As more CBD products hit the market, consumers find themselves with a lot of questions about Cannabis, CBD, hemp, and the products that are made from these ingredients. If you are new to the Cannabis marketplace, things can get confusing, especially when trying to decipher the differences between marijuana and hemp plants and the various compounds and oils that can be extracted from these plants. For the purposes of this piece, we are going to focus solely on the hemp plant and the compounds that can be extracted from the plant.
Hemp and the Farm Bill
The hemp plant, according to the FDA and the Farm Bill of 2018 is defined as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” In plain speak, the hemp plant differs from the marijuana plant because it has almost no THC in it. But the hemp plant does have certain properties that make it very useful to industries such as textiles and bioplastics. It also has certain compounds and protein that are of interest to consumers seeking natural ingredients and herbal remedies that they can incorporate into their fitness and wellness programs.
Specifically, CBD (Cannabidiol) and hemp protein are two ingredients derived from the hemp plant and can be found in a variety of natural wellness and holistic health inspired products. But what, specifically, are these ingredients, how are they harvested and how do they work?
Where Does CBD And Hemp Protein Come From?
Before we talk about CBD and hemp protein, let’s talk about the difference between CBD oil and hemp oil.
While CBD oil and hemp oil are both derived from the same plant, they are made by extracting ingredients from different parts of the hemp plant.
When manufacturers press and extract oil from the actual hemp plant, they can produce CBD oil. This is the adult plant that has already grown and is ready to harvest. This plant comes from hemp seeds. When manufacturers press and extract oil from the hemp seeds, they get hemp oil (also known as hemp seed oil, but these terms are interchangeable.)
Extracting oil from hemp seeds gets you hemp oil. The remaining ingredients are a solid, powdery substance. That’s hemp protein. Hemp is a phenomenal plant. Every part of it offers something for the body and mind. Of course, the benefits will vary, depending upon the extraction process and the part of the plant you’re ingesting.
Benefits of Hemp Protein and CBD
Let’s first take a look at CBD. CBD is a cannabinoid extracted from the adult hemp plant. Clinical research and studies around CBD remain limited and in the early stages due to its previous association with marijuana, THC and its drug classification. Enthusiasts, nonetheless, love the wide range of effects it offers the body and mind..
Why do celebrities, athletes, and health enthusiasts ingest CBD?
- Anti-inflammatory effects for the skin and joints
- Reduced pain and speedy recovery after workouts
- Mental clarity and reduced (brain fog)
- Stress and anxiety relief
Moving forward, expanded research may confirm additional benefits and give consumers more direction on how to best use CBD to enhance performance and recovery.
Meanwhile, a smoothie with hemp protein powder may boost your mood, but the benefits of hemp protein focus more on nutrition.
Why do nutritionists, doctors, and high-performers love hemp protein?
- Contains all nine essential amino acids, plus other amino acids
- Offers a great source of fiber
- Less refined than other protein powders, with a higher content of unsaturated fats
- Rich in minerals, including zinc and iron
- Contain strong antioxidants
Plant-based protein lovers enjoy that hemp protein is easy to digest and doesn’t contain any products or byproducts from animals.
Even though these two products get confused for each other frequently, they have very specific and different benefits.
Uses for Hemp Protein and CBD
CBD seems to be just about everywhere (and in every form) these days. Some of the most popular CBD products include tinctures, capsules, and topicals. And although these products differ in terms of application, they all aim to offer consumers the natural remedies and holistic benefits associated with the plant-based cannabinoid.
Hemp protein, on the other hand, is a food-grade protein. Like other vegan proteins, you can find it in powders, energy bars, and other edible products. Hemp protein powder alone isn’t the most delicious ingredient to add to your smoothie, but when mixed with chocolate or berries, you’ve got a yummy and nutritious treat.
Hemp and FDA Approval
Another notable difference between CBD and hemp products is how they are regulated by the FDA. For decades, the growth and sale of hemp was illegal throughout the US. CBD was considered just as dangerous as THC, despite the fact that it is not intoxicating. That changed when the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law. The federal legalization of hemp (not marijuana) put a spotlight on hemp products and byproducts, including CBD.
Despite CBD’s legalization, the FDA vowed not to regulate it like other hemp products. The FDA has only approved one CBD product, which is a drug used to treat epilepsy. Labeling it as a “dietary supplement” or adding it to food products is illegal.
On the other hand, hemp seed oil, hemp oil, and hemp protein have all been considered “safe” by the FDA. Manufacturers can put hemp protein in bars, sell hemp seeds in grocery stores, or blend hemp oil into coffee under the law.
Is CBD Safe in Food?
Hemp seed oil may be found in popular cosmetic products, but hemp protein is typically reserved for food. On the other hand, many people put CBD tinctures into their coffee or smoothie for a mood boost or mental clarity throughout the day.
Does FDA approval mean that CBD is unhealthy? No. But CBD products are largely unregulated. In order to “vet” your CBD products, it’s important to understand why you are using them and do your research. FDA regulation just means you have less to worry about when you grab a new hemp protein product off the shelf or get it delivered to your door.
Which Is Better: CBD or Hemp Protein?
It doesn’t make sense to say that CBD is better than hemp protein or vice versa, unless you are looking for specific benefits. If you want a mental boost before a big presentation or you are interested in natural remedies to support an active lifestyle, CBD may be your best bet. If you want to adjust your diet with more protein and fiber, you might try instead a hemp protein product. And if you are looking for high quality hemp-based products to enhance performance and recovery, check out Remedy+ and its full line of great tasting CBD and hemp protein products.
