CBD Oil vs Hemp Oil: Not the Same Thing

Direct Answer

CBD oil and hemp oil are not the same thing. CBD oil is extracted from the flowers and leaves of hemp and contains CBD, while hemp oil, or hemp seed oil, is pressed from the seeds and contains no meaningful CBD. Hemp seed oil is a nutritional oil rich in omega fatty acids; CBD oil is a cannabinoid product, so labels that blur the two can be misleading.

This is one of the most common label confusions in the category. CBD oil is made by extracting cannabinoids from the flower, leaves, and stalks of the hemp plant, so it actually contains CBD along with other compounds. Hemp oil, more precisely hemp seed oil, is cold-pressed from hemp seeds, which contain little to no CBD, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The seeds are nutritious, rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but they do not carry the cannabinoids people are usually looking for.

The practical takeaway is to read the label and the lab report. If you want CBD’s wellness effects, you need a product that lists CBD content in milligrams and has a certificate of analysis; hemp seed oil, sold as a food or skincare ingredient, will not deliver those. Some products list hemp oil to imply CBD when there is none, so the COA is your check. For the spectrum options within real CBD oil, see full-spectrum vs broad-spectrum vs isolate.

  • Degelis Pilla, CEO

    Degelis Pilla, CFA

    CEO and Co-Founder

    Degelis (“Dege,” pronounced “Dayj”) launched TribeTokes in 2017 after identifying a specific problem in the cannabis vaping market: most products were made with cutting agents and additives that had no place in a wellness brand. She built TribeTokes from zero into a multi-million dollar DTC brand with over 100,000 customers, a full cannabinoid product catalog, and a loyal wholesale retail network.

    Degelis is an active member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and a regular voice in both the cannabis and women-in-business spaces. She is a CFA charterholder (Chartered Financial Analyst), and holds her undergraduate business degree from the University of Virginia.
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Frequently asked questions

CBD Oil vs Hemp Oil: Not the Same Thing

CBD oil and hemp oil are not the same thing. CBD oil is extracted from the flowers and leaves of hemp and contains CBD, while hemp oil, or hemp seed oil, is pressed from the seeds and contains no meaningful CBD. Hemp seed oil is a nutritional oil rich in omega fatty acids; CBD oil is a cannabinoid product, so labels that blur the two can be misleading.

Is hemp oil the same as CBD oil?

No. CBD oil is extracted from hemp flowers and leaves and contains CBD; hemp seed oil is pressed from seeds and contains essentially no CBD. They are different products with different uses.

Does hemp seed oil contain CBD?

Not in any meaningful amount. Hemp seeds carry omega fatty acids but not cannabinoids, so hemp seed oil is a nutritional oil, not a CBD product.

How can you tell if a product actually has CBD?

Check for CBD content listed in milligrams and a certificate of analysis. If the label only says hemp oil or hemp seed oil with no cannabinoid amounts or COA, it likely contains no CBD.

Why do some products say hemp oil instead of CBD?

Sometimes for marketing or compliance reasons, and sometimes to imply CBD where there is none. The lab report is the reliable way to know what is actually in the bottle.

For more detailed information, read What Is CBG.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice. Cannabis and hemp laws vary by state and change often. TribeTokes products are hemp-derived and contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.