WHAT ARE HEMP-DERIVED PRODUCTS?
The hemp industry is one of the fastest growing industries today in the United States. This is because hemp has been legalized and thus, its many potentials can now be harnessed and made available for all and sundry.
Hemp is very useful to the extent that not only edibles can produce from it, but other products as well. Thanks to the 2018 Farm bill, since hemp became legalized, manufacturers in the cannabis industry have taken to producing different types of products with hemp, and we are in for all of it. There are almost 25,000 hemp-derived products out there.
In this article, you will learn about hemp, its legalization, different hemp-derived products, its health benefits, and many more. Let's get right to it.
WHAT IS HEMP?
Hemp is a Cannabis Sativa plant species that contain less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the component in cannabis that causes that "high" feeling when cannabis is taken, and that compound makes all the difference. This is because cannabis was illegal until the Farm bill was passed in 2018, which allowed cannabis products of less than 0.3 THC to be legal in the United States. That was how hemp became legalized.
It is important to know the difference between hemp and marijuana. Both are cannabis plants. However, hemp is a species of Cannabis Sativa plant with less than 0.3% THC, and thus it has been made legal, while marijuana is a cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or more THC, and thus, it is illegal. Also, since hemp has been approved for consumption, its derived products have been approved for consumption. It also means CBD obtained from hemp has been approved.
HEMP-DERIVED PRODUCTS
Since its legalization, many cannabis processing companies have begun processing different hemp-derived products. This ranges from food products to industrial products to CBD products, and we will take a look at each one
Food products
Because of the nutritional and health benefits of hemp and hemp seed, it is used to manufacture several food products. Hemp, especially the seeds, has a lot of nutritional benefits. They are rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and are good for the heart because it helps to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. Also, because the THC present in hemp is less than 0.3%, it does not give the psychoactive effect seen in marijuana, and hence it is suitable for food production.
There are several food products derived from hemp and hemp seed, and examples of these are hemp seed oil, hemp milk, hemp tea, hemp flour, hemp coffee and other infused drinks, dips and sauces, and hemp protein powder, among others.
Industrial products
Hemp use is not only limited to CBD products and food products, as hemp is also useful for industrial purposes. Hemp fibers are processed for twine, paper, clothing, and animal bedding, among a host of other use. Hemp is also used in cosmetic production. Hemp plays a significant role in the production as various products can be derived from it. According to industry estimates, China planted 164,819 acres of hemp in 2019, and more than half of it was for fiber.
Hemp-derived CBD products
There are varieties of hemp-derived CBD products. Taking CBD is not only limited to tablets and capsules, but much more innovative ways have been formulated. Let's take a quick look at each of these formulations.
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CBD gummies
CBD derived from hemp are now being formulated into gummies. This method of formulation has different advantages over other formulations. It is easy to take and carry about. Also, it is flavored, thus giving it a sweet taste. It also means you can now enjoy CBD in your favorite flavor. This is a very easy and convenient method of formulating CBD derived from hemp, and everyone should have a bottle of CBD gummies with them at all times.
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Hemp-derived CBD oil
This is formulated by extracting CBD from the hemp plant and diluting it with career oils such as hemp seed oil. It differs from the regular CBD oil derived from cannabis, which contains more than 0.3% CBD. CBD oil derived from hemp is also a dietary supplement because of its health benefits. You can take it orally, and you can also mix it with food. You can add it to food just like any other oil like olive, or sunflower oils. Depending on your state, it is even sold in some pharmacies in the United States.
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Hemp-derived CBD tinctures
Tinctures are alcohol-based formulations. The alcohol composition ranges from 60%-70%. Instead of the oil used as a carrier in CBD oil, alcohol is used as the carrier in CBD tinctures. This formulation can be consumed in various ways, such as mixing with food and drinks, spraying it below the tongue, and taking them orally with droppers.
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Topicals
Hemp-derived CBD can be formulated into topicals such as creams, ointments, paste, and lotions. This is because of the various health benefits of hemp-derived CBD. For example, CBD balms and salves help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation and in such a situation, topicals come in handy because they will have a localized effect.
There are a few hemp-derived CBD products, such as CBD lollipops and CBD vape pens that you will find in a smoke and vape shop. Also, it is important to note that CBD derived from hemp is of three types based on the components present: full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate.
Full spectrum hemp-derived CBD is CBD that contains other chemical compounds such as flavonoids and terpenes in addition to the cannabinoid present. It also contains THC but in amounts less than 0.3%.
Broad spectrum hemp-derived CBD contains cannabinoids and other chemical compounds such as cannabinol, terpenes and flavonoids but does not contain THC. Sometimes it contains trace amounts of THC; however, its composition differs from that of the full spectrum.
The third type of CBD is CBD isolate. CBD isolate contains only CBD. It does not contain any other compound.
These three types of CBD are derived from hemp. They are used in the formulation of different products, as listed above.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF HEMP.
Hemp has numerous nutrients and, thus, several health benefits. It is classified as a superfood due to its rich nutritional content. Some of these are
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It helps with pain and inflammation
Hemp helps relieve pain by reacting with the body's endocannabinoid receptors. You can also apply hemp seed oil to the affected area. Hemp seed also helps reduce inflammation because of its antioxidant properties and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. An experiment was carried out where rats with arthritis were treated with hemp, which greatly reduced their pain and inflammation.
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It helps to improve the condition of the heart
Hemp also helps to improve the condition of the heart in various ways. It helps to reduce the cholesterol amount (bad fat) in the body because of its antioxidant properties. Hemp seeds also contain a high amount of arginine, a protein that gives nitric acid, a vasodilator, when broken down. Vasodilators are substances that cause blood vessels around the heart to expand, thus giving room for the blood being pumped and reducing the pressure the heart has to exert before pumping blood all over the body. This is part of how hemp seeds improve the condition of the heart.
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It improves skin condition
Hemp also helps to improve skin conditions and prevent skin diseases. This is because of the antioxidant properties it has. It moistures and soothes the skin and elicits anti-aging effects on the skin. Substances with antioxidant properties generally help to improve skin condition, and hemp is not left out. Hemp oil can treat skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and eczema.
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It helps in weight loss
Hemp and its seed are fiber-rich. It helps in weight loss because it makes one feel full and reduces appetite when taken. It reduces appetite and helps with fasting. It also helps in regulating blood sugar because of its nutritional content. You can consume it by adding hemp seeds to your breakfast, and you can also grind it into powder and take it with your cereal, in a smoothie, on yogurt, in granola bars, or added to baked goods.
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It improves hair growth
Being a source of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, hemp oil improves hair growth. It stimulates blood circulation, and the hair follicle also makes use of the numerous nutrients in the oil to grow.
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It improves the brain's health
Hemp helps to improve the brain's activity by improving cognitive processes such as memory, attention, and executive function. It reduces memory impairment and increases the connection between brain cells.
SIDE EFFECTS OF HEMP-DERIVED CBD
Like every other CBD product, CBD can lead to side effects when taken in excess. These side effects include dry mouth, gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
Also, CBD can react with some medications such as warfarin, a blood thinner, thyroid drugs such as levothyroxine, and food such as grapefruit. Also, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, cross-check with your caregiver before using CBD-infused products.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HEMP-DERIVED PRODUCTS
- Does hemp-derived CBD make you fail a drug test? No, hemp-derived CBD does not make you fail a drug test. A drug test tests for THC, which is not present in CBD.
- What is the status of hemp legalization in the United States? Hemp was legalized in the United States in 2018 with the passing of the Farm Bill. Hemp and hemp-derived products contain less than 0.3% THC and do not give the psychoactive effect of THC.
- Is CBD oil and hemp seed oil the same? No, CBD oil and hemp seed oil are not the same things. Although they are obtained from the same cannabis plant, CBD oil is mostly obtained from the leaves, stalk and flowers and contains a higher percentage of THC, while hemp seed oil is obtained from the seeds and has lesser THC content. CBD oil is obtained with the CBD extract added to a carrier oil, while hemp seed oil is obtained from the seed.
- What is the dosage of CBD oil? When taking CBD oil, you should start with a lower dose and adjust till you find the right dose for you. However, CBD oil can be trickish; unlike CBD gummies and capsules, where the CBD content of each is known, for oil, you have to use a dropper and find out the amount present in a drop.
- What is the hemp fabric made of? The hemp fabric is made from the hemp plant, a species of Cannabis Sativa. It contains a high percentage of fibers and is one of the earliest materials made into fabric. Hemp clothing and materials were found in tombs as far back as 8000BC. It is used to make many more materials in Asia today, such as paper, rope, canvas, and many more.
CONCLUSION
Hemp is a multipurpose plant, and various products can be derived from it. From CBD to food to industrial products, hemp use cuts across different production areas.
It can also be interesting to know that several food products can be derived from hemp ranging from hemp milk, tea, granola, hemp powder, dips and sauces and even other hemp-infused drinks.
The health benefits of hemp and hemp seeds are numerous, especially hemp seed, as it contains very high-quality nutrients and can be classified as a superfood. This is also good news for people who want to lose weight and gain clearer skin. Hemp helps in weight loss; once taken in the morning, it makes you feel full and abate hunger for the rest of the day. Its antioxidant properties also give you clearer and more healthy skin.
Many people mix up hemp and marijuana, but there is a clear difference between the two. Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC, while marijuana contains a higher amount of THC. Therefore, marijuana has psychoactive effects while hemp does not.
The CBD obtained from hemp has been legalized in the United States and does not contain up to 0.3% THC; thus, it does not make you feel "high" when consumed. Hemp-derived products are what everyone should have in their household because of their numerous benefits.