Hemp Seed Oil vs CBD Oil: Clearing Up the Confusion
Hemp seed oil is a food oil from the seed; CBD oil is a cannabinoid product. Learn how they differ in composition, evidence, US rules, drug-test and safety questions.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Quick answer
They are different products that are often confused. Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant and is valued as a food oil. CBD oil is sold for its cannabidiol (CBD) content. The FDA says the seeds do not naturally contain THC or CBD. [1] This page is information only. The cannabinoid details live in our Specialty section; start with Hemp seed oil vs CBD oil and CBD.
What is in hemp seed oil?
Laboratory analyses of hemp seed oil describe mostly unsaturated fats. One analysis of oils from eight regions of China found polyunsaturated fatty acids mainly linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid, ALA (omega-3), in a ratio close to 3:1. [2] A 2022 analysis of hemp products found linoleic acid at 50 to 55%, ALA around 12 to 14%, and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) above 1.70%. [3] So hemp seed oil contains ALA, the plant omega-3, not EPA or DHA, and ALA conversion in the body is limited; see ALA, EPA and DHA and Flaxseed oil and plant omega-3. Its GLA is the same fat discussed on Evening primrose, borage and GLA oils.What is CBD oil?
CBD is one of the cannabinoids, which are substances found in the cannabis plant. [4] CBD products come in several forms and their contents depend on the product; see What is CBD oil?.The difference at a glance
| Question | Hemp seed oil | CBD oil |
|---|---|---|
| Main thing sold | A food oil from the seed, rich in unsaturated fats [2] | Cannabidiol [4] |
| Cannabinoids | FDA: seed-derived ingredients contain only trace amounts of THC and CBD picked up during harvesting and processing [1]. A lab paper reports CBDA, a cannabinoid acid, as a common constituent of hemp seed oil [5] | The point of the product |
| US food status | FDA completed review of three GRAS notices in December 2018 for hulled hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder and hemp seed oil, with no questions [1] | FDA concluded THC and CBD products are excluded from the dietary supplement definition; adding CBD to food is prohibited under its reading [1] |
| Labeling | Hemp seed-derived ingredients must be declared by name on the ingredient list [1] | See CBD products and labels |
| Approved medicine | None described in the sources we read | FDA approved Epidiolex, a purified CBD drug, for certain seizure disorders [1] |
Rules differ by country. These FDA statements apply to the United States; see Consumer CBD products: how they are regulated.
What does the evidence say about benefits?
Labels: promising but limited, insufficient evidence.- Hemp seed oil. One small 20-week, single-blind crossover trial in people with atopic dermatitis compared hemp seed oil with olive oil and reported blood fatty-acid changes and improved dryness, itch and medicine use. [6] That is one trial, and we did not find a larger one; compare with the negative Cochrane result for evening primrose oil in eczema. Other health claims: Proper evidence not found (searched PubMed for hemp seed oil trials; most results were lab, animal or product-formulation studies).
- CBD. Evidence depends on the condition; see CBD.
Frequently asked questions
Does hemp seed oil contain CBD?
FDA says the seeds do not naturally contain CBD and seed-derived ingredients contain only trace amounts picked up in processing. [1]
Is hemp seed oil an omega-3 supplement?
It contains ALA, a plant omega-3, but not EPA or DHA. [3]
Is hemp seed oil legal as food in the US?
FDA completed review of three hemp seed GRAS notices in December 2018 with no questions. [1]
Can hemp seed oil show up on a drug test?
A 2000 study of oils then on sale found THC but volunteers' urine metabolite levels stayed under cutoffs. [8] Ask about your workplace policy.
Is CBD oil safe?
FDA says CBD can cause liver injury and interact with medicines. [7]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety and cautions
- CBD. FDA says CBD can cause liver injury and can change how other medicines work. [7] NCCIH lists liver injury, male reproductive harm and drug interactions. [4] Ask a pharmacist before use; see Medication interactions and CBD medication interactions.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. FDA says THC-containing cannabis products have potential adverse effects in pregnant or lactating women. [1] See Cannabis and CBD in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Drug tests. A 2000 study found THC in commercial hemp seed oils of that time; volunteers' urine stayed below screening cutoffs within 48 hours after stopping. [8] Products today vary; see Cannabis, CBD and drug testing.
- Hemp seed oil safety. Interactions or special risks for food-level hemp seed oil are not described in the sources we read. Ask a clinician if you have a medical condition or take medicines.
- Labels and quality. Check whether the ingredient is "hemp seed oil" or a cannabinoid extract; see Quality testing and certifications and Hemp foods and hemp seed oil.
References
- U.S. FDA, FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD) (content current as of 07/16/2024). Read 2026-10-22.
- Analytical characterization of hempseed (seed of Cannabis sativa L.) oil from eight regions in China. 2010. Read 2026-10-22.
- Elucidation of the lipid composition of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) products by means of gas chromatography and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection. 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know (last updated November 2019 on the page we read). Read 2026-10-22.
- Cannabidiolic acid in hemp seed oil table spoon and beyond. 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis. 2005. Read 2026-10-22.
- U.S. FDA, What You Need to Know (And What We're Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD (content current as of 03/05/2020). Read 2026-10-22.
- Consumption and quantitation of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in commercially available hemp seed oil products. 2000. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.