Nine Things You Need to Know About Hemp

What is Hemp?

Cannabis sativa L. is the genus of plant for both hemp and marijuana. Hemp is used for many industrial purposes, including grain, fiber, oil, and CBD, while marijuana is used medicinally and recreationally. 

Does Hemp Contain THC?

The hemp plant contains extremely low levels of THC, or delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. This is the component of marijuana that makes humans, and animals, high. The amount of THC detected in hemp is so low (less than 0.3 percent) that it eliminates any possibility of psychoactive effects from consuming hemp product.

Difference Between Marijuana and Hemp

Marijuana, within the same genus of plant as hemp, contains THC. Because of this, it is used for certain medical conditions as well as for recreation and for its psychoactive properties. The THC in marijuana will result in the consumer becoming high. While similar in name to the hemp plant, the components of marijuana differ.

What is CBD?

Cannabinoids, or CBDs, are found in the hemp plant. CBD is used medicinally for several conditions ranging from seizures to anxiety. Found in the leaves and buds of the hemp plant, CBD is a useful component of hemp that cannot make the consumer high. While CBD is the common name for these beneficial components, there are over 100 cannabinoids in hemp.

Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system, found in all mammals, is the system that allows the body to signal the brain and process cannabinoids. This system allows cannabinoids to help with many conditions including anxiety, cognition and memory.

The Perfect Balance of Omegas

Hemp contains healthy fatty acids, including omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9. The seeds from the hemp plant provide these fatty acids, so to obtain these specific benefits it is necessary to eat hemp seeds, or to consume a derivative product such as oil or protein powder.

Industrial Hemp Purposes

Industrial hemp is harvested for industrial purposes such as oil, grain, and fiber. To ensure the best growth and therefore harvest of hemp, the plants grow in close proximity. This encourages the hemp plants to grow tall, meaning more stems for fiber and more seeds are produced. This also leads to less leaves and buds, meaning a low amount of CBD is found in industrial hemp plants, while a high number of omegas are present.

Medicinal Hemp Purposes

Medicinal hemp is grown to promote CBD production. This means the plants are allowed room to grow more bush-like and therefore produce more leaves, buds, and flowers, where the CBD is found. Due to the lack of seeds produced with medicinal hemp, the healthy fatty acids are not present. 

Bio-accumulator

Not only a plant with countless health benefits, hemp also pulls contaminates from the soil into the plant. Hemp, a bio-accumulator, will purify the soil by absorbing the toxins from the soil. While this is a great factor for regenerating soil, it also means that purchasing organic and sustainable hemp is essential.

References

1.       Qingling Wang, Youling L. Xiong. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. Processing, Nutrition, and Functionality of Hempseed Protein: A Review. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12450. Accessed 11/22/20

2.       Front Vet Sci. 2020; 7: 387. Hemp in Veterinary Medicine: From Feed to Drug. Giorgia della Rocca* and Alessandra Di Salvo

3.       https://goodhemp-ingredients.com/hemp-facts/

4.       https://blog.victoryhempfoods.com/benefits-of-omega-3