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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
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Hemp oils don’t contain CBD, but they are full of nutrients, whereas CBD gummies contain cannabidiol and may have THC. Our editors review hemp oil and CBD gummies to help you choose which is right for you.
Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.
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Hemp, CBD, cannabis — it’s all the same, right? Not so fast.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate cannabidiol (CBD) products like they do medications and supplements, so some companies may try to get away with using the terms “hemp” and “CBD” interchangeably. But there are some key differences between the two.
Hemp oil and CBD oil are very different in terms of their composition.
Unlike CBD oil, which is made using all parts of the cannabis plant, hemp oil or hempseed oil comes from only the seeds of the plant. Hemp seeds do not contain CBD. For CBD gummies to be legit, they need to contain CBD oil, not hempseed oil.
It seems like an easy distinction, but some companies falsely market hemp gummies as CBD gummies. Unless you’re taking a closer look at the ingredients, it can be easy to fall for the fraudulent claim.
One red flag? Price. If the pricing seems too good to be true, it probably is.
You can buy both products online or in some stores.
However, it’s important to note that any supposed CBD gummies you see for sale on Amazon are most likely hemp gummies. You can’t buy CBD gummies from the online retail giant, as Amazon prohibits CBD sales.
So are those hemp gummies you see on Amazon a good buy? Probably not. Many hemp gummies are falsely marketed as containing CBD or providing benefits that only CBD can provide. For this reason, we’re not featuring hemp gummies to buy in this article.
If you only want to consume hemp and not CBD, you’re better off looking for hempseed oil rather than hemp gummies. There are many quality hempseed oils that can be bought online or in stores — we highlight two in this article.
However, if you want to buy CBD gummies, buy directly from a CBD company.
Since CBD products do not have strict FDA regulations as far as quality and purity go, we took extra care when selecting CBD gummies. We used criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
Our considerations for CBD gummies
Each CBD gummy featured in this article:
- is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
- is made by a company that discloses the source of their hemp
- contains no more than 0.3% THC, according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
- passes tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, according to the COA
As a part of our selection process, we also considered:
- the company’s certifications and manufacturing processes
- product potency
- overall ingredients
- indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:
- customer reviews
- whether the company has been subject to an FDA
warning letter - whether the company makes any unsupported health claims
Our considerations for hempseed oil
When picking out hempseed oils to feature, we looked for products with:
- lots of positive reviews
- clear marketing that does not try to dupe buyers into thinking they’re purchasing something that contains CBD
| Product | Price | Main ingredient | CBD type | CBD potency | Count | COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAB CBD Anytime Chews | $59 | CBD hemp extract | isolate | 25 mg per gummy | 30 gummies | available online |
| Cornbread Hemp Full-Spectrum CBD Gummies | $39.99–$99.95 | hemp flower extract | full-spectrum | 20–50 mg per gummy | 15–30 gummies | available online |
| Joy Organics Organic CBD Gummies | $39.95–$49.95 | organic broad-spectrum hemp distillate | broad-spectrum | 10–25 mg per gummy | 30 gummies | available online |
| Zatural Virgin Cannabis Hemp Oil | $9.99–$7,000 | hempseed oil | not applicable | not applicable | 2 oz–1,000 liters | available online |
| Nutiva Organic Hemp Seed Oil | $8.99–$89.99 | hempseed oil | not applicable | not applicable | 8–24 oz | not available |
While CBD research is still in its infancy, it shows some potential to help with issues like insomnia and anxiety. Some people also use CBD to help with chronic pain, nausea, and depression.
Additionally, Epidiolex, the first
Hemp gummies do not produce the same effects as CBD gummies because they do not contain CBD or THC.
Still, hempseed oil may have other benefits, such as helping with skin conditions like acne or psoriasis, because it has an anti-inflammatory effect. It’s also nutritious. However, people should not expect it to help reduce anxious thoughts or help include sleep time and quality.
Pros
- Full of nutrients: Hempseed oil contains a host of necessary vitamins and nutrients, including iron, calcium, and magnesium.
- Skin-friendly: You might even consider putting this oil directly on your skin thanks to its many skin-soothing benefits.
- PMS aid: If you experience cramps and other symptoms, you might find relief by taking hempseed oil, with its gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content.
Cons
- No CBD: Hempseed oil does not contain any CBD. While that doesn’t make it bad, it can be confusing, especially when companies try marketing hempseed products as CBD products.
Pros
- Tasty: Gummies tend to taste better than other CBD products.
- Longer lasting than topicals: Because they’re ingested and end up in the stomach, CBD gummies take a while to take effect. However, those effects usually last for hours.
- Easy to use: Just pop and chew a gummy. No complicated measuring and dosing are required.
Cons
- Takes time to kick in: The long lasting effects of edible CBD products can be a pro, but the fact that they take time to take effect can be a drawback. This is especially true if you’re new to CBD and don’t feel anything right away. It may take time, even hours, to know whether it’s actually working.
- Doesn’t target specific areas: Unlike topicals, CBD gummies are best for getting full-body effects, not targeting specific spots on your body.
- Lack of market regulation: There are a lot of subpar CBD products out there. You’ll need to do your research before you buy to help ensure you’re choosing a high quality product.
When buying a CBD or hempseed product, you’ll want to look out for the following:
CBD source
If you’re buying a CBD product, consider what type of CBD is in it. There are three types:
- CBD isolate
- full-spectrum
- broad-spectrum
Isolate is pure CBD and contains no other cannabinoids from the plant. If you want to avoid THC altogether, an isolate is probably your best option. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
First, there’s always a chance that any CBD product could contain trace amounts of THC. This may be particularly important if you undergo drug testing.
Second, the extraction process for CBD isolate, compared with full- and broad-spectrum CBD, is pretty involved and can strip away beneficial compounds like terpenes. That means that CBD isolate may not have the same health benefits as other types of CBD.
Broad-spectrum CBD doesn’t usually contain THC, but full-spectrum products do. The entourage effect suggests that CBD and THC may have more profound effects when taken together instead of alone.
Hempseed oil does not contain CBD. Avoid products that claim to contain CBD but only include hempseed oil on the label.
Additionally, if you see a CBD product that does not tell you the exact form of CBD included, that’s a red flag.
Ingredients
Whether you’re buying hempseed oil or CBD gummies, it’s important to review the ingredient list. Hempseed oil should generally only have a single ingredient, though sometimes flavoring is added.
It is always important to read the ingredients label if you have an allergy. It’s better to shop around than risk an allergic reaction.
Some CBD gummies contain added ingredients like lemon balm or melatonin to help boost the product’s effects or help make the flavor more palatable. Keep in mind that not much is known about how CBD interacts with vitamins, minerals, or supplements, so it’s best to talk with a doctor before taking a CBD product with one of these added ingredients.
If you’re vegan or want to avoid artificial ingredients, be sure the ingredients list suits your needs.
Third-party testing
Hempseed oil isn’t necessarily going to be third-party tested, but this extra step doesn’t hurt.
However, CBD products should absolutely come with a COA from a reputable, independent, third-party lab. Check the COA to be sure it includes the following:
- Date: Ideally, the COA should be no more than a year old.
- Potency: The amount of CBD listed on the COA should match what’s on the product’s packaging. Some variation is normal, but it shouldn’t be off by more than 10–20%.
- Contaminant testing: Check to be sure the product passes tests for heavy metals, pesticides, and molds, at a minimum.
CBD does not produce the same “high” as THC, but it can cause mild side effects in some people. Some side effects include:
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- weight loss or gain
- appetite changes
Generally, CBD is
Whether you plan on taking CBD or hemp, talk with a healthcare professional or cannabis clinician before doing so. CBD, hemp, and some supplements may interact with certain medications.
Are hemp gummies the same as CBD gummies?
No. Hemp gummies do not contain CBD. Instead, they contain hempseed oil. Hempseed oil has some benefits, but it’s not to be confused with CBD.
Can a hemp gummy get you ‘high’?
Nope. There’s no THC in a hemp gummy, so eating one (or more) will not get you “high.”
Which is better for pain: CBD or hemp?
Research is still emerging on CBD and its potential pain-relieving qualities. But what we do know so far is that CBD may help with certain types of pain.
Doing your homework is the best way to avoid being taken advantage of when buying CBD products.
Don’t be fooled by over-the-top marketing claims and wishy-washy descriptions. CBD gummies are not the same as hemp gummies.
CBD gummies are more expensive and may help with a range of conditions. Hemp gummies, while nutritious, do not produce the same effects as CBD gummies. They’re also generally less expensive, and it can be difficult to find a quality version. If you’re interested in the benefits of hemp, consider taking hempseed oil rather than hemp gummies.
Regardless of whether you decide to take CBD or hemp, talk with a healthcare professional before adding it to your daily routine.
Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.