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Hemp and CBD gummies are the talk of the town but are these the same thing?
Short answer: No!
Long answer: Hemp and CBD gummies come from the same plant – hemp plant but they have different chemical profiles, effects and uses. If you are new to the gummy world, you will most likely confuse the two because some companies use both words interchangeably. But no worries, by the time you will finish reading these lines, you will not only know the difference between the two, you will also have sufficient knowledge to pick the best hemp and CBD gummies available online and elsewhere.
Keep reading!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Distinct Differences Between Hemp Gummies and CBD: While both hemp and CBD gummies are derived from the same plant, they have different phytochemical profiles. CBD gummies primarily contain cannabidiol (CBD), the main active compound in mature hemp plants and trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid. In contrast, hemp gummies are typically made from hemp seed oil, which doesn’t contain cannabinoids like CBD or THC.
- Benefits of CBD Gummies: CBD gummies are renowned for their beneficial properties. They may help reduce anxiety and chronic pain and even have nerve-friendly properties. This is attributed to CBD oil, which interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Some studies suggest that CBD can help with substance abuse treatment and improve sleep quality.
- What Hemp Gummies Offer: Hemp gummies don’t offer the same health benefits as CBD gummies. Instead, they are rich in essential fatty acids, trace minerals, and vitamins. Consuming hemp gummies can support brain function, improve skin health, and provide essential nutrients for cardiovascular health. They are primarily hemp-derived products that work on nutritional supplementation.
- Making the Right Choice and Legal Considerations: When deciding between CBD and hemp gummies, it’s essential to consider your primary health goals. CBD gummies might be more suitable if you’re seeking help with pain or anxiety. On the other hand, if you’re looking to supplement your diet with essential nutrients, hemp gummies are the way to go. Additionally, while CBD gummies are legal in many places, ensure you’re familiar with local cannabis laws before purchasing.
Both CBD and hemp gummies offer unique benefits. It’s crucial to understand their differences and choose the one that aligns with your different health objectives.
So, we have shown you the snapshot of basic differences between CBD and hemp gummies. We will delve deeper and discuss the differences between hemp and CBD gummies in detail. Both products offer tremendous health benefits with exquisite taste, but it’s vital to understand the contrast in health benefits, ingredients, and where to buy them.
Hemp Gummies vs CBD Gummies – What’s the Difference?
The primary difference between Hemp and CBD gummies is their active ingredient. CBD gummies contain cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD. Cannabidiol is the main active compound in the flowers of a mature hemp plant. You can find them on the surface of the flower, which is covered with crystalline resin glands known as trichomes. CBD is also present in other parts of the hemp plant, including stem, leaves and stalks. CBD is extracted from the hemp plant through CO2 extraction. During the extraction process, trichomes will break up and transform into cannabinoid liquid.
The manufacturer then places the cannabinoid liquid into a gummy base with a plant-based solidifier—such as fruit pectin and agar—or gelatin. You’ll find CBD gummies in a myriad shapes and flavors; typically, the manufacturer will sweeten them with organic cane sugar or fruit juices to mask the CBD taste.
CBD gummies can be full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or pure (isolates). It depends on the manufacturer. Full-spectrum CBD gummies often contain 0.3% THC, which isn’t enough to make you feel high. CBD gummies remain incredibly popular worldwide for their health benefits, especially as the CBD industry continues to grow.
Hemp gummies, however, contain a different extract; people commonly refer to the extract as hemp seed oil. The oil comes from the seeds of hemp plants. And, unlike flowers, seeds contain zero cannabinoids; therefore, there is no CBD or THC in hemp gummies. In addition, the extraction method is different. Manufacturers often use a cold-press mechanical extraction to create hemp seed oil.
Hemp gummies do not offer the same benefits as CBD products. Still, they’re an excellent option for people looking to supplement vitamins and essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, from hemp. In short, CBD gummies are amazing for health purposes, whereas hemp gummies are perfect for balancing out nutritional deficiencies in your diet.
What Are CBD Gummies Good for?
So, you’re considering purchasing CBD gummies? You’ll be delighted to know CBD gummies offer an incredible array of health benefits. Here are the main benefits:
CBD Gummies May Help with Anxiety
Nobody likes to feel anxiety; it’s crippling, consuming, and often life-destroying. Unfortunately, over 40 million adults in the United States have an anxiety disorder. Many people report that CBD gummies have helped them cope with stress Various studies have suggested CBD can help reduce stress by altering the brain’s response to the chemical serotonin.
CBD Gummies Can Reduce Pain
There’s nothing worse than chronic pain. It impacts the livelihoods of millions of Americans every year. CBD gummies for pain are excellent for anyone suffering from pain. And anyone suffering from chronic pain could try CBD gummies before taking addictive medication—such as opioids—to see if it offers enough pain relief.
Thankfully, many people report improved pain levels and swelling after using CBD products.A 2016 study focused on rats suffering from arthritis 1D.C. Hammell, L.P. Zhang, F. Ma, S.M. Abshire, S.L. McIlwrath, A.L. Stinchcomb, and K.N. Westlund “Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis,” PubMed Central (PMC) found CBD gummies to reduce redness, swelling and overall pain in the rats. In addition, there were no apparent side effects. Research even suggests CBD is excellent for helping nerve and back pain 2J. P. Eskander, J. Spall, A. Spall, R. V. Shah, and A. D. Kaye, “Cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment of acute and chronic back pain: A case series and literature review,” J Opioid Manag, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 215-218, May/Jun 2020, doi: 10.5055/jom.2020.0570. when you use CBD on its own, although it’s most effective when you combine it with THC.
CBD Gummies Are Nerve-Friendly
Researchers believe CBD may provide benefits to people with neurological disorders 3F. Spritzler, “How to Boost Your Brain Health with Low Carb and Ketogenic Diets,” Healthline, Dec. 4, 2020.. In one study of 276 participants who were resistant to medication, CBD decreased muscular cramps in 75% of MS sufferers 4P. Flachenecker, T. Henze, and U. K. Zettl, “Nabiximols (THC/CBD oromucosal spray, Sativex®) in clinical practice–results of a multicenter, non-interventional study (MOVE 2) in patients with multiple sclerosis spasticity,” Eur Neurol, vol. 71, no. 5-6, pp. 271-9, Feb. 2014, doi: 10.1159/000357427.. Another study found that CBD may improve the quality of life and sleep of people with Parkinson’s disease 5S. J. Thanabalasingam, B. Ranjith, R. Jackson, and D. T. Wijeratne, “Cannabis and its derivatives for the use of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” Ther Adv Neurol Disord, vol. 14, 2021..
Other Benefits of Using CBD Gummies
- Substance abuse treatment: Various studies suggest CBD can help anyone suffering from symptoms of poor mental health 6T. A. Iseger and M. G. Bossong, “A systematic review of the antipsychotic properties of cannabidiol in humans,” Schizophr Res, vol. 162, no. 1-3, pp. 153-161, Mar. 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.01.033. related to schizophrenia.
- Better overall sleep quality: Various studies suggest CBD gummies for sleep can benefit those with sleep disorders 7A. S. Suraev, N. S. Marshall, R. Vandrey, D. McCartney, M. J. Benson, I. S. McGregor, R. R. Grunstein, and C. M. Hoyos, “Cannabinoid therapies in the management of sleep disorders: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies,” Sleep Med Rev, vol. 53, Oct. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101339..
- Substance abuse treatment: Some studies suggest CBD can help those who have a dependence on certain drugs 8Y. L. Hurd, S. Spriggs, J. Alishayev, G. Winkel, K. Gurgov, C. Kudrich, A. M. Oprescu, and E. Salsitz, “Cannabidiol for the Reduction of Cue-Induced Craving and Anxiety in Drug-Abstinent Individuals With Heroin Use Disorder: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial,” Am J Psychiatry, vol. 176, no. 11, pp. 911-922, Nov. 2019, doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.18101191., including heroin.
The Downsides of CBD Gummies
- CBD gummies take time to kick in: Although CBD gummies can have massive long-term health benefits, the results aren’t always fast. With CBD products, you’ll sometimes need some patience to witness the best results.
- CBD gummies don’t target specific areas: Unlike CBD topicals, CBD gummies can’t target specific areas of your body. Instead, they’re excellent for full-body effects. However, this isn’t ideal if you have muscular pain in one area of your body.
- Poor market regulation: There are many poor CBD products because of poor market regulation. It’s essential to choose the right products to see good results.
What Are Hemp Gummies Good For?
Although hemp gummies don’t offer the same benefits as CBD gummies, they still have excellent advantages. However, the main benefit is providing nutritional value, including better digestion, improved skin health, and reduction in pain, and swelling.
Furthermore, hemp seed oil has plenty of essential fatty acids, trace minerals, and vitamins; these are all crucial for a healthy body and overall cardiovascular health. Omega-6s and Omega-3s are also superb for your skin if you suffer from acne.
What’s more, when you add Omega-6s and Omega-3s to your diet—even in the form of gummies—you can help your brain function. For example, hemp oil can help anyone suffering from brain fog.
CBD Gummies vs. Hemp Gummies: Which Is Better?
Are you still unsure whether to use CBD gummies or hemp gummies? You’re definitely not alone; it can be a challenging choice.
Firstly, it’s best to list your priorities. What is the primary purpose of using gummies? Are you looking for the incredible health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids? Or would you rather support your endocannabinoid system with CBD?
If you want to ease pain, boost relaxation, and improve sleep quality, you should use CBD gummies. If you’re looking to improve your overall dietary health, hemp gummies are the better option.
Of course, hemp gummies may still improve your quality of sleep and reduce anxiety, but they use different ingredients to achieve it. These ingredients can take longer to work, and that’s not ideal for anyone seeking fast results.
Where to Buy CBD Gummies and Hemp Gummies
Thirty years ago, you’d struggle to find places that sold CBD and hemp gummies; thankfully, this is no longer the case in the United States. You can find hemp gummies in any food chain store or wellness center, on Amazon, or in organic health stores. That’s because hemp gummies don’t include CBD and THC, making them easier to sell.
Alternatively, you can find CBD gummies in vape stores, cannabis dispensaries, head shops, pharmacies, and online vape stores. You’re unlikely to find CBD gummies on Amazon because the company doesn’t allow it. As a result, many companies use that to their advantage and sell hemp gummies. It’s also harder to find CBD gummies in regular shops.
If you’re looking for CBD gummies, however, it’s essential to buy from the right manufacturer. The most reputable brands will have their own website and a strong track record. You can take advantage of incredible discounts, discreet shipping, bulk pricing, and even reward programs with these companies. In addition, you’ll know that the CBD gummies are high quality and safe because they come from a trustworthy brand.
How to Choose Your CBD Gummies
There are hundreds of CBD gummies today, which is a stark contrast from even ten years ago. As a result, many people don’t know where to start if they’ve never used CBD gummies before. Of course, understanding the amount of CBD in your gummies is essential, but there are other important things to note.
Look out for the following language on the product packaging:
Full-Spectrum CBD
It’s common to see CBD products with full-spectrum CBD on the packaging. Full-spectrum CBD contains cannabinoids, such as CBN and CBG. Researchers believe the compounds found in hemp plants perform the best when they work together—otherwise known as the ‘entourage effect’.
Full-spectrum extract and broad-spectrum extract have all of the same compounds, yet broad-spectrum has THC levels close to 0.0%. Although most CBD products don’t contain enough THC to make you feel high, some people will prefer their CBD gummies without any THC, especially if they’re uncertain about local cannabis laws.
CBD Isolate
You may noticeCBD isolate on CBD gummy packaging. CBD isolate is a type of cannabidiol that’s isolated from all of the hemp plant’s flavonoids, cannabinoids, and terpenes. The primary reason gummy producers use CBD isolate is that it’s easy to flavor.
Therefore, if the taste is your biggest concern—which is understandable—you might prefer gummies with CBD isolate on the packaging. Keep in mind that CBD isolate has no other plant chemicals or cannabinoids. Subsequently, some people dislike CBD isolate products for that reason.
Finding The Best CBD Gummies
Once you’ve decided whether to use full-spectrum CBD products or CBD isolate, you’ll want to find the best overall products. CBD products don’t have strict FDA guidelines regarding taste and quality. As a result, it’s not hard to find poor CBD gummies with low-quality CBD.
Your CBD gummies must feature the following:
- Proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
- No more than 0.3% THC on the certificate of analysis
- Proof of passing tests for molds, heavy metals, and pesticides
- The source of the hemp on the packaging or certificate
You should also consider:
- The company’s manufacturing process
- The company’s certifications
- Customer reviews
- Overall ingredients
Here’s an important tip: look at the company’s label to see whether it says hemp gummies or hemp extract instead of CBD gummies. It’s not uncommon for people to purchase hemp products thinking they’re CBD products, because the packaging may look similar to the naked eye. Another important indicator of a dodgy product is the number of milligrams on the packaging. For example, some products will say 15,000 mg; these are almost always dodgy products.
Are CBD Gummies Legal?
The legality of CBD gummies is perhaps the biggest question on your list when choosing either CBD gummies or hemp gummies. In short, it depends on where you live. Some nations worldwide have a zero-tolerance for CBD products because they may contain THC—even in tiny amounts. Be careful if you buy CBD gummies and you’re unsure of the local laws.
In the United States, CBD gummies are legal if derived from Farm Bill-compliant hemp. In the United Kingdom, all CBD products—including CBD gummies—are legal if they contain less than 0.2% THC and are a food supplement. In the European Union, laws differ vastly from state to state. Some EU nations have strict laws on CBD. You should conduct research before buying.
However, hemp gummies are legal in most places because they don’t contain CBD or THC. If you’re concerned about local laws on cannabis products or you’re unsure, hemp gummies might be the better option for you.
In Summary
Both CBD and hemp gummies are excellent options if you’re looking for health benefits. Hemp gummies won’t contain the vast benefits of CBD gummies, such as quick relaxation, sleep improvement, and fast pain ease.
However, hemp gummies are fantastic dietary supplements with numerous health benefits, such as improved brain and heart health. They’re also easier to purchase from local stores compared with CBD gummies, and they’re a better option if you’re unsure about local cannabis laws.
The choice is yours, but both CBD and hemp gummies can have an enormous impact on your quality of life. Why not try them both to see which one works best for you?
