you feel better, you’ll have more energy to take the steps towards a healthy lifestyle.

From nutritional benefits to CBD-powered restorative properties, full spectrum hemp extract is definitely the whole package when it comes to wellness. 

How to Use Hemp Oil for Your Health

Hemp oil can help overall health, especially through the beneficial fatty acids that can help to reduce inflammation, boost mood and improve overall immunity.

Even better? Hemp oil can easily be added to your daily routine. It just depends on your wellness goals. 

• Skincare – The nourishing fats and vitamins of hemp oil are fantastic for your skin health. Here are just a few ways you can incorporate hemp oil into your skincare regimen: 
• Try massaging a hemp oil serum into your face after cleansing your skin. You can do this before bed and first thing in the morning. 
• Enjoy a weekly restorative hemp extract face mask to moisturize and bring radiance to your skin. 
• Experience deeper hydration throughout your body with a hemp-based body lotion.
• Hair Care – Hemp oil contains some of your hair’s favorite nutrients. A full spectrum hemp extract might become your new go-to hair product. Here are just a few ways you can add enhance your hair health with hemp oil:
• You can use your fingertips to massage this healthful oil into the ends of your hair so you can absorb the hair-happy vitamins.
• The fatty acids and amino acids of hemp oil can help strengthen and moisturize your hair after a long week of heat treatments. Try using a small amount of oil as a deep conditioner once a week. You’ll be amazed at how soft and lustrous your hair will feel after you rinse it out.  
• Nutrition – Your body can enjoy all the powerful benefits of this natural oil through your daily meals and snacks. Hemp oil has a dark, nutty taste and is best consumed unheated (i.e. we don’t recommend using it  as a cooking oil). You can simply take it on its own every morning as part of your vitamin and supplement routine.

Or, if you’re more culinarily inclined, you can make hemp oil you’re new pantry essential in the following ways:

• Mix hemp oil into your favorite salad dressing.
• Drizzle hemp oil over a pasta, soup or meat entree for additional nutritional benefits.
• Blend hemp oil into a smoothie

Keep in mind, hemp oil is best absorbed with another fat source, like a cooking oil or cream, and is best used with a “the lower the temperature the better” cooking philosophy in mind. The nutritional quality of hemp begins to degrade at just 230 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Wellness of the mind – If you’re looking to tap into the mind-body benefits of hemp, a hemp oil tincture taken sublingually (aka under the tongue) can deliver restorative relief easily. Because the skin under your tongue is so thin, hemp’s helpful nutrients can be more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Using a dropper, deposit full spectrum hemp extract under your tongue, hold for 30 seconds, swallow, then enjoy the relief of soothing hemp extract. 

Proprietary Hemp Compounds for Optimal Wellness

Plant People’s hemp tinctures are formulated from 100% organic, U.S. farmed hemp. Proprietary blends for sleep, mind and body support, and relief from discomfort partner potent CBD with other beneficial compounds to support your specific wellness goals.

Not sure which blend is right for you? Try out our starter set and get to know hemp’s effects on your body and wellness.

Make our hemp drops a part of your daily routine to experience enhanced benefits over time.

Reviewed by Gabe Kennedy

 Co-Founder of Plant People, Gabe Kennedy is an acclaimed chef and entrepreneur. Growing up in a house of healers and herbalists, he is passionate about the power of food as a tool for health, and actualized this passion and belief system into his company, Plant People. Named to Forbes 30 under 30 Gabe has shaped menus and cooked his way around the world with his mission to promote a more communal, green and healthy world.

 Gabe is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. You can learn more about his work at his website.