If you’re not already using hemp oil, you need to be. Why? Read on to learn all about the top benefits of hemp oil.
According to this report, hemp product sales are currently estimated at $700 million every year. With removed restrictions and the rise of new products, the hemp industry is constantly growing. More people are also recognizing the benefits of hemp oil and how it can improve their health.
Hemp seeds come from the plant cannabis sativa. They’re the same species as cannabis, but a different variety. In fact, they only contain trace amounts of THC. Instead of causing psychoactive effects, hemp can offer nutrition, relaxation, and more! Discover this new source of health and happiness yourself with our list of hemp oil benefits.
1. Sweet Relief
Many people are already using hemp oil as a natural pain reliever. When our immune system recognizes damaged cells, pathogens, or irritants, it begins the healing process. This causes inflammation; the body’s natural defense mechanism. Inflammation allows the body to naturally heal infections, wounds, and damaged tissue. Unfortunately, too much inflammation causes a number of disorders. These can include rheumatoid arthritis or even cancer. Many people don’t want to take harmful prescription medications to treat this pain. Instead, they turn towards full-spectrum hemp oil and other cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids can attach themselves to receptors in the brain and immune system. Usually, these receptors create anti-inflammatory and painkilling effects which help relieve our pain. If there’s too much inflammation, however, your body needs a little extra help. That’s where the benefits of hemp oil play a part. The hemp oil can influence the way these receptors respond to signals associated with pain. That way, you experience additional anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Tada! Less pain.
2. The Answer to Acne
Hemp oil and other hemp products might be the answer to acne, too. Hemp seed oil contains fatty acids. These fatty acids do a great job of preventing inflammation, which can cause acne. That way, hemp oil is working to keep your skin balanced and clear. The addition of CBD from the plant matter can help clear your breakouts, too!
In fact, this study revealed that CBD can reduce sebum production. It also prevents excessive lipogenesis induced by agents that cause acne. As hemp and CBD oil normalize these levels, it also exerts an anti-inflammatory response.
There are a few other ways hemp oil can reduce acne. For example, hemp oil can help moderate oil production. By balancing out oily skin, hemp oil can help hydrate and regulate your skin’s natural oil production. It also moisturizes the skin without clogging pores. This makes hemp oil a perfect option for varying skin types. Since hemp oil calms inflammation, it can keep the skin nourished and moisturized. This could help clear or prevent acne breakouts as well!
3. Nod to Nutrition
Have you ever seen someone sprinkle hemp seeds onto their breakfast yogurt? It’s no different than adding almond slivers or walnuts. That’s because hemp is technically a nut. The seeds are nutritious and even contain over 30 percent fat.
Hemp seeds also offer two essential fatty acids: linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acids. These omegas do a lot of good to help our brains, hearts, skin, bones, immunity, and reproductive health.
Not enough nutrition value for you? 25 percent of hemp’s total calories come from protein.
It’s also considered a complete protein source. That means you get all the essential amino acids from hemp, too. Since our bodies can’t naturally produce essential amino acids, supplementing them is important.
In fact, complete protein sources are difficult to find in plants. Another plant-based complete protein source is quinoa. Digesting hemp protein is easier than it is with many grains, nuts, and legumes.
If you’re looking to add amino acids to your diet, hemp seeds also contain significant amounts. They’re also a great source of vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, sulfur, iron, and zinc. So eat up!
4. Relax and Unwind
Most of us struggle with stress throughout our daily lives. This stress can cause us to tense up. Adding hemp oil or a CBD tincture to our routine can help relieve stress as well as muscle tension. The anti-inflammatory effects of these products can help soothe sore muscles. Just rub a little hemp seed oil onto your skin. Then, the oil will release the tension you’re holding in these muscles to help relax them.
If you’re experiencing mental and emotional distress, hemp oil can also help relieve anxiety. Add a little exercise and meditation to your routine and you’re good to go! If your pet is experiencing tension or anxiety, know where to buy CBD treats for dogs and cats. That way, the entire family can bask in the benefits of hemp oil and CBD.
5. Heart to Heart
According to the World Health Organization, heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. In fact, 15.2 million deaths that occurred in 2016 were due to ischaemic heart disease and stroke. These two diseases have remained the leading cause of death worldwide for 15 years. Hemp oil contains alpha-linolenic fatty acid. This fatty acid is capable of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. If you’re trying to add more linolenic acid to your diet, add flaxseed oil and fish oils into the mix!
The nutritional benefits of hemp oil can may you avoid heart disease. Hemp seeds also have a positive effect on cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure, too! It’s important to note that clinical trials are still underway to conduct further research.
6. Supple Skin
Those vitamins, nutrients, and fatty acids in hemp oil can also help your skin. The fatty acids nourish skin while protecting it from oxidation, inflammation, and other causes of aging. The anti-aging properties allow help oil to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and prevent signs of aging. Our bodies can’t produce linoleic and oleic acid, but hemp oil can. These both play a crucial role in skin health and anti-aging. It can also help treat:
- Eczema
- Dermatitis
- Acne rosacea
- Lichen planus
- Varicose eczema
- Psoriasis
Remember, fatty acids affect immune responses in the body. Our bodies actually need a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. This can help treat conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Otherwise, you may start to experience skin disorders. Patients with eczema who use hemp seed oil may experience improved blood levels of essential fatty acids. The hemp oil can also relieve dry skin and improve itchiness.
That way, you don’t need skin medication anymore. Instead, you can relieve your eczema or other skin condition symptoms and start living in comfort again. Grab a bottle of hemp oil for younger, glowing skin!
7. Brain Power
Those fatty acids are good for the brain, too! Our brains need healthy fats to operate at their best. That added brain power can help you avoid the risk of brain deterioration. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory properties of hemp oil can protect the brain from disease.
Hemp seed oil contains polyphenols, which play a big part in protecting the brain. However, this study was conducted on mice, not humans. The results showed hemp seed oil could prevent learning and spatial memory damage caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These initial results appear promising but further studies are required to determine the effects on humans.
8. Pause PMS
That’s right; the benefits of hemp oil can help treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS), too! This study required patients to take medication that included the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) found in hemp seeds for six months. The results noted a significant decrease in menopause symptoms. PMS symptoms are likely caused by a sensitivity to the prolactin hormone. The GLA in hemp seeds, however, reduce the effects of prolactin. As a result, patients experience a decrease in PMS symptoms! In case you haven’t experienced the full range of PMS symptoms, these can include:
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Tension
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Weight gain
- Breast tenderness
- Acne
- Appetite changes
These symptoms occur in 90 percent of women sometime in their lifetime.
Future Research
Research into hemp oil benefits is still pretty new. This is especially true in the United States and other areas where restrictive laws make research difficult. However, CBD is coming into more common use throughout the world.
This creates the potential for more research into hemp oil and CBD products. That means there are potentially unknown hemp oil benefits out there. Still, people should know there’s still a small risk of THC getting into the system. This could occur if there’s contamination with other plant matter. When choosing your hemp seed oil products, make sure they’re from a reliable manufacturer. That way, you can ensure the oil is free of any additional compounds, including THC.
With these top eight benefits of hemp oil, you can live a happier, healthier, hemp-ier life! Hemp oil can help you relax, relieve inflammation, and benefit your heart health. Now that you’re aware of these hemp oil benefits, you can try it out for yourself. Check out our latest Health & Fitness posts for more guides and tips!